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TV shows and movies make it look like bailing someone out of jail is just a matter of calling a bail bondsman, and faster than counting from one to ten, out you walk. However, in reality, it could take several hours (up to 12 hours) before you secure your pretrial release from the detention facility following an arrest.

While nobody anticipates an arrest, when the police arrest you as a suspect in a criminal offense, you need to know what to do to receive your pretrial release immediately. In some cases, the police will release you soon after an arrest, allowing you to go home with only a citation to appear in court at a later date.

However, in other cases, especially those that involve grave offenses or repeat offenders, the police or the court could require you to post bail to stay out of legal custody as your case continues.

Understanding What Bail is

Bail is the financial guarantee that you, as an arrestee, or a bail bondsman, give the court, promising to attend all your scheduled hearings to challenge the alleged offense once you secure your pretrial release. In other words, bail acts as an incentive for you to attend all your scheduled court appearances because when you fail to do so, the judge may forfeit your bail.

That means you or the bail bondsman may lose the bail money to the court. While bail is not a punishment for your offense, the amount the judge could require you to post as bail could be a financial burden to you and your family. That is why most defendants opt to work with a licensed bail bondsman to secure bail after an arrest.

How much the court will require as bail will depend on various factors, including (but not limited to) the following:

  • Whether you are a repeat offender
  • The seriousness of the alleged offense
  • Your ability to pay the bail
  • Whether you are employed
  • Whether you have ties to the community

Once the case ends, the court will refund your bail money or any property you had to put up as security for your freedom.

Guideline on How to Prepare for Bail Before You Arrive at the Jail

Even though you never imagined yourself under arrest or behind bars as a suspect in a criminal offense, understanding what to expect when posting bail can help expedite your pretrial release process when it does.

Following an arrest, the police will ask you to enter the back seat of their car and drive you to their police station for an administrative process known as booking. During this procedure, the arresting officer will:

  • Check your criminal record
  • Record your legal name and aliases
  • Record the allegations you are facing
  • Take your fingerprints and mugshots
  • Confiscate your personal items, including watches, jewelry, and any contraband

After this process, the officer may release you with a citation to appear in court or hold you in jail until you post bail. If your offense necessitates the posting of bail, you need to understand the documents and paperwork you need to apply for bail.

Generally speaking, the paperwork you need to post bail could vary depending on whether you will be using cash, property, or a bail bond to post your bail. Here is an overview of the crucial documentation you need when using cash, property, or a bail bond to post bail after an arrest, respectively:

Cash Bail

If you have the required bail amount, paying it in cash can be one of the easiest ways to regain your freedom, pending the trial date on the alleged offense. You or a cosigner can make the payment to the court clerk in cash or by a banker's check. Once the court clerk receives your payment, your release process will commence immediately. When paying your cash bail, the only documents you need include:

  • Your valid photo ID
  • Cashiers check if you do not have cash
  • Your warrant information or court case number

Property Bond

The court is considerate of people who cannot afford the required cash bail immediately but are property owners. If you do have cash to post bail, you can offer the court a property or asset as collateral for your release. A property bond could be anything valuable that you own, including cars, boats, and real estate.

In addition to providing your valid ID photo, the court will require you to provide the following documentation when posting bail using property:

  • Documents to prove your legal ownership of an asset or property, including a title deed and mortgage statements
  • Documentation to prove the property's monetary value
  • A written consent permitting you to use the property as collateral for your pretrial release on bail (When the property is not yours)

Although posting a property bond involves a lengthy process, because the judge is keen to verify the documents you will provide, it can be an excellent way to secure a pretrial release after an arrest.

Bail Bond

If you do not have enough cash or valuable property to use as collateral for your release, securing bail bond services could be helpful. A bail bond, also known as a surety bond, is a contract between you, the bail bondsman, and the court.

In this contract, you agree to attend all the court dates until your case is over. On the other hand, the bail bondsman promises to pay your full bail price to the court when you fail to return to court to challenge the alleged offense. The contract also lists the terms and conditions you must abide by while out of jail on bond, including the following:

  • Make routine check-ins with a bail bondsman
  • Agree to remain arrest-free
  • Agree to report any changes in your residence address or phone number

A bail bondsman is a third party who intervenes if you cannot post cash bail to ensure you are out of legal custody as soon as possible. To ensure you are out of legal custody as quickly as possible when using the services of a bail bondsman, you should have the following information and documentation ready:

  • Your valid ID
  • Your recent paycheck
  • Any recent piece of mail to prove your address
  • The location details of the detention facility where you are in legal custody
  • The alleged crime name
  • Jail booking number

In exchange for speedy bail bond services, the bail bondsman will ask you to pay 10% of your bail amount as his/her premium or service fee. If you do not have the cash to pay the premium, the bail bondsman can still initiate your release process on the agreement that you will pay the amount using a specific repayment plan.

