Judges and prosecutors in San Diego do not take driving under the influence of criminal charges lightly. Driving under the influence is operating your car while intoxicated with drugs or alcohol. The judge grants bail to every eligible person arrested for DUI. Bail is the money you deposit with the court to secure your release pending your trial. The court holds the money as a guarantee that you will attend your scheduled court hearings. Sometimes, the judge can set a higher amount than you can afford. If you do not have loved ones to borrow from, you can contact Alana's Bail Bond. We can post your surety bonds in exchange for a ten percent fee, allowing you to return to what matters to you most promptly and build your case defense.

Defining Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

A DUI occurs when alcohol has impaired your mental or physical abilities to the point that you cannot drive safely or cautiously as a sober person.

After your DUI arrest, you are required to submit to a chemical test (which can be a blood, urine, or breath test) to measure the blood alcohol content (BAC). Nevertheless, the judge could find you guilty of a DUI even if the tests return alcohol results within the lawful limit of below 0.08%.

The prosecution team has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that you were operating the automobile at the time of the incident and that you were driving under the influence.

How DUI Bail Bonds Work

After you are arrested for drunk driving and detained, the judge will set your bail amount during your initial court hearing (arraignment). Bail is the amount of money or property that you post with the holding jurisdiction to ensure you will go to court for a scheduled court hearing after your release. Sometimes, the judge sets bail at a higher amount based on factors such as criminal history, whether you pose a threat to the community, whether you are a flight risk, and your community ties.     

If you cannot afford bail, you can obtain bail bonds. Bail bonds are surety bonds provided by a bail bonds company that charges a premium of ten percent of your bail amount. The bondsman guarantees the court that it will pay your entire bail amount if you fail to appear in court.

When you call a bondsman, they will start by gathering details like the defendant's name, address, telephone number, case number, booking number, the name and location of the detaining jurisdiction, and the bail amount. The bondsman will use the information to complete the relevant documentation and determine your financial terms.

You will sign agreements outlining your obligations and those of a cosigner to secure bail bonds. A cosigner is a person who is related to you or knows you and who pledges to ensure you attend court hearings and comply with your release conditions.

Throughout your bail bonds process, you should be frank with your bondsman. The company requires correct information to effectively review risks before taking on your criminal case. Incorrect or missing information can lead to delays or case denial.  

After signing every agreement and making the required payment, the bondsman will travel to the court and post the bail amount. The step secures your pretrial release. Ensure you comply with your release conditions after your release to avoid bail revocation and rearrest.

Benefits of DUI Bail Bonds

Although you can post bail using a property bond or cash, securing DUI bail bonds is the most preferred and favorable option for many defendants due to the following reasons:

They Offer Immediate Bail Services

Time is of the essence when you are detained. The longer you remain detained, the more uncertain and stressful your situation becomes. Once you contact your bondsman, they can start processing your release immediately, regardless of when the police arrested you. The prompt release process lowers the time spent behind bars. It also gives you, the defendant, peace of mind knowing that you can return to your family, work, and daily routine promptly. 

The Convenience of Round-the-Clock Services

Nobody wants to deal with a loved one's DUI arrest, but when it occurs, knowing you have a 24/7 bondsman makes all the difference. Convenience goes beyond accessibility. It is about having a knowledgeable and compassionate person who can guide you through the bail process, answer your questions, address your concerns, file relevant paperwork, and secure your release promptly.

They are Well-versed with the Local Courts and Judges

The legalities and bail process for securing your pretrial release vary from one jail to another. That is why it is crucial to work with a bondsman who is well-versed in the local judicial system and understands the processes of securing DUI bail bonds.

You Will Receive Individualized Support and Services

Given their community engagement, your local bondsman could be willing to establish connections with you. It makes it easy for your bondsman to design their support and services through your DUI bail process to secure your freedom promptly.

Conditions of Release

Bail terms are rules that the judge imposes for the accused to follow after a pretrial release. The conditions are tailored to safeguard society, ensure the accused appear in court, and sometimes to prevent further commission of crime.

Some of the standard DUI bail conditions are as follows:

  • Surrendering your driver's license to ensure you do not drive your car for a given duration
  • Refrain from operating a car with any measurable alcohol in your bloodstream
  • Avoid drinking alcohol.
  • Wear an ankle monitor, so you stay in specific locations
  • Competing DUI school
  • Checking in with a bondsman — Your bondsman may require you to report to them regularly. The checking-in is done physically or via phone and ensures that you comply with the terms of your pretrial release. Missing any check-in may cause issues, including a rearrest.
  • Travel restrictions—The restrictions mean you need permission from the court to leave your locality, state, or country. The court might require you to surrender your passport.
  • Employment curfew—Your bail conditions may involve maintaining employment or adhering to an imposed curfew. The condition requires you to be home by a specific time or ensures you remain in employment. These bail conditions are meant to ensure stability in a defendant’s life while awaiting trial.
  • Alcohol and drug testing—The court may require you to submit to routine tests to demonstrate your sobriety. If you fail these tests, it can result in immediate legal consequences, including bail revocation.

