How bail bonds work.
If you've never posted bail, there's no reason you'd know how it runs. Here it is, start to finish, in the order it happens.
What to expect when you call.
There is no obligation at all for inquiring, and requests for information are always free. We are here to help and provide our professional assistance to you.
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When you call
Give the agent the person's full name and the jail or county holding them. Don't know which one? We'll track it down for you.
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The agent checks the bail
Bail is set by the court, not by the agent. The agent looks up the amount of bail that has been set and can provide you the cost of the bond and potential payment options.
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If you would like us to handle the bail bonds for you
The agent provides an explanation of the process, next steps and answers any additional questions.
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Paperwork and fees
If we are going to post the bond(s) for your family or friend you can come in to our Hanford office to fill out a small amount of paperwork and pay the fees. In many cases we can handle the paperwork and fees over the phone and via email from the comfort of your home.
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The bond is posted by us at the jail or filed with the court as necessary
It's the surety's written guarantee to the court that the person will appear at every date the judge sets.
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The bail bond is exonerated
Your obligation ends when the case is dropped or concludes, the court releases (exonerates) the bond, and the bail premium and any expenses of the bail bond have been paid.
What the bond is for.
A bail bond is a promise to the court, backed by a surety (the insurance company behind the bond), that the person released will appear for every court date the case requires. The premium is what the agent charges to write it. In California the cost of a bond is generally 10%: if the bail amount is $10,000, the cost would be $1,000. We do have rebates available that in many cases can reduce the cost of the bond. An agent will discuss the actual cost of your own bond and any payment arrangements before you sign anything. See the cost example and payment information.
Missing a court date is what breaks it. The bond is forfeited and a warrant can issue, and the co-signer would be required to bring the defendant in to reinstate the bond. In case of a forfeiture and summary judgment, it is the duty of the indemnitor or co-signer to pay the full penal amount of the bail. What happens if the defendant misses court sets out the rest. See the other forms of release for how a surety bond compares to cash, own recognizance, citation release and a property bond.
This page describes how bail generally works in California. It is not legal advice, and how a particular case runs is for the court to decide.
How long does release take after a bond is posted?
Release times vary depending on the time of day and how busy the corrections staff is. Once a bond is posted, our agent can offer an estimated release time. That estimate can change and is not a guarantee. The jail controls the release process.
Start with a name and a jail.
That's enough to begin. Kings County Bail Bonds has written bail in Hanford for over 40 years, we're open 24/7, and a licensed agent answers.