Bail bonds services provide a way for the courts to release you from custody before the ruling of your case. The court releases you when you post bail pending the hearing and ruling of your case. You pay a percentage of the bail amount the court sets to the bail bond agent. You will need to use the services of a bails bondsman to post bail on your behalf if you can’t raise the required bail amount.
The bail bondsman acts as your surety to the court that you will appear for all your court hearings. The court can forfeit the bond and demand the bail bond company pay the full bail amount should you fail to appear for the court hearings. According to California law, a bail bonds company should charge a maximum of 10% of the bail amount as the bond’s fee.
Do you or your loved one need to post bail in La Palma, CA? If so, at 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we have a long history of bailing clients out of jail quickly and efficiently. We have a great rapport with the prosecutors, judges, and police, which means we promptly process your bond.
Understanding The California Bail Bond Process in La Palma, California
Before the La Palma bail bond agent posts the bail on your behalf, you must enter a legal contract with the company. The legal contract states you will pay the full bail amount if you fail to show up for your hearings. You will also have to provide security for the bail bond, and the security should be of a higher value than the bail amount. The bail bond company will sell off the collateral to recover the money they will have to pay as bail if you fail to show up for your hearing.
In California, the law has fixed the bail bond at a maximum of 10% of the bail amount. If the court sets the bail at $50,000, a La Palma bail bonds agent can’t charge you more than $5,000 as the bond fee. However, the agent can charge you other additional costs.
California has a well-structured bail bond system and a majority of the bail bond agents are honest and reputable.
Can A California Judge Deny Bail Or Set Conditions For The Bail?
According to California Penal Code 270, you should be released on Own recognizance (“OR”) for a misdemeanor charge. However, the judge may set bail after consideration of certain factors. When the court releases you on OR, you don’t post any bail, and you promise in writing that you will appear for all your court hearings. In some cases, though, the judge sets a bail amount if the judge suspects you will not show up for court or you’re a danger to public safety.
California has a bail schedule that sets the bail amount for various crimes. But the law gives the judge discretion to set the bail amount. The judge can either increase, reduce or set bail as stipulated in the bail schedule. The court can deny you bail in some cases. If you’re charged with a severe felony like murder or threat to cause great bodily harm, the judge may deny you bail. The court can also deny you bail if you committed acts of violence or sexually assaulted another individual.
In most cases, though, the judge grants bail for less severe cases. However, the court can set conditions for the bail, which you have to follow strictly. For example, if you are charged with DUI, the judge may require you to attend AA meetings for a specified period. The court may also require you to wear a sobriety test device to measure your sobriety level. The judge may also require you to wear a location monitor device, especially if you’re charged with domestic violence or drug-related charges.
If you are charged with domestic violence, the judge may require you to stay away from the victim. The court may direct you not to make any contact and stay away from their home, social gatherings or place of work. If you’re accused of a drug-related crime, the court may require you to attend drug rehabilitation or counseling. The judge may also order you to undergo drug tests at various intervals. The courts may also require you to consent to abrupt police searches of your property even without a warrant. Remember, failure to adhere to these conditions may lead to the revocation of your bail.
What Bail Hearings In La Palma, California Involve:
The judge has to set bail before a La Palma bail bonds agent posts bail on your behalf. The judge sets the bail in a bail hearing. A bail hearing is the first appearance you make before a judge. The purpose of this hearing isn’t to determine whether you’re guilty or innocent. The primary purpose of the hearing is to determine if the court should release you on bail.
You can request a bail hearing. The bail hearing isn’t as intense as the trial. However, you will need to prove to the court why it should release you. Although you don’t require an attorney at the hearings, it’s essential to enlist the services of an experienced lawyer. Your attorney will present facts and persuade the court to release you on bond.
Your lawyer can request the court to let you go on Own Recognizance or reduce the bail amount. Remember, the decision of whether or not to grant you bail lies solely on the judge. The judge will consider some factors before they decide to release you on bail. They will consider your criminal history. They will also consider if you have previously violated bail terms and conditions. They will also consider the threat you pose to society should you be released. They will also consider your likelihood to attend the court hearings.
The judge will consider the circumstances of your arrest when determining your threat level to society. They also consider your criminal history. If you have many arrests, the judge may deny you bail. Also, if you have been previously arrested for DUI or DUID and caused an accident that led to an injury, the judge may consider you a threat to public safety and deny you bail.
Your lawyer can present some facts that can incline the judge to release you on bail. Your attorney can state you have family ties in the area and are not likely to skip court dates. Your lawyer can also state you own property in the area, and you have lived in the locality your whole life or a more significant part of your life. By doing so, your lawyer shows you have strong community ties, and you aren’t likely to leave town because of the case.
Remember, should you fail to show up in court, the La Palma bail bonds agent can use a bounty hunter to take you back into custody.
What The California Criminal Process Entails
In California, the criminal process starts with an investigation, arrest and alignment. The judge sets your bail at the alignment stage. The police can arrest you if they witness you committing a crime. In other cases, the police will investigate if they suspect you have committed a crime. The investigation typically involves questioning eyewitnesses, requesting anyone with information to come forward and carrying out property searches. At other times, the police may invite you for questioning. If the police reach out to you for questioning, you should revoke your Fifth Amendment right, which protects you against self-incrimination. Instead, you should enlist the help of an attorney who will speak on your behalf.
