Getting Bail Posted for Felony Crimes
Being convicted of a felony comes with hefty penalties -- years in a state prison, thousands of dollars in fines, and other punishments that can follow you around well after you are released. Even before being found guilty in a trial, a defendant may have to spend time in jail. His only hope of being released is to post bail, which can be tens of thousands of dollars to over a hundred thousand dollars. Posting bail for a felony offense can be next to impossible for most workers in Southern California – and that is where Balboa Bail Bonds comes in.
At Balboa Bail Bonds, our veteran agents provide affordable, fast bail for defendants throughout San Diego, Riverside, and Orange County. We only charge a 10% premium – there are no added fees. We also develop reasonable payment plans for our clients that fit their unique circumstances.
We are available 24/7, 365 days a year to help defendants and their families. Call us at (619) 760-2222 and get bail posted today!
What Is a Felony?
California classifies criminal charges as either misdemeanors or felonies, which determine the penalties a defendant will face. Crimes can also be classified as wobblers, which means the court will consider misdemeanor or felony penalties based on the nature of the crime.
After being convicted of a misdemeanor, a defendant can be placed in a county jail for a maximum of 364 days, required to pay up to $1,000 in fines, and/or be released on informal probation. In contrast, being convicted of a felony means a defendant will likely spend at least 18 months in a California state prison, may have to pay up to $10,000 in fines, and/or will be released on formal probation. Felony convictions for violent crimes can result in a strike on a defendant’s record, which can enhance future charges and even lead to a life sentence.
Examples of felony charges include:
- Domestic violence with a corporal injury
- DUIs with great bodily injuries
- Theft charges that involve a violent crime or property valued at $950 or more
- Certain sex crimes
- Hit-and-run charges involving injuries
- Weapon offenses
- Manslaughter charges, including vehicular manslaughter
Determining Bail in a Felony Arrest
Bail for misdemeanors is significantly less than it is for felony charges, and may be determined by a county’s bail schedule or California’s bail schedule. While some defendants may be released on their own recognizance for misdemeanor charges, a felony charge will almost always require bail. On the low end, bail for felonies can be set at $5,000, while serious charges can get as high as a million dollars.
When deciding how high to set bail, a judge will look at a defendant’s:
- Criminal record (prior convictions and felony charges)
- Nature of the crime and if someone was injured
- Flight risk (how likely a defendant is to leave the state or country)
- Community ties (family and friends in the community, employment, volunteering, etc.)
Call Today for Affordable, Fast Bail
The price of felony bail may be difficult to grasp when you first see it on an arrest warrant or hear it during an arraignment, but there is help out there. Balboa Bail Bonds is dedicated to helping defendants and their families post bail as soon as possible after an arrest. We have agents throughout San Diego, Riverside, and Orange County, and our experienced bail bond agents have strong relationships with the local courts. If you need bail posted today, contact us.
At Balboa Bail Bonds, we only charge a flat 10% premium and will work with you to develop a reasonable payment plan that fits your situation. You do not have to pay us the full amount immediately, and we also offer discounts for members of the military and their families.
We do not simply post bail and wait for you to pay us. We provide 24/7 support to all of our clients and are here to answer your questions so that you understand your rights. Each of our agents has at least five years of experience and is fluent in Spanish. To contact a bail agent in San Diego, Riverside, or Orange County, call Balboa Bail Bonds at (619) 760-2222.