Being arrested in Kern County can have you worried about what will happen next. Jail is one of the last places a person would want to spend their time. Fortunately, you may qualify for bail, in which case you or your loved one can wait for the resolution of your case while out of jail. Even if you cannot afford the set bail amount, you can always secure a bail bond.
For many years, Kern County bail bonds have been a turning point for people who cannot afford bail. At 24 Hour Bail Bond, our bondsmen can help secure your or your loved one's release. We are available round the clock to ensure you do not spend any more time in custody than necessary. Call us and take the first step towards your pretrial freedom.
What Bail and Bonds Mean
You can obtain your pretrial freedom after being arrested by posting bail. Bail refers to the amount of money a court considers acceptable to secure a defendant’s pretrial release. The defendant deposits this money with the court, with the promise to appear on all required court dates. Bail then acts as a guarantee that the accused person will attend court proceedings.
On the contrary, a bail or surety bond refers to a financial guarantee provided to the court by a third party, usually a bail bonds company, on the defendant’s behalf. The primary difference between a bail bond and bail is that with a bond, you hire a bail bonds company to post bail for you.
The Kern County Bail Bonds Process
The Kern County bail bonds process follows several steps involving courts and bondsmen. Understanding these steps helps you know what to do once you or your loved one is arrested.
Arrest and Criminal Booking
The process typically starts with a criminal arrest. Once you are arrested, you will be transferred to the nearest local jail facility for booking. Booking entails fingerprinting, checking for pending warrants, taking mugshots, and feeding personal details into the police database. Booking could take 1 to 6 hours, contingent on the jail's workload and the time of your arrest (whether it occurred during a peak time, like on the weekend).
Setting of Bail
After booking, bail is set. For minor violations, bail amounts are set by law enforcement in accordance with the Kern County bail schedule. For severe violations, a judge might adjust the bail amount on the bail schedule during an arraignment or bail hearing. They consider factors such as public safety, criminal history, and flight risk when setting bail. For most common minor crimes, bail is usually set without first appearing for an arraignment or bail hearing.
Contacting a Bail Bonds Company
After bail is set, you will then have to contact a reliable local Kern County bail bonds agency to apply for a surety bond. Most bail bond agencies in Kern County work around the clock, including holidays, so that you can reach out to them at any time.
A bondsman, working for the bond agency, will request some information that they will use to process your bond. The information includes your name, birth date, booking number, accusations you face, bail amount, and jail location. For transparency, ask the bondsman to explain the fees and documents they require.
Premium Payment
After you have provided the necessary information, the bondsman will request payment of a nonrefundable premium. California law limits the bond premium in Kern County at 10% of the total bail value. So, for example, if your bail is $20,000, the premium will be $2,000.
Some Kern County bail bondsmen offer discounts to eligible clients. If you do not qualify for a discount and cannot pay the bond fee upfront, some agencies still offer flexible payment and financing plans to enable you to pay the premium over a period of time in more than one installment.
If the bail amount is high, the bondsman may need you to provide collateral to secure the bail bond. Collateral could be a property title, jewelry, or any other valuable property.
Bond Posting and Release
After the required payment is made, the bondsman will file the bail bond papers with the relevant court. The process for your release from custody starts. The process could take up to 12 hours, based on how busy the jail is. Once you are released, you will be given a court appearance schedule and must follow all the bail conditions.
If you skip bail, the bondsman will forfeit the bond money to the court. On the other hand, if you appear in court on all dates, the court refunds the bond amount. If the bondsman forfeits the bond amount, they may come after you to recover it or foreclose on your collateral.
How to Choose the Right Kern County Bail Bonds Company
Working with the right bail bonds company can be the difference between a quick release from jail and a delayed one. Undoubtedly, Kern County has hundreds of bond companies. So, how do you select a reliable one to work with? Consider the following factors:
- Ensure you check whether the company and its bondsmen are licensed and certified.
- Consider whether the company operates 24/7, in case you need to contact them in the middle of the night, on the weekends, or on holidays.
- Ensure the company is transparent. The bondsman should explicitly state all the required fees and bond contract terms.
- Check whether the bondsmen are familiar with local jail and court procedures.
- Check online for reviews of the company. Positive client reviews are a good sign.
Jail Information
Phone: 661-391-3100
Phone: 661-391-7900
Courthouse Information
Arraignment after an arrest in Kern County generally occurs at the Kern County Superior Court branch with jurisdiction over the crime's location. The primary adult arraignments for the greater Bakersfield area occur at the Metro Division:
Phone: 661-868-4934
Contact a Kern County Bail Bonds Service Near Me
Indeed, bail can sometimes be set too high in Kern County. However, that should not be the reason for you to sit in jail until your case is resolved. If you work with a reliable Kern County bail bonds company, you can secure your release within the shortest time possible. At 24 Hour Bail Bond, we provide speedy, professional assistance to clients seeking a bail bond. Even better, we operate 24/7, so you can reach us at any time, and we also provide flexible payment plans. Contact us at 800-930-8999 for a consultation.