Also known as zero down payment bail bond, 0% bail bonds is a bail now and pay later option. You will pay the required 10% bail premium later, usually through a repayment plan. The standard rate of bail premium that bail bond companies should charge is 10%. If you are pursuing a 0% bail bond for your loved one, you must meet certain requirements. You should consult a professional bail bondsman to determine if you qualify for a 0% bail bond.
How 0% Bail Bonds Work
0% bail bonds are similar to regular bail bonds. They are offered to prevent your loved one from spending longer periods behind bars than necessary. The only difference between 0% bail bonds and normal bail bonds is the way you pay for the service. You will pay a 10% premium for a normal bail bond, often in one lump sum or by making a down payment and paying the remaining amount through an agreed-upon repayment plan. Most people might not have the 10% required in cash to cater to the bail bond premium, especially those living paycheck to paycheck.
The 0% bail bond is a ‘’bail now, pay later’’ service. Your loved one can get out of custody even if you do not have any money to make a down payment. You can start making payment based on the agreed-upon terms once your loved one is released.
You will be a co-signer if you agree to bail your loved one out under 0% bail bond service. You will sign an agreement with a bail bonds company and will be financially liable for paying the balance of the premium. Sometimes, the bail bondsman can email you or fax the required documents to sign and return them.
The Benefits Of 0% Bail Bonds
Bail amounts in California can be high, sometimes up to $5000 for violating probation or exceeding $200,000 for serious felonies, including shooting a gun in the commission of a federal offense. These amounts make most people struggle to post bail, including the standard 10% premium. Perhaps you were already experiencing difficult financial moments even before your loved one was in custody. You will face an additional financial burden following the arrest of your loved one. This is where 0% bail bonds come in handy. Some of the benefits of 0% bail bond service include:
It Is A Confidential Option
It can be stressful to receive news that your loved one is in jail. Most people treat arrest news as confidential. However, the arrest might be publicly known if you liquidate your property to post bail. Your friends and family members will also see if you request them for a loan. Working with a bail bondsman will ensure that you only inform people that you wish to about the arrest of your loved one.
Protects Your Finances
No offender will like to spend time behind bars. You should find a way to have your loved one released from custody if he/she qualifies for bail. Most people go into financial difficulties to have their loved one released from jail. Posting bail is the most convenient way to have your loved one released from custody but it can have long-term repercussions on your finances. For example, you can decide to liquidate your property to post bail for your loved one. This in itself, can be an unwise financial strategy and could attract undue public attention. If you post bail in cash, you not only commit money that can be invested elsewhere but the authorities could also start investigating you. You protect your finances if you take the 0% bail bond service, including keeping the money you have for other essentials.
Can Help Your Loved One Out Of Custody And Prepare For Trial
0% bail bonds are popular because they offer a cost-effective way to post bail, enabling your loved one to get out of custody within the shortest time possible. This bail system is ideal if you do not have the full bail premium, particularly if the court sets a high bail. With the 0% bail bond service, your loved one does not have to stay in custody.
You also do not have to look for another solution for posting bail because 0% bail bond service is pocket-friendly. Your loved one will be released provided he/she qualifies for bail. The defendant could be subject to a long stay in custody until trial if they fail to post the whole bail amount or lack money to pay the 10% bail bond premium. Sometimes, remaining in custody too long could pose additional challenges, including health challenges and unfairness for the defendant. If this happens, it can throw your finances off balance. Securing a 0% bail bond for your loved one enables him/her to leave jail and prepare for trial immediately. The defendant will have sufficient time to find witnesses and explore various sides of the events.
0% Bail Bond Protects You Against Property Liquidation
Once your loved one’s bail is set, you can post the whole bail or request a trusted family member or friend to help you. Unfortunately, expensive bail can put you in a situation of having to make complicated and drastic financial decisions. You can be forced to liquidate your property. Posting the whole bail amount after liquidating your property can also raise concerns about your property. This can attract the attention of the authorities, and you could be investigated. You should consult a bail bondsman to avoid this. A bail bondsman can advise you on making sound financial decisions, including pursuing a bail instead of a cash or property bail. You can opt for 0% bail bonds to avoid this.
The Process of Securing 0% Bail Bonds
It is easy to secure a 0% bail bond for your loved one if he/she is arrested for a crime. You only need to contact a bail bondsman immediately when the arrest happens. The faster you move, the quicker your loved one will be released from custody. Acting promptly is crucial when using a 0% bail bond service because additional checks will be required. The bail bondsman will post bail for your loved one once you have discussed and agreed to the terms.
