LA Bail Bonds: Some Convenient Definitions
Getting arrested, or having a close friend or relative get arrested, thrusts you into a complex world. Here are some handy terms you should know to properly deal with an arrest and the procedure for bail bonds in Los Angeles.
Bail: This is the price of release for an arrestee set by a judge. The purpose is to prevent jails from overcrowding while suspects await trial. Bail allows the defendants to live normal lives and prepare for their cases with their families.
Bail bond: These are the payments that are posted by bondsmen for the release of an arrestee. The amount is backed by an insurance company that pays the entire amount if the defendant jumps bail.
Cash bond: If the person responsible for paying bail can afford the full amount up front and in cash, he or she may use a cash bond. This entire payment will be returned at the conclusion of the trial, whether an innocent or guilty verdict is reached, as long as the defendant attends all scheduled court dates.
Bail bondsman: In LA, bail bonds are paid by a licensed bail bondsman. They will meet the person paying for bail at the jail and arrange for the release of the suspect. In return for their services, they receive a fee of 10% of the total bail, as decided by the State of California.
Indemnitor: This is the person who signs and pays for the bail bond. This person should not waste time in finding a bail contact when they learn of the arrest.
Recognizance: On rare occasions, the judge may deem bail to be unnecessary because of how recognizable the person is within the community. In these cases, no Los Angeles bail bondsman is needed.
Remand: When a crime is severe, the bail judge may decide to hold the defendant without any possibility of bail. This also occurs when the defendant poses an extremely high risk of flight and must be held in jail to guarantee he or she goes to trial.
Jump Bail: When the arrestee skips multiple court dates and cannot be located. In this case, the bail bondsman becomes financially liable for the entire bail cost and will attempt to extract some of the money from the indemnitor.
Bail Enforcement Agent: Also called a "fugitive recovery agent" or "bail fugitive spy," this professional is most commonly referred to as a "bounty hunter." This person is hired by the Los Angeles bail bonds business to track down bail jumpers and return them to the court in exchange for a fee. Laws vary from state to state on what bounty hunters can do, but typically they are allowed to enter the defendants house, but not that of a friend or family member.
Bail: This is the price of release for an arrestee set by a judge. The purpose is to prevent jails from overcrowding while suspects await trial. Bail allows the defendants to live normal lives and prepare for their cases with their families.
Bail bond: These are the payments that are posted by bondsmen for the release of an arrestee. The amount is backed by an insurance company that pays the entire amount if the defendant jumps bail.
Cash bond: If the person responsible for paying bail can afford the full amount up front and in cash, he or she may use a cash bond. This entire payment will be returned at the conclusion of the trial, whether an innocent or guilty verdict is reached, as long as the defendant attends all scheduled court dates.
Bail bondsman: In LA, bail bonds are paid by a licensed bail bondsman. They will meet the person paying for bail at the jail and arrange for the release of the suspect. In return for their services, they receive a fee of 10% of the total bail, as decided by the State of California.
Indemnitor: This is the person who signs and pays for the bail bond. This person should not waste time in finding a bail contact when they learn of the arrest.
Recognizance: On rare occasions, the judge may deem bail to be unnecessary because of how recognizable the person is within the community. In these cases, no Los Angeles bail bondsman is needed.
Remand: When a crime is severe, the bail judge may decide to hold the defendant without any possibility of bail. This also occurs when the defendant poses an extremely high risk of flight and must be held in jail to guarantee he or she goes to trial.
Jump Bail: When the arrestee skips multiple court dates and cannot be located. In this case, the bail bondsman becomes financially liable for the entire bail cost and will attempt to extract some of the money from the indemnitor.
Bail Enforcement Agent: Also called a "fugitive recovery agent" or "bail fugitive spy," this professional is most commonly referred to as a "bounty hunter." This person is hired by the Los Angeles bail bonds business to track down bail jumpers and return them to the court in exchange for a fee. Laws vary from state to state on what bounty hunters can do, but typically they are allowed to enter the defendants house, but not that of a friend or family member.
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