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.
Bailing someone out of jail in California can seem like a daunting process. But with a little research and the right people at your side, posting bail in California can be a relatively simple experience.
To help you understand the process better, here are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding how to post bail in California.
Can you bail yourself out of jail in California?
If you’ve never been arrested before or if you’ve never known anyone who has been arrested, then even “common sense” facets of bail may not seem so “common sense.” So don’t feel embarrassed if you’re asking yourself the question, “Can you bail yourself out of jail in California?”
To answer the question, yes — you can bail yourself out of jail. If you have the means to do so, then you can. However, in many cases, this is very difficult. Bail can be a rather large dollar amount, and people won’t always have this amount of cash ready at a moment’s notice. This is why bail bonds exist.
When you turn to a bail bondsman in order to post bail, they’ll look at a few different things:
Credit score
Job history
Residence
Offense
If the bail bondsman reviews this criterion and determines you are unable to sign for the bail bond on your own, you will need to find someone who is able to meet that criteria on your behalf.
Do you get your bail money back in California?
What happens to your bail money after everything is over? Do you get it back or is it gone forever?
You’ll be happy to know that you actually do get your bail money back in California.
Let’s say you pay cash for your bail without the help of a bail bondsman. Your bail amount should be released and mailed back to you after your disposition. In some cases, they may keep a small portion of the bail amount for miscellaneous fees.
However, if you do not make all of your court dates, your bail amount (or property) will likely be forfeited. This also includes if someone else (such as a friend or family member) pays the bail for you.
If you did work with a bail bondsman to post bail, the bond amount will still be returned, and if you put up any collateral, it will be released. The only thing you will be responsible for is the bond fee charged by the bondsman, which is typically around 10% of the full bond amount.
What can be used as collateral for a bond?
If you are unable to post bail yourself and you need to consult a bail bondsman, there are a few different types of items you can use as collateral for the bond.
Here are some examples of collateral:
Property: examples of property include homes, land, equity in your mortgage, and livestock
Vehicles: examples of vehicles include boats, trailers, trucks, and SUVs
Valuable Items: examples of valuable items include jewelry, laptops, gaming systems, and precious stones
Still have questions about bail bonds in California?
If you’re wondering how to pick a bail bond company, odds are you’re in the middle of a trying situation. But don’t worry. If you keep a cool head and do your research, you can make this situation as stress-free as possible.
Here are a few quick tips on how to pick a bail bond company.
Be wary of a cheap bail bondsman.
If you hear a bail bondsman talk about “cheap bail bonds” or if you see that referenced on their website, be cautious. There is no such thing as a cheap bail bond. This is usually a false advertising claim with the intention to lure you to their website. Take a few minutes to learn more about what it actually means when people use the term cheap bail bonds.
Learn about the bail bond process.
Don’t go into this situation blindly. Know your rights and understand how the bail bond process works. It’s important to understand:
Do they have reviews and testimonials on their site or on Google? This is one of the simplest ways to see how people view the bail bond company. Keep in mind, these reviews will typically be very positive or very negative — so be wary. While these won’t build a complete picture of the company, it can show you the very best and the very worst of the company (which can be helpful).
Looking for bail bonds near me?
Cowboy Bail Bonds is headquartered in Bakersfield, California. However, we provide bail bonds services throughout Kern County, including Tehachapi, Delano, Wasco, and more. If you or a loved one is in need of a bail bond, give us a call at 661.324.6009.
We have over 50 years of experience in the bail bonds industry, and we’ll do whatever it takes to obtain the release of your loved one. At Cowboy Bail Bonds, you can expect flexible credit terms and payment plans, quick and honest service, and the lowest rates allowed by law.
If you’re searching for cheap bail bonds in Bakersfield, what does that actually mean? Is there really such a thing as affordable bail bonds? Are bail bonds even negotiable? And who really has the cheapest bail bonds in Bakersfield, CA?
Let’s take a few moments to discuss the ins and outs of “cheap bail bonds” — aka, what does it actually mean?
First things first, are bail bonds negotiable?
Sorry to burst your bubble, but bail bonds are not negotiable. The cost of a bond is set by the state of California. If you find yourself working with a bail bond agent who says that the rate is negotiable, then you need to question whether or not your agent is legitimate.
So, what’s considered “cheap bail bonds?”
Good question. If rates are non-negotiable, then why do people still go searching for cheap bail bonds? Well, this particular question is two-fold.
One, they may not actually understand that rates are non-negotiable. A large percentage of people dealing with bail bonds are dealing with them for the first time. It’s only natural for there to be some confusion as to how bail bonds actually work.
Two, they may mean something else. For example, how you pay for a bail bond may differ depending on your agent, their resources, and your personal financial situation.
Here at Cowboy Bail Bonds, we have financing available and can also arrange for a collateral-based bond. While you will still be required to make a deposit of at least five percent, we will do our very best to assist you with the remaining balance.
Have more questions about how bail bonds work? Check out our bail bonds FAQ.
Looking for bail bonds near me?
Cowboy Bail Bonds is headquartered in Bakersfield, California. However, we provide bail bonds services throughout Kern County, including Tehachapi, Delano, Wasco, and more. If you or a loved one is in need of a bail bond, give us a call at 661.324.6009.
We have over 50 years of experience in the bail bonds industry, and we’ll do whatever it takes to obtain the release of your loved one. At Cowboy Bail Bonds, you can expect flexible credit terms and payment plans, quick and honest service, and the lowest rates allowed by law.
