What you need to know

A bail bond is a form of surety bond that a licensed bond agency provides to the court on a defendant’s behalf to guarantee the defendant will attend court hearings as required after being released pretrial. In simple terms, a bail bond refers to a legal contract that exchanges freedom for accountability. Knowing the difference between a bail bond and bail is essential. Bail is the amount of money that a defendant must deposit with the court to secure their pretrial release. A bail bond is a financial instrument utilized to pay the bail value.

At El Don Bail Bonds we will always give you the lowest rate allowed by state law.  The fee you pay for bail is called the "bail premium", and the bail premium can be anywhere from 7-10% of the full value of the bond.  So, let's say the bail was $50k, the cost of the bond would be somewhere between $3500 and $5000.  Please keep in mind that each situation may vary (for instance government workers, military and union members always pay the minimum premium), but when you deal with El Don, you will get the best deal allowed by law.  And remember, we offer payment plans with ZERO interest in all situations.  It is never a question of coming up with all the money due at once (though for those who decide to pay it all in one single payment, we offer an even better rate!).  Bottom line is, give us a call and we will work with you to find a plan that fits your needs and get your loved one back home.

El Don Bail Bonds only requires collateral (such as a lien on real property) in cases of very large bonds with very serious charges.  95% of all bail bonds we write do not require any collateral at all.  The cosigner's signature on the bail contract will suffice most of the time.  Of course, the cosigner must show creditworthiness, but in almost all cases El Don can post a bond with just a signature. Moreover, the signature is done electronically, so you do not even have to leave your home to bail a loved one out of jail!!

No. Once you pay a bond premium, you will not receive the money back even if the defendant attends all court hearings and the bail bond is exonerated. The premium is the company's fee for its service.  

Missing court dates can lead to bond forfeiture and a bench warrant. The bondsman will lose their bond money to the court, and they will pursue you to recover the amount. If you did provide collateral, they might sell it to recover their money.  

If you secure a bail bond for your loved one, you are financially responsible for the bond as the co-signer (indemnitor). If the defendant misses court, you will be liable for the forfeited bail amount. It is therefore your duty to ensure the defendant appears in court as required.  

Absolutely. Provided you can access the necessary funds and the judge grants you bail, you can secure a bail bond and bail yourself out.  

When you process a bail bond, the bondsman and court will tell you your travel limitations. Usually, the bond contract requires you to remain within California. The court also imposes this requirement so you are available to appear in court. If you have a valid reason to travel out of California, for example, traveling for work or a family emergency, you can seek permission from the court and your bondsman. Failure to seek permission can result in severe consequences.