There are times when people call our office because they are on the fence about posting bail bonds.

Sometimes, clients will wonder if there's any benefit to helping a loved one get out of jail while their case is still pending.  In other instances, parents wonder if there's something to be said for letting their adult child "stay put and learn a lesson".

People are often surprised when they learn there are four key reasons they should consider hiring a bondsman.

• The judge is likely to view the defendant more favorably in court
  First impressions tend to carry quite a bit of weight; there is something to be said for the defendant going to court in nice slacks and a dress shirt as opposed to the jail-issued orange jumpsuit.  When you post bail bonds for a friend or family member you're helping make sure they can put their best foot forward.
• The defendant will be able to keep up with their work and/or schooling
  Any college student will tell you that homework loads are substantial; missing just a few days of class can put anyone very far behind.  For those who aren't in school, missing a few days of work because they are in jail could mean the difference between having, and losing their job.  When you help someone post bail bonds you are allowing them to get back to their day-to-day responsibilities while they wait for their case to be resolved.
• Their next court date has been set very far out
  In California, a newly-arrested defendant will need to be seen by a judge within three business days.  This is not to say their case will be resolved in that first appearance.  If the case is continued it's not uncommon for the following court date to be set four or more weeks out.  When you hire a bondsman you are helping the defendant have a better chance of preparing their case, it will be easier for them to hire a private attorney and they'll have greater access to their support system than were they to remain behind bars.
• You can't afford to post cash bail
  When someone is arrested the two fastest ways to get them released from custody are cash bail and bail bonds.  For the first, you'd need to put the defendant's full bail amount up with the court or jail in (you guessed it) cash.  California bail amounts are often set in the tens of thousands of dollars; for most families, posting cash bail simply isn't an option.  When you work with a reputable bondsman you'll only need to pay a fee equal to 10 percent of the defendant's bail in order to get them released from custody.

If you have learned that someone you care for has been arrested and you have additional questions about the benefits of posting bail bonds, be sure to contact a licensed bondsman in your area.