He or she will stay in custody until sentenced or released.

Collateral can be personal or real property and is used to secure the bond.

When the defendant has been sentenced or released and all financial obligations are met.

We find that most of our clients are eligible for a signature bond.

The indemnitor is 100% liable for the full bond amount, including any fees that occur from failure to appear in court.

The video below will answer both of these questions.

 Yes, most facilities will accept the full amount of the bail in cash.

We accept all major credit cards, personal checks, jail checks, and we also offer financing. Please watch the video for more information on payment plans and financing available.

When someone is arrested, an indeminitor (usually a family member of friend) will use the services of a bail agent to obtain release of the defendant. The bail agent will usually ask for 10 percent of the full bail amount as security to obtain the release. In addition, the indeminitor may be asked to provide proof that they are able to pay the entire bail amount if the defendant “skips bail” (fails to make all the required court appearances, not just the arraignment) Example: The bail agent is, in effect, lending the indeminitor $5,000 for a fee of $500, There generally is no refund when the services of a bail agent are used.

Bail is money deposited with a bail bond agent or the court to get an arrested person temporarily released from custody. It serves as a surety (guarantee) that the arrested person will make all of his or her required court appearances.

We all know what a bail bond does, but in truth not everyone knows what a bail bond actually is. The face sheet is the actual contract pledging the guarantee for the defendant’s appearance in court. The Power of Attorney indicates the pledging surety’s authority to issue the bond. The combination of the face sheet and the Power of Attorney is the bail bond. A bail bond is the document filed with the court by the bail agent which tells the Court that bail has been paid. This document must be presented to the police or court before the defendant will be released from custody.

The bail bond agreement runs for the life of the case being bonded. The premium is normally paid on an annual basis, at the inception and each anniversary of the bond. The premiums are not refundable and are fully earned irrespective of the outcome of the case.

The court may reduce the amount of bail and accept a replacement bond issued for the lower amount. However, any reduction in the premium and/or collateral will depend upon the bail company/surety companies rates and policies.

Well I am sorry to say, the answer is no. Bail is regulated through the state of Washington and we are required by law to take 10% of the bond which is, unfortunately, non-refundable.

If the defendant fails to appear at all required hearings, arraignment, preliminary hearing, trial or sentencing, he or she has “skipped bail.” This means s/he has given up the right to stay out of jail while his or her case is going through the courts, and one of several things will happen:

a) The Court will revoke the original bail and issue a “bench warrant” for the defendant’s arrest. Failure to appear at a hearing is an additional crime and carries a penalty of jail time in addition to any time the defendant may have to serve if convicted to the crime.

b) The bail agent will try to find the defendant and return him or her to police custody. Once the defendant is back in custody, the bail bond can be “exonerated”, meaning the bail agent will no longer be responsible for the full amount of the bail.

c) If the defendant cannot be found and returned to the police within the allotted amount of time , the bail agent must pay the court the full amount of the bail plus additional court costs. The bail agent will then seek to recover that cost from the indemnitor.

The indemnitor accepts responsibility for the defendant and the full dollar amount of the bond if the defendant fails to appear for his or her court date(s) or “skips bail.” By signing for the defendant, the indemnitor guarantees or “indemnifies” to the bail agent that they will be responsible for the defendant and for all money due the bail agency and courts.

The defendant appears in court before a judge, the charges are read, if the defendant cannot afford an attorney one is appointed, and the plea is entered. Generally, the defendant is brought before a judge for arraignment within 24-48 hours after arrest. The exact time limit varies from state to state, though the U.S. Supreme Court now required that if the defendant was arrested without a previously issued warrant, he or she must be brought before a judge within 48 hours, so that a judge may determine whether there was probable cause to arrest.

The processing of a misdemeanor follows this order:
An arrest is made – police take defendant to jail. Three things can happen:
1. The defendant is released – no charges filed.
2. The defendant bails out or is released on his/her own recognizance (“OR”) and is scheduled for arraignment.
3. The defendant remains in custody of the sheriff/law enforcement agency and is brought to court for arraignment.

Arraignment & Plea – defendant is brought to court
1. Defendant is informed of the charges.
2. Defendant is informed of his/her constitutional rights.
3. An attorney is appointed. If the defendant wishes to have an attorney but cannot afford one of his/her choice, the court will appoint one.
4. Bail is set by the court, or the defendant is released “OR”, or the defendant remains in custody.
– OR –
5. Defendant enters a plea – guilty, not guilty, no contest.

Washington State Department of Licensing
Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 308-19
Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 18.185