One of the most frequently asked questions we are asked here at Lynwood Bail Bond Store is if the premium, the money the client pays to us, gets returned at the end of the case. “But, money for a cash bail is refunded!” Well, there is a difference between cash bail and bail bonds. There are also stipulations for getting that cash bail money back.
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Cash Bail
When paying cash bail, the defendant and their loved ones pay the cash bail directly to the court. They pay the full bail amount, and no bail bond agent is involved whatsoever. In order for them to get their money back at the end of trial, the defendant would have to be compliant with all of his or her release terms and conditions and show up for court as scheduled. Even then, some of the money may be kept to pay for different court fees. If something goes wrong, this money may not be refunded.
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Bail Bonds
When the defendant and his or her loved ones hire a bail agent, they get this person to help them through the entire bail bond process. A bail bond will cost only 10% of the full bail amount, but this 10%, called the premium, is not refunded in the end, even if the defendant obeys all of his or her release terms and conditions and shows up in court because the premium is considered payment for the bail agent’s services.
The reason why bail bonds are still a more common method to bailing out of jail is due to the flexible payment plan. The 10% is paid off over an extended period of time. Cash bail must be paid in full before the defendant can be released. Overall, bail bonds provide financial flexibility and ease.
We here at Lynwood Bail Bond Store are very understanding of each person’s own situation. We are flexible and customize payment plans to fit clients’ budgets. We work with them to find a way to help everyone who needs our help.