Bailing yourself or a loved one out of jail upon an arrest for an alleged criminal offense can be costly and confusing. However, you can avoid this hassle by working with a reliable bail bondsman to secure Fountain Valley bail bonds.
Unless you can afford the court-set or predetermined bail amount or have an equivalent property to post your bail, working with a bail bondsman is worth considering upon an arrest as a suspect in a criminal case. At Riverside Bail Bonds, we understand an arrest can occur at any time of the day, including in the wee hours of the night when most people are asleep.
If that happens, you can count on us to offer you quick bail bond services to receive your pretrial freedom instead of bothering your friends and relatives to post your cash bail.
What You Need to Know About An Arrest and The Booking Process
Being under arrest is a serious issue you should not overlook because it can significantly affect several aspects of your life, including your freedom. An arrest is a formal act where the police take you into custody and restrict your freedom, typically due to a belief that you are a suspect in a criminal case.
Generally speaking, an arrest is a structured legal process that the police must adhere to ensure your arrest is lawful and justified. For an arrest to be lawful in the eyes of the law, the police must:
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Observe you committing a crime
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Have probable cause to believe that you are committing, are about to commit, or have committed a criminal offense, even if they did not witness you committing the crime
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Have a court-issued arrest warrant authorizing your arrest
After an arrest, the arresting officers will take you to the station for an administrative procedure known as booking. During this procedure, the following activities will occur:
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A thorough search on your person for contrabands
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Mugshot and fingerprint-taking
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Recording of the alleged offense, your name, address, date, and year of birth
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Examination of your health
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Criminal background checking
After booking, the officer could allow you to clear your bail if your crime has a predecided bail amount. If not, you should wait for your arraignment or bail hearing, which will be your initial court appearance.
Factors That Will Determine Your Bail Amount
At your bail hearing, the decision on whether you qualify for bail and the amount you should pay to receive your release from jail will depend on various factors, such as:
The Seriousness and Nature of Your Unique Offense
How serious the alleged offense is can significantly influence the amount the judge will need you to pay as bail to secure your freedom following an arrest. Most grave offenses, or those involving violence, will attract a higher bail than non-serious and non-violent offenses.
Whether You are a Flight Risk
Before setting your bail amount, the court will consider any likelihood of fleeing or failing to make court appearances. If you are a flight risk, your offense bail will likely be high to discourage or prevent you from fleeing after securing your freedom.
Your Criminal Background
Your criminal history is another vital consideration when determining the amount of bail you should pay for your offense. When you have a pattern of criminal conduct or a record of similar or related offenses, the judge will likely set a high bail amount for your offense because you are more likely to re-offend.
Whether You Are a Danger to Your Community or the Public
If the court considers you a possible threat to the safety of other people in your society or the public, the court will set a bail price for your offense, or he/she could deny you the bail altogether. The nature and seriousness of your offense, use of a weapon, or any other evidence that suggests you are a threat to the safety of others in your society could influence this decision.
Your Community Ties and Stability
Your connections to your community, including length of residence, family ties, and employment, can also come into play when determining your offense’s bail amount. Strong community and family ties could lessen your flight risk and possibly lead to a reduced bail amount.
The chances of securing a lower bail amount will also depend on the aggressiveness of your defense attorney during your bail hearing. A skilled attorney can present mitigating arguments and evidence to convince the court you deserve a lower bail amount.
How to Post Bail After an Arrest
Once the judge sets your bail, you should work on paying it within the shortest time possible to have your freedom. Explained below are three ways you can post bail following an arrest:
Through Cash Bail
Posting cash bail means you or a loved one should pay or deposit the entire set or predetermined bail amount to the court clerk or with the arresting agency if your offense has a predetermined bail amount. If you do not have cash, the court could allow you to clear your bail amount using the following:
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A traveler's check
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Money order
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A personal check
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A bank cashier's check
When you make all your court appearances and adhere to the required terms, the court will refund your cash bail.
Through a Property Bond
Posting a property bond means you allow the court to place a lien on your asset or property. When you fail to attend your hearings as expected, the court can initiate a foreclosure proceeding against you. While this bail option is available, most people do not use it because they risk losing valuable property.
