When a loved one is arrested, you might be wondering, “What is an own recognizance release and how do you qualify for one?”
This is a common question (even if people don’t actually know the term “own recognizance” or “OR”). Because if you’re not asking, “What is an OR bond?”, then you’re likely asking, “Can I be released from custody without posting a cash bond?” These two questions are one and the same.
If you’re required to post a bond, it’s usually not cheap, and it’s this way on purpose. The court needs to give you a bigger incentive to return to court on the appropriate day. If you don’t, your bond will not be returned. If you do, you get all your money back.
Even though bail bond companies will post bail on your behalf, you’re still required to pay a percentage of the bond to thebail bond company. And you may even need cosigners who will be responsible for the full amount if you skip your court date. For some people, cosigners and even the bail bond fee are out of reach — which is why an own recognizance release is often requested.
Who qualifies for an own recognizance release?
The court believes you do not require cash bond to return to court
The individual has not been charged with an offense punishable by death
The individual will not be a threat to public safety
Keep in mind, most people charged with felonies will not be granted an OR. If it’s your first-offense and you’ve been charged with a low-level offense, it’s a possibility that you could be granted an OR after a background check.
What happens if you don’t get an OR?
If you don’t get an OR and you are required to post a cash bond, then you’ll likely need to reach out to a bail bond company. A bail bond agent can help you through the bail process and get you released from jail quickly. Take a look at some helpful links below to learn more about the bail bond process.
We’ve previously addressed whether or not bail bond agentsand bounty hunters are police officers, which they are not. But are bail bondsmen law enforcement officers in any capacity?
The answer to this question depends on how you look at things. To be clear, bail bondsmen are not law enforcement officers and neither are bounty hunters. However, they do deal with bail enforcement, which does give them some authority to take you back to court.
If a person skips their court date, a bail bond company would contract with a bounty hunter. That bounty hunter would then find the person who skipped court and bring them back to the proper authorities on behalf of the bail bond company.
The bounty hunter does have to be educated and may have to obtain specific licenses in order to detain a fugitive. Bounty hunters are also expected to have the appropriate documentation to carry out their duties. In other words, you can’t just wake up one day and decide to be a bounty hunter. You have to go through the process to become a bounty hunter and then work alongside bail bond companies.
So, while bail bond companies and bounty hunters have some legal capacity to detain you, they aren’t technically law enforcement officers. They are not responsible for policing individuals on anything other than bail and failed court appearances.
Want to learn more about the bail bond process?
Now that we’ve answered the question, “Are bail bondsmen law enforcement officers?”, check out our additional resources to learn more about bail bond agents and the bail bond process as a whole:
When you’re faced with the option to post bail, you might be wondering, “Are bail bonds returned?” Since bail can be quite a bit of money, it’s only natural to wonder whether or not you’ll be getting some, all, or none of that money back.
Bail bonds are returned. Here’s how it works.
When it comes to bail, you normally have two options.
In one scenario, you could pay the bail in full to the court. This means that either you or a loved one took money that you currently have and gave it directly to the court. Generally speaking, this usually isn’t possible. Bail can be a pretty high amount, and the average person doesn’t have the full bail amount readily available. However, let’s say that a few people came together and paid the bail on behalf of the person requiring bail. When all is said and done, the bail amount is returned in full (even if that person is found guilty of the crime in question).
In the second scenario, you could work with a bail bond agency to post bail. In this situation, you don’t have or don’t want to put up the full bail amount to the court. Instead, the bail bond agency charges you a percentage of the bail, and they post the full bail amount on your behalf. Even in this situation, the bail is returned by the court. However, the premium you paid to the bail bond agency is not returned. The bail bond agency keeps this fee as payment for posting your bail.
Check out some more frequently asked bail bond questions
Are bail bond companies open on the weekend?
Yes. Most bail bond companies are open 24/7/365. Bail bond companies understand that people are arrested outside of normal working hours, which is why you can get help from a bail bondsman in the middle of the night and even on the weekends. So, if you do call the jail and they say your friend or family member has not posted bond yet, rest assured you can get in contact with a bail bond company no matter what time or day it is.
If the bond still needs to be posted, then you’ll need to get in contact with a bail bond company and start gathering any necessary items that may be required to get the bond process started. This can include personal, employer, and reference information.
There are many items you can use as collateral for a bond; however, choose these items carefully. There is a potential that these items could be forfeited if the arrestee fails to show up to court. These items can include jewelry, vehicles, real estate, and investments.
