Any felony where the court finds, with clear and convincing evidence, that the person violated a major condition of release while on bail. Domestic violence offenses (both felony and misdemeanor), if the court believes the person poses a serious danger to the alleged victim.
While it may seem surprising, in most cases the police do not need a warrant arrest you. It all comes down to probable cause — if the police have probable cause to believe that you have committed a crime, they can arrest you without going to a judge for a warrant first.
Background Check and Disqualifications A clean background is crucial. You cannot have any felony convictions. If you have a felony on your record, you are automatically disqualified from becoming a bail bonds agent.
For instance, a California judge might post bail at $50,000, letting the defendant secure their release for just $5,000. However, judges may not grant bail in some situations. When this happens, it can result in a “no bond” situation.
Failing to post bond has several consequences: Extended Jail Time: You remain in custody until your court date, ranging from weeks to months. Court Appearances: Regular court appearances are required.
An arrest warrant is valid until it is served or until the court that issued it invalidates it. This may be done on motion of the prosecuting authority or as a “housekeeping” measure by the court itself.
The bail bond agent will need you to sign some paperwork in order for you to secure their services. This usually means paying an amount to the agent, usually a percentage of the total bail amount, and signing off on any collateral for the bond.
The defendant can post their own bail or ask a family member or friend to post it. If the defendant uses a bond company, the company may require the defendant to have a co-signer (someone who will help the company find the defendant should they fail to appear).
In some jurisdictions, the court may also allow you to post a property bond, which will use property that you own as collateral for your conditional release. Unfortunately, though, if your bail amount is high, you may not have the resources to post bail with the court on your own.