Bail plays a crucial role in the criminal justice system because it helps people arrested as suspects in criminal cases make their court appearances after securing a pretrial release. Posting bail after an arrest in Camarillo incentivizes you, the defendant, to appear in court to challenge the allegations you are facing until your case is over.
The court will hold your bail to ensure compliance with the set terms and conditions of your pretrial release. Once you do that, the court will exonerate or release your bail, meaning you will receive your money or property back.
If you use the services of a bail bondsman to secure your freedom, like most arrestees do, he/she will no longer be financially accountable for your freedom once the court exonerates your bail. At Balboa Bail Bonds, we have the expertise and financial backing you require to secure fast Camarillo bail bonds.
Eligibility for a Release From Jail Without Bail
Sometimes the court could permit you to secure your pretrial freedom without bail. Also known as Own Recognizance (O.R.) release, securing a release from jail without bail is worth considering if you are in legal custody for an alleged offense in Camarillo. Instead of posting bail, the court will allow you to secure your freedom after signing a promise or agreement to appear in court as required.
Unfortunately, not every arrestee is eligible for an O.R. release after an arrest. When determining whether you qualify for an O.R. release, the judge will consider various factors, including the following:
- Your relationship with the community and your family
- Your occupation
- The seriousness and sophistication of your offense
- Your criminal record
These considerations come into play when determining whether you are eligible for an O.R. release because the judge wants to ensure that:
- You are not a threat to public safety
- You cannot harm the victim of the alleged offense
- You cannot obstruct justice
When the judge finds that there is a high chance you will attend all your hearings as required, he/she will grant you a release from jail without bail. An O.R. release is beneficial, especially if you are indigent and cannot afford the bail amount set for your offense. In addition to making your court appearances, the court will also require you to comply with the following terms and conditions after securing an O.R. release:
- Do not travel outside the state or country
- Avoid contacting the victim, especially if the offense is domestic violence-related
- Enroll in alcohol and drug abuse programs
- Surrender your passport and driver's license
- Submit to electronic monitoring
How a Bail Bondsman Can Help if You Are Ineligible for an O.R. Release
Unfortunately, if you are ineligible for O.R. release, you must post bail to secure your freedom as the alleged case proceeds through various stages of the criminal court process. That is where the services of a bail bondsman become vital.
A bail bondsman intervention can make the difference between spending time behind bars as your case continues and obtaining your pretrial release immediately after an arrest in Camarillo. The bail bondsman will require you to pay a fixed, non-refundable premium, and in exchange, they will assume the risk of paying your full bail.
However, if your offense bail amount is high and the offense is grave, the bondsman could ask for collateral to reduce the risk of posting your bail.
For most arrestees, using the services of a bail bondsman to secure Camarillo bail bonds is the most convenient and effective way to secure your release from jail after an arrest and return to your regular life.
How to Prevent Bail Forfeiture
When you fail to appear in court or otherwise breach your bail conditions after securing your pretrial freedom, the court will forfeit your bail. That means you will lose money (cash bail), and the bail bondsman will be liable for your bail amount.
To prevent this loss, the bail bondsman will sell the collateral you or a loved one (cosigner) surrendered as security for your freedom. However, taking proactive steps could prevent bail forfeiture if you have missed a court date. In general, if you appear in court within 180 days and provide a good reason for your failure to attend your hearings, the judge will set aside or reverse the forfeiture of your bail.
Below are examples of valid excuses for failing to appear in court after a release from jail on bail:
- You were in the hospital on the date of your trial
- You are mentally ill
- You sustained an injury in an accident
- You were in legal custody in another jurisdiction
- You were disabled in a way that prevented you from appearing in court
Generally, for the court to undo the forfeiture of your bail, you need to submit a valid and legitimate reason. It is also worth noting that the court could still forfeit your bail when you arrive at your court hearing late due to traffic. Therefore, you should prepare for your court hearings early and show up on time to prevent these issues.
When you encounter any issue that could affect your ability to make your court appearances after securing Camarillo bail bonds, you should speak with your attorney or bail bondsman as soon as possible. Your attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor to mitigate the potential repercussions of failing to appear in court and work towards a desirable outcome.
Camarillo Jail and Courthouse Locations
Jail Location Address
Pretrial Detention
800 South Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009
805-654-3335
East County Jail
2101 East Olsen Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
805-494-8242
Courthouse Location Address
Ventura County Superior Court
800 S Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009
805-289-8900
Find a Bail Bondsman Near Me
Moments after an arrest can be frustrating and worrying, but it does not mean you are guilty of the alleged offense. To protect your innocence pending the outcome of your case, posting bail is an option you cannot overlook. Unfortunately, not every arrestee has the money or property to post bail after an arrest.
That is where the services of a bail bondsman become vital and helpful. At Balboa Bail Bonds, we understand how stressful these moments can be, especially if your offense bail amount is high. If you are in legal custody as a suspect in any criminal offense, our bail bondsmen can offer you fast Camarillo bail bonds to secure your release. Call us at 619-760-2222 as soon as possible after an arrest in Camarillo.