BY | November 11, 2021

If you’ve landed on this page, then you’re likely interested in learning more information about bail, bail bonds services, and/or the bail industry in general. At 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we want to help clear up any confusion you may have on these topics. As such, we’ve put this resource together.

Below, you will find imperative facts regarding factors that go into a judge setting bail, how a bail reduction hearing works, and whether or not it’s possible to get your bail amount reduced. If you still have questions or concerns after reading through this document, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Setting Bail: How a Judge Determines the Amount

If you or a loved one has been arrested for a crime, the opportunity may arise to get out of jail on bail. While this seems convenient, being allowed to wait for your court date at home, bail is not always set at an affordable amount. For example, bail can often be set in the thousands or the tens of hundreds of thousands of dollars, making it impossible or extremely unrealistic to pay the amount.

This is when a bail bond agent can greatly assist you. A bail bond agent, like the ones at 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, can offer fast, easy payment plans, with no collateral needed. In fact, we beat most advertised prices and can be reached online or by phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

But, before you need to require help with bail, bail must first be set. How is bail set?

Bail is generally set one of two ways: on a defendant’s arrest warrant or by a judge within 24 hours of when the arrest occurred. Each county in every state has its own bail schedule that judges have the option of following when setting the bail amount. However, the judge in question can also increase bail if he or she finds this action to be necessary.

Regarding the State of California, California Penal Code 1275 states that a judge could be convinced by a prosecutor that a defendant is a major threat to the community or that it is very likely the defendant will cause further injuries to a victim, resulting in a higher bail amount.

Typically speaking, however, a judge will usually set the bail amount based on one or more of the following:

• The criminal history of the defendant
• The severity of the alleged crimes
• Whether or not the defendant used a weapon or firearm during the alleged crime
• If there were any aggravating factors
• Whether or not the defendant is a flight risk
• If the defendant is a threat to public safety

Next, you’re probably wondering if this bail amount is set in stone. Specifically, once a bail amount has been set by a judge, can it be reduced?

Bail Amount: Can It Be Reduced?

Can a defendant’s bail amount actually be reduced? The short answer is, yes, it can. While a judge has the authority to increase the bail amount, he or she can decrease it—or reduce it—too. This can happen during an arraignment.

During an arraignment, the defendant is given their first chance to talk on his or her behalf. It is at this time that a plea of guilty, no contest, or not guilty must be entered. It is also during the arraignment in which the prosecution and defense can make a case to the judge to have the bail amount increased, reduced, or even taken away, meaning the defendant would have to wait in jail for the trial date. Yet, the defense could also argue that there is no need for bail.

When it comes to whether or not bail should be reduced, the judge will often consider the following factors:

• The nature of the defendant’s criminal history
• If the defendant can pay the bail amount
• Where the defendant lives (i.e. does the defendant live locally)
• Whether or not the defendant owns local property
• If the defendant has family close by
• If the defendant is an active member of the community (i.e. involved with volunteers groups)

There is also the possibility of something called “conditional release.” If a conditional release is granted, the bail amount can be reduced if the defendant agrees to surrender his or her passport, enter inpatient treatment, wear a remote alcohol monitor, or submit to house arrest—depending on the circumstances of the case. It is by giving up these particular freedoms in which negotiation can be established, resulting in a reduced bail amount.

There are rare—and we can’t stress rare enough—when bail could possibly be reduced after an arraignment. For example, if a defendant is facing multiple charges and his or her lawyer can get a few of those charges dropped, then a judge may consider reducing the original bail amount.

Getting Professional Bail Bonds Assistance

At 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we can help you get out of jail on bail. Not only are we reliable, experienced, and professional, we do not judge or criticize our clients. Further, we only want to help you move on with your life. We know how difficult and embarrassing this time can be for you and your family—we are here to assist you in putting it behind you.

To move forward, we require the full name of the defendant, the booking number, the charge or charges the defendant is facing, and the location of the jail. Then, we will bond the defendant out of jail. This entire process can take several hours, depending on how busy the jail is.

For your convenience, we accept myriad types of payment, including the following:

• Credit Cards
• Debit Cards
• Cash
• PayPal
• Venmo
• Zelle
• Bank Transfers

When you make a bail bond payment, you can do so online or over the phone—whichever is easier for you.

To learn more about our team and what we can do for you, click here. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you during this difficult time. Remember, we can be reached online or by phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Don’t delay your freedom.