Knowing that your loved one has been arrested could shock you. However, you need to quickly regain your balance and take the right action to ensure they do not spend unnecessary time behind bars. A defendant can explore two options after an arrest and detention in California. One of the options is to remain in jail until trial and the final verdict of your case. The second option is posting bail and walking out of jail.
Cash bail is an amount set by the judge at your first appearance in court and must be paid in full before you walk free. Unfortunately, an arrest is devastating and unexpected, and posting bail is challenging for many people. When you or your loved one is at risk of remaining in jail due to a lack of resources to post bail, you should not hesitate to contact a bail bond company. At Mr Nice Guy Bail Bonds, we are ready to offer you the financial assistance and guidance you need to post bail for a defendant facing an arrest and jail time in La Jolla, CA.
What is Bail in La Jolla?
Bail is an amount set by the judge at a bail hearing. Bail hearings are held for defendants facing criminal charges in California and seeking a release before trial. Typically, you would have to spend time in jail until your case ends if you face an arrest in California.
However, staying in jail is not only traumatizing but can also impact your life significantly. When you are in jail, you miss out on spending time with family and friends who could offer the needed support in difficult times.
In California, defendants have the privilege to be released before trial. However, you must offer an assurance that you will return for the court proceedings by posting bail. Bail amounts could vary between defendants, but California courts are known for setting very high bail amounts. The main aim of releasing you after posting bail is to discourage you from fleeing before your case is concluded. When you first appear before the court after the booking process, the judge will assess the different aspects of your case and determine the amount of bail needed to secure your release.
When you are free while awaiting your trial, you can return to work to earn much-needed money to cover your legal defense. Additionally, you can set a meeting with your legal team to discuss a defense strategy with your case. Although your attorney is allowed to visit you in jail, you may not have enough freedom to discuss your case's details freely.
In some situations, the judge could decide to release a defendant without the need for bail on recognizance. A recognizance release is available for defendants who face charges for minor and non-violent crimes in California. In such a case, you will only need to promise the court that you will appear to face the outcome of your case.
Posting a Bail Bond in La Jolla
If you are not in a position to cover the financial obligation of posting a loved one's bail, you can explore other options, likely the use of a property bond or securing a bail bond. Posting a bail bond is the most common option for defendants struggling finically. When you opt for a bail bond, you will pay a portion of the bail bonds fee to the agent for their services. In addition to posting bail, a La Jolla Bail Bonds agent takes responsibility for a defendant's conduct when they are out on bail.
When you contact a bail bond company, they will assess the defendant's eligibility for a bail bond. This is done by considering the defendant's flight risk and their offenses' seriousness. If you are eligible for a bail bond, the bail bond agent will meet you to post the bond at the jail. Often bail bond companies pay your loved one's bail after you pay the premium, which may be up to 10% of the bail.
Before you contact the bail bondsman, it is vital to ensure that you have this information:
- The complete and official names of the defendant
- Name and location of the jail where they are held
- The defendant's booking number
- The charges that the defendant is facing
When you contact a La Jolla bail bond agency, you want to know how much longer your loved one will have to spend behind bars. The process of posting bail could take from thirty minutes to several hours depending on the circumstances and the workload in the particular jail.
After a release in bail bonds, the defendant's responsibility is to follow all the conditions set by the judge for the bail and attend the trial. Failure to do this could have dire consequences for the defendant and the bail bond company. An attempt to flee and skip a court date could be met with a re-arrest and return to jail where a new bail, mostly higher, is set. For the bail bond company, a defendant who skips bail could cause them to lose the amount they used to post bail.
Most companies prepare for the risk of losing their money by asking you to provide collateral for the bail bond. Since a bail bond is like a loan, the collateral may be sold to recover the funds lost to the court in bail forfeiture.
Choosing the Right La Jolla Bail Bond Company
When choosing a bail bond company, the decision you make makes a significant difference in your overall experience of obtaining bail bonds. Therefore, before you move forward with posting the bond amount, you need to explore different companies to determine the one that best suits your need. When arrests occur, there is a dire need to post bail as soon as possible. However, it would be best to allow this to push you into hiring the first bail bond agency you come across. The following are some essential things you need to look out for:
Amount of Bail
When you seek a bail bond, it would be wise to consider the bail amount required by the court for the defendant's release. In some cases, it would be wiser to wait until after arraignment to have the defendant released from jail. This is because the bail amount could change under these circumstances:
- The defendant's legal team can successfully convince the judge to seek a bail reduction. If the defendant's bail is reduced, you need to pay the lower bail bond fee.
