1% down, on approved credit
1% bail bonds in Los Angeles, explained plainly
By Jane Un, licensed bail agent #1843448. Updated October 29, 2026.
Bail is set by the court. A bail bond lets you pay a fraction of it. With Jane Un Bail Bonds you can start that bond with just 1% of the bail amount down, then pay the rest of the premium month by month. Here is exactly how it works, who it works for and when it will not.
What 1% down means
When a judge or the countywide bail schedule sets bail, you have two choices. Pay the whole amount in cash to the court, or buy a bail bond. A bond costs a premium, and in California that premium is the rate the bond company has on file with the Department of Insurance. For Jane Un Bail Bonds that is 10% of the bail amount, or 8% when a private attorney is retained or you or the defendant is a veteran.
1% down is how you start paying that premium. You put down 1% of the bail amount, and the rest of the premium goes on a monthly plan. It is a payment plan, not a discount. Anyone who tells you the bond itself only costs 1% is not telling you the whole story.
1% gets you started. The premium is still 10%, or 8% with the discount. You just do not have to pay it all tonight.
The math, at common bail amounts
| Bail amount | 1% down | Premium at 10% | Premium at 8% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $10 | $100 | $80 |
| $5,000 | $50 | $500 | $400 |
| $10,000 | $100 | $1,000 | $800 |
| $20,000 | $200 | $2,000 | $1,600 |
| $35,000 | $350 | $3,500 | $2,800 |
| $50,000 | $500 | $5,000 | $4,000 |
| $100,000 | $1,000 | $10,000 | $8,000 |
Want your own number? Use the 1% down calculator.
Who qualifies
Jane built Bail Today, Pay Later® around one simple rule, a job. In her words, all that is required is that you or your loved one has a job to qualify. In practice the co-signer, usually a family member, shows proof of steady work.
- A recent pay stub, or your employer's name and phone number
- Proof of where you live
- A photo ID
- The defendant's name, jail and booking number if you have it
Approval also looks at the bail amount, the charge and whether the defendant has missed court before.
When 1% down will not work
Being honest about this saves you time at 2 AM.
- No co-signer with steady income
- A past failure to appear in court, or a warrant from another county
- An immigration hold, because the person may not be released to you even after bail is posted
- Some very high bails, which need collateral or a larger down payment
- A no-bail hold, where no bond can be posted at all
If you hit one of these, call anyway. Jane has written bonds other companies would not, and we will tell you straight what is possible.
The payment plan
After the 1% down payment, the rest of the premium is split into monthly payments sized to what you can afford. You can pay by phone at (213) 725-2815 any time with a card or electronic check, in person at an office, or by mail to the Payment Processing Center at 900 Avila Street Suite 101, Los Angeles CA 90012. Read more on the Bail Today, Pay Later® page.
1% down vs paying 10% in cash
The total premium is the same either way. Paying 10% up front means nothing owed later. Paying 1% down means your person comes home tonight and the rest is spread out. Most families choose 1% down because bail usually hits without warning, and few people have thousands in cash at midnight.
Steps, start to finish
- Call (213) 725-2815. A licensed agent answers 24 hours a day.
- We look up the booking and the bail amount.
- The co-signer shows proof of a job and signs the paperwork, often by phone and email.
- You pay 1% of the bail amount down.
- We post the bond at the jail. Release time depends on jail processing.
- The defendant goes to every court date. The plan is paid monthly.
Questions people ask
What does 1% down bail bonds mean?
It means you can start the bond with 1% of the bail amount as a down payment, on approved credit. On a $20,000 bail that is $200 to start. The premium itself is still 10% of the bail amount (8% with the attorney or veteran discount), and the rest is paid on a monthly plan.
Is 1% down legal in California?
Yes, when it is a down payment and not a discount. California bail agents must charge the premium their surety has on file with the Department of Insurance. Jane Un Bail Bonds offers 1% down through its Bail Today, Pay Later® payment plan, which Jane started in 2004.
Who qualifies for 1% down?
Usually a co-signer with a steady job. Bring a recent pay stub, your employer's contact information or other proof of work. Approval depends on the bail amount, the charge and the co-signer's credit and income. If you do not qualify, call anyway. We often find a way.
How fast can you start?
The paperwork can start the moment you call. Release time depends on the jail and how busy booking is, so nobody can promise an exact hour. We will tell you where things stand.
Do you charge extra fees?
The premium is set by the filed rate. California rules allow only certain actual expenses on top, such as notary fees or out of county travel, and we will tell you about any before you sign.
Is the premium refundable?
No. The premium pays for the bond and is earned when the person is released. Collateral, if any was taken, is returned after the case ends and the bond is exonerated.
Can I get 0% down?
Jane Un Bail Bonds has offered no money paid now in some cases. It depends on the bail, the charge and the co-signer. Ask when you call.
What if the bail is over $100,000?
Large bonds are welcome. They usually need more paperwork and sometimes collateral, and the down payment may be higher than 1%. Call and we will tell you what applies.
1% down is a down payment on approved credit, not the price of the bond. The premium is the rate on file with the California Department of Insurance, 10% of the bail amount, or 8% when a private attorney is retained or you or the defendant is a veteran. The balance goes on a payment plan.