Bail is the money you pay to the court in exchange for a release from a pending criminal trial. When you post bail, you can go home and move on while the court schedules a trial and other proceedings.
The judge will determine the amount you must pay as bail on your first arraignment. You can post the bail in cash, using a property bond, or through a bail bond.
At Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds, we understand the devastation of watching a loved one sit behind bars. Our Riverside County bail bondsman will offer the financial assistance and expert guidance you need to ensure a fast and convenient bail release for your loved one.
An Overview of Bail in California
If you or a loved one is arrested and charged with a criminal offense, they will be detained in jail as the trial continues. Posting bail allows the defendant to go home, spend time with their family, and return to work while the case is pending.
A judge at the bail hearing determines the amount needed to secure a defendant's release from jail. Some of the factors that the court may consider when setting bail include:
- Bail schedules. Judges in California set bail based on a standard bail schedule. Bail schedules are lists of all offenses and the bail amount recommended for each. You may be required to pay the bail amount on the schedule if a warrant is attached to your arrest. Otherwise, the judge will adjust this amount depending on other case factors.
- Nature of the criminal charges. The court grants a bail release for defendants facing anything from simple misdemeanors to serious and violent felonies. However, the bail amounts will differ depending on how your crime is charged.
- Your criminal history. A defendant with a criminal history or prior convictions may need a higher bail amount to secure release than a first-time offender.
- Risk to public safety. When setting bail for a defendant, the judge will consider the level of risk you pose to other people. The court can impose high bail amounts for defendants who pose a threat to different people.
- Flight risk. Your flight risk is the likelihood of skipping bail after a release with a pending case. You will be considered a high-flight risk if you do not have strong ties to the community or have a history of skipping bail. Bail for defendants with high flight risk may be higher.
Types of Bail
Every criminal case has a unique set of circumstances. Fortunately, there are different types of bail you can explore when you or a loved one is arrested in California, including:
Cash Bail
Posting a cash bail involves presenting the total amount to the court clerk before the defendant is released. While this type of bail is convenient and does not involve third parties, it may be unaffordable for many defendants and their families. Additionally, posting a cash bail could result in financial scrutiny from the court.
Property Bonds
California laws require defendants lacking cash bail to use a property bond. When you choose to present a property bond, you will use the value of your property as collateral in exchange for a release.
Unlike cash bail, a property bond may take a while to process. The court will determine the value of the acceptable property depending on the amount of bail needed for your request. Before accepting a property bond, the court will schedule a property bond hearing. At this hearing, you can prove the value and ownership of the property you seek to present as a bond.
The downside of presenting a property bond is that if the defendant skips bail and the court forfeits the bail, you could lose the property you presented.
Bail Bonds
Posting a bail bond is the most common alternative to securing a release from a pending criminal case. Surety companies offer bail bonds, which charge a small fee. The process of posting bail bonds begins when you learn that your loved one is in jail. If you do not have sufficient funds or property to present to the court, contact a Riverside County Bail Bonds company for assistance.
The company will send a bail bondsman to offer guidance on navigating the bail release. When contacting your Riverside Bail Bondsman, you must have the following information about the defendant:
- The defendant's name.
- The jail where the defendant is held.
- The nature of the defendant's charges.
- The bail amount needed to secure the defendant's release.
The bail bondsman will investigate your eligibility for the bail bond. This is done by checking the defendant's flight risk and your ability to pay the bail bond premium. If the surety company agrees to assist you, the bail bondsman will present the full bail amount to the courts and secure your loved one's release.
In exchange for the bail bond services, you will be liable for up to 10% of the total bail, which will be the premium fee. Due to the high bail amounts set by courts in California, the 10% fee may be too high for you to pay in one installment. In this case, you can negotiate a repayment plan with your Riverside County bail bondsman.
The bail bond repayment plan allows you to make a downpayment for the premium and cover the balance in affordable installments.
An arrest in Riverside County could result in detention at the following jails:
Robert Presley Detention Center
4000 Orange St.
Riverside, CA 92501
Riverside County Blythe Jail
260 N. Spring St.
Blythe, CA 92225
Courts serving Riverside County, CA:
Superior Court of California, County of Riverside
4050 Main St.
Riverside, CA 92501
Superior Court of Riverside, Larson Justice Center
46-200 Oasis St.
Indio, CA 92201
Find a Competent Riverside County Bail Bonds Company Near Me
When you learn of a loved one's arrest, the first thought is how to secure a fast release for them from jail. Unless a defendant is charged with a capital offense, they will be entitled to a bail release. You can post bail in cash using property or with the help of a bail bond.
Posting a bail bond involves contacting a Riverside County Bail Bonds Company for assistance. The surety company will post bail for your loved one at a 10% fee, making the bond a more affordable and convenient way to secure a release.
At Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds, we will offer the financial assistance and expert guidance you need to secure a fast release for your loved one. Call us at 844-400-2245 to discuss your bail needs.
