| There are several bail bond companies in California. | | | | charged interest you can find another bail |
| All these agencies are licensed by the California | | | | company that doesn't. The payment |
| Department of Insurance. If you look in your local | | | | arrangements can be as little as $200 a month, |
| California phone book under "bail bonds" you will | | | | however, the bail company will want you to pay |
| see that these companies have a license number | | | | as much as you can as fast as you can. So a |
| located on their advertisement. To see the license | | | | discussion of payment arrangements could start |
| status you can go to the web site | | | | off at $400 every 2 weeks until the balance is |
| insurance.ca.gov and put this number in the license | | | | paid. So talk to your California bail agent to get |
| look-up section. Due to the rules and regulations | | | | the payment arrangements that work for you. |
| of the California Department of Insurance | | | | The amount of co-signers can be negotiated as |
| (CADOI) all bail bond companies in California must | | | | well. |
| charge a 10% or an 8% premium for your bail | | | | For instance, a person currently in a California jail |
| bond. Although all California bail bond companies | | | | may have several prior arrests so the bail bond |
| must charge the same, there is still room for | | | | company may want two or three co-signers. If |
| negotiation. | | | | you have good employment then ask if you can |
| You will not be able to negotiate the bail premium | | | | be the sole co-singer or call another bail company |
| lower than 8%. For instance, if your friend is in jail | | | | and see if they will accept you as the only |
| somewhere in California and his bail is set at | | | | co-singer. Sometimes, a co-signer is not available. |
| $25,000 you must pay 10% or $2,500 to bail him | | | | The person negotiating the bail may not be |
| out. However, some of these companies have a | | | | employed. If the person negotiating the bail is |
| special 8% rate filed with the CADOI. In this | | | | unemployed then he/she cannot be a co-singer. |
| example, you could pay a lower premium at | | | | Ask the bail agent if the defendant can co-sign |
| $2,000 and save yourself $500. In most cases a | | | | for himself. If the person in jail has a great job, he |
| bail bond company in California will almost always | | | | may be able to co-sign for himself. |
| want to offer you the 10% rate. So even though | | | | Actually a person in a California jail can sometimes |
| they have an 8% filed rate they will still want to | | | | end up co-signing for himself with "no money" |
| charge you a 10% premium. Therefore the | | | | down. There are numerous advertisements inside |
| negotiation begins by asking the bail agent on the | | | | California jails for a defendant to call. If he calls |
| phone if they have an 8% rate. | | | | and explains that he has a great job and had a |
| The 8% rate holds some conditions which you | | | | credit card in his wallet when he was arrested, he |
| must understand. Either the co-signer or the | | | | may be able to co-sign for himself. Once the |
| defendant must be in the U.S. Military, a Veteran, | | | | bondsman verifies employment and confirms with |
| a Union Member, or must have hired a private | | | | the jail that a credit card exists on the books, he |
| attorney. If you can't find a co-singer that has | | | | may go to the jail and post a bond for the |
| one of these criteria you will have to pay 10% or | | | | defendant's release. Upon release the defendant |
| $2,500 in our example above. However, you can | | | | will then be required to meet the bondsman, sign |
| still negotiate the down payment of the bond. | | | | the contracts and pay for his bond or down |
| Almost all California bail bond companies accept | | | | payment. |
| payment arrangements but you will need to have | | | | Other times the defendant may be unemployed |
| a down payment. Many of these companies will | | | | but have cash on his books from when he was |
| advertise "No Money Down" but this type of | | | | arrested. In this case, all you would need is a |
| program is reserved for individuals that own a | | | | co-signer with a good job. More than likely you will |
| home with equity or for someone who has a | | | | be able to find a bail company in California to post |
| great job and credit who can pay the full amount | | | | the bond and wait until the defendant is released |
| or down payment within 24 to 48 hours. A great | | | | to collect the payment. There are many situations |
| job is someone who works as a nurse, computer | | | | where you can negotiate with a bail agent for the |
| programmer, engineer, and so on. Actually the job | | | | release of someone in jail. |
| title of the co-signer or defendant will make a | | | | Remember the parts you can negotiate with a |
| difference on the amount you must put down. | | | | California bail bond company such as the 8% rate, |
| With a good job title, which can be verified with | | | | the down payment, the payment arrangements, |
| paystubs, you can put as little down as 3%. In | | | | and the amount of co-signers. If the co-signer or |
| our example above the down payment would be | | | | defendant has a limited budget but good |
| $750 or 3% of $25,000. When you discuss | | | | employment there is a way to get out of jail fast. |
| payment arrangements make sure the balance is | | | | Talk to your California bail agent by giving him the |
| interest free. Most bail bond companies in | | | | circumstances of your situation and he may be |
| California charge no interest so if you're being | | | | able to help you. |