A bail bond is a surety bond, which is posted by a bail bond company to the court as a guarantee for an arrestee's appearance at all court dates. The court will release an arrestee from detention upon posting of the bail bond.
Leaving California on Bail with a Bond Posting bail via a bondsman doesn't impact the travel limitations of your bail agreement. However, you should still inform the bail bondsman about your travel plans as they are currently responsible for your court appearances and the finances used to secure your freedom.
As of 2008, only four states, Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon and Wisconsin, had abolished commercial/for-profit bail bonds by bail bondsmen and required deposits to courts instead. As of 2012 Nebraska and Maine in addition to the aforementioned Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon and Wisconsin prohibited surety bail bonds.
In the state of California, bail bond agreements must be verified and certified by the California Department of Insurance. The practice of commercial bail bonds is unlawful in the states of Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
At the time of writing, there are eight states that do not allow private bail bondsmen (or have very strict policies), namely Washington, D.C, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Illinois, Maine, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Oregon. Additionally, each state has different prerequisites (such as age, criminal history, etc.)
Even when operating across state lines, bail bond agencies must adhere to the local laws and regulations of each state. This includes differences in the amount of bail, conditions for release, and the procedures for posting bail.
Factors That Influence Bail Cost Bail of $500,000 or more is not uncommon for serious crimes such as murder, rape, or aggravated assault. It is often based on the type and severity of the charges in criminal defense, as well as the defendant's criminal history and flight risk.