After an arrest, you will be given a bail hearing. During this hearing, the judge will decide how high or low your bail should be set. After the amount has been determined, you will be faced with a decision: to pay, or not to pay to get out of jail. If your bail has been set particularly high, you may feel as though you don’t have the option to get out. However, working with the right bail bond agency will allow you to afford even expensive bail. And you should not stay in jail while waiting for your trial – it can definitely hurt you.
Saying the Wrong Thing
In jail, whether in San Diego County, Riverside County, or Orange County, you will be surrounded by guards and other inmates 24/7. Unlike friends and family, these people do not have your best interests at heart. The guards will view you as just another prisoner, even before you’ve been convicted, and the other inmates may view you as a ticket out of jail. Oftentimes, prisoners are incentivized to throw other inmates under the bus for a lower sentence. Considering that you will be surrounded by people you can’t trust at all times, it is very likely you will accidentally say something incriminating. This is true whether you committed the alleged crime or not. Even saying that you were sorry the crime happened, or felt bad for the alleged victims, can be twisted and used against you. The chances of this happening in the comfort of your own home are much, much lower.
A Weak Defense
One of the benefits of being out on bail is that you can visit your defense attorney, for as long as you want. You can help your attorney with his investigation, providing access to evidence he may not be able to get to without you, and giving him the names of potential witnesses. This can help you build a strong defense.
However, when you are in jail, your meetings with your attorney will be severely limited. You will have to adhere to the jail’s schedule, not yours, and you won’t be able to provide your attorney with much assistance. This can weaken your defense, leaving multiple holes in your arguments. A weak defense, in turn, can lead to a conviction, even if you are innocent.
Loss of Employment
You can’t work while you’re in jail. While some employers may be willing to give you a few weeks, even a month, off, few are going to be willing to give you more than that. Sadly, that is often how long it takes for a trial to begin and end. During that time, you will be stuck in jail, which means you are very likely to lose out on employment for an extended period of time. This can hurt your chances of becoming employed again when you are released. If you are the primary source of income for your family, this can also impact your family’s ability to survive financially. Awaiting trial in jail won’t just impact you, but your loved ones, as well.
Showing Innocence
When you are out on bail, you can go about your life almost how you normally would. Going to work, grocery shopping, visiting loved ones, and spending quiet nights at home with your family. This can help your attorney build on the idea that you are an innocent, law-abiding citizen. Someone who is awaiting trial in jail is often already viewed as a convicted criminal, whereas someone who has been out of jail and obeying the laws may seem more innocent. While your entire defense cannot hinge on this argument, it can help your chances of being acquitted or receiving a lesser sentence.
Affording Bail
Of course, all of this only matters if you have the option to pay bail. Many people who are arrested assume they cannot afford it. After all, bail is often set in the thousands of dollars, and few of us have that kind of money lying around. However, when you work with the right bail bond agency, even the steepest bail becomes affordable.
We at Balboa Bail Bonds pride ourselves on providing fast, affordable, and compassionate bail. Our flexible payment plans mean that anyone can afford bail. If you or a loved one are in need of a bail bond agent, call (619) 760-2222 as soon as possible. We are ready to help get you back home where you belong.