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If you’ve ever seen a movie in which a character is arrested only to be back on the streets a short time after, then you’ll be familiar with the concept of ‘posting bail.’ This is the process of paying a set amount to the courts, which then allows the defendant to leave jail and return home until their court appearance.
The bail system provides a vital lifeline in the judicial system, ensuring that arrested individuals can prepare for their court appearance from the comfort of their own homes. However, if you’re aware of the typical bail amount, you’ll know that they’re often prohibitively expensive for the average person to pay on their own.
This is where a bail bond, in which a bond agent pays the bail amount on the defendant's behalf in exchange for a fee, comes into play. However, bail bonds aren’t available in all states. So is there bail bonds in California? And how do they work? We’ll answer those questions and more in this informative guide to bail bonds in California.
- Bail in California: Understanding the Basics
Let’s clear up one thing straight away: bail bonds do exist in California. If you’ve been arrested and can’t afford to pay the full bail amount yourself, then you can simply get in touch with a reputable bail bond agent, who will pay the amount on your behalf in exchange for a fee, usually around 10% of the bail value.
Bail bonds are widely used across California, allowing people to be released from jail within a few hours of their arrest. Once you’ve been released on bail, you’ll be able to return home and prepare for your court appearance in a comfortable environment.
It’s not always possible to use a bail bond service. In some cases, the judge will deny bail, which means the defendant must stay behind bars until their trial. However, those instances are rare. The vast majority of people are given a bail amount. At that point, they can simply come to an agreement with a bail bond agent and be on their way home soon.
- How Does Bail Work in California? Explained
The bail system allows arrested people to return home, rather than stay in jail until their court appearance, on the basis that a person is innocent until proven guilty. The court will set a bail value, and once that has been paid, the person will be free to leave jail and prepare for their case from the comfort of their home.
The value of the bail is set by a judge. California’s bail values are notoriously high, which makes it difficult for people to pay the full amount on their own. This is where a bail bond agent can come in to help. In exchange for a fee (usually 10% of the total bail amount), they’ll post bail on the defendant’s behalf. This system makes it possible for people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to pay the full bail value themselves to leave jail.
The bail system works on the assumption that those released on bail will show up to their court appearance. If they don’t, then they’ll be judged to have ‘skipped bail’ and may face severe legal consequences.
- California Bail Laws: What You Need to Know
As with all things related to the judicial system, there are plenty of laws and regulations surrounding bail in California. Most of them have to do with the act of posting bail on someone else’s behalf — in other words, the laws that bail bond agents must follow. For instance, all bail bond agents must be licensed and registered, and they’re also not allowed to charge more than 10% of the total bail amount. If bail is set at $20,000 and an agent charges the defendant more than $2,000 for their services, then they’ll be breaking the law.
From a defendant’s perspective, the most important bail rule is to follow all of the requirements attached to the bail. Posting the bail is often only one element. The defendant will also need to show up to the court appearances and may be required to follow other rules, such as staying in the state or abiding by a curfew. If they break any of those laws, then they may face additional criminal charges.
- Navigating the Bail System in CA
The bail system offers a lifeline to arrested individuals, but it can be tricky to navigate sometimes. For one thing, there’s a chance that bail will be denied, at which point the defendant will have to remain in jail until their court appearance. This usually happens because of the severity of the crime or the person’s criminal background, as well as if it’s deemed they may pose a risk to the public. It’s possible to appeal a bail decision with the help of an attorney.
Bail amounts are famously high in California, with even relatively low-level crimes attracting bail values of tens of thousands of dollars. If you don’t know how you’ll ever post bail on your own, then remember that you don’t need to — working with a bail bond agent will make posting bail much more straightforward, since you’ll only need to agree to pay 10% of the total amount. Many bail bond agents, including us here at King Stahlman Bail Bonds, offer financing options that allow you to pay the amount over a period of months.
- Exploring Bail Options in California
There’s more than one way to post bail. A defendant can secure their freedom via a range of methods, including the following:
- Paying the full bail amount themselves via cash or check.
- Using property as collateral.
- Securing a bail bond.
Most people find that working with a bail bond agent is the best method. Even if you could pay the bail value yourself, it may seriously impact your financial standing at a time when you’ll likely need access to money. Plus, it can take months for jails to return the money once you’ve fulfilled all the bail conditions. Bail bond agents also have extensive experience working with jails, which can ensure that you don’t spend any longer than necessary behind bars.
- What to Expect with Bail in California
The first expectation is that the bail will have a high value. According to one report, the average cost of bail in California is an eye-watering $50,000, which is significantly more expensive than the national average, which is around $11,000. Even misdemeanor crimes can have bail values close to $20,000.
Once you’ve been granted bail, you’ll need to get to work on posting bail and securing your release. As we mentioned above, most people find that working with a bail bond agent makes the most sense.
Once you’ve got in touch with us here at King Stahlman Bail Bonds, things can move pretty quickly. We’ll come to a repayment agreement, then get to work on posting bail on your behalf. As soon as we’ve done our job, the jail will need a bit of time to fill out their paperwork, and then you’ll be on your way home.
- CA Bail: Your Questions Answered
How much does bail in CA cost?
The average cost of bail in California is $50,000. You can get out of jail by working with a bail bond agent, who will post the full amount on your behalf for 10% of the total cost.
How should I choose a bail bond company?
Look for a bail bond company that is licensed, insured, and offers a range of payment options.
Do I have to post bail?
A defendant doesn’t have to post bail, but it’s recommended that they do so, since it allows them to return home before their court appearance rather than staying behind bars.
What happens after I post bail?
After bail is posted on your behalf, you’ll be released from jail within a few hours and will be free to return home.
- A Closer Look at Bail Laws in California
Each state has its own laws pertaining to bail. California has more bail laws than most, in large part because of the sheer number of bail bonds issued in the state — California, after all, tops the list of states with the most arrests in the nation.
There have been some attempts to reform bail laws in recent years, the most notable being the introduction of Senate Bill 10, which would have eliminated the existing cash system and replaced it with a risk assessment. That bill was initially passed in 2018, but it was overturned in 2020 due to significant criticism. Most bail laws in California relate to who can issue bail bonds and how much they can charge. All bail bond agents must be licensed, registered, and insured. They must also not charge the defendant more than 10% of the bail amount.
If you need to get out of jail, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at King Stahlman Bail Bonds by calling 619-232-7127.