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When you are arrested in the State of California and complete the booking process, a bail hearing will determine whether bail is available. In most cases, defendants will be offered the chance to avoid jail between their arrest and the trial date. However, many people ask can you post bail without a bail bonds company?

In short, it is possible. By posting the full cash bond fee yourself (or courtesy of a loved one) will gain the same result as using an online bail bonds service. Before rushing into any decision, though, it’s important to view the full picture. Not least because making the right choice will allow you to focus on the next steps with confidence.

Posting bail with cash

If you are arrested in California, you can expect to face very large cash bail fees. For most crimes, the figure is set between $10,000 and $100,000. It is designed to prevent defendants from fleeing while on bail because they will only have their funds returned if they satisfy all conditions of their bail, such as attending a set number of pretrial court hearings.

If you can find that level of money, it is possible to post cash bail without relying on a bail bonds company. The obvious benefit is that you will (assuming all bail conditions are met) have the funds returned after your trial. However, there are several potential downsides to consider, including but not limited to;

  • If your bail is forfeited for any reason, it means you will lose the entire bail amount,
  • You will not have access to your funds throughout the trial, which could potentially take months or even years to reach its climax,
  • If the courts feel that the funds were obtained unlawfully, a 1275 hold could be filed to keep the funds,
  • You won’t gain any interest payments on the monies that would have been in your account throughout the process,
  • Even after the trial ends or charges are dropped, it takes weeks for funds to return.

Meanwhile, if you borrow money from a loved one to secure your release, it could put a strain on the relationship.

Posting bail through an agent

So, while it is possible to post bail on your own, using a bail bond agent is often the better solution. With Future Bail Bonds, you will pay a premium that is valued at 10% (or less) of the cash bail fee. For starters, finding this amount of money is far easier, especially if you are arrested outside of normal business hours. Moreover, repayment plans with 0% interest can be arranged for added convenience without increased costs. 

When posting bail with an agent, there are a host of additional benefits on offer, such as;

  • The capital gains on the funds you would have spent will cover a large percentage of the premium you paid,
  • You will not be waiting months or years for your financial health to be restored,
  • The agent can help speed up the bail process to get you out of jail in the fastest possible time,
  • The agent will also provide help with reinstatements or other services you may need,
  • Your potential financial exposure will be reduced to no more than 10% of what the cash bail would signify.

So, while you can post bail without a bonds company, most defendants find that calling experienced professionals who understand the process is the best option. To find out more, arrange a consultation via telephone or visit one of our offices now.