Bail Bonds Help for Criminal Proceedings
The Purpose of Bail
When a person is arrested for a crime, it is up to the county judge to decide whether or not to release the defendant on their own recognizance, hold them without bail, or set a bail amount that must be paid for their release. When someone posts bail for their release, they will be permitted to stay out of jail while their court case is underway. Paying bail is a promise to the court that the defendant will appear for all scheduled court hearings.
Bail is not a tool meant to punish people accused of crimes, but rather it is used to guarantee their appearance in court to face the charges.
People accused of committing very serious or violent crimes will likely be given a large bail amount or may be denied bail. This large sum is meant to act as an inducement for the defendant to show up for court.
If the defendant shows up for court as required, the bail money will be returned to them at the conclusion of the case. If they “fail to appear” instead, that money will be retained by the court and the defendant will have to be brought back to court.
Bail Funds & Options
If friends and family of the defendant opt to post their full bail amount to the court, the source of those funds may be scrutinized. In California, this is called a “1275 Hearing”. If it is found that the funds were obtained illegally, the court will refuse to accept it as payment and bail will have to be posted by alternate means.
Bail amounts in California are the highest in the country. For most people, it’s nearly impossible to pay such large amounts of money for the unexpected expense of bail. But still, they do not wish to see their loved one sit in jail for any length of time. For these people, talking to an expert bail bondsman can be very helpful.
Licensed bail bondsmen work to make it easier for families help their loved ones who are in trouble with the law. People are only required to pay a fraction of the total bail amount to a bondsman in order to secure their release from jail. This amount varies from state to state but is usually between 10-15%. In California, the bail bond fee is 10%. This amount is set by the state’s department of insurance and cannot be negotiated by any bondsman licensed in the state. There is no legal cheap or discounted bail.
No one wants to find out that someone they care about has been arrested and taken to jail. But when it does happen, speaking to a licensed bondsman can make all the difference between a quick brush with jail and a long-term incarceration.
If you need the help of a California bail expert, speak to a bondsman now at 1-877-861-3761 (1-877-861-3761). We can help with bail for all criminal charges.
More California Bail Bonds Resources
Published: 08/12/2012