Get Answers to Your Questions from Experienced San Diego Bail Bond Agents
A bail bond is a written promise (or contract) signed by a defendant, a defendant’s family and friends, and/or a licensed bail agent stating that, if the defendant is released from jail, the defendant will appear at all scheduled court dates for the duration of their case. If the defendant fails to appear in court and the bail bond is forfeited, the sum of money (bail amount) posted to secure the defendant’s release from jail will be owed to the court.
The court sets the bail amount required for the defendant’s release from jail. If the defendant elects to have a licensed bail agent help them post bail, the bail agent charges the defendant a non-refundable fee, also known as the Premium, for securing the defendant’s release from jail. The fee is typically 10% of the bail amount. For example, if a defendant’s bail amount is $10,000.00, the defendant pays the licensed bail agent a Premium of $1,000.00, or 10% of the bail amount. While California state law allows bail agents to charge clients posting and administrative fees on top of the 10% Premium, Balboa Bail Bonds never charges additional fees.
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What information should I have before I hire a bail agent?
When hiring a bail agent, there are three key pieces of information you will need to provide:
Where is the person being held? This includes the state, city, and jail.
What is their full name and booking number? The agent will need to know this in order to contact the jail and post bail.
How much is bail? If you are unable to get this information the agent will be able to once they contact the jail. Once they know how much the bail was set at, the agent will be able to tell you how much the premium will be.
Do I need collateral for a bail bond?
The need for collateral is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If collateral is necessary, our bail agents will explain what types and how much collateral will be acceptable.
What types of collateral do you accept?
Real property (real estate) is the most commonly accepted type of collateral. Other types of collateral will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
What is the difference between the bail amount and the Premium?
The bail amount is the dollar amount set by the court required for the defendant’s release from jail. The Premium is the non-refundable fee charged by a licensed bail agent to secure the defendant’s release from jail. The Premium is typically 10% of the bail bond amount. For example, if the court sets a defendant’s bail at $10,000.00, the bail amount is $10,000.00 and the Premium charged by the bail agent is $1,000.00.
What are the benefits of hiring a bail agent?
Hiring a bail bond agency means that you don’t have to have the full bail amount sitting in your bank account in order to be set free. All you need is the amount of the agency’s set premium. We will take care of the rest and get you out and back to your job, family, and favorite hobbies in no time.
Bail can be a huge expenditure, and most people don’t have hundreds or thousands just sitting in their wallets. With a bail agent, you can get ready for court in the comfort of your own home, surrounded by loved ones.
How can I locate someone who has been arrested?
If you trying to locate someone who has been or possibly has been arrested, call Balboa Bail Bonds immediately and we will locate the inmate for you for free within a few minutes. We can locate any inmate in the State of California if they have been booked into jail. If they were just arrested a few minutes ago, they likely have not been booked into jail yet and they will not be visible in the system.
Contact Us Now and we will help you locate an inmate within minutes.
How long does it take to bail someone out of jail?
We have agents standing by near every jail in San Diego County ready to post your bond as soon as possible. While processing times can vary due to a number of factors, it typically takes 6-8 hours from the time a defendant is booked into jail for them to become eligible for bail. Once the defendant becomes eligible for bail, a licensed bail agent can post a bail bond on their behalf and the jail will begin the process of releasing the defendant. The jail’s release process averages 1-2 hours. From booking to release, you can expect the bail process to take 7-10 hours.
It is important to note that the jail release processing time is entirely out of any bail agent’s control. The best way to guarantee a fast release for you or your loved one is to call Balboa Bail Bonds immediately and initiate the bail process.
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What if I am re-arrested while on bail?
If you are re-arrested, then another bail will be set for you. The only way to be allowed out of jail will be to pay bail again or get another bond from the bond agency. Your last bond will not count towards the new one, and the court may set your bail higher as you have proven to be a potential liability.
What is a co-signer and do I need one?
Not all bonds require a co-signer. A co-signer is the person who is responsible for the defendant while they are out on bail, ensuring the defendant appears at all court dates and makes all payments on time. A co-signer also assumes financial responsibility for the full bail amount in the event the defendant fails to appear in court and the bail bond is forfeited.
Can co-signers be from out of state?
Yes, we allow co-signers to be from out-of-state. The necessary documents can be emailed or faxed to out-of-state co-signers for their review and signature. Payments can be processed via credit card over the phone or via wire transfer.
What is an exonerated bail bond?
A bail bond is discharged, or exonerated, when the defendant’s case is completed by way of trial, dismissal, or other means. The defendant remains responsible for any unpaid Premiums and fees owed to the bail agent even after the bail bond is exonerated.
If a defendant fails to appear in court on any scheduled court date throughout the life of their case, the bail bond is forfeited and a bench warrant is issued for the defendant’s arrest. If the defendant contacts Balboa Bail Bonds immediately after failing to appear in court, a bail agent may be able to reinstate the bail bond, keep the defendant out of jail, and help the defendant set a new court date.
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A summary judgment is issued by the court when the deadline has passed for reinstating a forfeited bail bond or returning the defendant into custody. When a summary judgment is issued, the full bail amount is owed to the court.
A reinstatement occurs when a bail bond is re-activated after being in forfeiture status with the court. When a defendant who is out on bail fails to appear in court, the bail bond securing the defendant’s release is forfeited. In order to reinstate the bail bond, the defendant must call Balboa Bail Bonds so that the court can be notified and a bail agent can assist the defendant in setting a new court date. This process of reporting to the court can reinstate the defendant’s bail bond, thus eliminating any bench warrant that is active as a result of the bond forfeiture.
Who determines the bail amount for a defendant?
Bail is set by the court, either by a judge's review of the defendant's charges or by a bail schedule establishing fixed bail amounts for common charges. The judge presiding over the defendant’s case may deviate from the bail schedule under certain aggravating or mitigating circumstances.
How much does it cost to get bailed out of jail?
In order for a defendant to bail out of jail, the court must secure the full bail amount. The full bail amount can be paid to the court in cash or by a bail agent using a bond. If the defendant hires a bail agent to post the full bail amount using a bond, the defendant will pay the bail agent a Premium fee to secure their release from jail. The Premium is typically 10% of the bail bond amount. For example, if the court sets a defendant’s bail at $10,000.00, the Premium charged by the bail agent is $1,000.00.
Can I leave the state or country while out on bail?
You may only leave the state or country if you have been given permission both by the court and by the bond agency. It is very rare that permission is given, and often only happens in extenuating circumstances. Most of the time, no, you may not leave while out on bail.
The Premium is not refundable as it is the fee earned by the bail agent to secure the defendant’s release from jail. The Premium is in no way related to the outcome of the defendant’s case and will therefore not be refunded no matter the case result.
How can I make a payment to Balboa Bail Bonds?
We offer our clients three easy payment methods:
By Phone: A bail agent is available to process your payment by phone 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year. We accept all major credit and debit cards by phone.
In Person: A bail agent is available to process your payment in our office 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, and 365 days/year. We accept cash, check, and all major credit and debit cards in our office. Our office is centrally located in downtown San Diego just a few blocks from the courthouse. Just give us a call at (619) 760-2222 and let us know you are on your way!
By Mail: You may mail your check payment to our office at the following address:
Balboa Bail Bonds
501 W Broadway, Suite 800
San Diego, CA 92101
Additional Information
- Will Community Ties Affect My Bail?
- How Is Bail Set for Traffic Violations?
- Does Bankruptcy Apply to Bail Debts?
- Will My Bail Be Returned?