An arrest does not mean that you are guilty. The law presumes you are innocent until proven guilty, but defending yourself against charges leveled against you requires preparation. You need time and resources to talk to your attorney freely. By posting bail, you may leave custody and be able to work actively on your defense. You can also resume work and earn enough to cover the legal costs. Preparing a strong case then becomes much more challenging without this freedom.
At El Don Bail Bonds, we help you secure your release quickly and efficiently. We offer flexible payment options to minimize financial strain. We make it easy to return to your life so that you can handle your legal issues. We also guide you in all matters related to Riverside bail bonds and the bail process. The information below will help you get started on what a bail bond is.
Understanding Riverside Bail Bonds
If the court allows you to be released before your trial date, it assumes you will attend every scheduled hearing. The court may even release you on your own recognizance (O.R. release), an agreement in writing to show up without paying bail. For serious crimes, though, the court will often require you to post bail. This will serve as a financial guarantee to ensure you appear in court. The judge will set your bail amount after looking at your charges' severity, criminal history, and whether you will appear in court for future dates.
Riverside bail bonds offer a solution if you cannot afford to pay the entire bail amount.
A bail bond is a contract between you and the bail bond company, where the company agrees to post bail on your behalf in exchange for a fee. This then secures your pre-trial release from custody. The fee is non-refundable and usually a percentage of the total bail.
There are different types of bonds in the bail process, and each has been designed to suit the kind of charges you face and your financial circumstances. They include the following:
- Cash bonds — A cash bond requires you to pay the full bail amount up front to the court. If you can afford it and show up for all court appearances, you will get a full refund of the amount you paid when your case ends.
- Surety bonds or bail bonds — Using bail bonds involves a bail bond company posting the bail amount on your behalf in exchange for a fee. The bond company promises to make sure you show up in court. If you fail to show up, the courts will forfeit the bond, a potential loss for the bail bond company. Thus, the company could come after you or your co-signers for the money.
- Property bonds — Real estate or valuable assets could be collateral for a property bond. If you fail to show up in court, the court places a lien on the property and can forfeit the property to cover the bail. This process can be time-consuming, and the paperwork required complicates this option.
- Immigration bonds — Immigration bonds are for people accused of immigration-related charges. They guarantee your release from immigration detention pending court hearings. Because immigration law is a complex field, immigration bonds have additional conditions and complexities.
- Citation release bonds — An officer could issue a citation release bond for minor offenses and release you without having to post bail. This release involves less serious charges and your agreement to appear in court at a designated date.
- Domestic violence bonds — Charges of domestic violence can have both criminal and financial consequences. If you are arrested for domestic violence, your bail will be high because of the severity of the charges. Because domestic violence charges are so sensitive, judges can impose conditions that might limit contact with the alleged victim or require additional conditions to the bail bond.
- Felony bonds—Felony charges are more severe and usually have higher bail limits. Therefore, securing your release could require Riverside bail bonds or a property bond. The court could impose certain conditions, including house arrest or electronic monitoring.
- Misdemeanor bonds — Misdemeanors are less severe offenses but still warrant penalties. However, the bail amounts for a misdemeanor are lower than for a felony.
- Weapons bonds — The bail set because of the seriousness of the crime may be high if you are charged with a weapons-related offense like illegally possessing a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon. Depending on the offense, this bond could come with additional conditions, including surrendering weapons or complying with specific restrictions.
The nature of the charges and your financial situation determine what type of bail bond you will need, and each bail bond serves a different purpose. Knowing your options lets you decide how to secure your release. No matter what bond you posted, you must follow all court orders and attend all hearings because if you fail to do so, the courts will forfeit the bond and subject you to further legal consequences.
What to Expect From a Bail Hearing
If you are arrested, you will be brought before the judge to be heard on bail. The judge will consider your charges and set the amount of bail you will be required to pay. Once before the judge, the judge will consider factors such as your:
- Financial status.
- Mental health.
- Family situation.
- Whether you have a history of substance abuse or addiction.
The judge will consider all these factors in deciding whether you will likely turn up to future court dates and if you pose a potential risk to public safety.
Bail is usually granted because the legal system allows you to be free while awaiting trial. However, in cases where the crime involves a serious violation or risk to public safety, the judge could simply deny bail. You will be likely to be denied bail if you:
- Are a repeat offender.
- Committed a capital offense like murder.
- Are facing serious drug-trafficking charges.
- Are involved in organized crime.
- Are facing charges for a violent crime like aggravated assault or kidnapping.
The judge will look at the Riverside County bail schedule, which provides typical bail amounts for a given charge. However, this schedule is just a guide. The judge could increase or decrease the bail amount depending on the specifics of your case. For example, if you have a criminal history, are likely to flee, or show behavior suggesting you pose a risk to the community, the judge could impose a higher bail or deny you bail.
On the other hand, the judge could lower your bail or release you on your own recognizance if you have mitigating factors in your case and strong ties to the community.
How Do Courts Deal With Suspicious Bail?
The court will examine the source of the funds when it receives your bail to see that the funds were legally obtained. The court could also hold your release if there is suspicion that you used illegal means to get bail.
The court's purpose in this hearing is to determine whether the bail was financed by crimes such as theft, fraud, or other means. If the court finds the bail illegal, it may revoke your release, deny your bail, or impose other legal consequences.
Bail Bond Premium
The premium or fee for the service of a bail bondsman is usually 10% of the total bail. The rate can drop to 8% in some cases, for example, when conditions like financial hardship exist. The reduced rate is not automatic. It relies on your eligibility and the bondsman’s policies. Knowing the percentage helps you understand your financial commitment before moving forward.