The bail bondsman will likely ask you for a recent paycheck to determine whether you can stick to the agreed premium payment plan. Fortunately, many bail bondsmen will give you flexible payment options for the premium, including PayPal, Western Union, cashier's check, stocks, or bitcoin.

Since bail is high and unaffordable in many cases, most defendants opt to work with a bail bondsman to secure their freedom.

Understanding How to Prearrange a Release From Jail on Bail Online or By Phone

In today's digital era, it is no surprise that several companies, firms, and professionals are now offering online services, including bail bondsmen. Due to technological advancements, the process of securing pretrial freedom has evolved significantly, offering a seamless, streamlined approach through various online platforms.

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to prearrange a pretrial release from jail on bail online or via phone:

  1. Choose a Dependable Bail Bondsman

The first step if you want to secure online bail bonds following an arrest is to find a reliable bail bondsman for these services. Finding a licensed bail bondsman is the rule of thumb if you want a trustworthy bail bondsman, because the licensing agencies do not offer licenses to unqualified professionals.

In addition to that, you should find a bail bondsman with a physical office where you can walk in, and is

  • Experienced
  • Reputable
  • Available around the clock

  1. Visit His/her Online Website and provide the Necessary information

Once you find a reliable bail bondsman, you should visit his/her website and provide the vital information to initiate the bail bond process, including the following:

  • Your jail booking number
  • Your legal name
  • The alleged offense name

Ensure the information input is correct because any inaccuracy could delay your release process, meaning you will be stuck in jail for longer hours.

  1. Review the Fees and Conditions and Requirements of Your Release

As with any other online service, understanding the costs and terms associated with securing bail bond services is vital. Generally speaking, the cost of bail bonds will not change when you opt to secure the services online.

You will pay the bail bondsman ten percent of your bail as a service fee (premium). You can pay this amount electronically via the agreed-upon payment method. Fortunately, most bail bondsmen nowadays offer the flexible payment options mentioned in the previous paragraph. It is worth noting that, unlike bail, the bail bondsman’s premium is non-refundable once your case ends.

  1. Receive Your Bail Documents

Once the bail bondsman processes your online bail payment, you will receive all the necessary bail bond documents electronically. These documents include a payment receipt and one outlining the conditions and terms of your pretrial release from the detention facility on bond. Ensure you keenly review these documents before you sign.

If anything is unclear, you should inform your bail bondsman or criminal defense attorney before you sign the document. Most bail bondsmen offering online bail bond services provide you a way to sign the document electronically without having to meet with them physically.

  1. Bail Posting

Once you sign the documents, the bail bondsman will proceed and post your bail to initiate your pretrial release process. Then, the court will inform the officials at the jail where you are in custody that you have paid your bail, allowing you to walk out pending the outcome of your charge.

How long it will take to walk out of the detention facility after the bail bondsman posts your bail will depend on the factors listed below:

  • The number of officers on duty
  • The detention facility procedures
  • The amount of paperwork needed to process your release
  • The number of arrestees waiting to secure their pretrial release
  • Whether you have the legal assistance of an attorney

Nonetheless, securing your freedom after posting a bail bond could take anywhere between two hours and twelve hours.

Will Online Bail Bonds Save Me Time After an Arrest?

Undoubtedly, if you are under arrest, time is of the essence, and that is one of the reasons you need to secure online bail bonds. Securing online bail bonds by phone after an arrest as an offender in a crime will help you avoid spending unnecessary time in jail because:

  • You do not have to use public transport or drive for several kilometers to meet up with the bail bondsman physically at his/her office
  • You will pay for the bail bond services electronically using the agreed-upon payment mode
  • Most bail bondsmen offering these services are available 24/7, meaning you can receive assistance even if your arrest occurred in the wee hours of the night

Generally speaking, online bail bonds offer you an efficient and convenient way to secure pretrial release from jail following an arrest, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements mentioned in the previous paragraph.

Find a Reputable Bail Bondsman Near Me

When you follow the steps discussed above, navigating the bail process after an arrest should not be a hassle. While the current digital world has transformed several aspects of life in great ways, its ability to provide you with a way to secure bail bond services online or by phone is indeed one of its impactful contributions.

Call our reputable bail bondsmen at Alana’s Bail Bonds at 619-468-9333 if you or a loved one needs quick and reliable bail bond services in California.