Hollywood Bail Bonds FAQ

What does bail bond actually mean?

A bail bond, often called a surety bond, is a financial agreement by a bail bondsman and insurance company to pay the entire bail amount to the court if the defendant does not attend their hearing. The bail bondsman is responsible for the legal details associated with your release, so choosing a reputable and licensed service is very important.

Who decides how much the bail costs?

Judges determine the dollar amount associated with bail and cost will vary with each individual case. Usually bail is based on previous cases with similar charges. Bail amounts are greater when criminal charges are more severe. If the judge associates a certain flight risk with the defendant, bail can be set higher than usual. The Department of Insurance actually sets the cost associated with bail bonds service and it is illegal to negotiate fees below this amount. In the State of California, cost is set at 10% of the total bail.

When do I have to pay for bail services?

We require payments for services in advance before you are released, and accept cash and all major credit cards. Sometimes special arrangements can be made, so feel free to contact us to discuss these available options at any time.

Is bail financing available?

Yes. We do offer several bail financing options to alleviate the cost of bail services. We want you to be as comfortable with your bail payment plan as possible, so call us any time to discuss available options.

What does personal recognizance mean?

Personal recognizance is something a judge can grant in order to waive bail payment before the defendant is released. This occurs in special circumstances where the defendant presents a particularly low flight risk, and will require certain additional measures to ensure the defendant shows up to their court hearings.

Can I cover the full bail amount without assistance?

If defendants can cover the entire bail amount in cash prior to their release, the law allows them to cover their own bail. The entire bail amount will be held by the court until the case is tried and completed. Sometimes other bail fees may be assessed depending on procedures of the court.

What goes on during an arrest?

Police generally bring arrestees to a local station for processing, whether it is a county or city jail, or a police station with a holding cell. Fingerprints, pictures and personal info are taken to build an arrest record which is then uploaded to a public database. It is common for booking to take up to 10 hours. After booking is completed, a bail hearing is issued and a court date for trial is set. These procedures vary throughout Los Angeles, so check out the following links to get some more specific information on release procedures in your area.