If you have been charged with a crime and detained at a county jail, posting bail to secure a quick release will naturally be the first thing on your mind. Once you have regained your freedom, though, there are many questions that need to be answered. One of the big questions is “can you leave California while on bail?”, and this quick guide will provide the answers you need.
Do you need to leave California?
Generally speaking, the California Courts state that misdemeanor cases should go to trial within 45 days of the arraignment while trial proceedings for a felony should commence within 60 days. However, as a defendant, you are entitled to waive your right to this deadline.
If your trial date is within the next 60 days, though, you may not even need to leave the Golden State. When this is the case, satisfying your bail conditions and keeping the courts happy becomes noticeably smoother.
Nevertheless, there are several circumstances that may require a temporary departure from California, including but not limited to;
- A loved one has become ill,
- You need to attend a funeral,
- There is a business matter that can’t be completed in Cali,
- You require medical treatment outside of California.
Ultimately, though, if you do not need to leave the State of California at this time, you should remain in the Golden State. This is especially true if you have used a co-signer as any issues surrounding your case could impact them too. However, the benefits of remaining inside the state lines will extend to every defendant.
So, what are the rules on leaving California while on bail?
When asking “can you leave California while on bail?”, the short answer is: yes, in most cases. However, it’s imperative that you follow the right procedures. Otherwise, you may cause complications or encounter fresh penalties, which is the last thing you need when already facing criminal charges.
First and foremost, you must confirm that you have permission from the courts to temporarily leave California. In many cases, as per Senate Bill 10, the terms of your bail will permit you to do this for the circumstances mentioned above. However, it is unlikely that you will be granted the request to leave the Golden State for a vacation or other non-essential purpose.
Even when your bail terms state that you are allowed to cross the state borders, it’s always best to seek confirmation from the courts to avoid prospective penalties, a potential arrest, and a forfeited bail bond. Right now, it’s vital that you respect the legal system - not least because any negative actions could be held against you in court.
In some cases, the judge may have stipulated that you must remain in the state lines until your court date arrives. This is usually because you are considered a high risk of flight. The good news is that it is still possible to seek special permission to leave, especially if there is a life-and-death situation to consider. It should be noted, however, that the requests can be rejected for any reason.
Ultimately, each case is unique and your situation could be influenced by your criminal history, type of criminal charge, and personal circumstances. Generally speaking, though, the rules are that you can leave California while on bail but should let the courts know first.
Letting your bail bondsman know
As well as satisfying the legal stipulations of your bail hearing as set by the courts, it’s important to seek permission from your bail bondsman too. For starters, it shows a level of respect to the bonds company and underlines your commitment to taking personal responsibility during this process. There are plenty of additional reasons to contact your bail bondsman, including but not limited to;
- They can help you check that you are legally allowed to leave California or seek the special permissions that you may require.
- They can inform you of any changes to your trial date and confirm to the courts that you can be contacted.
- A bondsman can advise you about any additional travel issues that could potentially land you in financial or legal troubles.
As well as your bail bonds agency, it is vital that you inform your co-signer (if applicable) of your intended travel. Given that your co-signer is probably a close friend or relative, they will often provide an honest opinion as to whether your travel plans are necessary.
Can you leave California while on bail to travel internationally?
While traveling out of state is usually permitted under the conditions of your bail release, the agreements focus on domestic travel. Generally speaking, you will not be allowed to travel internationally unless you are considered a low-risk defendant.
Even then, you will need to let the bail bonds company know about your intentions and seek written clearance. It should also be noted that the courts can impose their own travel restrictions and may even require you to hand in your passport as a part of the bail conditions.
Besides, unforeseen circumstances like flight cancelations could make it very difficult to return home from another country. Given the repercussions of missing your court date, this is simply not a situation you can afford to encounter. While it is an issue that should be considered when traveling cross-state, finding a solution should be far easier than when stranded overseas.
Post bail in California today
Before worrying about the restrictions of leaving California, the first step for any defendant is to leave jail. If you or a loved one has been arrested, Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds can help. We can post the full bond amount to get you out of jail in a matter of minutes.
Better still, we can post your bond online or over the phone while also offering fair repayment plans. This allows you to focus on more important issues like returning to daily activities or finding an attorney to present your case.
Want to learn more about posting bail in California? Contact us at (844)400-2245 now.
