Orange County Bail Bonds FAQ's
When a friend or loved one goes to jail, there is no time to be wasted. You need answers to your questions and a quick solution to get the situation resolved. The agents at Orange County Bail Bonds are here to provide you with the answers you need as well as professional and confidential customer service. If you have never been in a situation where bail bonds were needed, we understand it is a traumatizing experience. Let us help you get through the process and bring your loved one home where they belong.
If you have questions, we have answers. We encourage our customers to read through the FAQs located on our website. They include:
- What is bail and how does it work?
- When someone is arrested in Orange County, where are they taken?
- What do I do first?
- Who do I talk to about what charges were filed?
- How much does Orange County Bail Bonds charge to write a bond?
- What are acceptable payment methods?
- How do I know which bond company is worth my time and money?
- What happens if no bail is posted?
- How long does it take for a defendant to be processed and released after bail is posted?
- Do bail bonds expire? What happens if the case lasts longer than a few months?
- Are there travel restrictions if a person is out on bail?
- What do I do if I co-sign for a friend or loved one and it comes to my attention they do not plan on appearing in court for the charges?
What is bail and how does it work?
Bail is a court's guarantee that a defendant will show up for their mandatory court appearances. A bond contract is entered into by the defendant, the court, co-signers and bail bonds agents where money is put up to secure their release from jail. If they fail to appear in court or violate the terms of the bail agreement, the bail money is forfeited and they are taken into custody until the court proceedings are over.
When someone is arrested in Orange County, where are they taken?
Defendants are taken to one of three locations that operate in the Orange County area. They include the Frank A. Musick Facility, the Theo Lacy Facility or the Orange County Sheriff's Department. The jail process varies from facility to facility and is often affected by how much traffic the jail in question is dealing with. If the facility isn't busy, the intake and booking process can take as little as 2 to 3 hours to complete. As bail bonds agents in the Orange County area we are here to provide fast, professional and courteous service to our clients.
What Do I Do First?
Your first step is to contact a reputable, licensed bail bonds agent. At Orange County Bail Bonds we are here to help you through the entire process. We will explain the process from start to finish and answer any questions you may have. We can also help you make the right decision for you and your loved one when it comes to whether or not to post bail. We strive to be as discreet as possible and will come to you if you cannot make it our office.
Who Do I Talk to About What Charges Were Filed?
As a licensed bond agency, our staff can help you determine what charges were filed, where the defendant is being held and what form of bond is being required. Once we understand those questions, then we can work with determining how much bond is needed and what you need to do to secure the funds to guarantee the bond contract.
How Much Does Orange County Bail Bonds Charge to Write A Bond?
Most bond premiums are approximately 10% of the amount of the total bond. Orange County Bail Bonds will accept cash, credit cards, money orders and various types of collateral to secure the bond. We take vehicles, houses, certificates of deposit, jewelry, etc., as long as they are not under obligation to another loan or promissory note.
What Are Acceptable Payment Methods?
Along with cash, credit cards and collateral, we also are willing to make payment arrangements if they are needed. We have the ability to work with almost any budget and can work out an agreement that satisfies everyone's needs.
How Do I Know Which Bond Company Is Worth My Time and Money?
There are several indicators to help you determine which bonding companies are reliable and which ones are not. They include:
- Do they have a well-known history in the business of being effective and reputable?
- Are the agents licensed and members of local and national organizations that recognize professionalism?
- Do they have a good working relationship with California law enforcement agencies?
- Are they cost efficient and stress high standards when it comes to quality, effectiveness and exceptional customer service?
- Does the agency as well as its agents, put the client and their needs first and foremost? When they say 24/7, do they truly mean it? You need a bail bonds agent, who is there when you need them.
- Do they come highly recommended by friends, family and other members of the community?
- Have they been in business long enough to have a working knowledge of the Orange County Judicial System and how each facility in that system functions?
What Happens If No Bail Is Posted?
If a defendant has no past criminal history, is gainfully employed and has stable connections to the community, the judge may release them on their own recognizance. If bail is set and no one steps up to post it, then the defendant will be held in custody until their first court date. For cases where the crime is severe and the defendant is considered dangerous or an extremely high flight risk, the judge may choose not to set bail and keep the defendant in jail.
How Long Does It Take for A Defendant to Be Processed and Released After Bail Is Posted?
Depending the case itself, the amount of traffic in the jail and other circumstances, a defendant can be released from an Orange County detention facility in as little as 2 hours. If the jail is extremely busy or there is a delay of sorts, the defendant may be caught up in the process for as long as 6 to 8 hours. Each facility is different when it comes to the amount of time it takes to process through the system.
Do Bail Bonds Expire? What Happens If a Court Case Lasts Longer Than A Few Months?
Normal bonds written through Orange County Bail Bonds do not expire and they do not have to be renewed, even if the case lasts longer than a year. The bond will remain in place through the entire length of the case without exception.
Are There Travel Restrictions If a Person Is Out On Bail?
Individuals who are released on bond normally have no travel restrictions, unless the court expressly orders that they stay within the county or state's jurisdiction. Because there is a possible fear that the defendant may try to flee the area before their hearing, many bail bonds agencies require them to check in on a regular basis and report any travel plans. This allows the bail bonds agency to have a general idea as to where their client is at all time in the event that something changes with their case.
What Do I Do If I Co-sign for A Friend or Loved One and It Comes to My Attention That They Do Not Plan to Appear in Court to Face Their Charges?
If you are a co-signer on a bond and you receive information that the defendant may be planning to jump bail or flee the area, you can contact your bail bonds agent and inform them that you want to revoke the defendant's bond. What this does is take away the assurance that the defendant will appear. A warrant will be re-issued for the defendant and they will be returned to the jail until their scheduled court date. If they flee before they can be arrested, you are at risk of forfeiting the entire bond amount as well as any collateral you may have submitted to secure the bond. A judge will often give the bail bonds agent a specific amount of time to produce the defendant before the entire bond is made due and payable.
