It can be distressing to learn that someone you love is in jail. To get your loved one out is the priority. However, California has a complex and expensive bail system. So, it may feel impossible to bail them out. Using bail bonds is the quickest way to secure a defendant’s release, as you can pay just a percentage of the total bail amount, with the release process starting immediately.
When time is of the essence, you need speed, expertise, and sympathy. For the fastest and most reliable bail bond services in Corona, Riverside Bail Bonds has got you covered. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Initial Steps to Bail
When someone is detained, a complex legal process begins immediately from arrest through court proceedings. The earliest release phase starts from the time an individual is arrested until the point of arraignment.
The process begins with the arrest itself. After your arrest, you will be taken to a police station or county jail for booking. This is the stage where the administrator collects personal information, including your full name, address, and more, takes your fingerprints (via Live Scan), takes your mugshot, and checks for outstanding warrants. This process can be time-consuming and take many hours. It is the time when you will be detained temporarily.
After booking, you go through the critical stage of bail determination. In Riverside County, for instance, the bail amount is preset due to a bail schedule. Each county has a Bail schedule that lists standard bail amounts for various criminal charges. By paying the bail, you can be released before a judge reviews your case. If the charges are simple, the jail intake officer will inform you, the detainee, of the bail amount. At this point, it is immediately relevant to contact a trusted Corona bail bonds service provider. This is so that you can post the bond.
When bail is too high to pay, unavailable, or charges are more serious, as the defendant, you must stay in custody until the arraignment hearing. The first formal court hearing, known as an arraignment, typically occurs within 2 to 3 days after arrest. You will be informed of the charges against you, plead, and will be assigned an attorney or allowed to hire a private one. The judge may revise the set bail amount after considering your risk of fleeing and your criminal history. The purpose of this hearing is to set the final bail amount. At this point, contacting a reliable Corona bail bonds company can expedite the release process.
Securing Corona Bail Bonds
When you use a bail bond service, you pay a premium, which is usually 10% of the total bail amount, to the bondsman. A bail bondsman will typically require collateral because they are financially responsible for the full bail amount if the defendant fails to appear (FTA). This safety net is collateral.
Collateral refers to security provided by the indemnitor (the person posting the bond) to the bail bond company. This guarantees that the defendant will pay the money and attend court on the dates required by law. When a defendant forfeits or misses court, the bail company is required to pay the full bail amount to the court. This collateral enables the bail bond company to recover any losses. However, reputable companies are concerned with locating the defendant to avoid forfeiture altogether.
Collateral will depend on the bail amount, the defendant’s ties to the community, and the specific bail bond company you use. Common and acceptable forms of collateral include:
- Real estate equity — Often used for very high bail amounts, this involves placing a lien on a property to secure the bail. The equity must exceed the bail amount.
- Vehicles — You can use clear titles for cars and trucks, as well as boats, provided they are appropriately valued.
- Cash or bank accounts — These are the most common types of collateral, typically held in a secure escrow or trust account explicitly established for the transaction.
- Valuable items — Items of value, including jewelry, stocks, bonds, or other certified items, etc.
Understanding the risks is crucial. If the defendant does not appear in court, the collateral is eventually forfeited to cover the losses the bond company suffered. However, a reliable bond company is open and protective. In every transaction, a collateral agreement is executed, which comprehensively describes the precise asset, its valuation, the location where it will be held in safekeeping, and the conditions for its return.
Collateral stays in place until the court formally “exonerates” the bond, which occurs at the closure of the case (by either case dismissal, execution of sentence, or overall plea). When you are cleared, the bail bond company must return any collateral promptly if all the required fees and payments have been paid. Avoid working with inexperienced or newly established bail services for complex or high-value cases.
Navigating the Bail Bond Contract
When you sign a bail bond agreement, it is a significant legal transaction that outlines the obligations of the bondsman, the defendant, and the co-signer (indemnitor). Read every term and obligation carefully before signing the agreement.
The Premium and Payment Schedule
The premium is the fee paid to the bail bond company and is non-refundable. Typically, it is set at ten percent of the total bail amount. For example, on a $50,000 bond, the premium is $5,000. The contract must provide the precise premium amount and specify whether this fee is being paid in full at the outset or if a payment schedule has been arranged. If financing is available, the schedule will provide details of the amounts, when they are due, and any applicable interest or late fees.
