California law prohibits bail bonds companies from making attorney referrals.  The Top 50 Criminal Defense Attorneys Online list was thus created by allowing people to nominate attorneys who they feel are the most influential and have the strongest social media presence.

All nominees underwent a stringent evaluation process and the winners were selected based on multiple factors, including their use of social media marketing and AVVO rating.   AVVO ratings are calculated based on number of years in practice, professional achievements, industry recognition, and disciplinary history.  Company representatives say their ratings are easy to understand, lack favoritism and are completely unbiased.

Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds is family-owned and operated and has more than 40-years of experience in helping people get friends and loved ones out of California jails.  They have offices located throughout the state and have long-standing A+ accreditation with the Better Business Bureau.

It’s no great secret that the economic waters continue to be a little rough.   Right now many people are stretching their paychecks just to make ends meet.  This is something that’s hitting people from all across the board, from all walks of life, and from all income brackets and backgrounds.  Having money stashed aside in a “just in case I need to bail someone out of jail-fund” is likely not something you have.

In this edition of Bail Bonds: Fact or Fiction, we address questions regarding California bail bonds payments and financing a bail bond.

Fact or Fiction: You Have To Pay For A Bail Bond Prior To Release From Jail

Fiction:  With many bondsmen, yes, you do need to pay the full bond amount (10% of the total bail) prior to the defendant being release from jail. However, there are California bail bonds companies that offer payment plans.  You should keep in mind, though, that not every bail bondsman will allow you to spread out payment on a bond and if they do; the person wishing to purchase it will still need to meet eligibility requirements.

Different companies will offer different plans: some will require a minimum down; some will require you to pay within a given time frame; some may be very flexible and able to meet individual situations. Ask your bondsman about payment options, bail bonds payment plans, and find out if they will be able to work within your financial parameters.

Fact or Fiction:  You can negotiate with a bail bondsman in the same way you can haggle with a car dealer.

Fiction. Sorry folks, that misconception is just that – a misconception.  Bail bond premiums are set by on a state-by-state basis. In California, that agency is the Department of Insurance.  In the state of California, bail bonds companies charge 10% of a bond’s total premium to provide the service of getting someone out of jail.

Although discounts are granted on occasion based on the parameters of the bond, the greater portion of bonds are not eligible to receive a discount on the purchase of a bail bond.

You will come across a bail bonds company that will be touting 5% bail bonds.  You’d probably be thinking how great a deal they are giving you.  In this instance, you should be cautious of a “bail bonds bait and switch”.  Ten percent is an industry standard and by offering such a low rate they ’are likely attempting to lure you into the office under false pretense.  In fact, the unscrupulous bondsman is requesting 5% down in cash with the remainder being worked out via payment plan. At this point it’s late, you’re tired, and when they produce the contract, you sign it. This practice isn’t illegal, per se, but it is unethical.  There are bondsman who offer payment plans. If that’s what you need, look for it from an expert bondsman.

If you are in fact being offered a 5% bail bond, be aware that price undercutting in the state of California is illegal.

(Click on the Bail Bond Process image to view at larger size.)

They are also reminding parents to adhere to some rules of thumb while out and about this Oct. 31.

• Urge children to use common sense.
• Remind children they are not to enter the home of a stranger.
• Have kids stick to trick-or-treating in neighborhoods they know.
• Ensure that costumes are visible in the dark so that passenger vehicles can see them.  Reflective tape and/or using glow sticks can help drivers see children as they dart around the street.

If your adult fun included alcohol, be wise; do not drink and drive. Not only will police throughout California be out in force all weekend, but drunk driving can be deadly. So, be safe:

• If you’re going out drinking, plan ahead how you will get home
• Have a designated driver
• If someone your with has been drinking, contact friends or family, or call for a cab
• Never let an intoxicated person drive themselves home, even just around the corner.

If you or someone you know does get arrested for a DUI, you may not need bail. This varies based on the jurisdiction and the circumstances. If you call us, we will provide you help based on your specific circumstances for any California jail. (Our number is 1-888-224-5266; it’s easy enough to remember from the drunk tank: 888-BAIL-BOND; 8+8+8=BAIL BONDS 24 Hours!)

