If you are charged with crime, then it is always going to be a daunting and stressful ordeal. This is particularly true if the charges are serious. For instance, you might have been charged with a felony. The short answer is: yes; in most felony cases the option to post bail is available in California.
One point to consider is whether you are able to bond out for a felony charge. Posting bail will ensure that you can get out of jail as quickly as possible. There are many benefits here. For instance, if you are able to get out of jail, then you will find it easier to plan your defense with a skilled lawyer. You also won’t need to be forced to deal with the psychological ramifications of being trapped in jail.
So, let’s explore whether or not you can post bail for a felony charge and the factors that you should keep in mind when making this decision.
What Does It Mean To “Bond Out”
Bond out refers to posting bail. Posting bail is often a requirement if you want to leave jail while you are waiting for your court hearing. The amount that you will need to pay depends on the severity of the offense that you have been charged with as well as a wide range of other factors such as your criminal record and the risk of you fleeing before your court date.
Can You “Bond Out” For A Felony Charge?
In most jurisdictions throughout the United States, it is possible to post bail if you are charged with a felony. However, this may not be the case if you have been charged with a serious felony or if you are considered a flight risk. You are also unlikely to be able to post bail if you are considered to be a threat to the public. In cases like this, a judge may decide to deny your bail.
Another point to consider is the cost of bail for a felony charge. As mentioned, the cost of posting bail will often depend on the severity of the crime that you have been charged with. Due to this, the cost for felony charges can be quite high and more than most people can afford. This is why most people will use a bond service. With a solution like this, you will only need to pay a fraction of the bail. The company providing the bond will then cover the full amount that the court requires.
How Is The Bail Cost For A Felony Charge Determined?
The cost of bail in the state of California can vary dramatically. It can be anywhere between a couple of hundred up to several thousand dollars. For serious crimes such as murder, the bail amount may exceed a million.
The amount will be determined by the county bail schedule. This document specifies the bail amounts for the various crimes that you may have been accused of committing.
As well as using the county bail schedule, a judge can also choose a bail amount that they deem to be fair and just at the bail hearing. Your lawyer may argue for the bail amount to be lowered. Whether or not they are successful will depend on the strength of their case.
It is worth noting that the amount required for bail is also protected by the second amendment. This stipulates that ‘excessive bail shall not be required.” As such, the courts can not set the bail at an unreasonable amount.
Options For “Bonding Out” On A Felony Charge
There are several options that you can explore when posting bail for a felony charge. The first is a cash bail. This will be paid by you and is used as a guarantee that you will appear for your trial. It will be returned in full, assuming that you attend the necessary court hearings and adhere to all the requirements set by the judge. If you fail to meet the requirements of your bail, then the money is forfeited.
Due to the cost of posting bail, many people can not afford a cash bail. The majority of people do use a bail bond to cover the cost. You will need to pay a fee for this service. It will usually be 10% of the total bail amount. However, this can be paid in installments. If you need more assistance with bail bonds or you are interested in using our services, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team at Balboa Bail Bonds today. We will be happy to assist you further.
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