Bail bonds services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the Palm Springs jail. In the following article we will discuss frequently asked questions about bail bonds services in Palm Springs.
A relative or friend being put in police custody is stressful and traumatic regardless of the case's circumstances. If this is the first time you are dealing with the California judicial system, the matter can be more complicated. Probably, the initial step you want to take is securing your relative or friend’s release. To secure the release, you should post bail to the court. Since the set bail amount can be too huge for you to raise, you might require Palm Spring bail bonds. In the section below, 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds explains what bail and bail bonds are.
Where to post bail in Palm Springs:
Palm Springs Jail
200 S Civic Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Defining Bail
Bail is the money a judge determines is fair for releasing the accused person from detention. It is an arrangement between the defendant and the court. Essentially, to secure the release, you pay your bail amount and agree to attend all court hearings throughout the criminal justice process.
If you comply with all bail conditions, the court will refund you the amount posted once the criminal case is closed. It does not matter whether you are sentenced or not. If you skip bail, the court will forfeit your bail.
Once you are arrested for an offense, you will be taken to detention, processed, and booked. Booking means your personal details and report of the alleged criminal activity are entered into the law enforcement computer system. The police will take your property, fingerprints, photograph you and then assign a cell.
Then a bail hearing where the judge sets your bail amount is scheduled. Typically, the hearing happens within forty-eight hours of your arrest.
Bail Schedule
Even before their arraignment or bail hearing, defendants can pay bail with the law enforcement agency in all California counties. Jails have bail schedules that outline fixed bail amounts for most offenses. You can pay your bail according to the bail schedule, and you will obtain a release immediately.
Generally, the bail amount for a California felony is between five and ten times the required amount for a misdemeanor. The bail amounts also vary depending on the type of offense.
Factors that Determine Bail Amount
Under PC 1275, judges are allowed to raise, lower, or even deny bail. They look at numerous variables when determining the appropriate bail amount, including:
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Surrounding case facts and the offense's severity — The court will set a high bail amount if the crime is violent or severe. Judges have guidelines when determining the appropriate bail amount for some classes of violent or severe offenses. For instance, your bail amount will be high if you threaten the alleged victims or witnesses or use a firearm to commit the crime.
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Validity and amount of current case proof — Generally, the judge might set their bail high if the prosecutor has strong evidence that points to you as the defendant. The court will make this decision to prevent you from fleeing the jurisdiction.
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Your conduct — If the court determines that you might be a threat to yourself or other people, bail might be set high. If you were previously obligated to attend a court hearing and did not act so, the court might set a higher bail amount to ensure your future court appearance. Moreover, your conduct during your arrest can affect your bail amount.
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Your current criminal status and a criminal record — If you have a prior criminal record, it might show the court that it can't trust you to conduct yourself legally. As a result, the judge might set your bail higher than usual to ensure you attend your court hearings and protect your community. Additionally, the judge will consider your current criminal standing. If you have an outstanding warrant for your arrest, parole, or probation, these will significantly affect your bail amount.
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Community ties — Employment, family members, property, a home, and business dealings in your community affect bail. Typically, you are more likely to remain within the jurisdiction while awaiting your trial if you have community ties. That means the judge might not set a higher bail amount than usual.
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You are a flight risk — If the judge determines that you have a high flight risk, the higher the bail amount you will post.
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Your finances — When the judge discovers that you obtained your income through illegal methods, they might set a higher bail amount. For instance, if you were accused of selling controlled substances, the judge might set a high bail to ensure you attend all the scheduled court proceedings. Typically, the more valuable the narcotics, the higher your set bail amount.
Types of Bail
There are numerous forms of bail bonds depending on the defendant's needs. They include:
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Property bonds — If you do not have money to post your bail in full, property bonds could be an ideal option. It will allow them to use their home's equity as bail collateral. Nevertheless, these bonds are not common because it takes courts long to secure the lien they put on an asset than it could for them to obtain a cash bond. Consequently, the property should be valued at a higher amount than the actual bail amount. Because bail amount is dependent on many factors, there isn't a specific method of knowing if your property qualifies for property bonds until the judge gives you the specific amount.
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Cash bail — To post cash bail, you should pay the full bail amount with the court. You will receive a refund of your money once the case is closed, provided you comply with your bail conditions. However, the court will keep some money for administrative fees.
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Surety bonds — Bail bonds are used when the accused person can't afford the required bail amount or doesn't want to risk cash bail forfeiture. Generally, bail bond agents issue surety bonds. The agents charge a percentage of the entire bail amount in return for their services.
What Bounty Hunters Can Do and Cannot Do
Because the bondsman stands losing a lot, the law allows them to arrest defendants who jump bail. To avoid Palm Springs bail bond forfeiture to the court, the agency might hire a bounty hunter to find the accused person and return them to the jail within one hundred and eighty days.
Bounty hunters are paid a portion of the total bail amount. However, they are paid after they arrest and return the delinquent clients. It is no surprise that they are effective and motivated at finding the accused.
While most bounty hunters are trained in self-defense, they use persuasion trickery and research to apprehend fugitives instead of using physical force. Their tactics of finding and arresting defendants include the following:
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Background check
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Criminal record check
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Surveillance
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Trickery such as telling the accused person that they have won a contest and should collect their prize
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Entering the defendant's home or workplace without a warrant to re-arrest them
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Reaching loved ones to convince them to reveal the fugitive's location or persuade them to convince the individual to surrender.
Sometimes bounty hunters apply excessive methods to apprehend their targets. Reckless apprehensions and pursuits, including using excessive force, can result in significant harm to fugitives, their property, and innocent bystanders.
If a bounty hunter has injured you or a loved one or even your property, you should contact your local law enforcement agency. You might have a civil claim. However, you should understand that harboring a fugitive is illegal, and if you are aware of the person's whereabouts, you should alert the relevant authorities.
What You Should Understand About Co-Signing
Once you know the set bail amount, you can secure a loved one's release by posting their entire bail amount in either property or cash. What takes place if you do not have valuable property or adequate cash on hand? You can obtain bail bonds from a certified agent. If you choose this route, you should cosign for a bond. However, here is what you should understand before signing the Indemnitor's agreement.
You Are Signing a Lawful Financial Agreement
When a person cosigns Palm Springs bail bonds, they accept financial responsibility for posting the accused person's bail should they skip town. If a defendant misses court, violates bail terms, or commits another offense, the court can forfeit their bail bond.
Ultimately, the police will take your loved one into custody, and you will pay the court the entire amount of your bail. It isn't something you can get away with; you signed the contract.
Your Indemnitor agreement is binding and effective throughout the criminal justice process until the entry of judgment in superior court or entry of judgment in the district court where no appeal is taken. In layman's language, as a cosigner, you are on the hook until the court rules dismissed, guilty, or not guilty, which might take time.
Think before cosigning your bail bond unless you are sure that the defendant will comply with their bail terms and conditions. If you do not trust or know the defendant well, do not cosign for them. Also, keep in touch with the defendant and know their whereabouts.
You Will Pay Money to Acquire the Bail Bonds
When you consult with a bondsman, you will require adequate money to foot the bondsman's fee. Typically, the cost is approximately ten percent of the bail amount. For instance, if the set bail amount is ten thousand dollars, you will require to pay your bondsman one thousand dollars to start the process.
You will not receive your money back. Bonds aren't free services, and the bondsmen have to put food on the tables. Ideally, it is a service for their resources, help, risk, time, and expertise.
You Should Establish That You Are an Ideal Candidate to Cosign the Bond
When a bondsman issues bail bonds, they are taking risks. Any time a person is taking any financial risk, they have to safeguard their interests. They will want evidence that you will repay the money issued if things go south.
Hinging on the bailing firm, the agency might request for:
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Evidence of employment
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Evidence of financial ability to make your regular payment
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Residency proof
These requirements vary with companies, and your agency will advise you of what they require from you during your initial consultation.
You Might Require to Offer Collateral
If the cosigner does not have enough cash to foot the agency's fee, the agency might request collateral on top of the money. They will receive the collateral back after the criminal case is closed as long as their loved one attends all their court dates.