The Los Angeles Police Department is advising that those who are attending parties to plan a safe way hope prior to arriving and/or to designate a sober driver to get them home at the end of the night. It’s also recommended those who have had a few too many drinks call a taxi, friend, roommate, or family member or to take public transportation to get home.  It’s further suggested that if you see someone who is visibly impaired who is about to get behind the wheel, to take their keys and assist in getting them home safely.

In our experience, most people who are arrested for first time DUI are released without bail about 8-12 hours after arrest, depending on their blood alcohol level. Repeat offenders, drivers involved in accidents or others with mitigating circumstances will require bail bonds to obtain release from jail. Additionally, certain jurisdications such as Burbank and all of San Diego County require bail for every DUI arrest.

Patch reports that a sobriety checkpoint will be conducted between 8 p.m. Friday and 2 a.m. Saturday at Ventura Boulevard and Big Oak Drive in Studio City. A second checkpoint will be conducted between 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 a.m. Sunday at Sunset Boulevard and Bronson Avenue in Hollywood.

Located in Los Angeles, Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds is a family-owned and operated company consisting of licensed bail agents with many years of experience.

ExpertBail is a networking organization that acknowledges the best in this field. They distinguish their selection of bail bondsman by the companies who exert a professional attitude, trustworthiness and ethical attributes, the opposite of what most media outlets portray.

AIA, the leading bail bonds underwriting company, located in Los Angeles and run by the Nairin family, developed the ExpertBail network.

ExpertBail’s major contribution is providing families and communities in California information on where and how to find the highest quality and most professional bail bond agents the state has to offer.

Greg Rynerson spoke on the behalf of his bail bonds company, “As a bondsman, we’ve always struggled with the stereotype of the neon sign and cigar filled room. For the professionals amongst bail companies, nothing could be further from reality. I applaud AIA and ExpertBail for helping to shine a light on the stand-out bondsmen in our industry. I’ve been proud to be affiliated with the Nairin family, AIA and now with ExpertBail.”

ExpertBail has set standards that each bail bond company must meet in order to obtain this recognition as bail experts, which includes their level of experience, trustworthiness and professionalism. For those who are in need of a quality bail bond company, they will be able to access this information at ExpertBail.com.

ExpertBail is the first national network for the bail bond industry. They help clients obtain the most professional and ethical bail bond companies. ExpertBail consists of the best and most experienced bail agents in the industry.

AIA or Allegany Casualty, International Fidelity and Associated Bond is the largest and oldest family run bail bond company. They have over 150 years experience and backs the ExpertBail network.

Bail bonds regulatory agency California Department of Insurance  investigators and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s detectives served a warrant to search the premises of the Bail Hotline Bail Bonds Company.

The bail agency is being accused of conducting solicitation through inmates to get other inmates to use their company, according to sheriff’s spokeswoman Arden Wiltshire, who further stated, “Let’s say a person is arrested and brought in and booked into jail. They cannot promote or encourage the use of certain bail bonds companies.”

Not only was the company accused of soliciting to inmates by their bondsmen, they are also under suspicion of using inmates to solicit to other inmates.

Wiltshire said, “So they could drum up business.” What kind of bail company does that? Not only is it illegal, it’s old-fashion ambulance chasing.

Under the Penal Code 160, and under Section 1800 of the Insurance Code, soliciting bail business is a huge violation.

The county’s DA’s office for violations will review this investigation.

Wiltshire gave a comparison of this process to a doctor going in front of the medical board. “They have to answer to how they conduct business,” further stating that “it is no different with the bail company. They have to explain.“

We’ve been surprised how many people visit our blog and enjoy the news stories on celebrity and sports star arrests, jail issues, and police crack-downs, but don’t realize that we are a licensed, professional California bail bond company.

Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds is owned and operated by Greg Rynerson and his wife, Tonya. Greg’s dad, Cal, started a bail bond business in Orange County, California in 1971. When Cal retired, Greg had a career in the insurance industry and the business was sold. Years later, Greg started his own bail company.

Now, we’re a thriving, family owned business. We’re a mom-and-pop company that uses technology and an network of agents throughout the state to serve every jail in California. Often, potential clients assume that we are one of the larger bail companies in the state. In reality, we’re a small bail family that cares about the individuals we work with and goes the extra miles to meet their needs. We hope you enjoy our blog and if you ever need a bail bond, we’ll be here for you.

At Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds, we have a fan page. As of today (Facebook tells me), you can either “Become a Fan” or “Like” our page. We invite you to do that: