How Much Does A Bail Bondsman Charge In California?

Figuring out how the legal system works while a loved one is behind bars can be quite complicated. You’re in a rush to get him or her out so that they don’t have to sleep on a musty floor in a cold cell. We get it. It’s a horrible situation.

That’s why we want to get you prepared, just in case a scenario like this pops up and you’re left wondering ‘what do I do?’

First things first, you have to locate your loved one. What jail are they in and where is it in California?

Then, you’ll want to figure out how much bail is set for. You can call the jail directly or contact one of our professional staff members at Synergy Bail Bonds to look up the information for you.

From there, you’ll need to gather the funds to pay the bail and get your loved one released. Oftentimes, it’s very difficult to pay the FULL amount of bail. That’s why companies like us exist! To help you when things get rough. 

Keep reading to learn more information about bail bondsman charges and how they work to help the defendant.

What is a bail bond?

Simply put, a bail bond is a surety bond that’s posted to the court as a guarantee of the defendant’s appearance at all future court dates associated with the current crime. A bail bondsman fills out all of the appropriate paperwork and submits the surety bond.

Once a bail bondsman enters the equation, they act as a third party communicator granting the accused person’s freedom due to their potential inadequate funds. Instead of paying the full bail, the defendant will only pay a portion and will obtain their freedom away from a prison cell.

How much does a bail bond cost?

Every crime has a different set amount of bail; they’re all determined on a case-by-case basis. In California specifically, the bail cost is set according to the county bail schedule. The more severe the crime, the higher the charge.

A good example is this: Minor misdemeanors typically warrant a bail of up to a few thousand dollars, whereas severe felonies can go up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.  

In most cases, defendants don’t pay the entire bail charge. Instead, they utilize services that groups like Synergy Bail Bonds offer. We will take your bail and cut it down, only requesting a premium of 10% from you. Though this is a non-refundable fee, whether the defendant is found guilty or not, it’s still much better than paying 100% and not getting that money back until trial is over. Especially in cases of $100K or more.

To put this calculation into perspective, we’d like to provide an example: If bail is set at $250,000, you have two options. Pay the fee in its entirety to the jail and have the funds returned at the conclusion of trial, or pay 10% of the $250,000 ($25,000) as a non-refundable, more affordable option. 

**In some special instances, a bail bondsman may require collateral in addition to the 10% fee. Examples of collateral include real estate, jewelry, vehicles, etc. Check in with the company for a clearer interpretation of their (or our) collateral requirements. This is designed to cover the full amount of bail just in case the defendant disappears without a trace.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of our professionals at Synergy Bail Bonds. Our contact information can be found here. 

Remember, no question is silly. We have all of the relevant and pertinent information you may need to get your loved one out of jail and free quickly.