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The Southern California Bail Bond Experts
The Department of Insurance in California sets the legal bail premium at 8%, 10%, or 15%, and it is imperative that you only work with a licensed bail bondsman. Don’t forget to ask to view the bail agent's license and state identification card before you transact any business. Why are bail bonds needed in Southern California?Most people have a general understanding of the bail bond industry. The arrestee may be held until their trial, unless they provide the required bail amount. Contracting with a licensed bail bond agency makes the most financial and economical sense. Huge amounts of capital or money are not needed to be tied up in the court’s or counties’ coffers, because the premium charged by the bail agency is just a fraction of the penal amount. The bail bond, when posted, guarantees that the defendant will make all required court appearances the county where the court is located is protected by the bail bond. If the defendant makes all appearances until the case is settled, the bail bond is exonerated, or eliminated. However, if the accused skips bail, or fails to show up for the hearings, the bail bond company is liable to the surety company, who has approved the bail or release of the defendant. Collateral is often a requirement to secure a bail bond to protect the surety. Premiere Bail Bond agents specialize in the negotiating, approving, underwriting and issuing bail bonds in southern California. Bail bond agents serve as the designated representatives of licensed surety (insurance) companies. Los Angeles Superior Court Correction Facilities & Jails - Los Angeles County Los Angeles Police Department Frequently Asked Bail QuestionsQ. Who licenses and regulates bail agents?A. Bail agents are licensed and regulated by the California Department of Insurance. You can obtain the licensing status of a bail agent by contacting the CDI Consumer Hotline at 1-800-927-4357 or by visiting the California Department of Insurance Web site. Q. How much does a bail agent charge? A. The cost to the consumer will be about 10% of the total amount of the bond, plus actual, necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the transaction. The court determines the amount of the bond. Each surety company must file rates with the Department of Insurance. Bail agents representing a company must charge the same, filed rates. A "Rate Chart" is required to be posted in a visible location at every bail bond office. Q. What is the consumer agreeing to in the bail bond contract? A. The consumer is agreeing to: 1. Pay the premium for the bond at the established rates. 2. Provide required collateral. 3. Pay actual, necessary and reasonable expenses incurred by the bail agent in connection with the transaction. These may include: • Reimbursement for long distance phone calls. • Excess travel expenses (described as outside of the bail agent’s normal scope of business, or into an area where the agent does not advertise). • Posting fees (for payment to an agent in another area to physically deliver a bond. An agent should not charge a posting fee for the normal delivery of a bond in the agent’s advertising area). • Bounty agent/skip tracer expenses (These are usually based upon the amount of the bond). • Payment of the bond amount for the defendant’s failure to appear. • Attorney fees and court costs. 4. Keep the bail agent advised of address/employment changes of the defendant or other parties to the agreement. 5. Aid the bail agent/skip tracers in locating the defendant (where someone other than the defendant has secured the bond). The consumer should read all agreements thoroughly, asking questions until all items and obligations are understood. Q. What does the bail agent do for the consumer? A. Provides an avenue for the incarcerated person to be out of custody until his/her day in court, allowing the defendant to continue his/her day-to-day life until the criminal matter is resolved. The bail agent will provide the following: • Receipts and copies of all signed documents. • Information regarding the status of the bond and changes in assigned court dates. • The status of any costs due, as imposed by the court. • Assistance in locating the defendant should a forfeiture occur. • Appearance before the court regarding the bail bond when such appearances are necessary (sometimes requiring the hiring of legal counsel). • The timely return of collateral upon exoneration of the bond. Q. How long is a bail bond good for, and can the amount be reduced? A. 1. Length of the contract. The bail bond runs for the length of the case that is being bonded. However, the agreement may provide for the payment of premium at inception, and upon "renewal" on an annual basis. Once paid, premium for a bail bond is not refundable. 2. Reduction of Responsibility. Although not usually the case, a court may reduce the amount of bail required. If a bail reduction occurs, the bail agreement should be amended to reflect the reduced exposure of the bail agent and surety insurer. A bail reduction does not result in a refund of premium paid, although it may result in a partial return of collateral. If a bail reduction occurs, it should result in a reduced renewal premium. Under any circumstances, where a bail reduction has occurred, the bail agent and insurer cannot recover more than the amount to which they are actually exposed, plus necessary related expenses. Q. What if I have a problem or dispute with a bail agent, such as a failure to return collateral? A. Contact the California Department of Insurance. We offer services for the following needs:bail bondsman, bail bonds, surety bonds, property bonds, federal criminal bail bonds, felony and large bonds, and domestic violence bail bonds.
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When a friend or family member is arrested, Premiere Bail Bonds and our professional and bonded staff understand the stress and uneasiness of contacting a local bail bond agency here in southern California. We are here to help you and your family in your time of need. Time is of the essence, and our bail agents dependable and friendly. You may reach us at