The Indemnitor Agreement
The co-signer, or indemnitor, plays a crucial role after the defendant. When you sign the Indemnitor Agreement, you are legally confirming the defendant’s appearance and taking on financial responsibility. If a defendant does not appear in court, the indemnitor guarantees no loss to the bail company. This agreement stipulates your liability if any collateral pledged by you under this agreement is used.
The Collateral Agreement
The bail bond company requires security, as stated earlier. The collateral agreement is a separate document attached to your bond that describes the exact asset, like a house, car, or money, used to secure the bond. The value of the collateral, along with its safe storage method, should be clearly mentioned in the bail bond. Moreover, it should also specify the conditions under which the collateral can be forfeited or returned.
Conditions of Release (Defendant Responsibilities)
The conditions of release that the defendant must follow are stated in the agreement. You must comply with these legal commitments. They are not optional. They typically include the following:
- You must schedule regular check-ins with the bondsman via phone or in person
- Tell the bondsman immediately if you change your address, job, or phone number
- You must comply with all the orders issued by the court
When, as the defendant, you fail to follow one of the conditions, the bondsman has the right to surrender the defendant back into custody even before a court date is missed. When you are armed with this information, you are aware of what both you and the defendant are actually doing.
The True Costs Of A Bail Bond (And Why It Matters)
When it comes time to face a financial crisis, like bail, you must understand the real cost of jail, not just the advertised premium. Although most people are aware of the premium, which is 10% of the bond amount and is usually the most significant expense, other possible charges can add to the final cost. By understanding these hidden costs, you can effectively budget and request clarity.
Standard Additional Charges
These fees are often essential and lawful, but they are not included in the premium amount.
These are small, fixed fees designed to reimburse the bondsman for their paperwork, filing documents with the court, and state-mandated legal fees (also called a filing fee or state surcharge). The money is non-refundable. On average, it would be $100 to $125.
Transfer fees (out-of-county bonds). You may be charged a transfer fee to compensate the bail bondsman for the time, travel, and mileage if the jail or court holding the defendant is out of the bail bondsman’s immediate area of service. Always clarify if the jail location warrants this fee.
Sometimes the court itself imposes fees on the defendant, like the booking fee or specific processing fees, which may be required to be paid either before or after release. These are court fees, not bondsman fees, but they still count toward the total cost of release.
Costs Associated With Payment Plans and Risk
If you opt for a payment plan for the premium (which many families do), additional costs may apply:
- If the payment plan is for an extended period, the bail bondsman may charge interest on the amount owed for the premium. Like any financing agreement, this can increase the overall cost of premiums significantly over the long run.
- If you miss a scheduled payment, you will have late payment charges. These late payment charges are described in the payment schedule in the contract.
- In some long or complex instances, the court may direct that the bond be renewed periodically. If this happens, the bondsman may charge a small fee for renewing the paperwork required to keep the bond valid.
Make sure to ask for a full, itemized accounting of all fees before signing a contract, so you know the total cost and avoid any surprises. You should get a line-item list from any reputable Corona bail bonds service provider. They should clearly delineate the non-refundable 10% premium you are charged versus any other ancillary or administrative costs. Never sign any document before confirming all charges and terms.
Serious Risks When Co-signing a Bail Bond
If you agree to be a bail bond co-signer, or indemnitor, you have created an important legal obligation, not just a favor. This creates a bond, a legal contract whereby you tell the court, “If this defendant runs, I promise to pay the whole value of the bond.” The indemnitor is immediately burdened with the obligation to guarantee the defendant’s compliance with all court and bail bond company rules, exposing you to significant financial and legal liability.
Full Financial Liability Upon Forfeiture
A defendant who fails to appear (FTA) in court poses a real risk and results in forfeiture of the bond. At this crucial moment, the bond, which a co-signer signed, becomes a financial obligation. The co-signer is now liable for the entire bail amount, not just the premium already paid. Because the bail bond company will pay the judge a large sum ($10,000 to $100,000 or more), it then obtains the legal right to go after the co-signer for the total forfeited amount, plus recovery costs and attorney’s fees.
