FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question:  What is the booking process?
Answer:  When someone has been arrested, they will be taken to the local jail facility for the booking process.  The booking process will consist of a back ground check, fingerprinting, and a photo "mug shot".  Once this process is complete a bail amount will be set according to the county bail schedule.

Question: How is bail set?
Answer:  Judges set bail based on the crime the defendant has been charged with. The more serious the charge, the higher their bail will likely be set at. Repeat offenders will also have their bail set at a greater amount.

Whether a person is considered to be a flight risk (aka, if they have no friends, family, or ties to the community) will also be taken under advisement.  In some cases, a defendant can be released on their own recognizance (bail not required), whereas in others the judge may decide to have them remanded, meaning bail will not be set and the defendant will be required to remain in jail until their trial date.

Question:  What is a bail bond?
Answer:  A bail bond is contractual agreement from a licensed bail bondsman who is backed by an insurance company.  The bail bondsman guarantees the full amount of the bail to be paid to the courts if the defendant fails to appear for his/her court appearances.

For a free consultation for Merced bail bonds, call us now at 888-224-5266.  A licensed bondsman is ready to take your call and can complete the bail paperwork process online via fax, by email or in person. 

BAIL OPTIONS

There are two options people have when it comes to posting bail.  One is for a friend or family member to post cash bail for the total bail amount.  For example if bail has been set at $10,000, then the entire amount can be paid to the court or jail in the form of cash or cashiers check.

If the defendant fails to make their court appearance, bail will be revoked and they would go to jail.  If they do appear, there is a possibility that the bail money could be returned, in full, once the case is concluded- but that could take months if not years.

A second, more commonly used option is to seek out the assistance of a licensed bail bondsman, such as a licensed professional from 888 Bail Bond.  A licensed bondsman is available to take your call and will explain the bail process and cost.

When working with a bail bonds company, the bondsman charges a set fee, called a premium, for providing this service.  You will only need to pay 10% of the total bail amount.  In the case of a $10,000 bail, then the fee is $1,000.  Once the bond has been approved, the paperwork is complete, and payment has been arranged, then the bondsman will have the bond posted, which will allow the defendant to be released.

For Merced bail bonds, we offer a variety of payment options, flexible financing options and payment plans.  We accept Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover and cash.

A licensed professional from 888 Bail Bond can post a Merced bail bond 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.  We can even complete the bail process without your needing to leave your home.  Call 888-224-5266  for more information.

NO COLLATERAL BAIL BONDS

In some cases, a bail bond company will require that something of value, called collateral, to ensure the defendant will show up for required court appearances. Examples of collateral include real estate or other valuable property.  If used, the law requires collateral be returned at the conclusion of a case.

In most cases collateral is not  required at 888 Bail Bond, we offer no collateral bail bonds (called a signature bond) to those who qualify.

North Station
1109 Loughborough Dr.
Merced, CA 95340
209.385.8880

Central Station
611 W. 22nd St.
Merced, CA 95340
209.385.6912

South Station
470 W. 11th St.
Merced, CA 95340
209.385.8836

The Merced Police Department plays an active role in the community.  The backbone of the department is The Patrol Division.  This division is responsible for being the first to respond to all calls within the city- an average of 5,500 calls a month.  The Patrol Division currently consists of 1 Commander, 4 Lieutenants, 7 Sergeants and 40 Officers.   The Department is split up amongst 4 stations in order to better serve the community.  Anyone arrested by the Merced Police Department will likely be transferred to the Merced County Jail for booking and processing.

Call 888-224-5266, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week for more information on Merced bail bonds.