How Do Bail Bonds Work?
- If you are charged with a crime, the court may release you from jail if you post bail.
- The easiest and fastest way to post bail is to work with a bail bond agent.
- You must show up for all court appearances after you post bail.
- The court may keep the bail and issue an arrest warrant if you don’t appear for your court dates.
Do You Get Bail Money Back?
A bail bond agent charges a percentage of the total bail amount as a fee for their services. This fee is called premium. You do not get the premium back from a bail bond agent.
How is Bail Set?
California state law requires a panel of judges in each county to predetermine the amount of bail for commonly occurring offenses. This is called a “bail schedule” and determines the amount of bail for a defendant.
A judge may change the bail amount for a particular defendant as the judge sees fit. Usually, if a change in bail amount is going to happen, it happens on the first or second court appearance, while a defendant is still in custody. Occasionally, a judge will raise bail for a defendant before the defendant goes to court if there is a particular concern about public safety.
Once the bail is determined, either by the schedule or in court by a judge, a defendant may post that bond immediately by working with a bail bond agent.
Sonoma County Bail Resources
- See the Sonoma County standard bail schedule.
- Find out more about the Criminal Justice System in Sonoma County.