If the police have arrested you and charged you with a crime, there is a lot you must figure out in so little time. While getting arrested is a traumatic experience for most people, you owe yourself the favor of thinking straight and acting fast. The sooner you can overcome the fear, confusion, and despair of finding yourself on the wrong side of the law, the sooner you can begin working on returning home to your loved ones. At the 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we can come to your rescue and help you process your release. We offer easy and affordable bail bonds in Torrance, Los Angeles County, and are always happy to make the situation of arrestees a bit easier.

An arrest is merely the start of a lengthy legal process. From a legal perspective, you are innocent of the allegations made against you until the prosecution can prove they are true. In between an arrest and your trial date, the law allows you to post bail and return to your usual routines as long as you attend all court dates until your trial. If you have trouble raising the bail money, a bond dealer can provide the much-needed financial help.

A Detailed Definition of Bail in Torrance, Los Angeles County

The bail system in Torrance governs the status of arrestees facing criminal charges. This system kicks in after an arrest until the trial date. Generally, bail ensures the presence of the accused at trial.

The state can accommodate suspected offenders until the court determines whether they are guilty or innocent. However, the court may also consider releasing arrestees on bail until their fate is determined during the trial. The judge often frees defendants by issuing citations if they face charges for infractions or minor misdemeanors such as driving violations and traffic tickets. But, a judge is likely to set bail if you face charges for major misdemeanors or felonies.

Here are other essential aspects you should know:

Bail for Civil Actions

The bail system also works during civil lawsuits. If someone files a civil suit against you, the police will make a civil arrest to ensure your presence in court to respond to a plaintiff’s claims. Like a criminal arrest, a civil arrest ensures you don’t run away to avoid litigation. Moreover, it dissuades defendants from attempting to dispose or conceal their assets to prevent a plaintiff from collecting if a claim prevails.

During civic actions, bail ensures that a defendant shows up for their trial and guarantees a settlement if ordered by the court. The court will demand the bail amount based on the estimated damages highlighted in the lawsuit. Again, a judge can increase, reduce or deny bail based on the unique facts of a case.

Criminal Prosecution Bails in Torrance

During criminal prosecutions, bail prevents the incarceration of a defendant before the trial. At the same time, it ensures an accused appears during all the hearings. Unless you pose a flight risk, are a danger to other people, or are facing charges for a capital offense, a judge will likely release you on bail or your own recognizance.

There are certain bail conditions a judge may set before your release. These conditions may restrict your residence, personal associations, or even your extent of travel. Note that violating the conditions of release can end you back in jail.

The Discretion of the Judge

It is up to a judge to decide whether you are eligible for release on bail. The specialist will evaluate the circumstances of your case, your criminal past, and even your likelihood to attend your court dates.

If the judge denies bail and you oppose their decision, your attorney can file a petition for a case review. However, the chances of success will highly depend on whether your legal team can prove that a judge abused their power. Usually, the court’s decision regarding bail is fixed and can only be modified for a good cause.

Breach and Forfeiture of Bail

In both civil and criminal prosecutions, a breach of bail occurs when a defendant deliberately refuses to show up in court to answer their charges. This is also known as “skipping bail” or “jumping bail.”

The primary requirement in all bail arrangements is the defendant’s mandatory appearance in court. Jumping bail is an offense that may leave you facing felony or misdemeanor charges, depending on the specific circumstances. When you breach the terms of a bond by failing to appear for hearings, the judge will enter a judgment of Forfeiture of the bail.

It is possible to appeal this judgment if you have a valid excuse for failing to attend a court date. If you don’t, the court will forfeit your cash, property, or bail bond and issue a warrant of arrest against you. Irrespective of the type of bail you post, it is in your best interests to ensure punctual presence during all hearings until the trial.

Common Types of Bail Bonds in Torrance

Several methods are in place for releasing arrestees on bail. The ideal way for you may highly depend on your financial means and the unique specifics of your case.

As aforementioned, the main aim of the bail system is to ensure that defendants have a vested interest in being present during all court dates until their trial. A judge sets the bail amount in light of the severity of the charges you face, among other factors. If you are eligible for release on bail, you can secure your freedom and use your time away from jail to build your defense case.

Here are the most common types of bail:

Cash Bond

A cash bond, as the name implies, is a type of bail bond paid in cash. Note that you will need to have the total bail amount in hard currency or have the ability to pay it through a credit card or check.

If you have liquid money, cash bail could be your best option. As long as you adhere to the set terms of release, the court will refund your cash upon completing your case. This is regardless of whether you are acquitted or sentenced.

Sometimes, it makes sense to consider other alternatives, such as a surety bond, even if you can afford cash bail. A bail bond may come in handy if you face charges that may trigger an inquiry into your finances. If you face extortion charges, for instance, the court or prosecutor may demand an investigation into the source of your bail by placing a PC 1275 hold on your bail.

Through the services of a bail bondsman, you can avoid disclosing your financial affairs. By extension, this protects you from the risk of the prosecution unveiling information that may harm the outcome of your case.

Property Bond

A property bond, as the name suggests, comes in the form of assets or collateral. If you don’t have liquid money but have estates, jewelry, or other assets whose equity is greater than the bail amount, a property bond is an ideal option to consider. Again, the court will return your property as long as you follow through with your case until the trial.

The main downside to a property bond is that the release process may take a while. The court will require you to take the property you wish to use as a bond through a valuation, inspection, and paperwork process. This provides up-to-date information about the equity of the property minus any liens placed against it.

