Can you Post Bail on a Felony Charge?

BY | August 9, 2023

It is typically possible to post bail when you’re facing felony charges in California, but it isn’t always easy to do so.

The severity of felony charges means that bail amounts are set much higher than for misdemeanors. Police will also typically confiscate belongings and limit access to things like communications and research after arrest.

Whether you or your loved one are facing felony charges, this can be a terrifying and uncertain time. Understanding that you can post bail, and considering the best ways to do that, can provide at least some comfort during an otherwise terrible experience.

Felony vs Misdemeanor Charges in California

Bail in the state of California is typically set between $10,000-$100,000. For the most severe crimes, bail can even be set at over $ 1 million. The amount at which a judge sets bail will depend on factors including your income, your perceived flight risk, and, often most pressingly, the severity of your crime.

Felony charges that are more severe than misdemeanor charges tend to have much harsher penalties. Individuals accused of a felony must also attend a bail hearing, during which a judge will decide whether or not they are a candidate for bail.

A bail hearing will typically take place several days after arrest. The judge will consider the defendant's criminal history, matters of public safety, and the likelihood of securing a court appearance in the future when determining bail.

The Bail Schedule

While felony charges invariably result in larger bail penalties, judges in California will always consult bail schedules to determine bail amounts. While these codes do carry specific charges based on things like the severity of a crime, the law dictates that judges cannot set arbitrarily high bail amounts, even for a felony.

However, if a judge doesn’t deem a felon suitable in accordance with the State of California Department of Justice, they can refuse bail. A judge will typically take this course of action for the most severe crimes.

Failing to Post Bail for a Felony in California

When bail isn’t posted, an individual will typically be held in pre-trial detention. While bail amounts for a felony can be high, failing to post bail for a felony can have a hugely detrimental impact on an individual’s future prospects.

As well as being incredibly harmful to that individual’s mental health, pre-trial detention can prevent an individual from being able to properly defend themselves because of –

Limited access to resources
Restricted freedoms
Difficulty coordinating with attorneys or connecting with witnesses

How do Felony Bail Bonds Work in California?

When charged with a felony, a defendant will be expected to pay their bail in one of three ways as follows –

Cash bail bond: A defendant or cosigner pays the full bail amount, which is returned minus fees once the case is resolved.
Property bail bond: A defendant or co-signer uses their property as collateral for the bail bond.
Surety bail bond: A defendant or co-signer pays a bail bond company a small fee to post bail on their behalf.

The fact that felony charges typically carry larger penalties means that most individuals will be unable to post bail themselves. To post bail on a felony charge in California, it’s therefore often necessary to contact a bail bond company like 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds. This will happen after bail is set and requires a co-signed contract in case the defendant later fails to attend court.

Before a bail bondsman can grant a request for bail, they will need to know about –

Employment history
Collateral assets
Current place of residence
Etc.

When the defendant has attended all of their court dates and the case is resolved, the bail money will be returned to the bail bond company. If the defendant does not appear in court, they or their co-signer must repay the full amount of the surety bail bond.

Act Fast to Post Bail for your Felony Charge

Can you post bail on a felony charge? Yes, and the sooner you or your loved one are able to do so, the sooner it will be possible to secure a strong defense. Instead of wasting time trying to find the full bail amount, a bail bond company like 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds can help to secure release much sooner.

Regardless of the time of your arrest, our agents are on-hand to help get you out of jail. Then, you’ll be in the best possible position to meet with lawyers and develop a defense that’s far more likely to clear your name.

Testimonials

"I recently used the bail bonds services in Santa Ana, CA. Not only was my bond agent quick to fulfill my needs, but also very understanding and informative. I wasn’t judged or criticized—just simply helped out of a tough situation. My bond agent answered my questions and even made me feel comfortable and at ease, despite the grueling circumstances. I don’t plan on getting into any more legal trouble, but if I do, I will contact them again. This team is extremely professional, knowledgeable, and experienced. I highly recommend their services."

Testimonial

"Though I’m not proud to admit it, I recently got into some legal trouble in Santa Ana, CA, which resulted in my arrest. I was scared and confused at first, even unsure of what to do next. However, I contacted 24 hour bail bonds and I’m so happy I did! Not only did a professional and experienced bond agent help get me out of jail, but I was also given insightful information on what to expect moving forward. I was never judged for my actions, only given a second chance. I’m so thankful and cannot recommend their services enough. Thank you!"

Testimonial

"When you find yourself in trouble with the law, the last thing you want is to feel alone. After getting arrested in Santa Ana, I made the decision to call 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, and I’m so glad that I did! Not only did my bail agent get me out of jail fairly quickly, but I was also told exactly what to do next and what to expect with the process of moving on with my life. Thank you so much! This extremely professional, experienced, and judgment-free team made an awful situation significantly better. I don’t know what I would have done without them".

Testimonial

Contact Bail Bond Services in SoCal

Facing arrest can be quite devastating for you and your loved ones. We also understand how scary and uncertain circumstances can be when in jail, especially when you are unsure how soon you can leave jail. During times like these, you want a professional bail bonds agent to handle your matter so that you can be free in a short amount of time.

If you are looking for the best bail bonds service provider in Southern California, the 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds is the top choice for you. We have integrated online services with standard bail bond procedures to post bail on behalf of our clients. Our agents also understand the need for prompt action after you contact us.

Therefore, you can expect to receive timely bail bonds services in Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, San Diego, and San Bernardino. You do not have to stress about the bail release process after an arrest. Instead, give us a call today at 800-930-8999, and we will offer you quality bail bond services and at a low cost.