This article explains how much you should expect to pay for bail if you are charged with the possession of drugs in California and key factors that you should be aware of.
Drug charges are more common than people realize in California. Indeed, according to the latest research, approximately 25% of misdemeanor charges are due to possession of drugs. It’s also worth noting that you can be wrongly accused of possessing drugs. That’s why it’s important to understand your rights if you are arrested.
Once you are arrested for possession of drugs, you will be processed. After this step, you will be put in a holding cell or county jail to await your court hearing. To leave jail, you will need to pay bail. The amount you will need to pay depends on a variety of factors including the charge that you were arrested for.
How Much Is Bail For Possession Of Drugs In California?
In the state of California, possession of drugs can be anywhere between $5,000 and $750,000. The full cost depends on a variety of factors.
If you are charged with possession of drugs with the intent to sell, the cost can be even greater than this. Possession of drugs for sale may be between $50,000 and $1,000,000.
Do note that these are average estimates. It can be higher than this for both possibilities.
What Impacts The Cost Of Bail For Drug Possession?
Numerous factors can impact the cost of bail for drug possession in California. For instance, a judge will always take into account the type of drug that you were charged with possessing as well as the quantity. Do note that quantity can also determine whether you are charged with possession or possession with intent to sell.
Both your employment and your financial position can help or hurt you here too. For instance, you might find that if you earn a lot of money, then you could be deemed to be a flight risk. Particularly, if your charge presents the possibility of a long prison sentence. If however, you have a solid employment history, then this will suggest that you are in a more stable position and that you are unlikely to flee.
You may also be looked upon more favorably if you are considered to be a person of good standing in the local community. This could include being on local councils or being part of events and charity organizations.
The circumstances related to the drug charge could also be a factor here. One key factor would be the location where you were caught with the drugs. If you were caught in a place of interest such as a school and you were suspected of selling the drugs, then this could have a negative impact on the bail amount.
Ultimately, there can be a lot of factors at play here. As such, it’s difficult to know exactly how much bail will cost. It will largely be based on what the judge believes to be the appropriate amount for your specific case.
What Are The Different Types Of Possession?
In the state of California, there are different types of possession charges that you may be faced with. These are:
- Actual Possession
- Constructive Possession
- Joint Possession
Actual possession refers to when police have found the drugs on your person. Constructive possession is when the drugs are found nearby such as in your car. You may be charged with joint possession if multiple people possess the drugs. This could be the case if you were sharing the drugs with someone. This does mean that you may be charged with possession even in cases where you did not own the drugs directly.
When Will You Be Charged With Possession With Intent To Distribute?
Certain factors will be used to determine whether there was an intent to distribute. For instance, you might find packaging and evidence of sales for the drugs on your person. Similarly, you may be charged with intent to distribute or sell the drugs if you have cash on you or if there was a large number of drugs found.
A more serious charge to consider would be trafficking. You will be charged with trafficking the drugs you were believed to be transporting and selling the drugs or even simply giving them away.
This becomes even more serious if it’s believed that you were planning to take the drugs across the state line of California. This will lead to federal charges and far more severe punishments. It can also mean that you will need to pay a larger amount for bail.
What Should You Do If You Are Charged With Possession Of Drugs?
If you are charged with possession of drugs or you believe a loved one has been charged with this crime, then it’s important to take the right action. You need to make sure that you are posting bail as quickly as possible. If you don’t pay bail within the right amount of time, then you will be in jail while you are working on a defense for your case. Drug possession cases are difficult to argue. That’s why it’s in your best interest to get out of jail as quickly as possible so you can interact freely with your lawyer.
How Can Balboa Bail Bonds Help
The full cost of bail can be a tough financial burden for many people to bear. At Balboa Bail Bonds, we can help by providing you with an easy, quick, affordable bond service. This will save you the time and the delay that it takes for you to liquidate assets to cover the cost. Our service is available all day every day and with our help, you can even post bail for a loved one remotely.
Learn More
If you are interested in learning more about the bail bonds service that we offer, please do not hesitate to contact our expert, licensed team. We are available 24/7 to help you with your queries and concerns. We aim to ensure that you do not need to wait in jail for a moment longer than necessary and ensure that the process of posting bail is as stress-free as possible.
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