California State bail bonds (also known as surety bonds)
Written to secure release on bail set by a California court. This is the everyday bail bond and most of what we process through the Fresno office.
A court sets bail. An agent posts the bond.
A bail bond is an insurance company's written promise to the court that the person will appear as required. A licensed agent writes it for the company and charges a premium, generally 10% of the bail. That premium is what a bail bond costs.
On this page
What to expect when you call
There is no obligation at all for inquiring, and requests for information are always free. We are here to help and provide our professional assistance to you.
When you call
Give the agent the person's full name and the jail or county holding them. Don't know which one? We can help you track it down.
The agent checks the bail
Bail is set by the court, not by the agent. The agent looks up the amount of bail that has been set and can provide you the cost of the bond and potential payment options.
If you would like us to handle the bail bonds for you
The agent provides an explanation of the process, next steps and answers any additional questions.
Paperwork and fees
If we are going to post the bond(s) for your family or friend you can come in to our Fresno office to fill out a small amount of paperwork and pay the fees. In many cases we can handle the paperwork and fees over the phone and via email from the comfort of your home.
The bond is posted by us at the jail or filed with the court as necessary
It's the surety's written guarantee to the court that the person will appear at every date the judge sets.
The bail bond is exonerated
Your obligation ends when the case is dropped or concludes, the court releases (exonerates) the bond, and the bail premium and any expenses of the bail bond have been paid.
How long does release take after a bond is posted?
Release times vary depending on the time of day and how busy the corrections staff is. Once a bond is posted, our agent can offer an estimated release time. That estimate can change and is not a guarantee. The jail controls the release process.
The five basic forms of release
A bail bond is only one option. Other forms of release exist, but have different requirements. The bail bond is all a licensed agent can provide.
Cash bond
- Who posts it
- You, in full, at the jail or with the court.
- What it costs
- The full bail amount, in cash.
- If the person misses court
- The cash is forfeited to the court.
Surety bond
This is what we write- Who posts it
- A licensed bail agent, at your request.
- What it costs
- A premium, generally 10% of the bail.
- If the person misses court
- The bond is forfeited and you and the agent must work to resolve.
Own recognizance
- Who posts it
- Nobody. The court releases the person on their signed promise to appear.
- What it costs
- Nothing.
- If the person misses court
- A warrant for the person's arrest.
Citation release
- Who posts it
- Nobody. The arresting officer issues a citation.
- What it costs
- Nothing.
- If the person misses court
- A warrant, same as above.
Property bond
- Who posts it
- You, by letting the court record a lien.
- What it costs
- A lien against property, not cash.
- If the person misses court
- The court can order the property sold.
The bonds we write
All four are surety bonds. What changes is the court and the amount in some cases.
Federal bonds
Written for cases in federal court, where the paperwork and the court's requirements differ from state court. Say it's a federal case when you call.
Appeal bonds
Posted after a conviction, while the case is on appeal.
Large bonds
We have expertise in handling large bonds, and can offer professional information and assistance in this area.
What it costs
In California the cost of a bond is generally 10%. If the bail amount is $10,000, the cost would be $1,000. That percentage comes from the rate the surety files with the California Department of Insurance, not from the agent. We do have rebates available that in many cases can reduce the cost of the bond. An agent will discuss the actual cost of your own bond and any payment arrangements before you sign anything.
Somebody has to signfor the bond
A surety bond needs a person behind it, called a co-signer or indemnitor. Everything a co-signer agrees to is in the written agreement. Read all of it before you sign.
It is the responsibility of the co-signer to see that the bail premium is paid and the defendant appears in court. In case of a forfeiture and summary judgment, it is the duty of the indemnitor or co-signer to pay the full penal amount of the bail. Co-signer responsibilities covers how long that lasts, what happens if a court date is missed, and how it ends.