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When a complainant or a police officer raises alarm over your illegal actions, law enforcement officers conduct the arrest. However, the need to form probable cause before apprehending you to ensure you do not face an unfair process.
Typically, probable cause varies depending on the committed offense. For example, involvement in a DUI requires the arresting officer to establish that you were under the influence when driving. Without forming probable cause, you can rightfully protest the arrest and request for a review or release.
Upon apprehension, the police will then transport you to the nearest police station for detention. When you arrive at the station, the officers in charge will begin the booking process. Booking happens before you proceed to a cell unless many arrested suspects are awaiting the process.
The importance of a booking process is to ensure the police department captures your information for current and future reference.
The bail bond schedule is available for reference at the police station, allowing you to estimate the amount that the judge may require. After completing the booking process, the presiding police officer should help you go over the document for easier preparation.
You should remember that the schedule provides descriptions for various offenses and lists the bail bond amount. Subsequently, you will need to know the charges you face, especially unfamiliar with Penal Code provisions. The police officers will offer additional guidance in determining your possible charge.
Having determined the approximate amount of bail or bond you will pay, you can request to speak to a loved one or a bail bonds agent. In doing so, you will be one step ahead in preparing for the bail bond hearing.
Statutory requirements dictate that an arrested suspect should be arraigned in court for a bail bond hearing within twenty-four hours of arrest. However, an exception applies to persons arrested over the weekend, as courts resume sessions on Monday.
When appearing before the presiding judge, you will receive several questions. Firstly, the judge requires you to state your plea; whether you are guilty or not guilty. Afterward, the bail hearing begins, leading to an analysis of your case.
Although the bail bond schedule provides the estimated prices to pay, the judge retains discretion in granting bail. Further, they may enhance or reduce the amount depending on several factors. Due to this, you want to be ready to respond to the posed questions.
Bail is the most commonly used means to exit jail after the judge clears you. Therefore, understanding how it works will help you prepare and comply with the judge’s directions.
You can explore various ways to post bail, depending on your financial capacity. However, the set bail amount may invoke indirect limits to some payment methods due to transaction limits. Therefore, you want to select a suitable option for a fast and reliable transaction. The various ways to post bail are:
Alternatively, the judge may decide to issue bond payment directives. The option is often reserved for offenders involved in more severe offenses amounting to felonies. Often, most bond directives require you to hand over the lien over specific property or valuable items to the court.
They would hold it within their control until your trial is complete and revert it to you if you completed the attendance requirements. On the other hand, failure to make the necessary attendances may jeopardize your entitlement to your property.
Upon approaching a bail bonds agent, they will pay the entire fee required in court on your behalf. They do this in exchange for a service fee discussed in detail below. However, since the bail bond company needs to maintain its operations, they require you to provide collateral.
To avoid future disputes, you will need to agree on the collateral item before the bail bond transaction is complete. Further, deciding on the preferred time will give you the necessary freedom to secure your release from jail.
Once the bail or bond is paid and you exit jail, you will begin making payments for the bail bond services. Although most clients will comply with the requirement, some may refuse to complete the transactions.
In California, bail bond service providers follow a specific billing system for the services issued. The amount is regulated at 10% of the total amount payable to the court. Since it is not a fixed amount, your Los Alamitos bail bonds agent will have experience in handling multiple transactions.
While the 10% fee is widely considered fair, some clients may still find it challenging to make the necessary payments. This often happens when the bail or bond amount is set at an extremely high fee, leading to a direct increase in the service fee. For example, if your bail amount is set at $200000, you will still have to pay $20,000 to the bail bonds agent.
