You should not take a criminal charge lightly. A conviction can carry penalties like losing certain privileges and rights, fines, incarceration, and a criminal record. Bearing this in mind, you need to post bail immediately so you can return home and build your defense. Getting bail in Tustin could be tricky, but understanding your rights can assist you in securing your release. 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, a seasoned bail bond agency, invites you to read this article to learn what you need to understand about bail, bail bonds, and how our compassionate bail bond agents can help you.
How Bail and Bail Bonds Work in Tustin
In the American judicial system, there exists a presumption of innocence. Every individual is deemed innocent until proven guilty beyond any reasonable doubt. That means the state cannot hold a suspect in custody before they are convicted of the crime.
That is where bail comes in. Bail functions as a deposit or an assurance that ensures that the accused will make court appearances. If the defendant attends their court hearing and complies with the conditions of release, the court will refund the bail amount posted (minus court fees) once the criminal case is closed.
Securing a person’s release can be expensive, and many people do not have money ready to use when a relative or friend has been arrested. Generally, many will turn to bond dealers to cover the expense.
The bail bond agent will pay the money on your behalf. Tustin bail bonds function as a surety bond; the bondman will vouch for you that you will attend your court proceedings. Typically, they charge a fee (usually ten percent of your entire bail amount) for their services. The premium is non-refundable.
If you skip bail, the agent will seek compensation from you for the total bail amount. Since they vouched for you, they are accountable for paying back the court if you jump bail. Due to the financial risk involved, they might use a bounty hunter to find and return you to jail.
How Bail Amount is Determined in Tustin, California
While different California counties have bail schedules for various crimes, the law allows the judge to grant, deny, raise, or lower the bail amount. The judge sets bail during the initial court appearance, which might be either arraignment or bail hearing.
It is not a must that a criminal defense lawyer represents you during bail arraignment. You or your loved one can either post cash bail or use the Tustin bail bond agent’s services.
When setting bail, the judge considers the following factors:
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How serious the alleged crime is
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A criminal record could indicate the possibility of a person failing to obey the law following being bailed out.
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A stable employment record could mean that the defendant is less likely to skip town.
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The accused is more likely to comply with their bail conditions if they have strong community ties.
The 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution makes it illegal for the judge to set an excessive bail amount. It is because bail is neither designed to punish you nor raise money for the government.
Bail Schedules
In California, accused persons can pay bail with the law enforcement agency even before their initial court appearance. Many jurisdictions have bail schedules that outline bail amounts for most offenses. You get released immediately after posting the bail amount outlined in the bail schedule. Different jurisdictions, residencies, and crimes have different bail schedules.
Bail for a felony is about eight times the required bail for a California misdemeanor. The more severe and dangerous the offense is, the higher your bail amount. The bail schedule is not flexible, and the police don’t accept bail amounts other than what is in the schedule.
On top of jailhouse bail schedules, some courts have duty judges. The duty judge is available to determine the amount over a phone call without the need for a court hearing.
Law Enforcement Practices That Might Affect Your Bail Amounts
Regrettably, for those who want to secure their release fast, police officers tend to arrest individuals for the most severe crimes that case circumstances at their disposal could prove.
For example, the police might treat possession of a small amount of marijuana as a misdemeanor, while possession of bhang with intent to distribute is a felony. Even if the judge can reduce the criminal charges later to a California misdemeanor, it’s a California felony as far as bail amount determination and bail schedule is concerned.
Setting Bail Amount by Algorithm
Recently courts have started using math to make pretrial release decisions. Specific details about the accused person are entered into a program, and a recommendation or score is achieved.
The bail algorithm that considers different factors should analyze the risk of committing another offense or skipping bail. Common factors include the accused person’s:
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Current changes
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The previous record of skipping bail
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Criminal history
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Age
California Tried to Eliminate the Conventional Bail System
In 2018 California wanted to do away with cash bail. This new law was set to be effective in October 2019. It aimed to end the bail bond industry in California, but it was put on hold in January 2019, and in the November 2020 elections, voters rejected it.
