Posting bail is a key step in any criminal case, particularly if you wish to leave jail. If you cannot post the bail, you will remain behind bars as the trial continues. In California, bail can be costly depending on your charges, and staying in jail might disrupt your life even more. Posting bail lets you return to work to earn money to cover legal costs. If you remain behind bars, this will not be possible.
If you or a loved one is stuck in jail because you do not have enough money for cash bail, contact a Blythe bail bonds company for assistance. We at El Don Bail Bonds understand the need for a quick release. Our Blythe bail bonds service will post your bail and provide expert advice on navigating the bail process.
What is Bail Under California Law?
Bail is the money you pay the court to secure your release before the trial starts. The payment guarantees that you will attend all court hearings. After the arrest and booking process, you will appear before a judge for an arraignment or initial hearing. You can request a bail hearing during your arraignment.
Bail hearings are court sessions where a judge determines if you qualify for a bail release or if you need to remain behind bars. In California, most defendants have the right to bail. The purpose of bail is to prevent you from fleeing and not a penalty for your charges. The court will return the entire bail amount when you appear for all your court hearings and the case ends. During the bail hearing, you can ask the judge to cancel or reduce the set bail.
Some defendants can secure their release from police custody without having to post bail. An Own Recognizance (OR) release allows you to contest your allegations outside custody without paying bail.
Unfortunately, this option is not eligible for everyone. You can qualify for an OR release if you face charges for a minor offense or if this is your first offense. During an OR release, you should agree to appear for all scheduled court hearings. The court may impose certain conditions on your release, even if bail is not set.
If the court grants your release on your own recognizance (OR), the judge considers:
- The nature of the alleged crime
- Your criminal background, and
- Your financial ability to pay bail
However, it may be challenging to secure an OR release if the charges involve serious injuries inflicted on your victim. If you secure an OR release and do not comply with the terms, the court will issue a bench warrant against you.
California Bail Schedules
A bail schedule is a set of rules that shows the minimum and maximum bail amounts for different crimes. It considers several factors, such as how likely the defendant is to appear in court. Judges also look at the defendant’s past criminal record and how severe the crime is. The bail schedule helps judges decide on bail amounts and ensures that all defendants are treated fairly, no matter what crime they are accused of.
Different types of crimes classify bail schedules. More severe crimes require higher bail amounts compared to less serious ones. The categories are:
- Infractions—These are the least serious offenses, such as minor traffic violations. Usually, bail is not needed for infractions.
- Misdemeanors—These are more serious than infractions but not as severe as felonies. Examples include domestic violence, shoplifting, and DUI.
- Felonies—These are the most severe crimes, including robbery, rape, and murder.
Bail schedules are flexible and not permanent. The judge might set a higher bail if the court believes you will likely escape. On the other hand, if the defendant shows up for all court dates, the court might choose to lower the bail. Once the initial amount is decided, the judge will consider various factors that could increase the bail.
Some factors that might increase your bail amount include:
Flight Risk
A high flight risk means a defendant will likely escape after being released on bail to avoid prosecution. During your bail hearing, you should prove to the court that you are not a flight risk. You can demonstrate this by showing solid ties to your community, like having a family or a stable job. These ties make it less probable that you would run away. If the judge believes you might skip bail, they may set a higher bail amount to discourage you from fleeing.
History of Violence
The judge will review your criminal history when changing your bail from the scheduled amounts. The goal is to let you stay out of jail during the trial while protecting the public. If you are in custody for a violent felony or domestic violence, this could result in a higher bail. The court may also set a restraining order to limit your contact with the victims. If you violate this order, you will forfeit your bail and be sent back to jail.
Your History of Complying To Court Orders
When you post bail, there are conditions that you must follow, which are set during the trial. The judge might impose rules like:
- Not traveling
- Staying away from certain people
- Not committing any crimes while out on bail
If you have previously skipped bail or broken court orders, the judge may raise your bail amount, meaning you could lose more money if you fail to follow the rules.
Nature of the Charges
The severity of your charges plays a key role in deciding your bail. Individuals with serious allegations might consider fleeing to avoid tough consequences. If you face charges that could result in life sentences or the death penalty, the judge may deny your bail application.
Types of Bail
Various kinds of bail are available to help release your loved ones from jail. These include the following:
Cash Bail
If you are financially able, posting a cash bail is the fastest option to free your loved one. The court requires you to pay the entire bail upfront for their release. Once the case is concluded, you can reclaim your cash, and the case outcome will not affect the posted bail amount.
Although cash bail can be posted quickly, some defendants may not have enough money for the steep bail costs. Also, putting up a large cash bail might raise questions about the source of the funds. If the court suspects the money was acquired illegally, they will stop the bail process for an investigation, causing delays in your release.
Property Bonds
A property bond requires you to offer property as security for your release in court. The court will place a lien on the property, which stays until the case is resolved. In California, judges usually want the property value to be at least double the bail amount. It can take time for the court to approve your property bond. A professional valuation company must assess the property to confirm its value and ownership.
Bail Bond
Bail bonds are contracts between defendants and bail bond companies. The Blythe bail bonds company covers the bail cost and assures the court that the defendant will attend their hearing. The process starts when you learn about your loved one’s arrest and contact a Blythe bail bonds service. A bail bondsman from the company will help you manage the situation with the defendant, the court, and the bail bonds service.
You need to gather the following information about the defendant before contacting the bail bonds service:
- Their full names.
- The criminal charges they face.
- The jail and county of their detention.
- The bail amount required for their release.
