The process of posting bail could seem simple. You might have the idea that once you’re arrested, the judge sets a particular bail amount, which you pay, and the court sets you free. Although that’s how bail works, the process is more complicated. If you’re arrested, the court may set the bail at a high amount, making it impossible to afford. The court can set the bail at $50,000, and you could not raise the amount within a short time. Luckily, you can use the services of a bail bonds agent. In California, the bail bonds agents charge a 10% premium of the bail amount.
At 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we are the bail bond agent of choice. We understand the California bail bond system extremely well, which means we will post your bail quickly and effectively. If you or your loved one needs to post bail in Brea, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Let’s dive right into it!
Understanding California Arrest, Bail, Jail, And Criminal Justice System in Brea
Bail is money you pay to the court after your arrest. Bail allows the court to set you free before it determines your case. California has a bail schedule that stipulates the bail amount for each crime. However, the judge has discretion and can lower or increase the bail amount. The purpose of bail is to ensure you attend all your court hearings. The court can release you on bail at various stages of the trial. The judge can release you on bail immediately after your arrest or after the court has issued a sentence.
In California, the authorities can release you immediately after an arrest, release you after the court sets bail, or keep you in custody until the court passes judgment on your case. If the court sets a significant amount as bail, you can use the services of a Brea bail bonds agent. The agent posts the bail on your behalf at a fee. According to California law, the bail bond agent shouldn’t charge you more than 10% of the bail amount. However, the bail bond agent can charge other additional fees. Remember, the bail bond fee and other additional costs are non-refundable.
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Step 1: Arrest
The authorities take you to custody after they arrest you. The officers will take you to jail or a holding facility. At the precinct, the police officers will book you. In some cases, the police may release you without pressing any charges. If the law enforcement officers file charges, you will have to remain in custody until the court releases you on bail or the judge passes judgment on your case.
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Step 2: Booking
The authorities will take your photo and record your personal information during the booking process, including your name, age, date of birth, and fingerprints.
Post-Arrest And Detention Procedure In Brea, California
Once the police book you, they can release you after you promise that you’ll appear in court in writing. They can also release you after you pay bail or keep you in custody until the court holds the bail hearing. In California, it’s possible to pay bail in the precinct for some offenses.
Understanding How Bail Schedules Work In California
According to the law, each jurisdiction has a bail schedule. The purpose of the schedule is to offer a guide to the amount of bail payable for each crime. The bail amount for severe crimes is usually higher.
The law gives the judge discretion to either increase or decrease the bail amount. In California, you must attend a bail hearing for most severe felonies. Some of the crimes whose bail is determined through a bail hearing include domestic violence charges, rape, violence causing great bodily harm and other similar severe charges.
Bail Hearings In Brea, California
The main purpose of a bail hearing is to set bail. The court determines the appropriate bail amount during the hearing. Remember, the court isn’t under obligation to set bail. The judge can deny you bail depending on the circumstances of your case. The court considers several factors before it decides to release you on bail. Some of these factors include:
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The Flight Risk You Pose
If you face serious charges that carry a long sentence, the court may consider you a high flight risk. Due to the long prison sentence, you might be tempted to leave town. Therefore, the court may set high bail or deny you bail altogether.
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Connections You Have In The Community
If you have strong community ties, the judge may be inclined to release you on bail. You can prove you have community ties by stating you own a local business, your entire family lives in the area, or you work in the jurisdiction.
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Family Obligations
If you have family obligations, the judge may be inclined to release you on bond. The court will most likely free you on bail if you’re the primary breadwinner. The judge may also set a lower bail amount.
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Your Criminal History
Another factor the judge considers is your criminal history. If you have a history of committing offenses, the court may not release you on bail. On the other hand, if you’re a first-time offender, the judge may be inclined to release you on bond. Also, the court may refuse to free you on bail bond if you have a history of violating the bail conditions.
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Your Financial Position
Another factor the court considers is your financial position. If you are wealthy and have a lot of property, the court may set a substantial amount as bail. If the court sets a low amount, the bail will not deter you, and you may fail to show up in court. On the other hand, if you aren’t very wealthy, the court will set a lower bail amount. However, if you can’t afford the set bail, you can use the services of a Brea bail bonds agent. The agent pays the bail on your behalf and secures your release.
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Severity Of The Crime
Severe crimes attract a higher bail amount compared to the less severe crimes. If you’re accused of minor theft, the bail amount may be $1000. But if you’re accused of a serious offense like rape, the bail amount may be more than $100,000.
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Risk You Pose To The Community
If your release poses a threat to the community’s safety, the courts may refuse to free you on bail. If you’re charged with a serious crime like conspiring to commit terrorism acts, the court may hesitate to release you on bail.
Bail Conditions In California
Apart from setting bail, the courts also impose the terms and conditions of the bail. If you violate the bail conditions, the courts may order your arrest. The court will also forfeit any bail you will have posted. Some of the bail conditions in California include:
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Checking Regularly With A Pretrial Officer
Similar to parole, you have to check in with a pretrial officer when the court releases you on bail. The role of the pretrial services officers is to ensure you adhere to the bail’s conditions.
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The Court May Issue Orders Not To Contact The Victim.
If you’re facing domestic violence, stalking, threatening to cause physical harm, or other similar charges, the court may issue a restriction order. The order prohibits you from making any contact with the alleged victim.
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Employment Status
If you’re employed, the court will implore you to remain in employment while out on bail. If you aren’t employed, the court will implore you to seek employment.