Contact Cowboy Bail Bonds for more information on local bail bonds
At Cowboy Bail Bonds, we offer 24-hour bail bonds in Bakersfield, Taft, Shafter, Wasco, and other Kern County areas. If you’re looking for more information on Kern County bail bonds or if you need to get started on the bail bond process, give us a call or fill out our online form.
One question we get asked pretty frequently is: Are bail bond agents cops? Now, the answer to this question is pretty simple.
No, bail bond agents are not cops.
Bail bond agents cannot arrest you, and if you have been arrested, a bail bond agent is someone who can become your immediate new best friend.
However, if you post bail with the help of a bail bond agent and you skip your court date, then that bail bond agent will no longer be your best friend. At this point, they may contact a bounty hunter, and that bounty hunter can arrest you and take you to proper authorities. But even at this point, a bail bond agent themself cannot arrest you.
If your next question is: “Are bounty hunters cops?”, the answer to this question is also no.
Bounty hunters can detain someone and deliver that person to court (if they have the proper documentation and authority to do so), but they are not considered police officers. You can read more about what a bounty hunter is and is not allowed to do in our recent article: Can a bail bond company arrest you?
Even though there is a possibility that a bail bond agent can indirectly take you back to jail, this only happens if you fail to uphold your end of the bail bond agreement. If you show up to court when you’re required to show up, then the bail bond process should run smoothly with zero hiccups.
Check out some more frequently asked bail bond questions
Are bail bond companies open on the weekend?
Yes. Most bail bond companies are open 24/7/365. Bail bond companies understand that people are arrested outside of normal working hours, which is why you can get help from a bail bondsman in the middle of the night and even on the weekends. So, if you do call the jail and they say your friend or family member has not posted bond yet, rest assured you can get in contact with a bail bond company no matter what time or day it is.
If the bond still needs to be posted, then you’ll need to get in contact with a bail bond company and start gathering any necessary items that may be required to get the bond process started. This can include personal, employer, and reference information.
There are many items you can use as collateral for a bond; however, choose these items carefully. There is a potential that these items could be forfeited if the arrestee fails to show up to court. These items can include jewelry, vehicles, real estate, and investments.
Contact Cowboy Bail Bonds for more information on local bail bonds
At Cowboy Bail Bonds, we offer 24-hour bail bonds in Bakersfield, Taft, Shafter, Wasco, and other Kern County areas. If you’re looking for more information on Kern County bail bonds or if you need to get started on the bail bond process, give us a call or fill out our online form.
If you or a loved one has been arrested outside of normal business hours, you’re likely wondering, “Are bail bond companies open 24 hours?”
The answer to this question is usually yes — the majority of bail bond companies do operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Let’s quickly cover why 24-hour bail bond agencies exist, and then go over some important information if you’re searching for a local bail bondsman.
Why are bail bond companies open 24 hours?
The explanation of this question is rather cut and dry. Since many arrests take place outside of normal business hours, bail bond agents need to be available.
For example, what happens if a family member is arrested on a Friday night? Should they be expected to wait until Monday morning at 9am to start the bail bond process? Absolutely not.
Bail bond agents understand that they need to be available at all hours of the day and all days of the week to truly support and help their clients. Not only do 24-hour bail bond companies make the entire situation less traumatic for defendants when they’re available 24/7, but they also make the process all-around quicker.
Common questions people ask 24-hour bail bond companies
If you or a loved one is arrested for the very first time, the bail bond process can seem daunting and confusing. It’s only natural to have questions and concerns about the process. To help clear up the confusion, we’ve gathered together a list of resources answering common questions.
Contact Cowboy Bail Bonds for more information on 24-hour bonds
At Cowboy Bail Bonds, we offer 24-hour bail bonds in Bakersfield, Taft, Shafter, Wasco, and other Kern County areas. If you’re looking for more information on Kern County bail bonds or if you need to get started on the bail bond process, give us a call or fill out our online form.
If you owe money to a bail bond company, you might be wondering whether or not they can garnish wages. While the answer to this question can vary depending on what state you live in, a bail bond company is treated like any other creditor in California. In other words, a bail bond company can’t automatically garnish wages from your paycheck.
However, after the proper process is completed, unpaid debts to a bail bond agency can be garnished from your paycheck. To do this, a bail bond agency will need to start by suing you and taking you to court (this could include the co-signer, as well). If the bail bond company is successful at proving the unpaid debt exists and that they have a right to recover it, then they will likely be given the option by the court to garnish your wages.
