Family Bail Bonds -how California Bail Bonds Companies Make Money

By Author: Swagntmelly
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Before you can understand how a California bail bonds company makes a profit, you must first understand how the bail bond system works. Although, many states and counties do operate differently, the way bail bonds companies operate is basically the same throughout the US.

An Arrest Occurs: The process starts when someone has been arrested. You might contrast arrest to a minor infraction, such as speeding where, in California, you would be left with only a citation rather than an arrest. Upon arrest, people are taken to a jail for processing. Processing includes finger prints and "mug shots" as seen on television, but it also includes a search of a national crime database to see if the defendant is "wanted" anywhere else in the country. Once processing is complete, bail is set based on a bail schedule which lays out charges and bail amounts. California bail schedules are set by judges in each county on an annual basis.

The Bail Amount is More Than You Can Afford: It is very likely that the bail amount will be set in the $10,000 to $100,000 range. If this is the case, many people prefer to use a bail bondsman ...
... versus straining their bank account or allowing the defendant to stay in jail. (Some bail bonds companies offer other methods of payment or financing for those who cannot afford their bail bond fee). For example, if the bail is set at $20,000 - and you don't have that amount, you'd hire a California bail bonds company. The bondsman will help with release from jail so the defendant doesn't have to wait in jail until the scheduled court date for the case. It's worth noting that not all states allow for bail bondsmen. Some states pay a percentage directly to the court.

Sign the Agreement for a Bail Bond & Pay the Fee: In California, bail bonds companies operate very similarly to insurance companies and are regulated by the California Department of Insurance. When you hire a bail bond company, the bondsman takes on the coverage of the bail amount after you pay a small percentage (usually 10% of the bail) and sign their agreement, which is a legally binding contract. Once they post the bail, the defendant gets freed from jail, and the only obligation from there on out with the bail company is to show up to all court dates until the case has been resolved.

So, Exactly How Do Bondsmen Make Money?
According to certain court experts, 8 out of 10 defendants return to court without incident. The 10% paid to use the bail bonds company is not returned. This "premium" is the bondsman's fee for assuming the risk of the defendant getting out of jail and returning to court as required. This is how bondsmen make a profit and are able to run their business. The amount paid to them was used in exchange for their services.

What Happens If Someone Doesn't Show Up to Court?
For California bail bonds, if the defendant does not show up for court, the bondsman and the person who signed the agreement have six months to return the defendant to the court system. In the rare cases where the defendant cannot be located, the bail bonds company can be subjected to losing the entire amount of the bond. If that's the case, they usually hire or contracted investigators, also known as bounty hunters, which will track the defendant down.

For more information about California bail bonds please visit www.familybailbonds.com