Bail is the amount you pay the court for a release pending a criminal trial. Many defendants in California can secure a bail release. After booking and arraignment, a judge will set your bail. If you pay the bail, you can go home while your case is pending. After the bail is set, you can use cash, property, or a bail bond to pay it.
Many defendants opt for bail bonds because they are fast, affordable, and convenient. You should consult a surety company for assistance in posting a bail bond. The process of posting bail can be overwhelming. However, having the correct information and support can make it easier. At Alana’s Bail Bonds, we understand the devastation of being in jail or watching your loved one in detention. Our Imperial Beach Bail Bondsmen are available 24/7 to offer you the much-needed guidance.
Bail in California
If you are eligible for a bail release, the judge will set an appropriate bail amount for you. The judge often refers to the bail schedules for a base amount. They can then adjust that amount depending on the different circumstances of your case. Common factors that affect bail setting include:
- The seriousness of the underlying crime. The bail amount in California increases with the increase in crime severity. Serious offenses like burglary and assault carry a heftier bail than minor offenses like petty theft and trespassing.
- Flight risk. Bail aims to discourage a defendant from fleeing jurisdiction after the release. Therefore, your flight risk will determine if the judge increases or reduces your bail. The court may consider you a significant flight risk.
- Income and resources. Occasionally, the judge can consider your income and resources when setting bail. If you have a high income, they may set a bail amount that is high enough to discourage you from fleeing.
- Court appearance history. A judge can set a high bail for you if you have a history of skipping payments or violating other court orders.
Types of Bail
You can post and secure a release pending trial in California in several ways. They include:
Cash Bail
Although SB 10 sought to eliminate cash bail in California, it was rejected. Therefore, posting bail in cash remains a common way of securing a release. You can post a cash bail if you have the full amount the court sets. Posting the cash bail will involve presenting the money to the court clerk before the release.
Cash bail is fast and eliminates third parties like bondsmen. You can recover the fuel amount when the case ends and the defendant follows all bail conditions. However, arrests are unexpected, and many do not have enough money up front. Also, cash bail can cause financial scrutiny. The court may launch an investigation to uncover the source of high cash bail amounts. Such an event can delay the release process.
Property Bonds
You can use property for bail if you do not have enough money for cash bail. With a property bond, you will present your valuable property to the court in exchange for a release. Courts in California set a value on the property they can accept. Mostly, the property's value must be more than the bail amount.
Before accepting a property bond, the court can hold a hearing. At this hearing, you must present documents proving ownership and the property's value. If the property is co-owned, all co-owners must attend the hearing. If the property is acceptable, the court will place a lien on it.
Like with cash bail, you can recover the property when the case ends. However, the defendant must attend trial and follow other bail conditions. Failure to do this could result in loss of the property.
Bail Bonds
Bail bonds are a convenient and affordable way to secure a release for defendants who cannot afford a property or cash bond. You must agree with an Imperial Beach bail bonding company to post a bond. The company assures the court that a defendant will attend all court proceedings. Also, they pledge to pay the full bail amount if the defendant violates the conditions.
In exchange for these services, you cover 10% of the bail. Unlike cash bail, you do not get a refund from the Imperial Beach bail bonds company. The benefits of posting a bail bond include:
- Affordability. Facing an arrest and navigating the criminal justice system is financially draining. You will not only need money for bail but also to hire legal representation. Posting a bail bond will lower your financial responsibility. Instead of paying the full amount, you are only responsible for 10%.
- Faster release. The right Imperial Beach bail bonds company will have ready bondsmen to handle your case immediately after you contact them. Also, the bondsmen are familiar with local jail and court systems, which can accelerate the release process.
- You receive expert guidance. The role of an Imperial Beach bail bondsman will not end after the release. They will continue to guide you and the defendant until the case ends. If there are bail conditions that the defendant cannot understand, the bondsman will clarify them.
- Keep your financial life private. California courts understand that bail bond companies have the financial capacity to post bail even when the amount is high. Therefore, they will not pry into your financial life to determine the source of the bail money.
Jails serving Imperial Beach, CA, include:
San Diego Central Jail
1173 Front St,
San Diego, CA 92101
San Diego County Sheriff
845 Imperial Beach Blvd,
Imperial Beach, CA 91932
Courts serving Imperial Beach, CA, include:
San Diego Central Courthouse
1100 Union St,
San Diego, CA 92101
Find Expert Bail Bond Services Near Me
Bail bonds are convenient and affordable for defendants who cannot afford to post bail in cash. Bail bonds allow defendants to secure release from custody by paying 10% of the bail to a surety company. You can enter a repayment plan if you cannot afford the 10%. The company will then pledge the full amount if the defendant flees.
Bail bonds allow families to reunite quickly and reduce stress. Additionally, they allow defendants to prepare their legal defense outside of jail. If you or a loved one has received an arrest, seek guidance from an Imperial Beach bail bonds company. At Alana's Bail Bonds, we will offer expert insight and top-notch services to secure your loved one's release. Call us at 619-468-9333 to discuss your needs.
