On a per-person basis, California performs pretty well compared with other states in relation to the number of crimes committed each year. However, since this is the most populous state in the country, with some 40 million people, that amounts to a lot of crime — and a lot of people being arrested.
Once arrested, most people in California don’t have to stay in jail until their court date, and that’s thanks to the bail system. This system allows defendants to pay a predetermined amount of money as collateral, which functions as a promise that they’ll appear at their court date, in exchange for the freedom to return home. In many cases, those charged with a crime turn to the services of a bail bond agent, like those available at 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, to stump up the cash they need to be released from jail in exchange for a fee, usually around 8% - 10% of the bail amount.
There are a lot of misconceptions about bail bonds and how they work. The bottom line is that these services play an essential role in the judicial system, but there’s much more to know about that. In this post, we’ll run through some California bail bond statistics that will help to illuminate this aspect of the legal system a little more.
The Average California Bail Amount is $50,000
If you want to understand just how important bail bond agents are in California, just think about this: the average bail amount in the state is $50,000. That’s a significant sum of money, an amount that’s much higher than the national average, which sits at just $10,000. This average cost of bail in California has been rising year-on-year, making it more difficult for people to post bail on their own.
The high bail amount has a lot of implications. In cases where a bail agent is not used, it can mean that people spend much longer in jail than they need to — and let’s remember, that people held in jail pre-trial have not been convicted of a crime. They’ve only been arrested on suspicion of committing a crime. The fallout from having to spend longer than necessary behind bars can be devastating, including loss of employment and mental stress.
40% of Arrested People Cannot Afford Bail
It can be traumatic to be arrested for any crime, regardless of who you are. But it’s even worse if you have to stay in jail because you cannot afford to post bail. That’s the scenario for some 40% of people arrested in California, who don’t have the capital required to post bail on their own. It might sound easy enough to pay $1000 for your release from jail for some people, but for others, that’s just not possible.
This is why bail bond agents are so important. They allow people who may not have the financial means to pay the bail amount themselves the chance to return home to their loved ones. In many ways, it’s an equalizing service that ensures that everyone has the same opportunity to leave jail until their court date.
Most Bail Bond Agents Are Women
Media usually portray bail bond agents, or indeed anyone connected with the legal system, as men. But that’s out of sync with reality. More than half — some 56% — of bail bond agents are women, which many people are surprised to learn. Why is this? Well, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be the case, but there are some insights from women that work in senior positions within the industry why it might be. Many say that it’s their ability to emphasize with people going through difficult moments in their life that holds the key.
Once a bail bond agent has made a personal connection with the defendant, amazing things can happen. For one thing, they’re more likely to turn up for their court dates, which helps to prevent a whole host of other problems, and it can also help people to turn their life around and get back on track.
A High Bail Amount Doesn’t Mean the Defendant Is Likely to Flee
You’ve probably read some high bail amounts in the news and thought that it must be high for special reasons, such as the defendant's criminal history. In fact, most bail amounts have nothing to do with the defendant at all — most counties have set amounts for each crime. The person it is given to isn’t factored into setting the price.
If you read about — or are given — a high bail amount, then you can have confidence that it’s due to one simple reason: California has become famous for giving exceptionally high bail values, ones that stretch far beyond what people can afford.
You Can Appeal The Bail Amount
The judge is in charge of setting the bail amount. In many cases, those amounts have been pre-set, and are handed out automatically in relation to the type of crime that has been committed. What many people don’t know, however, is that the bail amount isn’t absolutely final. It’s possible to appeal the bail amount, and in the vast majority of cases, those appeals are successful. You won’t be able to do that on your own, however — you’ll need an attorney that specializes in bail bonds to help you. And unfortunately, you’ll have to stay in jail while the appeal is being made. For this reason, many people find that it’s easier and less stressful to hire a bail bond agent to pay the bond amount on their behalf, rather than trying to pay the bail amount themselves.
The Bail Bond Industry is Big Business
The US arrests more of its citizens than any other country — after all, even though the US only represents 4.5% of the total global population, 21% of the world’s prisoners are incarcerated in the United States. That’s another way of saying that a lot of people are getting arrested. The bail bond industry performs a vital role in this link, allowing people to return home rather than waiting in jail until their trial date.
There are more than 13,000 bail bond agencies throughout the United States, and the industry employs more than 24,000 workers. In all, the bail bond industry is worth an amazing $2 billion, and that figure is only expected to rise in the coming years.
Most Defendants Can Be Released Within Hours
Professional bail bond agents have experience and expertise. In other words, they know exactly what they’re doing. That leads to an efficient working process that can ensure a person is released from jail in as little time as possible. Though times can vary depending on the circumstances and the value of the bail, in most cases, defendants will be released within a few hours of getting in contact with a bail bond agent.
Bail Bond Agents Play a Vital Role in the Justice System
It’s easy to think of bail bond agents as people who just want to make a buck or two. But in practice, things are very different. For one thing, the days of opportunistic bail bond agents are long gone — you need to pass tests and abide by a code of conduct to work in the industry.
Many bail bond agents go above and beyond to ensure that the people they represent get the support they need. Some agencies make a habit of recruiting past clients, ensuring that they have a bright future.
How the Bail Bond Process Works
So, how does the bail bond process work? It’s a three-step process that includes:
1. The Defendant Gets in Contact with the Bond Agent
The bond agent will take some key details and come to an agreement with the defendant about the payment terms.
2. The Bail Bond Agent Posts Bail
Once everything is arranged, the agent can get to work posting bail.
3. The Defendant is Released
Once the jail has received bail payment, it’ll usually take a few hours to process paperwork, at which point the defendant can go home.
Contact 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds Today
There’s much to know about bail bonds and how they work. But the main thing to know is that if you find yourself arrested and sitting in jail, then you have help available to you that’ll allow you to return home, even if you have a high bail value.
Here at 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we’re experts in helping to get people out of jail and back home as soon as possible. Our fully licensed bail bond agents are on hand to take your call and begin the process of posting bail. We’re proud to offer some of the lowest rates in the state, so you can have confidence that you can be on your way out of jail. We’d be happy to discuss your needs through with you, and if we can help you, then we’ll get to work straight away. We’re available both online and via phone, so you can get in contact with us via your preferred method.