Surety Bond

If posting cash or property bail bonds is not an option you can consider, you have the alternative of obtaining a surety bond. Such bonds are offered by bond agencies such as the 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds. The agency will only demand 10% of the bail amount as an upfront commission for their services. If you attend your court hearings as promised, you will not receive a refund of the bondsman's fee, although you will also not need to raise your bail money.

Most people cannot raise the set bail amount, especially if they face charges for major misdemeanors or felonies. For instance, some offenses attract a bail amount that can be as high as $10,000. If you don’t have such money, you can still secure your freedom from jail by paying a $1,000 bondsman's fee.

Before you decide to apply for a surety bond, note that the bonds agent has to pay the full bail amount to the court if you skip court. In such an event, you have to pay the lost money and return to jail. Bail bonds companies work with bounty hunters who ensure that the re-arrest of fugitives is swift.

Personal Recognizance Bond

Another type of bond that could have you released from jail is a personal recognizance bond. This type of bond allows defendants to secure their freedom without spending a penny. You will only need to promise the court that you will be present during all sessions until your case is determined.

Personal recognizance bonds are only available to defendants with clean criminal pasts who face charges for low-risk cases. You may also qualify for the bond if you have steady employment or based on your history of residence and strong community ties.

Like any other type of bond, it is a crime to violate the terms of a personal recognizance bond willfully. Apart from facing additional charges, failure to follow all the set terms of release could force a judge to issue a warrant of arrest against you.

Citation Bond

If the police charge you with a minor violation, the arresting officer will give you a citation bond. This is a written document indicating that you must appear before the court on a scheduled date.

Surety bonds in Torrance offer an affordable and convenient method of securing your freedom from jail. At the 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we can provide a surety bond and lend a hand with the release process. Our licensed agents work round the clock to ensure all our clients receive fast and stress-free assistance when they need it.

Compelling Reasons to Post Bail

Once the police arrest you in Torrance, there are two options at your disposal. These two options include:

  1. Remain in custody until your trial

  2. Post bail and reunite with your family

Even though the bail system is not necessarily against the poor, the cash and property bond options don’t always suit defendants that are not financially endowed. On the bright side, you have various bond options to choose from, and surety bonds are easier on the wallet.

So, should you opt for a surety bond?

Here are good reasons to post bail through and bail bonds agent and secure your release from jail:

The Period Between Your Arrest and Trial Date Can Be Lengthy

If you don’t post bail, the other option you have is to remain in custody until your trial date. Contrary to popular belief, not all trials take place a few weeks following an arrest. Depending on the nature of your offense, a case may drag on for a lengthy period, forcing you to spend months or years in remand.

In states that have banned professional bail bond agents, it isn’t foreign for arrestees to spend as long as 14 months in jail while awaiting trial. Fortunately, bail bonds companies are legal and licensed in California. If you cannot afford liquid money or property with sufficient equity, a bond dealer can provide affordable help with posting bail.

An Arrest Can Bring Your Life to a Standstill

Nothing much happens in jail. If you cannot post bail, you’ll just have to remain in jail until your trial date. In the meantime, your time in custody will rob you of a chance to carry out your responsibilities. You will not have the opportunity to work and make ends meet for your loved ones, not to mention that you may not see them as often as you should.

They say that time wasted cannot be recovered. You can always recover the bondsman fees if you can secure your freedom and return to work. Being released from jail will also help you work closely with your lawyer to increase the odds of the court dropping the charges or acquitting you.

Jail Isn’t Comfortable

Your stay in prison will not be comfortable. Your homemade meals are certainly better than state-served dinners. Moreover, it takes time to adjust to living among strangers and even sharing specific amenities with them. The worst part is that you must adapt to a new routine and exercise, shower, and eat according to the jail schedule.

Humans have an inherent yearning to be free. Because a judge will not consider your time in remand as part of your sentence, you may feel a little tempted to plead guilty and start serving your time. In contrast, defendants preparing for their trial outside jail feel more motivated to protect their freedom and future.

At the 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we understand the pain of remaining in jail. That is why we provide fast and easy bail bonds that can help you secure your release and begin working on your trial. We want to ensure you can meet with your lawyer as frequently as necessary to go through the evidence, among other details of your case. You can also have a good night’s sleep and share good times with your family before the court decides your fate.

Torrance Jail & Court Information

Torrance has a temporary holding facility for people arrested within the area. If you fail to post bail, the authorities may move you to a bigger Los Angeles County facility.

Torrance Jail

Address: 3300 Civic Center Dr

Torrance, CA 90503

(310) 618-5631

Court Information

Torrance Courthouse

Address: 825 Maple Ave

Torrance, CA 90503

(310) 787-3700

Note that the temporary holding facility has lesser inmates. This makes processing a loved one out of jail easier and faster. It is in your best interests to ensure you post bail as soon as possible before your loved one is moved into the county facility.

Find a Bail Bonds Agent Near Me

Hiring a legal defense team is not cheap. If you find yourself in legal trouble, there are better ways to spend your savings than to tie them down by posting cash bail. At the 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, our surety bonds will only cost you a fee amounting to 10% of the bail amount. This ensures you can use your savings to retain a private attorney dedicated to fighting your charges.

If you are arrested in Torrance, Los Angeles County, give us a call immediately, and let’s start the process of securing your release. We are transparent with all our transactions, ensuring our clients don’t have to worry about hidden charges or unreasonable demands. Reach out to one of our trusted agents by calling 800-930-8999. We will answer any questions you have and hold your hand all through until your loved one returns home.