Jumping Bail

Here are the consequences of failing to comply with your release conditions, including skipping bail:

Bail Forfeiture

Bail forfeiture occurs if you fail to appear for your scheduled court date without a valid reason. If this happens, the court seizes the bail money or property posted to secure your release.

If you had used a bail bond company, the court would require the bondsman to pay your entire bail amount. To avoid incurring losses, the bondsman will try to find and return you to jail.

Forfeiture also puts the collateral of your bail bond cosigners at risk.

Arrest Warrants

Failure to appear in court can lead to the court issuing a warrant for your arrest. Once you are apprehended, you may be detained without bail pending your trial.

Note that it will not only be law enforcement agents searching for you, but also independent bounty hunters hired by the bail bond company.

Additional Charges

Jumping bail could lead to additional criminal charges depending on the circumstances surrounding your case.

Cost of  Your DUI Bail Bonds

Many factors influence the price of bail, varying from one DUI case to the next. Here are some of these factors:

  • Seriousness of the criminal activity — You are more likely to pay a higher bail amount if your drunk driving caused a fatality, property damage, or injuries.
  • Flight risk — The court will analyze your possibility of fleeing the state to evade prosecution. The judge will consider community ties, family responsibilities, and employment status when determining whether you are a flight risk. The judge will set a high bail amount if they think you are a flight risk.
  • Criminal history — Having a criminal record, such as previous DUI arrests or convictions, can lead to a huge bail amount.
  • You pose a threat to the community — In DUI cases where the accused is a threat to society, like with a history of reckless driving or high blood alcohol concentration, the judge will set a high bail amount to protect society.

Typically, bondsmen charge a premium of ten percent of the entire bail amount. The fee is nonrefundable and is the service fee your bondsman charges for securing your pre-trial release. California state laws regulate the fee.

Most defendants do not have immediate access to the required premium. Consequently, they turn to reputable bail bond companies for flexible payment plans to alleviate upfront financial burdens. Flexible repayment plans involve making an initial down payment (a specified percentage of the premium) and then paying the balance in installments as agreed upon. You should clear your outstanding balance even after the court closes your criminal case.

Please note that repayment plans come with interest that can, over time, increase your total out-of-pocket payment.

Also, ensure you consult your bondsman to determine monthly installments that comfortably suit your budget and needs. Failing to make timely payments could result in bail bond revocation and ultimately lead to your rearrest.

Hidden Fees and Additional Costs 

On top of the premium, there might be additional fees that can factor into the total cost of securing your pretrial release. Here are the typical additional costs:

  • Administrative fees
  • Charges on affordable repayment plans
  • Relevant bounty hunter services
  • Booking fees

It is crucial for suspects and their cosigners to read and understand all contracts before signing to avoid unexpected financial responsibilities in the future.

If you used collateral to acquire your bail bonds, you should consider risks such as loss of assets if the defendant fails to meet their release condition or appraisal costs.

Posting Online Bail Bonds

Online bonds allow you to complete your bail procedure remotely, without visiting a jail or bail bond company’s office. The service is ideal for individuals who might be in a remote location, short on time, or simply prefer to handle everything digitally. Online DUI bail bonds help a client do the following:

  • Fill out paperwork electronically
  • Speed up the release procedure
  • Make payments

The crucial steps when posting bail online involve the following:

  • Contacting the bail bond company — The initial step requires you to contact a bail bondsman who provides online services. The bondsmen are available round the clock to attend to you, address your concerns, and answer your questions regarding the online bail bonds process.
  • Providing the relevant details — To initiate the bail bond process, you must give the bondsman essential information about the accused, including their full name, DUI criminal charges, date of birth, current location, bail amount, and booking number. These details make it easier for the bondsman to locate the accused and determine whether they can accept the case.
  • Fill out your online application — The online application is easy and safe. You can complete all relevant paperwork remotely, including your bail bond contract. Therefore, ensuring a hassle-free and efficient process.
  • You can pay bail bond premiums online through approved payment methods, including using your credit card.
  • Upon completion of the relevant paperwork and payment of the necessary fees, the bondsman will post the surety bond. The release duration may vary based on the jail’s backlog, how busy the jail is that day, and procedures.

Advantages of Online DUI Bail Bonds

Here are the pros of online DUI bail bonds:

  • Speed—navigating the procedure online may accelerate the release timeline.
  • Convenience—You can handle the whole bail bond process from your office or home
  • 24-hour availability — Online bail bond services are accessible 24/7 and are there to help when you need guidance.
  • Accessibility —Online services are ideal for individuals who live elsewhere or have limited mobility.

Find a Reliable DUI Bail Bonds Company Near Me

Being charged with DUI is a scary experience that carries penalties that vary depending on the circumstances surrounding your case. Securing a pretrial release is crucial for building a strong case defense, spending quality time with loved ones, and maintaining employment. If you or a loved one is arrested and requires bail, contact Alana's Bail Bond at 619-468-9333. We can act fast to secure your prompt release. We can also ensure that you understand your bail release conditions and answer any questions you may have.