After your arrest, you might feel overwhelmed and confused, especially if it is your first time facing legal trouble and you cannot afford to pay bail. Bail is the funds or assets you post with the court to obtain a release pending your trial as a guarantee that you will show up in court when required. That is where an experienced Imperial County bail bond company, like 24 Hour Bail Bond comes in. We can help you secure the release promptly by posting your surety bonds. We can also guide you throughout the criminal justice process.
How Bail and Bail Bonds Work
Bail is the money you post with the court to secure your pretrial release. It assures the court that you will appear in court when required.
The bail amount varies depending on the alleged crime. Every California county has its own bail schedule that sets the bail amount for each offense. However, the judge has the discretion to deviate from the bail schedule. The judge sets the bail amount based on factors like the case facts, your criminal record, whether you are a flight risk, your community ties, and whether your release will pose a risk to your community.
If you believe the set bail amount is too high, you can request a bail hearing, during which you can request the court to lower the bail amount or release you on your own recognizance.
When deciding whether to reduce your bail amount, the judge considers the following:
- Your ability to pay the bail amount
- The severity of your crime, including whether you injured the victim, whether you threatened the victim, whether you used weapons, and whether controlled substances were involved
- Your previous criminal history
- Your possibility of making future court appearances
- Pubic safety
The judge can release you on your own recognizance if the prosecutor has not filed a crime punishable by death, your release will not compromise public safety, and you will appear in court when required.
Options for Paying Your Bail
After the judge sets the bail amount, you should decide how to pay it. The section below discusses the different options, and the most appropriate one depends mainly on your financial status.
- Using cash bail — You pay your full bail amount to the holding facility. If you follow your release conditions and make your court appearances, the court will refund the money after your criminal case is closed.
- Property bond — It involves the court placing a lien on the asset, and you using the property as collateral to secure your bail. Property bonds entail extensive paperwork and might be time-consuming to process.
- Working with a bail bondsman — If you cannot afford to post your entire bail, you can contact a qualified Imperial County bail bonds company, which will post your surety bonds with the court. In return, you will pay a ten percent fee of the total bail amount. The premium is nonrefundable.
You can also use a seasoned Imperial County bail bonds service provider if you want to avoid scrutiny after being charged with a felony crime, like drug trafficking or embezzlement. Typically, the court will hold the amount you post if it believes it originated from a felonious transaction. In this case, the court will schedule a PC 1275 hearing where you should prove the origin of your bail money.
Factors that Affect How Long It Takes for the Jail to Release You After Posting Bail
After paying the premium, your bail bonds firm will post the surety bonds with the court. The duration it takes to secure your release after posting bail depends on various factors, including the following:
- Holding facility volume and staffing—If you are held in a large jail, you will wait longer for your release. You will secure a prompt release if the jail has more personnel.
- Day of the week and time of the day—Typically, release is faster during normal business hours when full jail personnel are on duty
- The jail will take longer to release you if there is an outstanding warrant from another jurisdiction, an immigration hold, or a pretrial hold against you. Your seasoned Imperial County bail bonds company should check for potential holds during your intake process so an expected delay does not blindside you.
- Complexity of your criminal case—If you are prosecuted for a felony, you will require more paperwork and verification steps, which means a longer release process.
You can speed up your release process by doing the following:
- Contacting your Imperial County bail bonds service provider once the judge sets bail
- Ensure you have the right details when calling the bail bondsman. The details include the accused's name, birthday, the alleged criminal charges, name and address of the holding facility, and booking number.
- Respond promptly to requests and calls from the bail bondsman
- Be cooperative and relaxed
What Happens When You Skip Bail
If you jump bail, your Imperial County bail bonds firm is financially responsible for paying the entire bail amount. To avoid incurring losses, the bail bondsman will seize the collateral you used to secure your bail bond. The bail bondman can also hire a bounty hunter to locate, arrest, and return you to police custody.
Other things that will happen after jumping bail include the following:
- The court will issue your arrest warrant
- You might face additional criminal charges depending on the facts of your case
Sometimes, the defendant can present valid excuses for missing their court hearing if circumstances beyond their control prevent them from appearing in court. The judge has the discretion to determine whether your excuse is enough to beat the bail-jumping charge. Proving that you were severely sick is a valid excuse, but you require robust proof of your ailment. Please note that deliberate intoxication is not a viable defense.
Courthouse, Jail, and Police Department Contact Details and Address
Imperial County Superior Court
Imperial City Police Department
Imperial County Sheriff's Office
Imperial Regional Detention Facility
Find a Reliable Bail Bondsman Near Me
When police arrest you and the prosecutor charges you with criminal conduct, you will remain detained awaiting your trial, which could alter your daily routine. To secure your freedom, you can post bail, provided you qualify. Unfortunately, the judge can set bail so high that you can't afford it, based on various factors, including your criminal record.
24 Hour Bail Bond can facilitate your prompt and affordable pretrial release at a ten percent premium. If you cannot afford the premium, we can work with you to develop a payment plan that suits your budget. We can also answer your questions. Please contact us at 800-930-8999 to learn more about our Imperial County bail bonds services.