Bail Bonds Resources
The bail bond process can be confusing, especially for the first time customers. We want to help in any way we can. You might want to start with our list of Frequently Asked Questions. Need more specific bail information? Take a look at our growing list of related resources below. If you don’t find what you are looking for, please contact us today. We are here to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Call us at 714-870-7730.
The Booking Process
When an individual is arrested and booked in the local police department or county jail, he or she is alleged to have committed a crime. During the booking process, the person’s charges, personal information, description, photograph, fingerprints, and Department of Justice background check are all registered with the arresting agency.
In addition, personal property, including monies taken from the inmate during the booking process is itemized and recorded by the detention officer. The person being detained is also allowed to make telephone calls in accordance to California Penal Code Section 851.1.
The Purpose of Bail
The sole purpose of bail is to guarantee the individual’s return to court, to answer any alleged criminal charges against that person and until fully exonerated by the court. When an individual is charged with a crime, our constitution guarantees the presumption of innocence of every person, and according to the eighth amendment of the constitution has a right to non-excessive bail.
The Bail/Bond Process
Once a person is finished with the booking process, they are eligible for release on bail. The bail amount for the person’s release is established by the county bail schedule. The bail schedule’s establishment is pursuant to the Uniform Bail Procedures Committee and approved by the judges of the Superior Courts of California in each county.
Furthermore, someone may not be eligible for bail based on the following reasons:
- an outstanding warrant for their arrest
- a court order holding that person without bail
- bail schedule – no bail for the alleged crime, such as murder, a capital crime
In most cases, bail can be posted on warrants that indicate a bail amount. A person being detained without bail due to a court order or bail schedule may also be required to appear in court and have their case heard by a judge prior to the posting or issuance of bail.
Failure to Appear
Once a person fails to appear in court on a scheduled appearance date the bail or bail bond may be forfeited by the court. In addition, a bench warrant will be issued for the person’s arrest and a notice of the forfeiture will be mailed to the depositor or bail bond agency.
Upon notification, the depositor should contact the defendant and have them appear in court immediately. The money deposited for the person released on bail may be lost if the defendant fails to appear within the prescribed time by law of 180 days in the State of California.
Furthermore, once the defendant appears in court, it is the judge’s discretion to reinstate the bail or take the defendant into custody. The defendant must have a very good excuse and show just cause for failing to appear. Having the wrong date, over-sleeping, car problems, are not sufficient excuses.
If the defendant is taken into custody, the depositor of bail or the co-signer on the bail bond will be relieved of the liability. The bail money deposited with the court will be returned to the depositor and the bail bond in forfeiture status will be reinstated and exonerated by the court, relieving the co-signer of his or her obligation to the bail bond.
If the defendant appears in a timely manner and the judge reinstates his or her bail, the defendant’s court case will continue as planned and the depositor of bail or co-signer on the bail bond will not experience a loss.
Note: If a forfeiture occurs on a bail bond, the bail bond agency must provide a reassumption of liability to the court. Otherwise, the defendant will be taken into custody and the bail bond will be exonerated relieving the co-signer of their obligation to the bond.
Right To Arrest
The bail agent has the right to arrest under the authority of law which can be traced to the Common Law of England. Once an individual fails to appear in court as so ordered, and without just cause, that court forfeits the bail bond. At this point in time, the individual has breached his or her contractual agreement and can be surrendered under the bail laws of that state.
Co-Signer's Rights (Indemnitor)
The co-signer and bail bond agency work together, making sure that all contractual obligations and state laws regarding bail are adhered to. Both parties have an interest, to ensure the appearance of the defendant in court. Below are actions that can be taken by the co-signer and/or bail bond agency.
- Surrender the defendant
- Revoke bail for any reason
- Apply restrictions to defendant
California Jails
Orange County
550 N. Flower St.
Santa Ana, CA, 92703
(714) 647-4667
501 City Dr. South
Orange, CA, 92868
(714) 935-6940
13502 Musick
Irvine, CA, 92618
(949) 855-2600
Los Angeles County
441 Bauchet Street
Los Angeles, California 90012
(213)473-6075
450 Bauchet Street
Los Angeles, California 90012
(213)473-6076
11705 South Alameda Street
Lynwood, California
(323)357-5100
5130 N. Clark Avenue
Lakewood, California 90712
(562)863-8711
12335 Civic Center Drive
Norwalk, California
(562)863-8711
Riverside County
4000 Orange Street
Riverside, California 92501
(951)955-4423
30755-B Auld Road
Murrieta, California 92563
(951)696-3050
1626 Hargrave
Banning, California 92220
(951)922-7300
5130 N. Clark Avenue
Lakewood, California 90712
(562)863-8711
46057 Oasis St.
Indio, California 92201
(760)863-8252
260 N. Spring St.
Blythe, California 92225
(760)921-7950
San Bernardino County
9428 Commerce Way
Adelanto, California 92301
(760)530-9300
630 East Rialto Avenue
San Bernardino, California 92415
(909)386-0969
9500 Etiwanda Avenue
Rancho Cucamonga, California 91739
(909)463-5195
18000 Institution Road
Devore, California 92407
(909)885-8483
San Diego County
173 Front Street
San Diego, California 92112
(619)615-2700
325 South Melrose Drive
Vista, California 92081
(760)940-4473
446 Alta Road
San Diego, California 92158
(619)661-2620
500 Third Avenue
Chula Vista, California 91910
(619)691-4810
7878 Campbell Ranch Road
Alpine, California 91901
(619)659-5530
9000 Cottonwood Avenue
Santee, CA 92071
(619)258-3176
446 Alta Rd, Suite 5200
San Diego, CA 92158
(619)661-2608
Ventura County
800 South Victoria Avenue
Ventura, California 93009
(805)654-2750
600 South Todd Road
Santa Paula, California
(805)933-8501