When you hire a bail bondsman to post a 0% bail bond for your loved one, you should provide all necessary information about your loved one. This can include:
- The name of your loved one
- Your loved one’s age
- The address of your loved one
- The date of birth
- The court where the defendant will appear for arraignment
You should also inform the bail bondsman about the type of crime or charges your loved one faces. Provide other pertinent details, like whether your loved one has ever been to court before and if he/she has had any prior arrests.
The bail bondsman will take you through some procedures once you have established whether your loved one will be granted a 0% bail bond. Some steps include signing paperwork showing your agreement with the bail bondsman. The paperwork is vital for posting a 0% bail bond because it allows a bail bondsman to start working out all the details.
The defendant will be released once the 0% bail has been posted. This process can last one to two hours.
Crimes That Qualify For 0% Bail Bonds
Not every criminal charge qualifies for 0% bail bonds. For example, serious federal and immigration offenses do not qualify for 0% bail bond service. The common offenses qualify for this service, including:
Certain Theft Offenses
Theft has many categories, and most theft offenses qualify for 0% bail bond. However, if your loved one has committed a theft offense, you should consult a bail bondsman to establish if he/she qualifies for a 0% bail bond.
Certain Assault Offenses
Courts often take assault offenses seriously and can attract a high bail. With the help of an experienced bail bondsman, you can secure a 0% bail bond for your loved one.
DUI Offenses
If the police arrest a defendant for committing a DUI offense, you must post bail before he/she is released. Fortunately, you can secure a 0% bail bond for your loved one for this offense.
The Conditions The Defendant Must Meet
For a defendant to qualify for a 0% bail bond, he/she meet the following requirements:
A California Resident
You must provide evidence to prove that the defendant is a resident of California to qualify for a 0% bail bond. The residency will allow the Californian bail bondsman to recover the premium through the agreed-upon payment plan. A defendant might not qualify for 0% bail bond if arrested outside California where the bail bondsmen are not allowed to conduct the business.
The evidence that can prove that the defendant is a California resident include the following:
- A recent utility bill bearing the defendant's name and address, or
- Current rental agreement if the defendant stays in a rented house. This should include the landlord's contact information.
Approved Credit Score
A good credit score is an essential requirement when pursuing a 0% bail bond for your loved one. The defendant will only be released on this service if you have an approved FICO score of at least 620. Your current credit report should not indicate more than six inquiries from lenders or creditors or two late payments within one year. However, you can secure a 0% bail bond even if you do not have a high credit score. However, this can happen only if you meet all other requirements.
No Priors or Warrants
A defendant will likely be granted a 0% bail bond if he/she is a first-time offender. You might not secure this service for the defendant if he/she has a warrant or prior arrests.
Your Annual Income as a co-signer Must Exceed the Total Bail Amount
The court can only release the defendant on a 0% bail bond if your annual income as the cosigner exceeds the amount of bail set. For example, a defendant could be arrested, charged, and granted a bail that does not exceed $5000. You must show that your individual or household income for the year is at least $5000 before taxes.
The Evidence That The Defendant Is Employed
A defendant can be released on a 0% bail bond if he/she has a steady income and will continue receiving it even if the case goes on for many months before being resolved.
Additionally, the defendant must have a co-signer.
Crimes That Do Not Qualify For 0% Bail Bonds
Certain offenses do not qualify for 0% bail bonds. These crimes include:
- Out-of-state or county warrants
- Bond surrenders
- Warrants
- Pimping
- Petty theft
- Prostitution
- Offenses associated with immigration bonds
- Sexual assault with force in which the offender was armed with a gun during arrest or has been convicted before of a similar offense
- Sex crimes when the victim is a minor, and
- Murder
Criticism of the 0% Bail Bonds
0% bail bonds have been a point of contention in California. Critics claim that it has increased the crime rate. They also allege that it poses risk to public safety. Some argue that it has disaproportionately affected marginalized communities who are victims of crimes.
On the other hand, those who support 0% bail bonds claim that it has helped address inequalities. They allege that most offenders that judges convict are too poor to post bail. According to the proponents, 0% bail bonds ensures that justice is based on the action of a person but not the financial status.
Courts have rejected the call to stop the 0% bail bonds policy because critics did not provide enough evidence to prove that the policy will cause harm.
Find An Experienced Bail Bondsman Near Me
If your loved one is in custody and you are pursuing a 0% bail bond, you should contact a bail bondsman as soon as possible. At Future Bail Bonds, we are among the leading providers of 0% bail bonds in California. As you contact a bail bondsman, you should have all the required information, including the defendant's identification details and the charges the defendant faces. The bail bondsman might also require information regarding the defendant's past criminal history. You will not have to make a down payment. After agreeing to a repayment plan with the bail bondsman, the defendant can be released. For timely 0% bail bonds, contact us at 619-880-8737 to speak to one of our bail bondsmen.
