Discovering someone you love is behind bars can be stressful. But worry not. There are several ways to secure their release. One such way is bailing them out. But before that, you must understand the ins and outs of the California bail process. In this guide, the reliable bail bond agents at Golden Boy Bail Bonds will reveal how to bail someone out of jail.
Understand How Bail Works in California
Understanding the bail process is the secret to securing release for your loved one. Bail is simply the money you pay to the court to get back home while awaiting your trial. It guarantees the court that you will show up for all your future court appearances.
In such an arrangement, your loved one isn't required to pay bail to secure release from the detention center.
The judge can deny you the right to post bail under certain circumstances, including:
If you are likely to flee or fail to appear for court dates.
If releasing you poses a danger to the community.
If you are facing grave crimes like terrorism or murder.
If you have a history of violating bail conditions.
If you attempt to harass witnesses or destroy evidence.
There are several types of bail in California. These include surety bonds, cash bail, and property bonds. Eligibility for the different kinds of bonds will be determined by the circumstances of your case and the judge's decision.
Identify Which Jail Your Loved One is Being Held At
The first step to bail your loved one is to find out which jail they are being held in. After the police arrest them, they will start by booking them. This takes time since their details must be uploaded into the system. So, don't panic if you don't locate them immediately.
You can try to locate them once again after a while. Remember to have your loved one's full name and date of birth, or use their booking number. Finding out the crimes your loved one is accused of is also advisable. You can use our online inmate search tool to find them with this information:
San Diego Sheriff's Department
Orange County Sheriff's Department
Los Angeles Police Department
San Francisco Sheriff's Office
Find Out if Your Loved One is Eligible for Bail
Bail eligibility is not automatic. The judge can deny bail in some cases. For instance, the bail application can be rejected if your loved one is accused of a serious crime or is considered a flight risk.
Know the Bail Amount
The amount varies depending on many factors. Firstly, more serious charges often carry high bail amounts. The defendant's criminal history also plays a role. Prior convictions are likely to increase the bail amount. The bail amount may also increase if your loved one has a pattern of failing to appear in court. Another factor the judge will assess when setting the bail amount is a flight risk. The amount tends to be higher for those considered a flight risk. Similarly, the judge will likely set a higher bail amount or deny bail if your loved one threatens public safety.
Some counties in the Golden State have created bail schedules that provide predetermined bail amounts for various offenses. You can find out the specific bail amount by reaching out to the jail where your loved one is held. Alternatively, let an experienced bail bond agent or an attorney help.
Explore Your Options
The California legal justice system gives us several bail bond options, each with its own requirements. One such option is to pay the full bail amount in cash. The court will return your funds to you at the end of your case. However, cash bail requires you to pay a huge sum of money upfront.
You can also use your real estate property as collateral. You can only qualify for a property bond if the property has enough equity to cover the bail. While this option can be viable if you don't have enough cash to post bail, property bonds can be time-consuming.
The third option is to use a surety bond. Surety bonds are increasingly popular because they provide unmatched flexibility and reliability. Bail bond companies often offer these bonds at a fraction of the bail amount. After paying this fee, your bail bondsman will pay the full amount on your loved one's behalf. The bail bondsman will also ensure that your loved one appears in court.
The court may decide to release your loved one on their own recognizance, meaning they don't have to post bail to get out of jail. This often happens for individuals with low flight risk and strong community ties.
Post Bail
You will probably pay the bail amount in the jail where your loved one is held. The process is much quicker if you work with a reliable bail bondsman. Their agents will take care of every detail on your behalf. The detention center will begin processing your release upon receiving the bail amount. The process can take a while if the jail is busy. In the meantime, arrange for transportation to help your loved one get back home quickly after their release.
Let Golden Boy Bail Bonds Help
It's safe to say the bail process is time-consuming. The California bail process also comes with a significant financial responsibility. But worry not. You only need to choose the best bail bondsman to speed up the bail bond process. Here at Golden Boy Bail Bonds, we can help you pay bail for your loved one in California. Our bail bond agents will use their expertise to expedite the process. Discover why we are the #1 bail bond company in California:
Available 24/7
Competitive fees
Licensed bail agents
Over 50+ years of experience
The highest approval ratings in San Diego
Please call us now at (866)-830-7114 to discover how we can help you quickly get your loved one out of jail.