Per the law that Governor Jerry Brown signed in 2018:
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A person charged with a low-level misdemeanor would be booked, processed, and released within twelve hours without undergoing an evaluation
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Most accused persons would be analyzed by risk assessment tools and be held in police custody or released depending on the risk score.
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Persons with high-risk scores or charged with violent felonies are less likely to be released.
Suspects released on their own recognizance would be released with supervised or unsupervised conditions.
Other than Tustin bail bond agencies, many people who initially supported the law ended up opposing the final version, thinking that it could result in more people spending a lot of time in jail as they await trial. They believe that a judge might want to detain a defendant to look tough on offense. Additionally, people questioned the cross-examined equity of a risk assessment tool used in the algorithm.
DUI Bail Bonds in Tustin
It is illegal to drive your motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You could even be convicted of DUI for operating a car while under the influence of prescription drugs.
California DUI laws are found in VC 23153 and VC 23152. Common DUI statutes include:
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VC 23152(a) makes it unlawful to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
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It is a crime under VC 23152(b) to drive with a blood alcohol concentration that exceeds 0.08 percent.
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VC 23152f bans any individual under the influence of a combination of alcohol or drugs to drive a car.
Other criminal charges that could be filed alongside, together with, or in place of DUI include:
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DUI with death or great bodily injury
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Gross vehicular manslaughter
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DUI refusal
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Child endangerment
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Vehicular manslaughter
If charged with a misdemeanor, you face the following penalties:
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Suspension of your driver’s license
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A maximum of one thousand and eight hundred dollars for a first-time DUI conviction
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A county-jail sentence
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Probation that ranges between three and five years
The drunk driving charges might be filed as a California felony if you have a previous DUI conviction. You will also face a felony if your conduct injures somebody else. A felony conviction carries more severe consequences and penalties, including time in state prison, increased fines, and revocation of your driver’s license.
All DUI defendants have a right to post bail and return home to prepare for their court case and build their case defense. More often than not, the set bail amount exceeds what the accused can afford. If you do not have loved ones from whom you can borrow money, you might require the assistance of a skilled Tustin bail bond agent. The agent can assist you in navigating the bail process and get released fast.
California requires all bondsmen to charge ten percent of the entire bail amount. In other words, if your bail is thirty thousand dollars, the bondsman will charge you three thousand dollars before posting your bail. Although it looks like this is lots of money, it is less than paying the full bail amount.
The law also permits discounted rates on DUI bail bonds under specific circumstances. For example, you could receive a discount if you hire a criminal defense lawyer and pay your premium in full within seventy-two hours. Discounts are also available to military members, government union workers, and American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) members. The surety company determines the discount rates.
24 Hour Online Bail Bonds is a premium company offering pocket-friendly rates. How can we claim this when all bondsmen have the same ten percent premium? On top of discounts, we offer flexible payment plans.
You can expect no surprises, no interest, no hidden fees, and a flat rate when you contact us. Unlike other agencies, we do not charge hidden fees such as travel expenses, annual premiums, posting fees, notary fees, late file premiums, processing fees, and financing interest.
How to Post Bail Online in Tustin
In a high-tech world, people want things at their fingerprints, including access to Tustin bail bonds. 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds is trying to make the process seamless by permitting you to submit a form online and fill out some documents and payment authorization forms to process your bail bond. Some of the information provided include the accused’s name and the required bail amount. Generally, the process is handled through email. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the bailing office at 800-930-8999.
To finalize your online bailout and pay the premium, you should submit your bank account details, valid identification like driver’s license, and proof of income.
It is best to contact your bondsman over the phone to process your bail bonds fast. It allows you to interact with them, ask your questions and provide the required information for a prompt release.
What Occurs If You Are Rearrested While On Bail?
Once you are out of detention, you should be on your best behavior. It is a bail condition that you should refrain from committing offenses and interacting with individuals who do.
If you are lucky, the judge might increase your bail amount or decide to impose more strict bail terms and conditions on your previous bail. You will also face new criminal charges, which might require posting another. However, the judge will think twice before granting bail because you did not comply with the rules in the first place. They will consider factors like your criminal record, your community ties, and whether you are a flight risk.
