Pop culture has in some senses, warped views of what a bail bondsman does and the exact nature of the job they perform. Bondsmen and bounty hunters are not the same. Bail bonds companies and the people who work for them assist people in getting out of jail; bounty hunters, on the other hand, help track those people down and return them to custody in the instance they skip town and fail to appear at their assigned court proceedings.

 Q. What are bail bonds?

A. A bail bond is a written promise, entered into with a bondsman and signed by the defendant or a person signing on the defendant's behalf, which states the signer agrees to the terms and conditions of the bond. The bottom line is that the defendant agrees to appear for all court proceedings related to the charges.

Q. What is a bail bondsman?

A. A bondsman is person licensed by the California Department of Insurance. If you work with an expert bondsman, he or she has undergone training in the field of bail bonds and is adept in helping defendants be released from jail before and during their trial. This allows people to resume their day-to-day lives while the legal matter they're facing is being resolved.

Q. How much do bail bonds cost?

A. In the state of California, bail bonds cost 10% of the total bail amount to a bail company. That amount is regulated by the Department of Insurance and is the industry standard. Under certain circumstances, the cost may be reduced to 8%. Ask your bondsman if you qualify for such a discount. Be aware of bondsmen who try to reel you in with cheaper bonds.

Q. Do I need to pay the full cost of the bail bond all at once?

A. Not always. If you have good credit and are unable to pay the bondsman's fee in full, some bondsmen offer payment plans. It's best to look for a bail company that offers flexible bail payments that are interest and finance free. Be up front about your financial situation and what you can afford. Never make an agreement to pay that you cannot meet. This is an extension of credit which is fully enforceable by law.

Q. Will I need collateral to secure a bail bond?

A. Collateral for a bail bond depends on the case and the bondsman. Some companies offer "signature bonds", in which a person's signature is assurance enough that the terms and conditions of the bond will be met. On the other hand, if a person's bail is set at a very high amount, the bail bonding company may request to hold onto something of value as an assurance the defendant will fulfill his or her obligation(s) with the court. In this instance the item taken as collateral will be returned to the person who posted it at the conclusion of the case when all conditions are met. If you want a no collateral bond, look for a bondsman that offers it.

Q. How do I choose a bail company?

A. If you know someone who has experience in this field, who practices law, or who has needed the assistance of a bondsman in the past, you might consider asking for a referral. On the other hand, a simple Internet search would also be a good starting point. When you begin to make inquiry calls be sure to ask lots of questions. The person you choose to work with should be well-versed in the field of bail bonds, should take the time needed to fully answer your questions and be someone with whom you feel comfortable.