Your attorney may even persuade the prosecutor to drop the case by showing the evidence isn’t enough to warrant a case. However, the police will commence with the arrest if they have enough evidence.
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Step 1: Arrest
It’s a common misconception that the police need to read you the Miranda rights immediately after the arrest. According to the law, the police should read you the rights before the interrogation. However, you should remain silent during the arrest process as anything you say or do can be used against you in court. Once the authorities arrest you, the prosecution must press charges within 24 hours. If the prosecution fails to press any charges, the authorities must release you. Once the prosecutor files the charges, you will be arraigned in court.
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Step 2: Arraignment
After your arrest, the authorities will arraign you in court. At the arraignment, the prosecution reads your charges, and you have the option to enter a plea. You can either plead guilty, not guilty or “nolo contendere,” commonly known as a no-contest plea. If you plead guilty or “no contest,” the next step is sentencing.
However, most defendants enter a not–guilty plea. Once you plead not guilty, the judge will determine if you can be released on bail pending your trial. The judge might set a high bail amount depending on the charges. If you or your loved one can afford the bail, you can pay it in cash. However, if you can’t afford bail, you can use the services of a La Palma bail bonds agent.
Bail is the amount of money you post with the court to ensure you attend all your court hearings. However, you can request the judge to reduce the bail amount. California has recently repealed its laws to make it illegal for authorities to hold you into custody based solely on your inability to post bail. In most cases, you will be released without bail except for severe felonies and if the prosecution proves you pose a threat to society. For example, if you’ve been arrested for child molestation, the judge may insist you post bail. They may also attach requirements to the bail. The judge may instruct you not to approach any amenities where children gather, including schools and parks.
What Does It Mean To Be A Bail Bonds Cosigner?
Many La Palma bail bonds agents may require the defendant to find a cosigner. Cosigning a bail bond is a huge financial responsibility which you shouldn’t take lightly. When you cosign a bail bond, you’re responsible for paying the bail amount should the defendant fail to appear in court. It’s critical to understand your decision’s financial and legal ramifications before committing yourself to be a cosigner.
When you cosign a bail bond, it means you are responsible for paying the bail amount should the defendant fail to show up in court. The judge may set a high bail amount which becomes difficult for the defendant to pay. In such a case, the defendant may seek the services of a bail bonds agent. The agent will require collateral to secure the bail should the defendant fail to appear in court. As a cosigner, you may have to offer some collateral to secure the bail. Some of the collateral you can offer include a house, vehicle or land.
You should be extremely careful with the kind of asset you put up as collateral. If the defendant fails to show up for the hearing, the La Palma bail bonds company may be forced to sell off your asset to recover their cost. However, before the bail bondsman dispossesses your asset, they give you a chance to contact the defendant. Before you agree to be a cosigner, it's critical to understand what the contract stipulates. Before signing the contract, some of the factors you should consider include the defendant’s character, the documentation needed, your responsibilities, and financial liabilities.
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Defendant’s Character
Before committing yourself to be a cosigner, you must know the defendant’s character. You should find out if they are repeat offenders. You should co-sign for a responsible person who will not skip town and leave you in deep financial trouble. Only cosign for people whose character you know well.Some of the best people to cosign for are close family members. With a family member, you already have an existing relationship and you know the characteristics of the individual well.
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Documentation
Remember, when you agree to cosign the defendant, you are signing a legally binding document. The contract will also ask for personal information, including your employer’s information and bank details. Eligibility for co-signing a bail bond includes US citizenship, a stable income source, and an excellent credit rating. You should also have lived in the area for a specified time.
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Personal Responsibility
Remember, you assume personal responsibility once you cosign a bail bond. You have to ensure the defendant doesn’t miss their court hearings. Bail doesn’t free the defendant from the obligation of attending their hearing. If the defendant fails to show up in court, the La Palma bail bonds may be forced to dispose of your asset. They sell the asset to recover their costs if the court forfeits the bail amount they had posted on behalf of the defendant.
Jail And Court Information In Or Near La Palma:
La Palma Correctional Center
Orange County Sheriff's Department
Phone: 714 647 4666
Theo Lacy Facility
Phone: 714 935 6940
Anaheim City Detention Facility
Phone: +1 714 765 1826
Century Regional Detention Facility
Phone: +1 323 568 4500
Twin Towers Correctional Facility
Phone: 213 473 6100
Court Information In Or Near La Palms:
Lamoreaux Justice Center
Telephone: (657) 622-6878
North Justice Center
Telephone: (657) 622-8459
Call A Bail Bonds Company Near Me in La Palma:
Determining and posting bail are essential elements of the California court process. Bail allows the court to release you before your sentencing. When you’re out on bond, the court sets terms and conditions you must follow. Failure to follow these conditions could lead to your arrest. You can pay the bail in cash if you have enough money.
However, in most cases, the courts set the bail high. If you or your loved ones and friends don’t have the required amount, you can use the services of a bail bonds company. The bail bonds company posts the bail on your behalf, and the court releases you from jail. However, you have to sign a contract with the bail bonds agent. Bail bond agents usually charge a 10% fee premium of the total bail amount. If you fail to appear in court, the bail bond company can use bounty hunters to take you back into custody.
If you or your loved one needs to post bail, you want to hire a La Palma bail bonds agent of your choice. At 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we have bailed defendants from prison for over 20 years. We have a wealth of experience, and you will be out on bail in the shortest time. Do not hesitate to contact us at 800-930-8999.