PC 12022.1 imposes more penalties on a felony defendant who commits another California felony while out on their own recognizance release or bail. If you get released from detention after committing a felony, the crime is a primary offense. And if you commit another felony while you have a pending case, the felony is a secondary offense.
If found guilty of both primary and secondary felonies, you will serve two more years in prison. If you are sentenced for your secondary felony first, the court will impose the two (2) years only when you are later sentenced for your primary felony.
From time to time, people are sentenced to California state prison for their primary offense and to jail for the secondary crime. In this case, they’ll serve an additional two years in prison instead of the county jail.
The court could also decide to revoke the bail and deny bail for the second criminal charge, meaning the police will return you to police custody until your trial. Once your bail is revoked, your Tustin bail bond agent and co-signer are released of accountability. However, that does not mean you will get a refund of your money. The bondsman won’t return your non-refundable premium to you. You could also lose any other funds paid liability, and further loss is your responsibility.
If the judge decides to give you another chance, ensure you follow the conditions of your release. Seek or maintain your employment, attend all the required court hearings, avoid taking alcohol and operating your car, and follow the curfew rules. Also, cleaning up your conduct as you await trial demonstrates to the court that you are taking accountability for your behavior, which might be instrumental at the trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not uncommon for the experienced bail bond agents at 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds to receive calls from clients who are at a loss following an arrest. Understandably, they are not familiar with the legal process and bail bond. Here are some of the commonly asked questions.
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Are Tustin Bail Bonds Public Records?
Just as the public can access some details in an arrest record, so are some bail bond details. Generally, a public record from your arrest includes your name, unless you are/were a minor, your age, and the crime. Through a bail bond agent, a public record might include:
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Your name
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Your co-signer’s name
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The bail amount
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The bail bonding company
However, you need to understand that confidentiality is vital when it comes to the bailing industry. Agencies have and should honor their Code of Ethics, and they should keep information provided to them private. However, if your bondsman has evidence about your criminal case, the prosecutor could subpoena the information for proof in your trial.
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Can a Bondman Detain or Arrest You in Another State Other Than the Bond Issuing Bond State?
There isn’t a straight answer. Every state has its bail rules, and some states will cooperate and help while others will not.
Nonetheless, some examples can help you. For instance, if the police pull you over for speeding your car, the police officer will see your outstanding arrest warrant. A bounty hunter or bond bail agent can locate you and most likely make a lawful arrest.
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How Do You Become a Flight Risk?
Knowing what a flight risk is cannot harm you. Instead, it can prevent unfortunate consequences.
Being labeled a flight risk can stop you from getting out of police custody on bail. And if the court grants bail, you will pay a considerable amount.
If your criminal charges are severe and you have the resources to avoid prosecution, the judge might consider you a flight risk. Consequently, it is crucial to hire a criminal defense lawyer who can stand with you and persuade the court that you are an ideal candidate for pretrial release.
Tustin Police Department, Court, and Jail Contact Information
Tustin Police Department
Phone: 714-573-3200
The police department has a holding facility that accommodates five guests. Generally, it houses suspects who are cited and released or waiting for transportation and resources to take them to the Orange County Sheriff’s Main Jail. The lobby is open from Monday to Friday between 9:00 AM and 5:00 AM.
If the Tustin Police Department arrested you, the officers might move you to Orange County’s Main Jail in Santa Ana.
The Sheriff's Department Main Jail Complex has separate housing facilities for both women and men. It holds at least one thousand and eight hundred persons. It is open for twenty-four hours. Here are the facility’s location and contact information:
For inmate records, you can contact 714-647-4666.
Central Justice Center
Find a Skilled Tustin Bail Bond Agent Near Me
An arrest in Tustin can be shocking and devastating. You can alleviate your frustration by contacting 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds at 800-930-8999. Our friendly agents can stand with you throughout the process and have you released promptly. Our bondsmen are available 24/7.