Wondering how long it will take for bail to be set? We are happy to provide you an accurate estimate depending on the facility location and case type by contacting us. Keep reading to learn more.
If one of your close friends or family members has been arrested, you want to get them out of jail as soon as possible. The bail process allows you to achieve this, so you can be reunited with your loved one as quickly as you can. Otherwise, they may end up remaining in jail until their court date, which could be a very long time to come.
But how long will you have to wait until your loved one is released? It all depends on how long it takes for bail to be set, and subsequently the amount of time it takes for you to come up with the amount required by the bail schedule.
Read on to learn more.
What is the bail process?
Bail is when a person charged with committing a crime enters a written bond that serves as a promise that they will appear before court at the scheduled time. The amount of money required will depend on a range of factors including the type of misdemeanor they are accused of. The process is underpinned by the maxim that a person is innocent until proven guilty, and it allows them to spend time with their family in the weeks or months leading up to their court date.
At the end of the bail period, the money will be refunded. But if the accused breaks the terms of their bail or does not appear in court, the money will be forfeited.
How long does it take for bail to be set?
There is no set time in which bail must be set, but it is typically within 48 hours of the initial arrest. Once the individual has been taken to the police station, the bail process begins as soon as they have been booked and processed, usually after a few hours.
The bail will then be set according to the bail schedule.
What is the bail schedule?
The cost of bail varies from case to case. Some charges are far more serious than others, meaning that a higher amount is required. After all, it is far more likely that someone accused of a major felony will fail to show up in court than a person who committed a minor misdemeanor.
A bail schedule is used to determine the terms of the bail. This schedule provides guidelines for the judges to determine the bond amount, although the final decision is down to the judge’s discretion.
As an example, an individual who has committed a felony offense, such as a burglary, will typically have their bail set at around $50,000. On the other hand, someone accused of committing a more minor misdemeanor, like trespass or disorderly conduct, will likely have their bail set much lower, perhaps as little as a few hundred dollars.
Of the course, the nature of the crime in question is not the only factor taken into account when the judges set bail. They will also take into account background information about the accused to help them arrive at a decision. If this is the defendant’s first offense and they have young children at home, the judge may show some leniency. Yet if they have a history of committing similar crimes, then the judge may require a higher amount of bail to be posted.
How long until the defendant is released?
You may be anxious to get your loved one out of jail, but there is a procedure you need to follow. Once bail has been set, you will need to contact a licensed bail bonds agent. They will ask you for information relating to the arrest, and you will have to fill out an application and contract. When the paperwork is complete, you will arrange payment of the agreed bond amount and the defendant can then be released on bail.
Get in touch if you need bail now
If you need to post bail for someone who has been arrested, get in touch now. Balboa Bail Bonds is a fast and affordable bail bonds company with locations across California. We can help to process your bail application as quickly as possible, so you can get your loved one home as quickly as possible. Get in touch now to see how we can help you.