How to Find the Best Bail Bonds in Santa Ana

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Luis Mier

A bail bond, also known as a ‘surety bond’, is one of the best tools to keep you out of jail during your trial. If you cannot afford the bail amount that is required to be posted, you’re going to need a bail bondsman or bail bond agent to help you post the bail bond.

Because the Orange County Jail is located in Santa Ana, you should look for bail bonds in Santa Ana and neighboring cities, like Huntington Beach. When someone calls you to help them post bail and you contact the bail bond agent, their primary responsibility is to post the bail amount at the jail. They will take a percentage of the total bail amount for their services – usually 10% in California – and the person who is being held in jail must return for their court date or the bail agent is responsible to pay the full bail amount. In case the person jumps bail and does not show up in court, the agent is legally allowed to find them, detain them and bring them to court themselves. (This is where bounty hunters come into play.)

Is a person who puts up the money for your bail and guarantees that you will turn up for your next court date. In exchange you pay him a percentage of the bail. In case you jump bail, the bondsman is legally allowed to find you and make you come to court.

When looking for the best bail bonds in Orange County, there are a few keys to look for.

Licensing
Every bail agent or company needs to be licensed by the State of California. Ensure that the company that you are dealing with is properly licensed to ensure their legitimacy.

Experience
Once you’ve checked their license, the next thing to consider is their experience. Like in any industry, experience is crucial. The agent should be familiar with the court with which you are dealing with. They should have a good rapport with former clients and both the OC Jail and OC Sherriff’s Office so that you know that they know what they’re doing.

Flexibility
It’s very important that they’re flexible. The best agents in Santa Ana will provide you with payment options and flexible plans. Along with financial flexibility, you should be able to contact them easily at almost any point of time.

Communication
Because many people have never gone through the process before, and many don’t even know what to ask, it’s vital that the agent is easy to talk with and walks you through the bail process step by step. If they don’t, you will be left in the dark and are more likely to be burdened with unnecessary stress.

About Luis Mier

Luis Mier is the Owner of Signature Bail Bonds, an Orange County bail bonds agency. As a bail bondsman, Luis understands the urgency of having to get someone out of jail and does whatever it takes to ensure that the process of getting a bond is as quick and stress-free as possible.

What Distinguishes the Best Bail Bonds?

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Luis Mier

Choosing the right company to help you with your bail bonds can be difficult, especially when you are in a state of emotional stress. But it’s at this time that it’s most important to be able to ask all the right questions in order to choose the perfect company to help you with your bail bonds in CA.

You need to be able to distinguish between the best bail bonds and the ordinary ones. In order to this you need to be clear about every aspect of bail bonds. Let us look at some questions that are commonly asked while looking for the right bail bonds company.

The first thing that you will ask is if the process of getting bail bond is legal. The answer is yes. Not only is it legal, it also licenses companies to provide this service. When you’re looking for bail bonds in CA make sure you check their licensing.

Is getting a bail bond difficult? If you are a good risk, then getting a bail bond can be easy. Being a good risk means – being employed, having lived in the same place for a reasonable amount of time and no previous criminal record.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of getting a bail bond? The advantages are obvious – you don’t have to stay in a lock up for the period of your court hearings. There are no disadvantages as such. If you can afford to sink a large amount of money, then you don’t need a bail bond – you can pay your bail yourself. However, if you can’t afford it, it makes sense to get a bail bond and acquire your freedom.

About Luis Mier

How Bail Bonds Are Helpful for the Innocently Accused

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Luis Mier

Bail bonds are absolutely essential for the innocently accused. For those who know that there are no grounds for their arrest and who cannot afford their bail, a bail bondsman is required. Most people don’t have experience with court procedures and don’t know how the whole process works. The complicated bail process is well known to our agents.

When you’re looking for bail bonds in Orange County, make sure that you find a company that is patient, can answer all your questions and will take the time to walk you through each step of the bail process. You don’t want to get caught up in the details and be proven guilty simply because you were unfamiliar with the process.

Basically the process needs to be quick and easy with minimal complications. This is how it should be, especially when you are innocent. Even if you have the money available for bail, your will probably have to use collateral in order to sink such a large amount. Bail bonds in Orange County are useful so that you don’t have to unnecessarily block large amounts. It’s also advantageous to have someone on your side who knows how the entire process works.

Easy payment options are also available. We know that you cannot afford to pay large sums at a time – if you could, you wouldn’t need a bail bondsman. Depending on your financial situation, we have flexible options which cater to your needs. In this manner you can sort out your court case with peace of mind before you think about things like payment.

