Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Bail

I financed bail through a bondsman to bail my boyfriend out. I still owe $2,000. If he is turning himself in, do I still need to pay the remaining balance? I was told that if payments were not made or if he missed any court dates that they would come after him. If he is in jail, what can happen if I don't pay?


Asked on 3/27/09, 8:20 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: Bail

Yes, you have to pay. If you don't, the bondsman can come after you like any other creditor whose bill you fail to pay on time.

The money you agreed to pay the bondsman was his fee for putting up a much larger amount as bail. He did his part, and you have to do yours.

A reasonable analogy would be to the premium for a term insurance policy that has expired. If you haven't paid the entire premium yet, the fact that the policy ran out would not change the fact that you got what you were promised -- and likewise would not relieve you of the obligation to pay for it.

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Answered on 3/27/09, 8:31 pm


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