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Restriction On Your Travels
The court doesn’t usually allow you to leave the jurisdiction if it releases you on bail, and you can only leave if the court gives you express permission.
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Abstinence From Substance Abuse
If you are charged with a DUI or drug-related crime, the court may instruct you to attend drug or alcohol rehabilitation. The court may also instruct you to refrain from using drugs or alcohol.
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Firearm Restriction
The court may direct you to surrender your firearm even if the charge doesn’t involve using a firearm. The court may also bar you from acquiring a firearm.
Understanding Bail Bonds In Brea, California
The court can set bail even after the judge has passed a judgment on your case in some cases. Usually, you start serving your jail sentence immediately after the court passes judgment on your case. If the court sentences you to ten years in prison, the police will escort you to jail immediately, where you start serving your prison sentence. However, the court can release you on bail once you file an appeal. If the court sentences you to ten years, the judge may release you on bail until a higher court hears your appeal.
Bail Payment Procedure In Brea, California
In California, you have to visit the jail or courthouse where your loved one is being held to post bail. If you don’t have enough cash to post bail, you can use the services of a Brea bail bonds agent. A court official or an appointed official is responsible for receiving the bail payment. It’s critical to have some vital information if you’re posting bail on behalf of your loved one. The information the official receiving bail will require includes the defendant’s full name, the case or the police booking number, and the amount you should pay as bail. The official will confirm the bail amount.
It takes for the defendant to be released after you post bail varies. Sometimes, they can be released immediately or the process may take a while. If the official receiving bail is in the same building as the defendant, the release may happen fast. However, if the official is a different site from the defendant, the release may take a while.
In California, you can make bail payments with cash, credit or debit card, or other acceptable financial instruments.
Different Types Of Bail Bonds In Brea, California
California has various types of bail bonds available. They include cash bail, and the courts can release you on Own Recognizance, unsecured or signature bond or a bail bond.
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Cash Bail
You can pay the bail in cash if you have enough money, and the judge will free you. Paying cash bail is cheaper than other methods. The court will refund your cash if you attend all your court hearings. However, the court may deduct certain expenses from the bail you posted. After determining your case, you can use the cash bail to pay any fines the court charges you. You can also use cash bail to pay for your legal fees. However, you can’t use the bail to pay for restitution if the court orders you to compensate your victims.
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Own Recognizance Bond
Another type of bail bond is called Own Recognizance. Under “OR,” the judge releases you from custody without paying anything. However, you have to promise that you will attend all your court hearings in writing. If you fail to honor the bond terms, the judge will issue a warrant for your arrest.
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Unsecured Bond
An unsecured bond is similar to an Own Recognizance bond. However, with an unsecured bond, the court sets a bail amount. The court will demand you to pay the set bail should you fail to appear for all your hearings or should you violate the terms and conditions of the bail.
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Secured Bond
Under a secured bond, you offer the court security or collateral. The collateral ensures you will attend all your court hearings and comply with the bail conditions. The value of the collateral should be equal to the bail amount. If you fail to honor the bail terms or skip town, the court can sell the property to cater for the bail.
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Bail Bond
A bail bond is different from other types of bail since you use the services of a bails bond agent. The court can set a high amount as bail, and you may not have enough cash or property to secure the bail. In such a case, you can use the services of a Brea bail bonds agent. You pay the bail bond agent a percentage of the bail amount as a fee. It’s against the law in California for a bail bond agent to charge you more than 10% of the bail amount. If the bail amount is $100,000, the Brea bail bonds agent should charge you a maximum of $10,000. Remember, the fee you pay to the bail bond agents is non-refundable.
Although California has many bail bonds companies, it's critical to choose one with an outstanding reputation. You can find out about the services of a bail bonds company by performing a search on various search engines, including Google. You can also ask about the bail bonds company from your friends and relatives. Most Brea bail bonds agents offer a flexible repayment plan. Once the bail bond agent posts bail on your behalf, the authorities may release you immediately or after a few hours.
The Brea bail bond agent will require you to offer collateral to secure the bail bond. If the bail amount is $100,000, the bail bond agent will require you to surrender collateral whose value is more than $100,000. Some of the properties you can offer as collateral include a house, vehicle, or land. If you fail to show up for your hearings, the court will demand the full bail amount from the Brea bail bonds agent.
Court And Jail Information Near Or Around Brea
Court Information
North Justice Center
Telephone: (657) 622-6878)
Norwalk Courthouse
Telephone: (562) 345-3700
Lamoreaux Justice Center
West Justice Center
Telephone: (657) 622-8459
Jail Information In Brea
California Institution for Men
Phone: (909) 597-1821
Theo Lacy Facility
Phone: 1 714 935 6940
Anaheim City Detention Facility
Phone: +1 714 765 1826
California Institution for Women
Phone: +1 909 597 1771
California City Correctional Facility
Phone: +1 760 373 1764
Twin Towers Correctional Facility
Phone: +1 213 473 6100
Call A Bail Bond Agent Near Me
Understanding how bail bonds work in California is critical. You or your loved one could face arrest and need to post bail. The court sets bail to ensure you attend your court hearings. If you fail to adhere to the bail conditions, the court can forfeit the bail money. The judge will also issue an arrest warrant. If you don’t have enough cash, you can use the services of a Brea bail bonds agent who will post the bail on your behalf at a fee.
At 24 Hour Online Bail bonds, we have a high ethical standard to treat our clients with utmost professionalism. We apply a hands-on approach when posting bail on your behalf. If you or your loved one needs to post bail in Brea, don’t hesitate to call us at 800-930-8999.