Bail Bond Frequently Asked Questions
How doES Bail Work In Washington State?
Bail is used to release a defendant for money. This bail premium, or bail fee, is 10 percent of the full bail amount. For example, if the court has set bail at $50,000, then the bail premium charged is $5,000. This money is used as an assurance (called a bond) that the defendant will appear for their court date(s). Since some trials can take a long time, the Bail Bonds System permits an “innocent until proven guilty” defendant from waiting for their court date in a jail.
What is the Bail Process?
When arrested, people are usually moved to a law enforcement building where they are “booked”. This involves documenting the crime that allegedly has happened and personal information about the suspect. During booking, they will take a photo and fingerprint the suspect. They run a background check on the suspect and hold any of the suspect’s personal property which is returned to the suspect when released.
The officers usually will allow the suspect to make a phone call. After booking, the suspect is incarcerated in a county jail or a police station facility.
With crimes not deemed serious, the suspect can usually post bail immediately. In cases of more serious crimes, the suspects will have to wait for a bail hearing. At the hearing, a judge will decide if the suspect may be released on bail and the amount. Bail is based on the suspect’s flight chance and the crime accused. A criminal history, or having not shown up for court appearances may affect a judge’s decision about the bail amount.
A judge will also consider if they believe the suspect to be a risk to others, work history, and the nature of the crime. Bail is at the judge’s discretion, although some counties will have bail schedules, which sets a standard bail for certain crimes.
If arrested, what are the available release options?
There are five release options available: cash bond, surety bond, property bond, own recognizance (O.R.), and citation release.
Cash Bond: To be released on cash bail, someone must post with the court the total amount of the bail, in cash. The purpose of this is to secure his or her return to court on an appointed date, and thereafter until the case is concluded. If the defendant shows up for his/her scheduled court appearances, the cash is returned to him/her, minus any court fees and fines. If s/he fails to appear, the cash bond is forfeited to the court.
Surety Bond: An alternative to cash bail is the posting of a surety bond (Bail Bond). This process involves a contractual undertaking guaranteed by an admitted insurance company having adequate assets to satisfy the face value of the bond. The bail agent guarantees to the court that they will pay the bond forfeiture if a defendant fails to appear for their scheduled court appearances. The bail agent’s guarantee is made through a surety company and/or by the pledge of property owned by the agent.
Property Bond: In rare cases, an individual may obtain release from custody by means of posting a property bond with the court. Here the court records a lien on property, to secure the bail amount. If the arrestee subsequently fails to appear at the scheduled court date, the court may institute foreclosure proceedings against the property to obtain the forfeited bail amount.
Own Recognizance (O.R.): Another method of release pending trial is through a county or law enforcement administered pre-trial release program. Usually, the staff members of these programs interview individuals in custody and make recommendations to the court regarding release of these individuals on their own recognizance (i.e., without any financial security to insure the interviewee’s return).
Citation Release: This procedure, known as the “Cite Out”, involves the issuance of a citation by the arresting officer to the arrestee, informing the arrestee that he or she must appear at an appointed court date. The Cite Out usually occurs immediately after an individual is arrested. Such an arrestee’s appearance in court depends exclusively upon the integrity of the arrestee and his or her voluntarily returning to court.
How do you post bond?
Once the amount of the bond is decided, the suspect usually can be released if they post the bond in cash or assets. If the accused person does not have the money or the assets to pay for bond, they can apply to a Bail Bondsman like A Plus Bail Bonds. The bondsman will take 10% of the bond amount and will supply the rest of the money so that the suspect can leave jail. The 10% fee amount is the same for all Bond Companies in Washington State and is set by the State Government.
Which Washington Counties do you provide Bail Bonds for?
Here is the county list. We cover every county in Washington State: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman and Yakima.
Bail Bonds Offices in Washington State
Where can I find the Bail Bond Laws?
You can find it by clicking this link >> Bail Bond Laws
How much does a bail bond cost?
The cost of a bail bond, known as a bail bond premium, is only a small fraction of what the actual bail amount set is. In Washington State, bail bond companies generally charge 10% of the set bail for the bail bond premium. For instance, if a bail has been set at $5,000, the bail bond premium will only cost $500.
What if I cannot afford the 10% bail bond premium right away?
That is not a problem, Budget Bail Bonds offers many free financing options if you cannot afford the full bail bond premium up front. These payment plans to not charge any interest.
Is collateral always needed? And how does it work?
No. We do not always require collateral. Every case is different and our agents are trained to underwrite bonds in accordance with our insurance company policies. In most cases, a signature will be enough to secure a bail bond for an inmate. If more collateral is necessary, we may require property such as a car title or deed of trust. Collateral will be returned promptly after a defendant’s court case is finished and the bond is exonerated by the courts.
What happens if I miss court?
We will call you and the friend or family member who cosigned for your bail bond and will inform you that you missed court. You will certainly be provided the opportunity to get in contact with the court and get your court date rescheduled.
Is my information confidential?
Absolutely, your information is safe with us. We are prevented by law from sharing your private information with anyone with certain exceptions set by law.
Can you help me fight my case?
While we cannot provide you legal advice, we are more than happy to refer you to some of the top criminal defense attorneys in the area. Feel free to call us or come see us in person for referrals to the best attorneys.
Who is liable for a bail bond?
Since a bail bond is a type of insurance agreement, a bail bond company generally requires an indemnitor (cosigner) to be financially responsible for the full amount of a bail bond. This person essentially makes a promise to the bail bond company that the defendant will make it to all of their court appointments and will fulfill their legal obligations during the court process. If you’re interested in bailing someone out of jail, give us a call today and we will gladly walk you through the process of getting someone released.
How long does it take to get a bail bond?
While every case is different, the short answer is you can get a bail bond instantly. The paperwork takes as little as five to ten minutes. Once completed, our agents will take care of the rest by posting the bond directly with the jail to have your family member, friend, or loved one released immediately.
Can I do the paperwork electronically or do I need to meet you in person?
Of course! We can send you the paperwork via email or fax machine. Once we receive the necessary documents, our agents will post the bond immediately. We are also able to take payments over the phone with a debit or credit card.
What hours are you open?
Our bail bond company is open 24 hours per day and seven days per week. We understand that some individuals may be locked up at the most inconvenient times so our around-the-clock staff is always available to get a person released and back to the comforts of their own home at a moment’s notice.
I have a warrant for my arrest. What do I do?
If you believe you may have a warrant, our agents are equipped to post an “out of custody” bond, basically quashing the warrant and issuing you a new court date. You never even have to set foot inside the jail!