Being placed under arrest in California is a daunting experience that most people will not be prepared for. If you are charged with a crime, then you will immediately be placed in police custody.
Once you have been arrested, you will proceed through a booking process. Various details will be recorded including personal information and physical characteristics. Your personal items will be collected and you will be placed in a holding cell.
You will remain in this location until your court date unless you are able to post bail. If you post bail, you will be able to return home until you have your day in court. There are various benefits of being able to post bail.
For instance, you will be in a better position to prepare for your court case. To put forward the best defense, you will need time to speak and engage with your lawyer. This is going to be far more difficult if you are behind bars.
If you are stuck in a holding cell, then it can also play havoc with your mental health. Various individuals will experience symptoms of depression and severe anxiety which becomes more likely the longer you remain in police custody.
That’s why it’s important to know how to post bail.
How Is Bail Determined In California?
Bail is the amount of money required to be released from jail, pending a trial or court date. Instead of being a punitive step, the purpose of bail is to ensure that people do show up for their trials as well as pretrial hearings.
Once the trial reaches its conclusion, the bail is returned to whoever posts the sum of money.
The amount required for bail in California will depend on a few key factors including a pre-established bail scale. This scale will depend on the offense committed but the amount can be quite high depending on the crime.
Other factors will also come into play here including previous recorded crimes as well as your current income. The judge will then make a final decision.
Can You Bail Yourself Out Of Jail?
It is possible to bail yourself out of jail in California. However, this will only be the case if you have the full amount of bail available in cash. If you don’t, then you will need to explore other options.
When you reach your holding cell, you will be provided with a phone call. You can then use this to make a collect call to your bank and then post bail directly. As soon as you post the correct amount, you will be released from your holding cell and you will be able to return home. Do note, there may be requirements or conditions for your bail.
Conditions will usually include:
- House arrest through electronic monitoring
- Requirement to wear a secure continuous alcohol monitor
- Inability to leave the state
- Surrendering of driver’s license and passport
- No contact with the victim
- No drinking and driving with any level of alcohol
These conditions will depend on the crime that you were charged with and whether or not you are considered to present a risk to yourself or others.
Can You Request Bail To Be Reduced?
You can request the bail amount to be reduced or argue that it should not be raised by the prosecution. If you pursue this option, then numerous factors will be considered including:
- Severity of the crime
- Whether you are a threat to public safety
- Whether you have interests in the community
- Whether you have a criminal history
- Whether anyone was seriously injured
If you have been charged with any serious crime including homicide, robbery, sexual assualt, or kidnapping, it is unlikely that a court will choose to modify the bail amount. The only exception will be if there are unusual circumstances surrounding the case. This could include new evidence or issues with your long term health.
What If You Can’t Afford The Cost To Bail Yourself Of Jail?
The vast majority of people will not be able to afford the cost of posting bail. For some crimes, the full amount can be as much as $50,000. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to remain trapped in a holding cell. You can still post bail with a little extra support.
You just need the help of a bondsman. At Balboa Bail Bonds, we can post bail for you. To arrange this, you can use your call from jail to contact us. Alternatively, you can arrange for a loved one outside of jail to contact us instead.
You just need to provide basic information including contact details. We will be able to post your bail anywhere in California, usually on the same day and often within an hour of the first interaction.
If you are considered to be a low flight risk, you can simply cost us and we will post the bond with the promise to pay once you are released.
We have local bail agents who are available to visit the jail and sign all the required paperwork for you.
Can Anyone Use Our Services To Bail Themselves Out Of Jail?
Assuming that you are not considered to be a flight risk, you likely can use our services to get out of jail. We have a range of flexible payment options for you to choose from. We can also provide our solution regardless of whether you have issues with your credit rating. This will be the case assuming you have steady employment or if you are a homeowner.
Our service is available 24/7. As such, you can contact us or get a loved one to get in touch as soon as you are able to do so. We won’t leave you in jail for a moment longer than necessary.
If you need more information from Balboa Bail Bonds or you require a bail bond for a loved one, please do not hesitate to get in touch. A friendly member of our team will be happy to assist you.
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