Celebrating 76 years of Service in San Pedro, California Since 1935
Sylvia's Bail Bonds has been serving its customers throughout California and across the United States for over 70 years. Our agents strive to be your #1 agency serving our customers through dedicated service, stability, satisfaction and security. If you or a loved one have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony, Sylvia's can help you get released prior to conviction or while on appeal. Sylvia's Bail Bonds has helped many people through confusing and trying times by explaining legal procedures and other related matters in laymen's terms. Sylvia's gives it's clients the assurance that we'll be there for them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year—whenever you need us, we're only a phone call away.
CALL US NOW... 310.547.2000
HABLAMOS ESPANOL.
Why Sylvia's?
- KNOWN AS "THE LITTLE PINK SHACK," SYLVIA'S BAIL BONDS HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR OVER 76 YEARS.
- OFFICE OPEN & STAFFED 24 HOURS, 7 DAYS A WEEK.
- NATIONWIDE SERVICE AVAILABLE.
- WE SPECIALIZE IN STATE, FEDERAL, AND IMMIGRATION BONDS.
- 1275 SPECIALIST, WE DO THE WORK SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO.
- FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS.
- 24 HOUR NOTARY PUBLIC SERVICE
- WE OFFER SPECIAL DISCOUNTS FOR UNION MEMBERS.
Testimonials
"I was a nervous wreck when I called Sylvia's at 3:00 in the morning. They immediately sent a bondsman out to my house and explained the entire process and bailed my husband out. I will always be grateful to them for calming me down and helping me through a stressful time in my life." - Virginia, San Pedro
"I called Sylvia's Bail Bonds after I couldn't get a bondsman in Santa Barbara to help me. I was amazed that a bondsman who was over two hours away was able to get my daughter released within an hour. They're the best!" - Darby, Orange County
History of Sylvia's Bail Bonds
Known as the Blonde Beauty Sylvia Zankich began her career at the age of 15 as a taxi dancer, making seven cents a dance. She soon moved on to become a bar keep and owned a few cafes in the notorious Beacon Street, the once glittering Mecca for illegal booze, illegal broads and illegal betting. She decided to expand her customer's needs and opened Sylvia's Bail Bonds. She soon became a legend around town and was named the first honorary Mayor of San Pedro. Although she passed away in 1995, at the age of 87, her legend lives on.
Known to the locals as "The little Pink Shack," Sylvia's has appeared in Hollywood movies such as Oliver Stone's "Heaven and Earth" and "Live and Die in L.A." When the Olympics came to Los Angeles in 1984, Sylvia's Bail Bonds was featured in The Olympic City Book, "24 Hours in the Life of Los Angeles."
Today, Sylvia's Bail Bonds continues to meet its customers' needs through dedication, honesty, and reliability—all the qualities that Sylvia passed on.
How Bail Works
When someone is charged with a crime most often they are entitled to bail. The amount of bail is set by The Superior Court Judges. An individual contacts a bail agent and enters into a contractual agreement for release of a defendant. The defendant must appear in court each and every time the judge requires them to do so. For this service, there is a premium charged. The person entering into the contract with the bonding company is not released of their responsibility until all obligations have been met and the bond is exonerated. In some cases, collateral may be necessary to secure a bail bond.
How Collateral Works
What is Collateral?
Collateral is sometimes required to secure a bail bond. Examples of some types of collateral are real property, cash, pink slips, etc. Depending on the amount of bail, collateral may not always be necessary. All collateral is returned when the bond has been exonerated and all legal responsibility of the co-signer (indemnitor) has been met.
What is and isn't good collateral?
Item that we considered good collateral: unencumbered and encumbered (depending on how much equity) real estate is good. Items that are considered major collateral such as a car, boat, motor home, etc. are deemed good. *When do I get my collateral back? Upon completion of the court case. -The charges are dropped. -The person is found innocent at trial. -The person is sentenced at trial. -When bail is exonerated. Of course, the collateral will only by returned if there is no outstanding balance due on the premium. The bail bond agent has a fiduciary (formal legal) responsibility to safeguard all collateral.
When do I get my collateral back?
Upon completion of the court case.
-The charges are dropped.
-The person is found innocent at trial.
-The person is sentenced at trial.
-When bail is exonerated.
Of course, the collateral will only by returned if there is no outstanding balance due on the premium. The bail bond agent has a fiduciary (formal legal) responsibility to safeguard all collateral.
What happens if the person does not appear in court as promised?
If the person fails to appear in court (jumps bail) a warrant is issued for their arrest. The judge either puts a bail amount greater than the original amount or a no-bail warrant is issued. Because the bondsman has a legal contract with the co-signer (indemnitor) the co-singer is contacted right away. The bondsman has a limited amount of time to return the defendant back to the court before the court issues a demand on the bond. (The court wants the money) and the co-signers obligation to pay the full amount of the bail per their contractual agreement comes due. All the cost incurred for the defendant's failure to appear falls onto the co-signer. Some forfeiture may be errors of the court made by the clerks, attorneys, the defendant and occasionally a judge but can be rectified with reassumption papers for a minimal fee.
Why Bail out ASAP?
1. The bail amount may change if you wait for the defendant to go to court.
2. Other holds may be placed on the defendant.
3. A 1275 hold could be placed on the defendant and requires additional approval from the court for the release of the defendant.
4. It is always best to fight your case from the outside. You have more options.
