KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
It’s no fun to get arrested, but a bad situation is only made worse if you jump bail, and fail to appear in court as you promised.
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Whatever your original charges are, skipping out on bail will most likely cost you lots more — both in terms of money and jail time, according to the bail experts at All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita.
The reason a person charged with a misdemeanor or felony has to post bail, or a bail bond, in the first place is to ensure the defendant actually shows up in court to answer the charge.
The defendant pays an amount determined by the judge who’s hearing the case and promises to appear in court on a specific date, in exchange for freedom in the meantime.
Related: Bail Bonds In Santa Clarita: Who Is Eligible For Bail?
Going through a bail bonding company like All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita, the defendant pays 10 percent in cash and the balance is secured by assets like a car or home. If a defendant jumps bail, he or she forfeits the collateral assets, and freedom between court hearings.
First, the presiding judge issues a bench warrant for the defendant’s arrest, and when the defendant is brought back into custody, the judge has the option to either raise or revoke bail. The defendant may face additional charges, fines and/or jail time for skipping out on bail, on top of whatever penalties the defendant may face if convicted of the original crime.
If the defendant remains at large, the bondsman is responsible for finding the defendant and getting him or her in front of the judge in the case.
Related: Bail Bonds In Santa Clarita: Components Of A Typical Bail Contract
The bondsman is also responsible for covering the bail amount, which makes the bail bonds agent very careful about providing bail, especially for defendants the judge determines may be a flight risk for one reason or another.
If a bail-jumping defendant is not captured within six months, the bail agent is responsible for paying the full amount of the bail to the court, plus additional court costs. The bail agent will then seek to recover that cost from the person who purchased the surety bond for their loved one.
“When signing a bail bond contract for a loved one, the indemnitor is agreeing to accept responsibility for the defendant – and that includes the full dollar amount of the bond if the defendant skips bail,” said Inessa Chavez, vice president of All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita.
Ed. Note: This article is a KHTS Feature story based on an interview with All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita.
“With Us You Are Never Alone”
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
CLIENT.SERVICES@ALLAMERICANBAILBONDS.COM
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My cousin was arrested this past week and he’s trying to make bail. We’re trying to find a good bail bondsman to help us get him out of jail. I’ll have to warn my family to make sure that he doesn’t jump bail. Thanks for the information on how bad jumping bail is.