About Luis Mier

Bail Bonds in California: The Key to Help You Through a Tough Time

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Luis Mier

In life sometimes things happen that are unexpected and difficult to handle. One of those is when a family member or a loved one is arrested and sent to jail and you then find out that a bail is required for their release. Legal institutions are forbidding at best and you need someone to turn to that is both experienced in these situations and will be on your side throughout the process.

That is when a bail bondsman can be the person you turn to. Bail bonds in CA involve the workings of the courts. A reputable bail bondsman knows exactly what is required for your loved one to be released. They will find out if they are charged, where they are located, if they are to be transferred, how much the bail is set at and when a release can be arranged. When you do not know where to turn, a professional that knows and understands all of these elements of the system is your ally.

California has regulations that govern the operation of bail bonds and assure you that you are being treated fairly and knowledgeably. When you provide bail for a loved one’s release, you are putting your good name and credit on the line. All of that is returned, of course, when your loved returns to court in accordance with their due dates. But in the meantime, the bail bondsman stands up for you and lends their name to the bond, making the release happen much more quickly.

California regulations also set the rate that the bondsman can charge for their role in the posting and release. The fee is nonrefundable and is set by law at 10% of the bond. If you are cited a figure that is different, be careful!

When you need bail bonds in CA, look to a reputable bail agent for help. Not only will they walk you through the process and help secure your loved one’s release; they will also help to make your life as stress free as possible.

About Luis Mier

Luis Mier is the Owner of Signature Bail Bonds, a bail bonds agency based in Orange County, California. As a bail bondsman, Luis understands the urgency of having to get someone out of jail and does whatever it takes to ensure that the process of getting a bond is as quick and stress-free as possible. Whether looking for bail bonds in Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Orange or Santa Ana, Luis and his team make sure that their clients are covered, 24/7.

Bail Bond Agents: Role and Importance in Criminal Justice System

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Luis Mier

Bail bonds accord individuals accused of a crime temporary freedom pending their trial. This raises the issue of public safety if indeed these individuals are guilty. What if a person out on bail commits a crime again?

The bail industry always comes on top of other forms of release in terms of effectiveness. The big question is whether bail agents keep the community safe or put it at risk by securing the release of suspects. In a recent survey, The American Judges Association Conference found that many judges are confident releasing accused persons whose bail is secured by bail bond agents than those whose bail is offered by pre-trial releases agencies.

Many reality TV shows and Hollywood films have obscured the way the bail bond industry works. There is a huge misconception and negative image of the criminal justice system, most of which have been contributed by the media.Bail bond agents play an important role in the criminal justice system. The professionals take time to understand the risk associated with a bail bond and underwrite it correctly. Don’t misunderstand this with what the fugitive recovery professionals in reality TV shows portray. Fugitive recoveries only make the bail process effective.

Bail bond agents offer a financial security to ensure that defendants will appear in court for trial on the dates when their cases will be mentioned. The security can be a cash deposit or surety bail. The agents are very helpful in instances where someone is wrongfully arrested or made a wrong decision. If you are arrested for a crime, you can get out of jail on bail and continue with your work or responsibilities as you await the hearing of your case.

The bail bond industry also helps to reduce the costs associated with incarceration. This means that taxpayers’ money can better be utilized to house jail inmates.Bail bonds may seem like a necessary evil. However, what if a ruthless criminal is out on bail? This question makes most people think that bail bond agents should not be part of the criminal justice system.

About Luis Mier

Why Law School Graduates Are Facing Employment Trouble

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Luis Mier

Based on a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, there are several reasons for the fact that Law School graduates are facing difficulty in being employed as full time attorneys. The following list will explain those reasons.

The use of computers has lessened the need for lawyers, with respect to legal research. It has become easier, and quicker, for legal research to be done using the internet.
Many corporations are doing legal research in house, by using online services. These online services have greatly reduced the need to access law libraries.
Software has speeded up the information recovery process, especially with regard to discovery.
There are many companies who use their websites to offer online legal documents. These companies also provide help in filling these documents out. They are much less expensive than hiring an actual attorney.

Based on the LA Times article, it seems fairly obvious that this is an issue involving technology. Technology tends to create new forms of employment, even as it renders other older forms of employment somewhat obsolete.

However, there are other answers to this question. One fairly simple answer is that, at this time in our history, it is common for most people to experience difficulty in finding employment. We have been, and still are, experiencing a serious economic contraction. Jobs of all kinds have become scarcer.

Another factor to consider is the current hiring freeze within the Federal Government. Federal agencies have long been the platform for newly minted attorneys to learn the craft of being a good lawyer. It becomes very difficult for new graduates to learn the needed skills as attorneys without the benefit of entry level Federal jobs. The same hiring freezes are also impacting legal hiring at the state and county level.

