About 900,000 people are arrested in California each year - over 600,000 for misdemeanors and close to 300,000 for felony crimes. In the United States, all criminal defendants are required by the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution to be considered “innocent until proven guilty.” Many of the people arrested are not convicted because the charges are dropped or they’re found to be not guilty at trial, so punishment should never begin before sentencing. This is especially important because sometimes a person is arrested because they fit a description for a wanted suspect, they’re falsely accused by somebody wishing them harm or they’re profiled by police based on their race or ethnicity. Our justice system isn’t perfect, but it does allow people charged with crimes to be released if they have put up bail or purchased a bail bond. Whether you’re charged with a minor misdemeanor or a violent felony, getting out of jail quickly can enable you to keep your job, take care of your children and plan your defense of the charges against you. That’s why your first phone call after you’re arrested should be to a reputable Santa Ana bail bond agency. Call Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds at 844-400-2245 to get out of jail as soon as possible.
The Booking Process
After you’re arrested, you’ll be taken to the police station where the following steps will be taken as part of the booking process;
- Mug Shots will be taken that will identify you in the criminal justice system as well as establishing your physical condition when you were arrested;
- Personal Property is confiscated and will be returned upon release unless it’s contraband or evidence;
- Fingerprints will be taken and compared to a national database and to evidence at the scene of the crime;
- Full Body Search, also known as a “strip search” may be conducting for certain types of crimes
- Check for Outstanding Warrants and
- Covid-19 tests are administered.
The entire process could only take a few hours at a small jail in a rural area, but might take up to twelve hours in Los Angeles County. After you’re booked, the prosecutor will decide whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with charges against you. If the prosecutor goes forward with the charges, an arraignment will be held and you’ll either be released on your own recognizance, released on bail or held in jail until you plea or a jury comes in with a verdict.
Will You Be Held In Jail?
If you’re charged with a first offense and/or minor non-violent crime, you could be released on “your own recognizance” (O.R.) without having to post bail. In the state of California, judges have the discretion to release anybody that’s charged on O.R. except if:
- One or more of the crimes charged is subject to the death penalty
- The release would compromise public safety or
- It would not reasonably ensure an appearance in court.
If you’re released on O.R. you may be subject to a host of conditions such as phone/text check ins, travel restrictions, drug/alcohol programs, weapon surrender, mental health treatment, home relocation (for domestic violence,) ignition interlock device (for DUI,) GPS monitoring and/or home detention. If you’re not eligible for O.R. release, but you’re eligible for bail, the judge will set a bail amount and you will not be released from jail until bail is posted.
California Bail Bonds
California recognizes three basic types of bail: cash bail, bail bonds or property bonds. If you have ample financial resources you can pay the amount of bail requested in full with a certified check, cashier’s check, a money order, traveler’s checks or a similar bonafide source of cash. If the crime you’re charged with involves money laundering or other activities that make your source of cash suspicious, you will have the burden of proving that your source of cash is legitimate. If you do not have enough cash to pay the bail amount, the best way to get out of jail quickly is to work with a reputable Santa Ana bail bond agency that’s open 24/7, and provides flexible payment options that can get you out of jail as fast as possible. The third option is a property bond, where your home or another type of property is used to secure your bail, but it will take much longer and is less likely to be as successful as working with a top notch California bail bond agency. Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds has many sign up options including in person, online, phone, text and fax and accepts a wide range of different payment options such as cash, credit/debt, PayPal, Bitcoin and Ethereum, plus a wide variety of payment plans. It’s even possible to temporarily secure a loan with your car title pink slip!
The Big Picture After You’re Arrested
Everything happens so quickly after you’re arrested - a whirlwind of mug shots, fingerprinting and questioning - it can become difficult to stay focused and see the trees through the woods. So, it’s important to keep in mind that if you’re arrested for a crime and you’re not eligible for O.R., getting out of jail should be priority number one. In addition to avoiding catching diseases such as ringworm, athlete's foot and Covid-19, jail time can also cause you to lose your job and deprive your family of the childcare and other duties you perform at home. That’s why the first call you make from the police station is to somebody that can handle contacting the best bail bond agency in Santa Ana about getting you released from jail as soon as possible. In some cases Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bond agency can get you released from jail in just a few hours, but the process can’t begin until you call 844-400-2245 to get the ball rolling.