Luckily, there are limits to how much money can be garnished from your check monthly. The amount garnished will be determined by a percentage of your weekly disposable earnings.
Additional bail bond resources from Cowboy Bail Bonds
Cowboy Bail Bonds is a bail bond agency located in Bakersfield. With over 50 years of experience providing Kern County residents with bail bond assistance, we can help you navigate the ins and outs of the bail bond process. Give us a call, fill out our online form, or check out our additional resources below.
If a loved one has been arrested, then you’re probably wondering, “What information does a bail bondsman need?”If you do find yourself entangled with law enforcement, then it’s important to quickly uncover what info a bail bond agency is looking for. The sooner you can gather all this information together, the sooner you can get the bail bond process started for your loved one. Let’s take a look at the main items and information a bail bondsman will need to process your bail.Related Material: Are bail bondsman cops?
A bail bondsman will need the arrest information.
There are a handful of jails in Kern County. To make sure your bondsman knows where to start, you’ll need to let him or her know where your loved one is being held. Check out the areas we serve in Kern County, including Taft, Wasco, Lamont, and Bakersfield.On top of this, you’ll need to identify their inmate reference number and what their bail is set at. If you can’t figure out their bail amount, the bondsman should be able to gather this information for you. However, knowing the bail amount before speaking with your bondsman can make the bond process go quicker.It’s important to remember that bail may not be posted until the arrest and booking procedures have been finalized. This process may take more or less time depending on the jurisdiction and staffing resources available. Remain as patient as you can.
A bail bondsman will need personal information.
As would need to with the majority of large financial transactions, you’ll need to have the inmates personal information handy when first contacting a bail bondsman. This could expand to include the following information:
Full legal name
Driver’s license or ID
Address
Birthdate
Phone number
Social security number
A bail bondsman will need employer information.
In addition to basic personal information, the bail bondsman will likely need to know employer information, as well. This could expand to include:
Employer name
Employer address
Employer phone number
Years worked
Job title
Description of duties
Proof of employment
Keep in mind, this will typically include employer information for the inmate and employer information for the person posting bail on behalf of the inmate.
A bail bondsman will need reference information.
Similar to applying for a job, a bail bondsman will need references. However, these references should be personal references of the inmate. Be prepared to list at least three personal references, which should include full legal names, addresses, and phone numbers.These references can help a bail bondsman track down an individual who fails to show up to court.
Need to contact a bail bondsman in Kern County?
At Cowboy Bail Bondsman, we have decades of experience helping families in Kern County get out of jail fast. We’re available 24/7/365, and we’re pros at navigating the local bail bond process.Give us a call today or fill out our online form. Have more questions about bail bonds? Check out our bail bond FAQ page.
If a loved one has been arrested recently, you might be wondering what can be used as collateral for a bond in California. Bail bonds are necessary when someone who has been arrested cannot afford the full bail amount. However, bail isn’t free. You will be required to pay the bail fee, otherwise known as a premium. This is a percentage of the bail amount, and you do not get this fee back.On top of the premium, collateral may be required. Collateral should be returned after the hearing, but it could be seized if the arrestee skips out on bail. Because of this, it’s important to consider your collateral options carefully. This is especially true if you do not fully trust the person requiring bail. Here are a few different options for bail bond collateral:
Vehicles
If you own a vehicle, this might be the simplest form of collateral to offer up. But be careful. If the arrestee fails to make their court appearances, the vehicle could be seized. If this is your only form of transportation, that could create some problems. While you should be allowed to continue using the vehicle while it’s being used as a collateral, this definitely won’t be the case if it’s forfeited. If you have a second vehicle or another form of transportation (like a boat or camper), that would be ideal.Keep Reading: How to find a bail bond company near me
Investments
If you have any savings, bonds, stocks, or other forms of investments, you can use it as collateral for a bond. However, it’s important to remember that these items could be tied up for quite some time. Because of this, you may want to consider another form of collateral before you offer up your life’s savings.
Real Estate
Houses, land, and other buildings can be used as collateral for a bond (including any built-up equity). Other (less common) versions of real estate (such as livestock and crops) are also considered as a form of collateral.
Jewelry and Other Valuables
Whether it’s a diamond ring or a ruby necklace, jewelry is an acceptable form of collateral. This also includes any gold, silver, or precious metals. These valuables can be combined with other personal items (such as computers, gaming systems, antiques, and even firearms) to account for the full value of the collateral.In most cases, a 3rd party appraiser will be required in order to assess the value of these items (and possibly the proper storage of these items, as well).Keep Reading:What is a bail bond agent?