Your Credit Could be Affected
Some bail bond companies make inquiries in determining the eligibility of potential cosigners. Ensure you read your contract and know and understand the terms. If it is not clear whether they use credit rating factors, do not hesitate to ask. Failing to honor your cosigner's responsibilities might lead to the firm taking legal action against you that might negatively affect:
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Employment
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The credit rating
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Renewing professional licenses
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Personal property seizure
Ensure You Keep Your Records
Do not depend on your memory to recall your Indemnitor agreement terms. You should obtain a copy of the contract.
You Will Receive a Refund of Your Money Even If the Defendant is Found Guilty
If you cosigned bail for another person and they are found guilty, it does not matter. Remember, the bail money is designed to secure a person’s release until the court appearance. If they comply with their bail condition and you pay the court the set bail amount, you'll receive a refund of the funds.
You Can Cancel the Bail Bonds
If you are wondering whether you can out opt of the cosigner's responsibilities, the answer is yes.
You can contact your Palm Springs bail bonds agent once you think the defendant will not follow the conditions of their release.
The disadvantage of canceling the bond is that your loved one will be put in detention again as they await their trial.
You Can Request Conditions Before Signing
Finally, you can request specific conditions before agreeing to be a cosigner. It can be requiring the defendant to have a mental health evaluation or enroll in a drug treatment program.
Sex Crime Bail Bonds
Sex crimes are severe and carry life-altering and enduring penalties and consequences, including incarceration, fines, stigma, registering as a sex offender, and a criminal record. If you are charged with a sex crime, you might wonder how you got there. Fortunately, being charged with a criminal charge is easier than you think if you follow proper steps. Consulting with a skilled bondsman could help you secure your release fast as you await your trial.
Common sex crimes in California include:
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Sexual abuse
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Indecent exposure
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Date rape
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Possessing child pornography
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Sexual assault
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Rape
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Failing to register as a sex offender
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Statutory rape
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Sexual battery
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Prostitution
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Soliciting for prostitution
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Lewd conduct with a minor
Anytime you face police investigations or are arrested, remember to stay calm. Do not resist the arrest, yell at the law enforcers, or do anything that can lead to additional criminal charges. Cooperate with police but do not answer any question without your criminal defense attorney present.
Bail Amounts for Sex Crime Charges?
If you've undergone the booking and processing processes following your arrest, the police should advise you of the criminal charges against you and whether you can access bail or you've to wait until the judge sets your bail. The bail amount you pay to secure the release depends primarily on the alleged crime's nature.
If you have the money or can acquire a cashier's check or money order for your required bail amount, you can post bail and be released. Since the funds are tied up with the court and unreachable for daily expenses and attorney's fees, most people do not want to use or have cash bail. As a result, they can contact an agent who will post the required amount with the court in exchange for a premium.
When contacting the bail bond agency, ensure you have the defendant's name, location, booking number, and date of birth. The information will help the agent work promptly in securing your loved one’s release. If you are not sure of the accused person's location and do not have their booking number, the bonding firm can aid you in locating them and securing their release.
All California licensed and certified bondsmen should charge a premium of ten percent. However, you can obtain lower rates in some cases if you seek legal representation and pay your premium within seventy-two hours.
On top of the bail bond rates allowed by the law, 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds will ensure that you benefit from the best bonds deals, such as discounts. We do not charge hidden fees that other companies do not tell clients about. These fees might include financing interest, posting fees, travel costs, processing fees, and notary services.
Palm Springs Courthouse, Jail, and Police Department Contact Details
Superior Court of California, County of Riverside - Palm Springs Courthouse
Phone: 760-393-2617
Palm Springs Jail
Phone: 951-955-2440
Law Enforcement for Palm Springs
Law enforcement for Palm Springs is offered by Palm Springs County Sheriff Department, located at:
Palm Springs County Sheriff Department
Phone: 760-836-3215
Palm Springs Police Department
Phone: 760-323-8116
Find a Competent Palm Springs Bail Bond Agent Near Me
The last place you want to find yourself is in police custody. Regardless of why you were arrested, the experience is overwhelming, making it paramount to take necessary steps to ensure you don't spend a lot of time detained awaiting your trial. One of the pretrial release options the law provides includes bail. 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds understands that the criminal justice process in Palm Springs is challenging and can stand with you throughout the process. We are a seasoned bail bond company and can use our resources and skills to ensure you obtain freedom smoothly and promptly. To find answers to your questions or address your concerns, please contact our office at 800-930-8999.