- Depending on the specific circumstances, such as the defendant's criminal history and the nature of their charges, a judge could decide to release them on recognizance. In this case, a financial obligation will not be necessary to secure freedom.
- Sometimes, a change in the circumstances of the case can compel the judge to reduce bail. Some of the common changes of circumstances may include additional evidence that favors the defendant's case.
- At an arraignment, the judge could mention some reputable bail bond agencies that they routinely deal with and help you find a reliable bail bond agent.
Licensing
Licensing is a requirement for all bail bond companies in California. Therefore, before you settle with the services of a particular bail bond agent, you must ensure that they are licensed. The relevant documentation and licensing prove that the bail bond agent provides legal services and can be trusted. A reliable and honest La Jolla bail bonds agent will not have a problem producing the license when a client seeks to see it.
Bail Bond Fee
The standard fee for bail bond fees in California is 10% of the judge's ruling on bail. Often, the 10% acts as a fee for the services offered by the bail bond agent. When you post bail using a bail bond, you will only pay 10% instead of the comparatively higher amount of bail set by the court. Before settling for one agency, you need to research and identify the company that offers affordable rates.
However, it would be best to avoid companies that offer very heap and unusually low bail bond fees. This may indicate their lack of experience, or they may be advertising illegally. In addition to finding affordable rates, you should be sure to settle with a company that allows a bail bond repayment plan. The repayment plan is an easy way for individuals who cannot afford the bail bond premium at once to secure the bail bond.
The bail bond agent will allow you to make a down payment and pay the remaining amount in manageable installments with a bail bond repayment plan. The down payment you have to provide may depend on the defendant's flight risk and your ability to cover the rest. A La Jolla bail bond agent is more likely to ally you to enter a repayment plan if you have, Often, a stable income and a good credit score.
Reliability
In addition to posting your bail, a bail bond agent is responsible for guiding you through the bail process, which can be challenging. If you are released on bail with some conditions attached to it, the bail bond agent must explain what the court requires from you. This helps avoid the instances of violations that could translate into bail forfeiture and loss of the bail money.
Therefore, you need to settle with a bail bond company with agents available to speak to you whenever you need them. Compared to large and reputable agencies, small bail bond companies have one or two agents who may not be available to cater to the needs of all clients. When you cannot reach the bail bond agent, the bail bond process and release of your loved one could be delayed.
Referrals from Detention Officers and your Attorney
The duty officers in the jail are always familiar with local reputable bail bond companies, and they know the reliable ones. Detention officers are great acquaintances to have since they can help suggest a lower bail amount for your loved one in addition to connecting you with the right bail bonds.
The bail bonds agencies with defense lawyers often built a strong reputation for reliable and top-notch services. Since contacting a criminal defense lawyer is one of the first steps you take following the arrest of your loved one, you can ask the attorney for referrals from a bail bond company to take you through the process of bailing your loved one out.
Reviews from Users
When you seek to hire bail bonds services, you will be more comfortable proceeding with a company that has provided excellent services for other clients. You can learn about a company's reputation by checking out the web reviews. It is essential to take the time to read what other people who have used the bail bond company have to say about their experience. Also, you can ask for recommendations from family members who have posted a bail bond.
List of Jails around La Jolla, CA
Western Region Detention Facility
Metropolitan Correctional Center San Diego
San Diego Juvenile Hall
Jails in La Jolla, CA
Apex Court Reporting & Legal Support Services
Find a Competent Bail Bond Agent Near Me
Most defendants are eligible for a release on bail after an arrest on suspicion of criminal conduct. If the judge does not release you on recognizance, they will set a specific bail amount that must be covered before the release. Bail amounts often vary depending on the nature of your charged crimes and other circumstances surrounding your situation.
Bail bonds are a critical resource to obtain the amount required to secure freedom before trial for defendants who cannot afford cash bail. Hiring the services of a bail bonds agent helps ensure a quick release for the defendant. Also, you will have a lower financial burden compared to covering the entire bail amount. At Mr Nice Guy Bail Bonds, we will offer you the information you need and the financial assistance necessary to post bail in La Jolla,CA. Call our bail bonds agents today at 844-400-2245.
