If I don’t pay the remaining balance of my bail to the bail bondsman will it effect my credit?
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If I don’t pay the remaining balance of my bail to the bail bondsman will it effect my credit?
I paid $5000 of the $10000 I owed to the bail bondsman. I turned in the bail exoneration form and was sentenced. If I don’t pay the rest of the bail what will happen?
Asked on May 19, 2009 under Criminal Law, California
Answers:
B. B., Member, New Jersey Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
I'm not a California lawyer, and it isn't clear from your question whether the bail exoneration finished paying off the bail bondsman -- or if the $10,000 you owed was the fee for a $100,000 bail bond. If under your contract with the bail bondsman, you still owe him $5,000, then at the very least he can go to court and get a judgment against you, and that will definitely hurt your credit until it is paid off -- with court costs and interest. And with a judgment, your assets -- house, car, bank accounts, whatever -- can be taken and sold to pay it off.
There might be other legal remedies the bail bondsman has, that are special to the bail bond situation. And if you ever need another bail bond, you're likely to have a large problem if you don't pay this.
As I said, I'm not a California lawyer. There may also be other facts that are important here, beyond what you've put in your question. To be sure of your rights -- and the bondsman's rights against you -- please talk to an attorney in your area. One way to find counsel is our website, http://attorneypages.com
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