Contact Cowboy Bail Bonds Today
Need help making bail? Give us a call at 661.324.6009 or fill out our online form to get immediate help. We are available 24/7 to help you or your loved ones make bail and identify possible forms of bond collateral.
With the emergence of COVID-19, many people are wondering what the deal is with coronavirus bail bonds. Are you still able to get a bail bond during the pandemic? Are bail bonds even necessary since many people are being released from prison with a zero-cash bond? Let’s take a few moments to cover the basics.
Why are zero-cash bonds being offered?
During the start of the shutdown, the Judicial Council decided to offer zero-cash bonds for anyone with a misdemeanor or lower-level felony. This was to avoid spreading the virus in an already overcrowded and confined space.However, judges still have the opportunity to prevent certain suspects in custody from taking advantage of a zero-cash bond (if that person poses a higher risk to society). And, of course, any person with offenses more serious than a misdemeanor or lower-level felony is also denied a zero-cash bond.
Who does not qualify for a zero-cash bond?
There are more than a few reasons why someone might be denied a zero-cash bond — but most, if not all, of the reasons directly relate to the safety of the public or any victim(s) and whether or not they pose a substantial flight risk.Here are just a few reasons why someone might not qualify for a zero-cash bond:
That person is considered a flight risk
There’s more evidence than usual to depict guilt
The offense involves violence against another person
The offense involves sexual assault
The person has threatened someone with bodily harm
What happens if you do need a coronavirus bail bond?
If a person finds themselves in a bind and in need of a bail bond during the pandemic, there’s good news. Bail bond companies are still open and doing everything they can to ensure quick releases. Here at Cowboy Bail Bonds, we’re working double-time to help our clients post bail. Here are just a few of the reasons we are the go-to bail bond company in Bakersfield:
We offer the lowest rates allowed by law
We provide easy-to-qualify requirements for co-signers
We can promise flexible credit terms and payment plans
We are available 24 hours a day for fast bail bonds
We will meet you at our office or any place of your choosing
We are able to write most bonds with just a signature as collateral
Contact Cowboy Bail Bonds for bail bond assistance
Need help making bail? Give us a call at 661.324.6009 or fill out our online form to get immediate help. We are available 24/7 to help you or your loved ones make bail.
Some people who are accused of a crime and awaiting a court date are required to pay a cash-only bond. But what is a cash-only bond and why would a court issue this type of bond over others?
What is a cash-only bond?
In most cases, a defendant can work with a bail bond agent to settle their bail amount. With a bail bond agency, a defendant is typically only required to pay a percentage of the bail amount. However, in some cases, an individual might be asked to pay their bail amount in cash. This is called a cash-only bond, and the defendant is responsible to pay for the full amount of bail in cash (or with a credit/debit card). There are many ways to come up with the money for a cash-only bond — like selling cars or boats, getting a cash advance from a credit card, or asking a friend or family member to help out.
Why would you be issued a cash-only bond?
A cash-only bond could be considered a form of insurance or even a form of punishment. These bonds are issued by the court when there are certain circumstances at play. Here are a few reasons a cash-only bond might be issued:
You are considered a high flight risk
You have warrants from multiple areas
You have had problems appearing in court before
You have had problems paying previous fines
Who can post a cash-only bond?
If a defendant needs to post a cash-only bond, there are a few ways to get this done. A family member can post it, the defendant can post it, or a third party can post it. There are some bail bond agencies that work with cash-only bonds. In some cases, it is preferred to work with a bail bond agency. This is because the court is likely to keep the posted cash if additional fines are issued and apply the cash to pay for those fines.
Do you get a cash-only bond back?
If a defendant is not found guilty of a crime, the cash from a cash-only bond will be refunded. However, if the defendant is found guilty, the court may keep some or all of the cash to pay off fines, penalties, or miscellaneous costs associated with the trial proceedings.If for some reason the defendant fails to show up to court or does not follow all bail conditions, then the cash could be forfeited and kept by the court.
Have more questions about cash-only bonds?
Here at Cowboy Bail Bonds, we have decades of experience providing Bakersfield with bonds, and we can help you answer more questions similar to “What is a cash-only bond.” If you’d like more information on Bakersfield bail bonds, please give us a call at (661)324-6009 or fill out our online contact form. More bail bond information:
