Are get-out-of-jail-free cards real? Unfortunately, not. However, no money down bail bonds do exist, and they can help reduce the upfront cost of bail dramatically. 

What Are No Money Down Bail Bonds?

No-money-down bail bonds are not get-out-of-jail-free cards but they do share some similarities. A bail bondsman advertising 0 percent money-down is agreeing to pay your bail on your behalf without requiring any money upfront from you.

Let’s take a look at how this works in more detail. Traditionally, courts and law enforcement set bail amounts and asked suspects to pay them out of their own savings. Unfortunately, bail amounts were often so high – usually tens of thousands of dollars – that most people couldn’t afford to pay them.

To improve the situation, bail bondsmen started offering lower-cost services. Instead of the suspect paying the full amount to law enforcement, they could simply pay a fee to bail bondsmen who would then pay the full bail amount, recovering it when the suspect attended their court date. 

In California, bail bondsmen charge 10 percent of the total bail amount. Hence, if law enforcement set the bail at $50,000, the suspect would only need to find $5,000 out of pocket to pay their bail. The bail bondsmen would pay the rest.

Even so, $5,000 is still a lot of money for some people to find at short notice. Many don’t have those kinds of funds sitting in their bank accounts.

For that reason, many bail bondsmen offer finance arrangements where suspects pay the bail bond fee back in installments over the following months or years. In some cases, these loans require an initial deposit, but for the 0 percent variety, you don’t have to pay anything at all. 

When Do People Qualify For No Money Down Bail Bonds?

Bail amounts for the majority of crimes are extremely high. The reason for this is simple: law enforcement wants to maximize the likelihood that the defendant will show up for their trial on the specified date. If they don’t, they forfeit their bail. 

But there’s a problem with the current system: most people can’t pay the bail amounts that the courts ask for out-of-pocket. Therefore, they wind up spending weeks behind bars, awaiting their trial, even if they are innocent.

In light of this, 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds offers some suspects no money down bail. The goal of the service is to give people with limited financial means an opportunity to spend their time working or with family until the court date. 

There are a few main situations in which people are more likely to qualify for no money down bail bonds: 

  1. Low flight risk. 
  2. Steady employment. 
  3. When the person has collateral.
  4. When the bail amount is low.
  5. The person is active military. 

Collateral is any asset a person owns that they can use to provide surety to the bail bondsman that they will pay the required fees. If the suspect does not pay all of the installments on their no money-down finance agreement, the bail bondsman can take legal action to possess the person’s assets and sell them to recoup their money. 

For instance, if a suspect misses several bail bond fee payments, the bail bondsman can use bailiffs to take control of their house. They can then sell it to recoup their costs, repaying any leftover money to the suspect. Many firms require collateral before customers take out bonds, including banks, car companies, and others, not just bail bondsmen.

Suspects may also qualify for no money down bail bonds if the bail amount is low and they have a good credit score. However, bail bondsmen may require early repayments, perhaps within a week. 

If you want to know whether you qualify for a no money down bail bond, get in touch with our team here at 24 Online Bail Bonds. We can talk to you about your case and let you know quickly whether you meet our no money down bail bond criteria. Remember, even if you don’t qualify for no-money-down bail bonds, you may still benefit from our other discounted rates and finance deals. 

How To Qualify For No Money Down Bail Bond

As you might expect, there’s a catch. Not everyone can qualify for a 0 percent no-money bail bond. To convince the bail bondsman it is safe for them to provide you with a deposit-free bail payment (and to meet various legal requirements), you must meet the following conditions: 

  • You must be a legal resident of the state of California
  • You must supply two indemnitors whose annual incomes exceed the total bail amount
  • You must provide the following information to the bail bondsman service: 
    • Proof of residency
    • Proof of employment (only formal employment will be accepted. Self-employment, gig work, or those who are IHSS, SSI or EDD will not qualify) 
    • Approved credit and valid California ID
  • You must be a first-time offender and must not have already gone to court
  • You may have to pay 3 percent of the total bail amount within 10 days
  • You must be able to pay the full balance owed to the bail bondsman in 12 months or less
  • You may have to pay the following charges: PC148, PC245, VC23153(A)&(B),PC243(E)(1), PC273.5(A), PC273.5, PC422, PC69.
  • You must not be suspected of a crime that does not qualify for a 0% money-down bail bond
  • Your bail amount must be below $100,000. If it is above that threshold, you will need to provide collateral for a no money down down payment. Real estate is the only acceptable form of collateral in California

As you can see, the list of restrictions is quite extensive. Legislators want to make sure that suspects who receive bail arrive at court on the specified date. 

However, even though it might look complicated, when you come to us, getting a bail bond is simple. A member of our team guides you through the process, prepares the documentation, and assesses your case. Even if you don’t qualify for a  no money down bail bond, there are still many other options available, including paying the standard 10% bail bondsman fee. 

Only formally employed suspects can qualify for bail bonds. You will need to provide proof of income, such as pay stubs, pay statements, or approved credit. You may also require multiple work consignors, depending on your case. 

Real estate collateral is sometimes requested in higher-risk cases and on larger bonds. Bail bondsmen want surety that you will repay them. 

What Types Of Cases Are Most Likely To Qualify For No Money Down Bail Bonds? 

Some cases are significantly more likely than others to qualify for bail bonds. 

You may qualify for a no money bail bond if you have been charged with : 

  • Domestic violence – physically assaulting members of your family at your property
  • DUI – driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, both legal and illegal
  • DUI with accidents – being involved in an accident and then subsequently failing a breathalyzer or drugs test
  • Child abuse – verbally, emotionally, or physically abusing a child in your care
  • Violating court order – failing to show up to court on the right date

Bond financing typically depends on your income levels and job security. Cal-works, disability insurance, SSI income, and welfare usually will not qualify you for no-money-down.

Furthermore, the law prohibits certain types of suspects from receiving  no money down deals, which we discuss below. No down payment bail bonds are not available for the following cases:

  • Drug charges
  • Bonds outside of the state of California
  • Out-of-state warrants
  • Petty theft
  • Pandering
  • Pimping 
  • Prostitution
  • Identity theft
  • Fraud
  • FTA warrants

How To Get Someone Out Of Jail With No Money

Even if you have money to pay the bail bondsman, it’s not always in your interest to do so. You still need cash to support your day-to-day living expenses and pay for other aspects of your case, including legal and attorney fees. The same applies if the person in jail is somebody you know. You need to preserve as much of your money as you can so that you can fight their case. 

The good news is that 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds provide a solution. With a no-money bail bond, you shift the cost of bail into the future, leaving you with more money to pay for the legal services you need right now. 

Bail bond companies work alongside surety firms to lower the cost of bail, sometimes to the point where it costs you nothing at all up front. 

Other Bail Bond Plans

While most of our customers would prefer 0% bail bonds, not everyone qualifies. Fortunately, though, we offer a range of additional bail bond services that help us manage risk while also offering you a better deal. 

Here are some of the other low-cost bail bond types we offer and how they can benefit you:

  • 1% Bail Bonds: Most bail bondsmen charge a 10% down payment of a bail bond. However, at 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we offer some customers bail bonds for as little as 1% down payment, making it easier to secure your release (or that of your loved one). To qualify for this bail bond, you will need to meet specific requirements. Getting this deal depends on your employment status, the prison sentence you may face, and the nature of your offense. 
  • 7% Bail Bonds: Our 7% bail bond service is for suspects who are facing the prospect of spending months behind bars. Instead of paying the full 10% fee, this service allows you to pay just 7%, repaying the remaining balance over the following months. Again, you’ll need to qualify for this discount
  • 8% Bail Bonds: For many people paying a 10 percent bail bond deposit is too much strain on their finances. Therefore, we offer 8% percent bonds to take the sting out of the price. Requirements for these are less stringent. However, you will need to repay the additional 2% over the following months

Just remember, even if you can’t find a bail bond with no money down, we may still have the perfect solution for you. Get in touch with our team today and find out how we can help. 

The Benefits Of No Money Down Bail Bonds

No-money-down bail bonds offer a host of benefits. These include:

Confidentiality

Prosecutors often want to know where suspects obtained the money to pay large bail amounts, often implying that they acquired it through illicit means. However, with bail bondsmen, you get full protection. The bondsman pays the bail, not the suspect, so there is nothing to question or investigate.

Accelerated Process

Courts and law enforcement want money in their hands before they release a suspect on bail. However, it can take a long time for payment to occur, meaning that you or your loved one has to spend a long time in jail before release. 

However, when you go to a bail bondsman, you benefit from their streamlined process. They have good relationships with law enforcement, provide the money quickly, and can often secure rapid release. 

Flexible Payment Plans

Lastly, you can choose flexible payment plans to suit your finances and budget. You can arrange to pay bail bond fees on a timescale that makes sense for you. 

What Are Your Rights When Accepting A No Money Down Bail Bond?

When you accept a  no money down bail bond, you qualify for various rights, designed to protect you. Therefore, we provide you with the following information whenever you choose our services: 

  • When we will post your bail payment
  • The total amount of the bail bond
  • When you need to start making repayments
  • What time we will provide your bail money to law enforcement

Knowing the total amount you owe, and your monthly repayments let you better plan your finances. You’ll also get information telling you where to send your money and any alternatives available under your plan. 

Contact Us Today

Need a no money down  bail bond fast? Contact us today to find out if you qualify.