Why the bondsman is usually the first call
- The bail amount already exists. It came off the county schedule at booking, not from a hearing.
- A bond can be posted at any hour, including weekends and holidays — see are bail bonds open on the weekend.
- Getting the person out first makes the defense cheaper and better: they can gather documents, keep their job, and meet counsel in an office instead of a visiting booth.
- Attorneys generally cannot lower a scheduled bail before arraignment anyway.
When the attorney comes first
- No bail is listed — capital cases and certain violence or sexual-assault allegations under the California Constitution require a judge.
- A 1275 hold has been placed and the source of the funds must be proven in court.
- An immigration, probation, or parole hold sits behind the local charge, so posting bail alone will not open the door.
- The bail amount is far out of line with the facts and you want a bail-reduction motion at arraignment.
If you cannot afford private counsel, the public defender is appointed at arraignment; in Los Angeles that office is the LA County Public Defender.
The realistic order of operations
- Confirm the person is booked and get the bail amount — inmate search or call us and we will look it up.
- Call a licensed bail agent and start the paperwork; premium is 10% and set by Insurance Code §1800.
- While the bond is being posted, line up defense counsel for the arraignment date.
- Do not discuss the facts of the case with anyone but the attorney — jail calls are recorded.