In Orange County, all bail bond agents charge a fee of ten percent as dictated by California State Law. This is a result of legislation enacted with the purpose of protecting defendants from greedy bail bond agents. While these regulations keep companies from taking advantage of you in your time of need, it also makes it difficult to choose which Orange County bail bonds company to use.
For starters, you need to make sure that the bail bond agent has a valid license. You want to avoid conmen at all costs and you should be wary of any company that offers a fee below the mandated rate. Usually companies that lower the rate are operating illegally and use the low rate as part of a bait and switch business practice. Occasionally an attorney can help negotiate a lower fee, but it is usually at the cost of increased attorney fee.
The reputation of the bail bond company matters and you should look through online reviews and the heed warnings of those that have used the service in the past. This is your freedom at risk, not a bad meal at a restaurant or a faulty product. You should choose a bail bond company that has proven success in granting quick releases from a jail or other detention center.
Consider using a larger organization instead of an individual bail bond agent for added security. Arrests do not often occur during normal business hours and you want a company that is ready and accessible 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Larger companies also offer better, more secure options for paying and transmitting documents remotely, which translates to a faster release time.
Get a feel for the character of the bail bond agents as much as you can during a time of crisis. Look for a commitment to ethics and a patient demeanor. The bail bond agent should take time to explain the bail bond process thoroughly and take care to answer any questions you or your family may have.
If you are handling your arrest completely on your own, it may be nearly impossible to gauge the character of the company and conduct research online to read reviews of the service. If this is the case, considering asking your attorney for a recommendation. Attorneys have been through the bail bond process time and time again with clients and more importantly with local bail bond agents. Attorneys may have valuable advice about which bail bondsman to avoid and which to use.
Choosing the right Orange County bail bond company can be the difference in hours and days spent in jail. On top of that, you do not want the added financial strain of dealing with an illegal operation that wastes your time and money. You already have enough stress as you go through the court system and have spent enough on attorney fees. Choose a bail bond company that makes the process of bail bonds in Orange County simple and convenient.