State regulations require bail bondsmen to publish their rates openly. This transparency protects you against overcharges and unfair treatment. You can, therefore, check the rates that have been published and know what to expect before you agree with a bail bondsman. You can also use the information to compare with other bail bondsmen to get the most competitive bail bonds.
What Information Will a Bail Bondsman Require?
When working with a bail bondsman, you must provide specific details to complete the agreement. After you give this information and pay the premium, the bondsman will promptly post your bail, allowing you to secure your release. The process ensures accuracy and compliance while facilitating your return to prepare for your case. Below are the essential details you must provide:
- Your personal information — You must share your full name, date of birth, and address with contact details. This information helps identify you correctly and keeps communication clear throughout the process.
- Details of the charges — The bail bondsman needs to know the nature of the offense, the charge, and how the court will handle your case in terms of the court.
- The bail amount set by the court — You must confirm the exact amount, which will determine the bond terms and the premium payment.
- Case information — You should provide case details, including your case number and the date of your next appearance before the court. These details need to be filed correctly when filing the bail bond.
- Collateral (if needed) — Depending on the circumstance, you may be required to provide collateral. You could submit a property deed, a vehicle title, or the titles of other valuable assets.
- Co-signer’s information — If someone cosigns for you, they must give their personal and financial information as they take on the responsibility for the Riverside bail bonds with you.
- Proof of financial standing or employment — Sometimes, the bail bondsman may ask you for proof of income or employment to ascertain your capacity to meet financial obligations. This helps them assess what payment plans you qualify for.
What Happens When You Fail to Appear in Court After Posting Bail?
Remember, bail guarantees that you will show up to all scheduled hearings. Therefore, bail forfeiture is likely if you fail to follow the terms of your bail agreement, and it most often happens when you miss a court appearance.
If you fail to attend a court date, the judge will issue a bench warrant for your arrest. This can lead to the court declaring the bail forfeited. This means you will lose the money that was posted as bail. If you used Riverside bail bonds, the bail bondsman could lose the sum. In this case, the bondsman will have grounds to recover the full amount from you. The bail bond company could also pursue co-signers who agreed to take responsibility for your bond in their recovery efforts.
If you skip bail or do not show up in court, your bail bondsman could enlist the services of a bounty hunter to track you down. This is part of the recovery efforts the bail bondsman could employ to avoid losing the sum they used to post your bail. When the bounty hunters track you down and bring you back into custody, the bail bondsman could avoid the bail forfeiture.
While the court could forfeit bail immediately upon the missed appearance, the matter can be resolved. In some cases, the court could give you a grace period or allow you to show cause why you failed to appear before declaring a full forfeiture. You can avoid the forfeiture of the bail if you can give a good reason or reschedule the hearing promptly. However, the court will finalize the forfeiture if you fail to show up or offer a satisfactory explanation. It is no longer refundable once you have lost the posted bail amount.
Failure to appear (FTA) for a scheduled court date is serious. If you fail to show up to court, the judge may issue you a warrant for failure to appear, and you will be fined and jailed for more time. The FTA could also affect the case. Your bail may be revoked in some cases, meaning you must stay in custody until your trial ends. These penalties only add to your stress levels and uncertainty. They can complicate your situation because they can make your legal situation more complicated than it already is.
To save yourself from these severe penalties, attend every court date as scheduled. If you cannot appear in court or have to appear out of the ordinary or in an emergency circumstance, you should contact the court or your attorney immediately. Another way to avoid missing important dates is to set reminders for your court appearances.
Reasons Why You Should Opt for Riverside Bail Bonds to Secure Your Pretrial Release
You should rely on a licensed bail bondsman to secure your pretrial release because it has several advantages. Bail bondsmen help ease the bail process and provide critical support during a challenging time.
Some of the advantages of seeking bail bond services include the following:
- Expert knowledge — A bail bondsman is licensed to bond people out of jail. They know the intricacies of the legal system, including how bail is set, the conditions of release, and the court procedures. Their expertise ensures your release goes without a hitch.
- Quick processing — Bail bondsmen are quick to process your release and usually faster than you can. That experience allows them to speed up what could otherwise be a lengthy, confusing process.
- Financial assistance — Using a bail bondsman means paying a percentage of the bail amount, usually 10%, not the full bail. That makes your release more affordable and manageable financially.
- Phone or online approval — Many licensed bail bondsmen provide phone or online approval so you can start the process on behalf of a defendant from the comfort of your home. This convenience saves time and offers flexibility, especially when you need help quickly.
- Payment flexibility — Bail bondsmen often let you pay in installments, making the immediate financial cost less burdensome. It makes the cost of securing your release more manageable. Further, bail bondsmen licensed with the state accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards. You can choose from several payment options that will suit your needs.
- No collateral option — Bail bondsmen sometimes offer a no collateral option, provided the co-signer is employed and is financially stable. It reduces the need for assets and makes securing your release smoother.
Find a Reliable Riverside Bail Bonds Company Near Me
A bail bondsman should be your first call if you face an arrest and must secure pretrial release. They help you sidestep the financial burden of paying the entire bail amount and simplify the process. You can quickly navigate the legal system and prepare for your trial with their experience rather than worrying about your release. A bail bondsman works fast, so you do not have to remain in custody more than you should. Their professional support helps you eliminate the stress of finding freedom and progressing with your case.
El Don Bail Bonds is ready to help if you need assistance in Riverside. We pride ourselves on being a fast, reliable service that gets you back on track. Reach out to us today at 760-342-0444 and commence the process toward freedom. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.