About Luis Mier

Bail Bonds: History at a Glance

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Luis Mier

The bail bonds system was first developed in 13th century England. The practice of exchanging money or property for release from custody was started to generate a better balance among the rich and the poor when people were accused of committing a crime.

How the System Works

Bondsmen will provide the money for someone who is awaiting trial in exchange for a percentage of the bail amount. When the system was first developed people who had money and properties were lucky enough to be able to post bail themselves; however, poorer people had to remain in custody. Entrepreneurs realized that they would be able to take advantage of this issue by providing the money and taking a percentage.

Bondsmen have been around in the United States ever since the country was founded; however, the laws surrounding the procedures have changed, such as setting different bail bond amounts according to the individual’s circumstances. Although some aspects of the business vary from state to state, the main principles remain the same.

The business itself provides a much needed service to people who are subject to criminal charges and unable to finance the entire bail amount.

Finding a Trustworthy Bondsmen

If you ever find yourself requiring a bondsman, it’s important that you use a service that has the necessary experience and licenses to conduct business. This could speed up the process and limit your risk of running into problems.

About Luis Mier

Challenge False Arrests

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Luis Mier

A false arrest occurs when somebody is held without legal authority. A bail bonds agent will be responsible for somebody that they bail out of jail until they are due for their court appearance. They are legally allowed to apprehend a defendant that they are responsible for, providing they meet certain criteria. Otherwise it will be considered a false arrest.

Terms of Apprehension

The California Penal Code states that the bail agent should always have a copy of the bail paperwork when they are tracking down their defendant. If they don’t have this paperwork, then the defendant is legally allowed to walk free, and the bail agent holding them could receive penalties and criminal charges.

The authority who released the defendant must have a certified copy of the bail bonds agreement. The name of the defendant must be clearly stated and the document must be endorsed by the bail bond agent. The name of the authority must also be listed.

Rules and Regulations

It’s the job of the bail agent to understand their right to arrest defendants. Some bail agents will abuse this power and will apprehend people without the legal authority. This can lead to criminal charges as defendants will have the right to take matters further and challenge them in court.

If you are out on bail and a bail bond agent tries to apprehend you without presenting the information that’s required, then they will have no right to arrest you. If you are in need of a bail agent, then it’s important that you choose an establishment who knows the laws properly and will ensure that they strictly abide by the rules. In order to do this you must check to make sure that the bail bonds agents have the relevant licences and experience.

About Luis Mier

Devices used to track suspects out on bail

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Luis Mier

An electronic tracking device can be attached to a person who is on bail to ensure that they are accurately surveyed. They can be very convenient during court trials and will often allow the services to make huge savings on monitoring costs and administration fees.

Monitoring devices are often used by courts during the pre-trial and pre-release stages of criminal management. Electronic monitoring is very useful when preparing individuals for court, or for monitoring the release of the incarcerated back into society. This is because they will limit the chances of the offender missing court appearances or committing crimes. Tracking devices can also reduce custody population as individuals can be monitored to ensure that they abide by the rules of their bail or release.

GPS Monitoring

GPS monitoring ensures that the court will be able to determine the exact location of an individual who is out on bail. The location data can be transferred to a central database using either a GPRS, SIM, radio or internet signal. There are various different types of GPS monitoring device. Some of them will track data in real time, whilst others may save the location details at regular intervals.

Ankle Bracelet Monitoring

Ankle bracelets are the most common form of tracking device for people who are on bail or under house arrest. These devices will use radio signals to send information and location details to the receiver. If the offender wearing the device moves out of their allotted range, or if they tamper with the device the police will be notified. Some monitoring devices will also work in conjunction with a cell phone, which will receive signal from the ankle bracelet in order to work properly and transmit data.

About Luis Mier

Bail Jumping and Its Consequences

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Luis Mier

Bail jumping is a criminal offence in which a defendant intentionally doesn’t appear at their appointed court date.

The Consequences of Bail Jumping

There are certain events that will occur after bail jumping. For example:

The money that was posted for bail will be fore-fitted.
Additional charges will be filed, which could lead to a longer jail sentence or higher fine.
An arrest warrant will be issued.

The indemnitor is the individual who signs the bail bond. When this happens they will take on the responsibility of the arrestee. This means that it’s up to them to ensure that they show up to a court date. If the defendant misses their scheduled court date then the indemnitor will held responsible and will lose their money. In most cases the indemnitor is a family member or friend.

How to get Help

If you suspect that someone you know is going to skip bail then you should place all of your efforts into trying to contact the individual so you’ll be able to convince them to show up for the court proceeding. If you can’t get hold of them, then try to contact other family members and friends to make them aware of the situation. They will then be able to inform the defendant if they come into contact with him/her to let them know that you’ll be held accountable for their actions.