Arrests are common in California. Following an arrest, a defendant may be detained in jail while they await trial and other court proceedings in their case. Sitting behind bars for weeks or months can negatively affect your career and personal life. Fortunately for most defendants, securing a release pending trial is possible with bail. Bail will guarantee your return to the court to follow through with your case.
Often, a judge will determine the appropriate amount you must pay depending on your case. Post bail, you can pay the amount in full, pledge a property deed, or use surety bonds. At Alana's Bail Bonds, we offer affordable and convenient bail bond services for our Beverly Hills clients.
Common Bail Types in California
After a judge has set bail for your case, you have the freedom to determine how to pay it. For most defendants and families, bail and their financial options dictate this decision. Common forms of bail you could use to secure a release for yourself or a loved one include:
Own Recognizance
Not all defendants need a monetary commitment to be released before trial. There are some instances when the court can grant you a recognizance release. Instead of paying bail money, you can sign a note promising that you will be present for all court proceedings. Even in such cases, the judge can still set strict conditions that you must follow during this period.
An OR release can significantly lower the financial burden of your release. Under these circumstances, you could divert your resources to other matters, such as hiring legal representation. You could be eligible for this type of release under these circumstances:
- The underlying offense is your first. California law is strict on individuals who continue to violate the law after multiple attempts at rehabilitation. Therefore, you may be more successful at negotiating the release with no bail if the underlying offense is your first.
- Your crime is minor. When determining the bail amount needed for each case, the court will consider the severity of the crime. If you face charges for a less serious misdemeanor with minimal potential penalties, the court can release you with no bail.
- You have a good history of following court orders. Even in cases where you have priors, a judge can accept your request for an OR release if you have not skipped bail in the past.
Cash Bail
If you can raise the full bail amount set by the judge at the bail hearing, you can pay it all at once. A cash bail allows you to eliminate third parties in the process. You could personally present the money to the court, allowing the accused to be released. However, California courts often set significant bail amounts, making it unaffordable for some individuals.
If you post bail in cash, the risk of losing the money after a bail forfeiture is high. Also, posting a significant cash bail amount may attract scrutiny. The court may delay the release if it requests a financial investigation.
Property Bonds
For defendants and families who lack cash bail, California courts allow property bonds. With this option, you will present a valuable property before the court. The judge places a lien on that property and may release it only when the case has ended and the accused has met all bail obligations. Depending on the bail amount required, the court will determine the value of property acceptable as bond.
Before the court accepts a property as a bond, it holds a hearing. At the property bond hearing, you are required to prove the property's ownership and value. If you co-own the property, the other owners may need to attend the bond hearing.
When you post a property bond, the risk of losing the property is as high as that of a cash bail. If the accused flees, the court will not lift the property lien.
Surety Bonds
If you do not have cash or property to use for bail, you can opt for bail bonds. Using this option involves contacting a Beverly Hills bail bonds company and requesting their services during the bail posting process. After receiving your request, the company can appoint a bail bondsman to handle your case. The bondsman will determine whether the defendant qualifies for a bond by reviewing their criminal record and flight risk.
They may also assess your ability to pay the costs of these services. If the defendant meets the requirements, the company will draft an agreement, which you must sign before the release. In the agreement, you will accept responsibility for ensuring that the accused is present for all court proceedings. Also, you must pay the bail bond premium. After signing the agreement, you will pay 10% of the entire bail, which is a fee for the services you will receive.
If you do not have the full premium, your Beverly Hills bail bondsman can set up a repayment plan for you. With a repayment plan, you make a deposit agreed upon by the surety company before release. The balance is then paid in installments within a year. After meeting the financial requirements, the bondman will go to court and pledge to cover the full bail if the accused flees. This allows the accused to be released.
For many defendants and families, surety bands are a practical option because they save you money. Also, the Beverly Hills bail bondsman will do most of the work, making the process faster and less stressful.
An arrest around Beverly Hills can result in detention at the following facilities:
Twin Towers Correctional Facility
450 Bauchet St,
Los Angeles, CA 90012,
Courts serving Beverly Hills, CA, include:
Los Angeles Superior Court – Beverly Hills,
9355 Burton Way, Room 300,
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Find a Skilled Beverly Hills Bail Bondsman Near Me
When a loved one is in jail, your first thought may be to secure their quick release. In California, pretrial release is possible if you post bail. Bail amounts often vary depending on the charges the defendant faces and other facts of the case. If you cannot afford to pay the entire bail amount, you can enlist the services of a surety bond agency. Bail bonds make the bail posting process more affordable and convenient for you or your loved one.
If you need help posting bail, you may benefit from our services at Alana’s Bail Bonds. Our Beverly Hills bail bondsmen are available around the clock to handle your case. Contact us at 619-468-9333 for much-needed guidance.
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