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SB 562 Puts Justice on Hold – A Warning from 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds

At 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we’ve seen what happens when freedom is put on pause. It's not just about policies and paperwork — it's about people. Senate Bill 562 sounds like reform, but in practice, it’s a trap door that opens beneath families already walking a tightrope.

What Is SB 562?

SB 562 forces bail companies to refund bail premiums if charges aren’t filed within 21 days, keeping only 10% and some fees. It sounds like a refund — but for the thousands who need fast release and flexible payment options, it may shut the door on help when they need it most.

🔒 Trapped in Jail While Time Ticks Away

Imagine your son being arrested on a Friday night. You scrape together what you can, call a bail agent, and secure his release before he spends the weekend in a cold, loud, overcrowded jail. But under SB 562, many agencies might say: “Call back after charges are filed.”

That delay isn’t 24 hours. It’s often 3–5 days. That’s a lost job, a missed custody exchange, a mental health spiral. SB 562 slows down justice to avoid business losses — but it's the families who pay in time, money, and trauma.

💸 The “Refund” That Breaks the System

Here’s the irony: This bill makes it harder for people to get out of jail and more expensive for those who try. Bail companies pay up front for surety bonds, credit card fees, and office costs. When those funds vanish because of forced refunds, the result is simple:

  • Rates go up for everyone.
  • Credit-based and payment-plan bonds disappear.
  • Fewer agents accept low-dollar or tough-risk cases.

“Affordable bail” becomes a thing of the past — all in the name of protecting people who now can’t get out in the first place.

🎭 Behind the Curtain: The Real Agenda

Supporters of SB 562 say it “helps defendants.” But here’s the real picture:

  • ❗ DA offices can delay filing to force refunds, pressuring smaller bail agents out of business.
  • ❗ Public pretrial systems — already overloaded — will take over, even if they lose track of clients.
  • ❗ Many families will end up paying twice if charges are filed later and bail must be reposted.
When a policy sounds too good to be true… it's probably aimed at making private options disappear.

📉 Death by Red Tape for Small Bail Businesses

We operate 24/7 for a reason: arrests don’t happen on a schedule. But 24-hour service only works when agents can afford to pick up the phone. With SB 562’s refund rules, every call becomes a gamble. And for independent agents running lean operations?

It’s not a question of “if” they shut down. It’s “when.”

🚫 Say No to Delayed Justice

SB 562 sounds good on a campaign flyer — but in a holding cell, it’s a disaster. It delays help. It increases costs. And it wipes out the businesses that serve people in crisis with dignity, flexibility, and 24/7 dedication.

🙌 You Deserve Options. You Deserve Speed. You Deserve Justice.

At 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we believe everyone deserves a fair chance to fight their case from the outside — not from behind bars. Let’s reform the system the right way — with smart ideas, not slow punishments disguised as progress.

Have questions about bail in California? Reach out to 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds anytime — because real justice doesn’t take office hours.