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A Los Angeles Bail Bonds Company Serving California Since 1993
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Bail Bonds Definitions

In Los Angeles, bail bonds are a part of the booking and releasing process in any county jail or holding facility. These processes can be confusing for most of us, who rarely have to deal with arrest situations.

Here are some definitions to common terms you’ll hear that may help you when searching for a Los Angeles bail bonds service.

Bail: After a person is arrested, he goes through the booking process and then a judge sets a price for his release until trial, called the bail. Bail refers to the actual monetary amount set by the judge.

Bail Bond: When the family member cannot afford the full bail, they hire a bail bond business to pay the full bail amount, in exchange for a fee. For many bail bonds, that fee is set at 10%. The bail bonds company is often backed by a specialized insurance company.

Bail Bondsman: Also called a bail bonds agent, this individual is licensed by the state of California to post your bail bond. They will meet you at the jail in order to post the bail for release of the arrested person.

Indemnitor: The person who signs for the release of the arrestee and pays the bail fee is considered the indemnitor. He or she is in charge of ensuring that the defendant makes it to all scheduled court dates. The indemnitor may also be liable if the defendant flees, misses their court appearances or jumps bail.

Cash Bond: When the person can afford the entire bail, they may pay the whole sum in cash or a cahier’s check. This amount will be returned at the conclusion of the trial, regardless of the verdict, if the defendant attends all court hearings. In this situation, no bail bondsman is necessary, but this is an unlikely scenario as bail amounts are extremely high and proof of legal funds is also necessary when paying total bail monies.

Recognizance: In some cases, the judge will determine that the defendant does not pose a flight risk and will attend all court dates, so no bail is set. The arrestee is free to leave, but is still expected to attend all scheduled trial dates. This typically only occurs in cases of high public prominence, such as those involving elected officials.

Remand: In severe cases, a judge will not accept any bail. This usually occurs when the suspect has committed a very serious crime or has a prior history of jumping bail. If the individual is capable of easily fleeing the country, this option may be used as well.

Warrant: The police are not allowed to search your person or property without just cause, unless they have a warrant. A warrant is issued by a judge and lets the police perform these searches without the normal consequences associated.

To find out which one of these jails your loved one might be located please call 1-800-224-5266.