Ed. Note: The following is a KHTS Feature story based on a recent interview with All American Bail Bonds

If you or your loved one is arrested and needs to be bailed out of jail, what ethical standards should you hold your bail agent to? The agents at All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita want you to know what you should expect from your bail bonds company.

“Not all bail bonds companies have their clients’ best interests in mind,” said Inessa Chavez, vice president of All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita. “It’s important to hold your bail agent to the highest ethical standards when entrusting them with something so important.”

First, your bail agent should be informed and knowledgeable about current and proposed laws, regulations, current events and public policies that may affect their clients, according to the Bail Resource Center & Career Academy.

Bail agents should also fully and completely disclose the consequences, liabilities or penalties for the arrestee or the loved one purchasing the bail bond– called the indemnitor –that could result from a criminally accused person’s release from jail.

Related: Bail Bonds In Santa Clarita: Who Makes Up The Criminal Justice System?

“For example, when a parent purchases a bond to have their son or daughter bailed out from jail, they become the indemnitor,” Chavez explained. “If the defendant then skips bail, meaning they failed to arrive in court, the indemnitor is responsible for expenses to locate the person, as well as payment of the entire bond amount.”

In this case, the bail agent should also promptly and formally inform the indemnitor of any possible liabilities and penalties as soon as they learn of the defendant’s non-appearance.

Indemnitors should always receive a “true copy” of all documents related to the legal contract they are committing themselves to with the bail bonds company as well.

Related: Bail Agents At All American Bail Bonds Discuss Courtroom Etiquette

After examination of the bail application and facts related to the defendant, if the bail agent decides they are unable to undertake the person’s bail they should inform all parties immediately.

“Above all else, your bail agent should fully comply with all laws and regulations related to bail,” Chavez said. “At All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita, we take these laws very seriously and hold all of our bail agents to the highest ethical standards.”

Article Source: “California 20-Hour Bail/Recovery Pre-Licensing Education, Volume 1” by the Bail Resource Center & Career Academy

KHTS Feature Story

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All American Bail Bonds

23360 W. Valencia Blvd. #E

Santa Clarita, CA 91355

661-255-2245

Call Toll Free: 888-755-2245

24 hours a day — 7 days a week

If your loved one is in custody and they wish to talk to an All American Bail Bonds representative, call:

818-990-0003 or 661-267-6777

[email protected]