A  bail bonds person, bail bond agent or bond dealer is any person, agency or corporation that will act as a surety and pledge money or property as bail for the appearance of a defendant in court.

The rules and amounts for a California bail bond are determined by each county, which has a local bail schedule for certain types of offenses, and once an accused is arrested, a loved one or a bail bondsman can review the bail schedule to determine the amount needed.

To post a Bail Bond, a defendant is usually required to pay a Bail bondsman 10% of the bail amount. 

Upon conclusion of the court case, the Bail Bond is dissolved and the collateral is returned to the person who posted it. The Bail bondsman keeps the 10% cash fee as profit.

If a defendant does appear for court, the full amount of the bond is forfeited 

The California Bail Agents Association [CBAA], in turn, acts as a representative for bail bond agents and, by proxy, their clients, ensuring that the laws put forth by the United States government are upheld and the integrity of the profession remains intact.

The bail bondsman profession typically appeals to people who possess confidence, excellent negotiating skills and an intellectual proclivity for finance. This is especially true in the competitive market in California where bail bondsman are licensed and regulated strictly by the California Department of Insurance (DOI).