Through a Bail Bond
Since many arrestees lack adequate cash or valuable properties to clear bail, most arrestees opt for bail bonds. A bail bond is typically a surety bond that a bail bondsman posts in court to guarantee you will attend your court dates upon securing your pretrial freedom.
In other words, it guarantees that your bail bondsman will pay your full bail amount when you refuse to appear at the scheduled court hearings. Securing Fountain Valley bail bonds will only take about thirty minutes. However, once you secure the bail bond, it will take about 40 minutes to four hours to secure your release from jail.
How long it could take to secure your freedom after securing Fountain Valley bail bonds will depend on various factors such as:
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The number of arrestees waiting for their release from jail on bail
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The amount of paperwork involved
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The staff on duty to help with the bail bond process
While posting a bail bond is the most preferred way to secure release from jail, bail bond services are not free. The bail bondsman you choose will charge you a premium (10% of the bail amount) to clear your bail. Unlike cash bail or a property bond, this premium is non-refundable, meaning you will not receive the money back once the case ends.
Depending on your case's seriousness and bail amount, your bail bondsman can also ask you for collateral as his/her security when you skip bail. When you do that, your bail bondsman can sell the property you surrendered as collateral to recover his/her money.
What to Expect at a Bail Reduction Hearing
Although bail is not a legal penalty for your offense, sometimes the judge can set an exceedingly high bail amount for your unique offense. When your attorney reasonably believes the court-set bail amount is exceedingly high, he/she can make an oral motion during your arraignment, requesting the judge to reduce it because you are indigent or present other reasons that make your bail amount unreasonable.
When the judge schedules a bail reduction hearing, your attorney will bear the burden of proof. That means it is upon him/her to prove you deserve a lower bail amount for your violation. The prosecutor will present aggravating arguments, asserting that the alleged offense is grave and you are a danger to public safety.
On the other hand, your attorney will present mitigating arguments to show why you deserve a reduced bail amount. For example, your defense attorney could argue that:
You are Experiencing Financial Hardship
To avoid discriminating against indigent people, the court should consider your ability to pay the bail. If your defense attorney can prove you are indigent or experiencing financial hardship, the court can reduce your bail.
You Have Strong Community Ties
Proving to the court that you have strong and well-established ties to your property, work, or family can signify that your likelihood of fleeing upon your release is minimal. The court is more likely to lower your bail amount if you have deep roots in your community.
You Have No Criminal Record
Having no or minimal criminal background could signify that you are less likely to re-offend after securing your freedom. Presenting evidence to prove to the court that you are a first-time offender could be grounds for leniency or a lower bail amount.
You Have a Serious Medical Condition or Demanding Family Obligations
If your defense attorney can prove that you have severe medical problems or demanding family obligations, like young children or elderly parents, the judge could lower your bail.
The Prosecutor’s Case Against You is Weak
Your defense attorney can argue that the prosecutor's case against you is weak because it lacks probable cause or has unreliable eyewitnesses. If this argument works in your favor, the judge could lower your bail because of the reduced conviction chances.
Generally speaking, the judge has discretion on whether to reduce your bail. After carefully reviewing the prosecutor's aggravating arguments and your attorney's mitigating arguments, the judge could decide to do the following:
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Approve your bail reduction request
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Impose certain conditions along with your new reduced bail price, including travel restrictions, GPS monitoring, and regular drug testing
When the judge reduces your bail, the fee you will pay the bail bondsman for Fountain Valley bail bonds will also reduce. Hence, requesting a reduced bail amount is worth considering if you or your attorney believes the court-set bail amount is exceptionally high.
Steps to Take When You Skip Bail
In addition to losing your money or collateral surrendered to your bail bondsman, skipping bail could attract serious negative consequences, including:
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A rearrest and the possibility of staying behind bars without bail
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A higher bail amount in any future arrest
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Additional jail sentence for skipping bail because it is an offense
For all these reasons, you should avoid skipping bail. When you do, you should take proper steps immediately to prevent these repercussions. You can start by retaining the services of a seasoned attorney. Surrendering to the law enforcement authorities with your attorney shows that you are remorseful for your actions, encouraging the court to treat your case favorably.
