After their arrests, defendants in California can pay bail to secure their release pending trial. However, some arrestees in El Cajon might be unable to secure the total bail sum after their arrest, resulting in unnecessary time spent in jail. It can take months or years for defendants to go to trial. Fortunately, bail bond services help those who may not be able to afford to post bail, enabling them to resume their everyday lives.
We at King Stahlman Bail Bonds offer dependable bail bond services with fast, budget-friendly payment alternatives. Our bondsmen are ready around the clock to make this procedure simple and efficient. We have good relationships with local law enforcement and judges, which helps us expedite releases. Contact us to discuss your situation and begin the release procedure for you or a loved one.
Understanding Bail in El Cajon
When a police officer arrests you in El Cajon, they will take you to the local police station, jail, or sheriff’s office. The arresting police officer will record your mugshot and fingerprints and write down the charges. After booking, you can call one person to tell them about your situation. You will be held in a holding facility or jail while the District Attorney considers whether to file charges.
When the District Attorney files charges, you will attend your initial court hearing, known as a court arraignment. The presiding judge will inquire about your plea and determine bail in this hearing. In some cases, the court may not set any bail and may allow you to go free on your own recognizance.
The O.R. release lets you go without posting bail, requiring you to promise to show up before the judge on the designated dates. This written guarantee is lawfully binding. O.R. releases are usually given for less severe offenses, such as nonviolent offenses.
If the court decides not to free you on your Own Recognizance, it will establish the bail sum you need to pay for release. Bail serves as a promise, either in property or cash, that you will show up in court after your release. If you do not appear, the court will forfeit the bail money.
When the bail is established, you can pay it in three ways: bail bond, cash bail, or property bond. With cash bail, you must pay the full amount in cash. The sum can come from your savings or assistance from friends and family. Property bonds allow you to use valuable property, like a car or home, to secure your release.
Another choice is to go for bail bonds. When the judge sets the bail amount, you should contact a bail bonds company in El Cajon to begin the process. Your bail bondsman will ask for some essential information. These include:
- Date of birth
- Your name
- The charges you are facing.
- The detention center where you are held
- The bail amount
Once they have this info, they will work on securing the bond for you.
How El Cajon Bail Bonds Work
Bail bonds, also called surety bonds, are agreements involving you, an El Cajon bail bonds service, and a criminal court. A bail bonds service agrees to settle the complete bail sum to the court at a cost. In El Cajon, the bail bondsman charges a fee of 10% of the total bail, which is non-refundable, even though you show up for every court hearing, are innocent, or if the judge dismisses your charges.
Your bail bonds service may require collateral to back the bond if you miss a court date. If you do not show up, the El Cajon bail bonds service will lose their bail amount to the court. To retrieve this money back, they might sell the item you gave. Collateral includes valuable items like a house, automobile, or collectibles.
When you obtain the bail bond, the bondsman will submit it in court to arrange your discharge. You should attend every court date and follow the court’s requirements, like meeting with your probation official and not leaving the state. Not following these rules could result in the court canceling your bail. The authorities will then re-arrest you.
A friend or family member can post your bail while you are in custody. This individual will work with the El Cajon bail bondsman to obtain the bail for you.
Factors Influencing Your Bail Amount
When a judge in El Cajon decides on bail, they look at several key factors, such as:
- The seriousness of the crime—more serious offenses lead to higher bail amounts, while less serious ones result in lower bail. For example, an individual charged with a nonviolent misdemeanor will have lower bail amounts than someone accused of a violent offense
- Criminal history—those with a lengthy criminal record will face higher bail than first-time offenders
- Likelihood of court appearance—judges evaluate how likely the accused will show up for court when setting the bail sum.
- Risk of fleeing—When there is a chance the accused might run away before the court hearing, the court will impose higher bail amounts compared to someone who does not seem to be a flight risk
- Caregiving responsibilities—judges consider if the accused has dependents, like children or a spouse when deciding on bail
- Public safety concerns—judges will assess whether the accused threatens the public or purported victim. If there is a risk, they may decline bail or impose it at a higher level
- Community connections—strong ties to the community may lead to a lower bail amount, while someone with fewer connections might face a higher sum
Sometimes, a judge could set bail automatically according to the bail schedule. This schedule lists set bail sums for distinct crimes, and each jurisdiction has its own rules. However, the court can adjust the bail sum based on the facts, which means the court can raise or lower the amount if necessary.
El Cajon Jail and Court Information
The East County Regional Center
250 East Main Street,
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone No.: 619-456-4100
El Cajon Police Department
100 Civic Center Way,
El Cajon, CA 92020
Telephone No.: 619-579-3311
Find a Skilled El Cajon Bail Bonds Company Near Me
If you would like to secure your release after the authorities incarcerate you in El Cajon, CA, and you cannot afford the set cash bail, you should speak with an El Cajon bail bonds service. We at King Stahlman Bail Bonds are ready to assist you with the bail process. Our team works swiftly to minimize jail time by processing the bail bond effectively. We also have flexible payment options to suit your financial situation. Call us at 619-232-7127 for more information on how we can assist you in securing a bail bond quickly.