Your Blythe bail bonds company will check if the defendant qualifies for bail bonds before offering their services. They will assess the risk of the defendant fleeing and your capacity to pay for the services. Bail bonds usually cost 10% of the total set bail in California. Besides the 10% fee, the bail bond company might ask for collateral.
Collateral for a bail bond can be a house, a car, or any valuable item. When a bail bondsman posts bail for someone, they cover the cost and must ensure the accused appears in court and follows the rules. If the individual fails to appear, the court may forfeit the bail money, which means the bail bonds company loses. In such a case, the bail bonds service will take the collateral and sell it to recover their funds.
If you secure bail bonds for a friend or family member, you will act as a co-signer, meaning you sign a contract agreeing to be responsible for the defendant. In case the defendant skips their court hearing, you will have to pay the full bail amount. The Blythe bail bonds company might also charge a fee for tracking the accused and returning them to police custody.
Make sure you meet the required qualifications before you co-sign a bail bond. These requirements include having a good credit score, responsibility, and a solid work history. You do not have to co-sign for anyone, and if you think the defendant might escape, you can cancel the contract.
There are many benefits to working with a Blythe Bail Bonds service, including:
Saves Time
When you pay cash bail, you must provide the entire amount to the court clerk to secure your loved one’s release. Raising this money can take time and cause delays. A bail bonds company can assist by covering the bail amount and speeding up the process.
Saves You Money
Bail can be quite costly, and some people might struggle to pay it right away. If you hire a bail bondsman, you only have to pay 10% of the total bail, which makes it more manageable. If the fee is too high, you can request a repayment plan. This plan lets you pay a deposit and pay off the rest each month.
Professional Advisors
The role of a Blythe bail bonds service goes beyond just posting bail. They offer professional advice to assist you during the bail process, ensuring you understand the steps and avoid penalties for not meeting bail conditions.
Maintains Financial Confidentiality
If you pay cash bail, it might lead to the court scrutinizing your financial status. They will want to know where the money came from, which could expose your financial details to the public. Such scrutiny is not something most people want.
Failure to Appear in Court After Posting Bail
If you do not go to court after release, the judge will issue a bench warrant for your arrest. The ruling applies whether you paid bail or were released without it. When you are arrested again, you could face new criminal charges. If the original charge is a misdemeanor, missing court hearings will lead to misdemeanor charges. If it was a felony, you might also face felony charges for not appearing.
If you skip bail, the bail bonds company could lose the money they put up for you. The court gives the bail bondsman 180 days to locate you and return you to court before they can forfeit the bond. To find you, the bail bondsman might hire a bounty hunter, who earns a percentage of the bail bond if they find you.
Bounty hunters can arrest people who have fled after skipping bail and return them to the local police. If you are not found within 180 days, the bail bonds company will lose the bond amount. If you return within that period and have a valid excuse for leaving, the court may reverse the forfeiture and free the bond. Reasons you could provide include the following:
- You sustained injuries and were unable to attend the proceedings
- You were ill and have a medical report to verify it
- You have a disability or became disabled and could not appear in court
- You were apprehended in a different location and held there
- You are experiencing mental health issues
If you skip bail, it can impact any future criminal cases once the current case is finished. Being rearrested might lead the court to increase or decline your bail request.
Court and Jail Information in Blythe
Using the jail and court information listed below, you can avoid being stranded while helping a loved one. It offers contact details for courts, detention centers, and sheriff departments in Blythe. They include:
Riverside Superior Court
Riverside County Blythe Jail
The Robert Presley Detention Center (Riverside County Jail)
Superior Court Of California, County of Riverside – Blythe Courthouse
Tips for Selecting a Reliable Blythe Bail Bonds Company
With so many local bail bond companies, it can be challenging to determine which is best for posting bail. Before you pick an agency to assist you, think about these questions:
- Does the company know how each local jail works? If the bail bondsman is not familiar with the jails’ processes, it can be hard to handle the bail bond process.
- Does the bail bonds service focus on serving clients? In an emergency, you need a bail bondsman who will work hard to assist you completely and professionally. A bail bonds company available around the clock is a good option.
- Does the Blythe bail bonds service receive positive feedback from its clients and community members? If clients and lawyers support a bail bonds company, it shows that it is well-regarded.
- Does the Blythe bail bonds company prioritize client service, professionalism, and quality instead of saving costs? Many bail bond services focusing only on low prices may lack other important qualities to offer
- Check if the company is in good standing with the California Department of Insurance. Investigate if anyone has filed a complaint against the bail bonds agency.
- Is the bail bonds company affiliated with a professional state and local association, including the California Bail Agents Association? Joining this association demonstrates a solid commitment to the industry’s ethical practices.
- How long has the Blythe bail bonds company been licensed? Their experience can significantly affect the final result.
Contact a Reliable Blythe Bail Bonds Service Near Me
When you or a loved one is arrested, one major issue is posting bail to secure your release. During the bail hearing, the judge decides the bail amount. The defendant can either pay it and leave jail or stay there until the trial. Some defendants remain in police custody because they cannot raise the bail money. Fortunately, you can post bail for your loved one in different ways, including a bail bond.
Once you learn about the arrest, you can contact a bail bonds company for assistance. They will help you with the bail process and securing your loved one’s release. This approach is affordable because you only need to cover 10% of the set bail amount. If you want to post bail for someone you care about using bail bonds, seek help from a Blythe bail bonds service. At El Don Bail Bonds, we provide the financial support you need to post bail. Contact our bail bondsmen today at 760-342-0444 to discuss your situation.