Minutes after an abrupt arrest may seem to be hours. When you or a loved one is in jail, the main objective is to get out of jail legally. The sure way to leave jail is to post bail in court. However, if the judge sets your bail too high and you cannot gather the full amount, you need the help of a San Francisco bail bonds service.
At Alana’s Bail Bonds, we are confident that knowledge is power, particularly when your liberty is at stake. We are here to assist you in navigating the San Francisco bail bonds process. This process has undergone significant transformations, and now more than ever, it is essential to have an experienced guide with you.
How Do San Francisco Bail Bonds Work?
The first step to negotiating the post-arrest period is to learn how San Francisco bail bonds work. You will come across the terms "bail" and "bail bond," and it is essential to know the distinction.
Bail is the entire sum of money a defendant needs to give to the court to ensure that he does not miss any court proceedings, which is used as a guarantee. This amount can be very high; many individuals cannot afford it independently. This is where a bail bond comes in as a necessary service.
A bail bond is an agreement with you, the court, and a bail bonds company. The bondsman posts a surety bond in exchange for a fee, called a premium. The Department of Insurance controls this premium, which is generally 10% of the overall bail. For instance, if the judge sets the bail at $20,000, the non-refundable amount you pay to the San Francisco bail bonds company is $2,000.
This is the fee for the service of posting the defendant on bail and is not refunded even after the case is closed. To deal with affordability, most reputable agencies have flexible payment plans to alleviate the immediate financial strain.
You will probably require a cosigner or an indemnitor to obtain a bail bond. This individual absorbs the entire bail. Cosigning ensures that the defendant will not miss any necessary court appearances. If they do not show up, the cosigner is liable to pay the bail bond company the full bail amount.
Maneuvering the San Francisco County Jail #2 and Courthouses After an Arrest
If your loved one is a female inmate, she will be detained at San Francisco County Jail #2, called CJ2 or the Women's Jail. This jail is at 425 7th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. It is the sole county jail in San Francisco that accommodates women. You can reach the jail facility at (415) 553-1430.
The facility houses up to 392 people and is oriented towards delivering gender-responsive rehabilitation and educational services. Sisters is one such program that assists women in sober treatment and recovery.
The most applicable courthouse in criminal cases involving County Jail #2 inmates is the Hall of Justice, which is located at 850 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. The jail and courthouse belong to the same large complex of justice centers between 6th and 7th streets. Call the court clerk at (415) 551-0651 for inquiries.
The Criminal Division of the San Francisco County Superior Court is located in the Hall of Justice, where most of the arraignments, preliminary hearings, and trials of the criminal cases in the county are conducted. Such a close location simplifies the transportation of defendants to court.
How California's Humphrey Decision Affects Bail in San Francisco
In March 2021, the State Supreme Court made a significant change to the bail landscape in California with its decision In re Humphrey. This historic ruling dealt with the long-standing problem of money bail, in which a defendant's freedom was usually determined only by whether or not he or she could afford a specific dollar amount. The court asserted that it is unconstitutional to detain an individual in jail before trial because they cannot afford bail.
This decision set a precedent among the state and San Francisco judges. A judge now has to look at the capacity of the defendant to pay and look at other alternatives to release without using money, like electronic monitoring or bail supervision programs.
Pre-trial detention is now intended to be an exception, which is to be applied in those instances when there is clear and convincing evidence that it is essential to safeguard the public. This means that a judge must make a more personalized decision instead of just basing their decision on some pre-established bail schedule, which will result in a fairer pretrial justice system.
What to Expect after the San Francisco Bail Bond Is Posted
After getting a bail bond, the bond company shall post a surety bond to the jail or court, and the release procedure will commence. The duration of the defendant's release may differ based on the workload and the processing mechanisms of the facility; therefore, patience is essential. Once released, the most crucial task of the defendant is to appear on all the court dates without failure.
If the accused attends all the necessary court hearings, the court exonerates the bail bond after closing the case. This implies that the bail bonds company has satisfied the court in terms of finances.
Despite the bond's exoneration, the 10% premium paid to the bail bonds company cannot be returned, as it was the charge for the service performed. Nevertheless, failure by a defendant to appear in court has dire consequences. The court will lose the bail, and a warrant will be issued for their arrest. That is when the cosigner is immediately liable to pay the entire bail.
Why Choose Alana’s Bail Bonds for Your San Francisco Bail Bonds
Regarding a crisis, the decision of the right San Francisco bail bonds company will be remembered. You require a fast and efficient team that is trustworthy and professional. At Alana’s Bail Bonds, we will ensure we take you through this challenging process clearly and respectfully. We are all California Department of Insurance licensed bail bondsmen and operate under the highest ethical standards.
Arrests do not occur on a 9-to-5 basis, so we are available 24/7, 365 days a year to respond to your call. We have extensive local knowledge of the San Francisco justice system, including the jails and the courthouses.
We can maneuver the system to release your loved one quickly. Our mission is to offer clear contracts and affordable service at a price you can afford. We will never solicit you unlawfully in jail or take your case lightly.
Secure Freedom with a San Francisco Bail Bonds Company Near Me
Every minute matters when an unexpected arrest occurs. The San Francisco jail and court system is challenging for many people, so you do not have to do it alone. The Alana’s Bail Bonds team is available 24/7 to give you fast, professional, affordable San Francisco bail bond services to get you back with your loved ones. Ready to take the first step? Call us now at 619-468-9333, and we will help secure your release.
