You must post bail to secure a release from custody on a pending case if you face an arrest and criminal charges in California. Posting bail involves depositing a certain amount to a court clerk for the release. Since bail is not a punishment for your crimes, the amount paid is refundable to the payer when the case ends.
Defendants facing detention can post bail through cash, using property, or enlisting a Coronado bail bonds company. Posting a bail bond is preferred due to its convenience and affordability. You can secure this type of release by seeking our services at King Stahlman Bail Bonds.
Bail Setting in California
A judge sets your bail if you are arrested and detained with a pending case. In this case, the bail amount is set by referencing the standard amount on the jail schedules. The bail schedule lists all offenses and a recommended bail amount for each.
Using the amount from the bail schedule as the base, the judge can adjust the amount depending on the following factors of your case:
- Circumstances of your case. The specific circumstances of your case can dictate the bail amount needed for your release while your case is pending. If there are aggravating circumstances, your bail could be higher than the amount on the schedule.
- Your criminal history. The court will examine your criminal history when determining the amount you need for bail. A defendant with a prior conviction may need to pay more than a first-time offender, even when they face similar charges.
- Flight risk. Bail aims to discourage a defendant from fleeing after the release. Flight risk is the likelihood that you could skip town after a release on bail. The court will increase your bail if you are a flight risk.
- Risk of public safety. Securing a release from jail allows you to move on while your case is pending. However, before releasing you, the court will determine the level of risk you pose to the safety of other community members. Your bail will be higher if you are a substantial threat.
- Defendants with a significant income may not be reluctant to leave a small bail amount to forfeiture and flee the jurisdiction. Therefore, the court can consider this factor to set your bail.
Types of Bail in California
If your loved one or friend is arrested and detained in Coronado, you can post the following types of bail for them:
Cash Bail
You can post a cash bail when you have enough money to pay the total bail upfront. Posting a cash bail eliminates third parties in your bail process, ensuring a faster release for your loved one. You will not incur additional costs since you will recover the bail money when your case ends.
A downside of posting bail in cash is the temptation to borrow from friends or liquidate assets when money is unavailable. Additionally, the court may scrutinize your financial life after posting a large bail in cash.
Property Bonds
California courts accept property bonds for defendants with valuable property. When posting a property bond, the court places a lien on the property. The court could lift this lien when the defendant follows through with all the bail conditions, and the case ends.
Before accepting a property bond, the court schedules a property bond hearing. At this hearing, you must prove the property's ownership and value. You can do this by bringing the title deed to the property and other documents that show its market value. If the property you seek to present is jointly owned, all individuals listed on the deed must be present.
Bail Bonds
A bail bond is the most common form of bail in California. Posting the bail bond will involve contacting a Coronado bail bonds company and seeking assistance. When contacting a surety bonds company, you should provide the defendant's name, booking number, and the amount of bail needed for their release.
After you initially contact the surety bonds company, a bail bondsman will be appointed to assess your eligibility for the bond. You meet the eligibility criteria for the bail bond if the defendant is not a flight risk, and you can cover the costs associated with the bond. The costs include a premium fee, often 10% of the total bail.
Unlike the bail paid to the court, the premium fee given to the surety company is non-refundable even after the case is concluded. Another cost associated with a bail bond is collateral. The surety bonds company may order you to provide collateral to secure the bond if the defendant flees after the release.
If you meet the criteria, the Coronado bail bondsman will go to court and pay the full bail amount, allowing the defendant to be released. Although the bail bond fee is a small percentage of your total bail amount, it may be too high to afford at once.
You could negotiate a repayment plan with your bail bondsman. A bail bond repayment plan involves making a 10% down payment and covering the balance in affordable installments.
When a surety bond company posts bail for a defendant, they ensure the defendant appears for trial.
Jails in Coronado, CA:
South Bay Detention Facility
Chula Vista City Jail
Courts Serving Coronado:
San Diego Small Claims Court
Find a Competent Coronado Bail Bonds Agency Near Me
You can be released from jail with a pending criminal case by making a monetary commitment to the court through bail. If you have the money for the total amount, you can present it to a court clerk and have your loved one released.
However, arrests are unexpected, and cash bail is unaffordable for many individuals. You can enlist the help of a surety bond company, which posts your bail at an affordable fee.
At King Stahlman Bail Bonds, we understand the devastation you must feel watching your loved one sit behind bars. Our skilled Coronado bail bondsmen will post your loved one’s bail and guide you through securing their release. Contact us today at 619-232-7127 for much-needed assistance.