The Immediate Threat of Collateral Loss
As a result, the debt poses the immediate risk of losing collateral that was pledged to secure the bond. Upon forfeiture, the bail bond company has the right to take and sell the collateral as outlined in the collateral agreement. A co-signer could lose substantial assets like the equity in their home (due to foreclosure on a lien on the property), clear titles to vehicles, or cash held in escrow. If the collateral sold does not cover the entire outstanding debt for the forfeiture, then the co-signer remains liable for the balance.
Long-Term Damage to Creditworthiness
If the debt is not repaid, it can result in civil judgments and long-term damage to your credit. If, as the co-signer, you cannot repay the entire forfeited amount, the debt is often forwarded to collection agencies, which then report the nonpayment and any subsequent civil judgments to credit bureaus.
When a co-signer does this, it has a profound and long-term adverse effect on their creditworthiness, making it very difficult to obtain a loan, finance a mortgage, or qualify for a lease.
Risk of Direct Criminal Liability
Apart from these financial disasters, the indemnitor is in danger of criminal liability. The co-signer faces serious felony charges, including obstructing justice or aiding a fugitive, if it can be proven that the co-signer knowingly assisted the defendant in fleeing the jurisdiction, avoiding the court, or evading prosecution.
Providing false or misleading information on the initial indemnity application about assets or relationships constitutes another significant criminal risk, exposing the co-signer to charges like perjury or fraud.
A prospective co-signer must self-evaluate rigorously, considering these disastrous outcomes. Work out the full bail amount and ensure you can afford to cover that entire loss financially. If you cannot bear the whole financial loss, do not sign. Ensure you keep a close eye on the defendant and remain in touch with a Corona bail bonds service provider after signing. If there are any indications that the defendant may flee, it is essential to notify the bondsman immediately. You should ask the bail bondsman to have the bond revoked and for the defendant to be surrendered to custody. This will be your only viable option to protect your money.
Bail Forfeiture
If a defendant has a mandatory court appearance and fails to appear, forfeiture proceedings will begin on that date. This act is a catastrophic failure of the defendant’s legal obligation and triggers simultaneous consequences from both the court and the bond company.
As soon as the Failure to Appear (FTA) occurs, the court declares the bond forfeited to the state and issues a bench warrant for the defendant’s arrest. This dual action officially makes the defendant a fugitive. The court notifies the bail bond company, who have a grace period, usually 180 days, to find and surrender the fugitive. While the timing window is open, the bail bond company is responsible for the debt, and they must act quickly to avoid paying the court the entire bail amount.
The bondsman’s priority is to avoid the substantial loss of money in the forfeited bond. The company first contacts the co-signer (indemnitor) for help, as they share the same incentive not to forfeit. If the accused does not turn himself/herself in, the bail bonds company will send out a fugitive recovery agent. These licensed agents have the authority granted by the surety contract to pursue, locate, and physically apprehend the fugitive. They often cross state lines in this process before returning the fugitive to law enforcement.
For the defendant, absconding dramatically escalates their legal jeopardy. It also increases the risk. Any police officer can immediately arrest them upon encounter, according to a newly issued bench warrant. Importantly, the defendant now faces an additional and separate criminal charge: Failure to Appear (FTA). FTA may be classified as a felony or a high-level misdemeanor depending on the original charge.
Contact Information for Jail and Courthouse in Corona
Coro Jail
730 Public Safety Way#10,
Corona, CA 92878, United States
Corona Courthouse
505 S Buena Vista Ave Ste 201
Corona, CA 92882
Find a Corona Bail Bonds Company Near Me
Two defining factors shape the nature of the bail process: risk and urgency. Although the system is complex, the goal is straightforward: to reunite your family. Before taking any action, it is essential to understand the serious financial liability imposed on a co-signer and the rapid, unforgiving process of bond forfeiture. Choosing a partner you can trust to navigate the courts and honour their obligations is crucial to protecting your assets and your future.
If you need Corona bail bonds assistance, contact Riverside Bail Bonds at 951-788-2663 to begin the process now.