In addition to being your legal counsel, your attorney can help prevent a re-arrest and possible revocation of your bail. Contacting your bail bondsman is also advisable to let him/her know of your whereabouts and plans. Once you contact your Fountain Valley bail bonds company, inform them of what occurred and await their instructions.
A reliable bail bondsman could minimize the possible impact that skipping bail could cause on your freedom and finances. When you fail to inform the bail bondsman of your whereabouts after skipping bail, he/she can retain the services of a bounty hunter and ask him/her to track you down and take you to the law enforcement authorities.
Since a bounty hunter will receive his/her payment once he/she brings you into custody, he/she will be motivated to trace your whereabouts within the shortest time possible. To avoid all these issues, you should set a reminder system for all your court appearances.
Top Considerations When Looking for a Fountain Valley Bail Bonds Company
If you or a loved one needs Fountain Valley bail bonds, you should take ample time to look for a reliable bail bondsman. Here are some of the factors to keep in mind:
The Bail Bondsman's Expertise and Experience
A reliable bail bondsman will bring a wealth of specialized knowledge and experience, which is vital for the smooth navigation of the bail bond process and for securing a quick release from the detention facility.
The Bail Bondsman's Knowledge of the Local Court Procedures and Laws
A dependable bail bondsman should have an extensive understanding of the local court procedures and laws, offering you specialized guidance and support that complies with the particular legal requirements.
The Bail Bondsman's Communication Skills
While a bail bondsman is not an attorney, dealing with any legal matter requires excellent communication skills. Prompt and straightforward communication keeps you informed and enables you to make decisions quickly that could impact the outcome of the alleged offense and the timing of your release.
The Bail Bondsman's Responsiveness and Availability
A dependable bail bondsman offers 24/7 services because he/she understands that the police can arrest you anytime. The ability to offer you bail bond services around the clock shows how committed the bail bondsman is to service and helping arrestees secure their freedom within the shortest time possible.
The Bail Bondsman's Integrity and Trustworthiness
Committed to maintaining the highest level of professionalism, a reliable bail bondsman upholds a moral standard that establishes credibility and garners trust in his/her clients. A trustworthy bail bondsman should uphold the highest standards of professionalism and morality, building credibility and inspiring trust in his/her clients.
Benefits of Hiring Fountain Valley Bail Bonds Company
Hiring a local bail bondsman following an arrest has several advantages. Explained below are some of these benefits:
Quicker Response Time
If you are under arrest and bail is necessary to have your freedom, time is of the essence. Choosing a local bail bondsman ensures fast release from jail after an arrest because he/she is not far from the police station holding you in custody or the court where your arraignment will occur.
Familiarity With Local Prosecutors and Judges
Another valuable advantage of retaining the services of a local bail bondsman is his/her familiarity with local prosecutors and judges. This firsthand knowledge of the local courts, judges, and their preferences could be a valuable asset following an arrest.
Access to Available Local Connections and Resources
A local bail bondsman probably has well-established ties to the community. These relationships and connections can open up access to priceless resources that would not otherwise be possible. Your bail bondsman's network could be helpful in your case to secure a favorable outcome, whether it is access to legal counsel from knowledgeable attorneys or relationships with other experts who could help resolve complex matters.
The following jail and court addresses will be helpful if you want to bail a loved one out of jail following an arrest in Fountain Valley:
Jail Address
Fountain Valley Jail
Court Address
Central Justice Center
Find a Fountain Valley Bail Bonds Company Near Me
Retaining the services of a bail bondsman can mean the difference between securing your freedom immediately and spending several hours, weeks, or months in legal custody, especially if you cannot afford your bail. If you are under arrest in Fountain Valley, hiring a bail bondsman is a decision you cannot regret.
We invite you to call our reliable bail bondsmen at Riverside Bail Bonds at 951-788-2663 if you or a loved one requires quick and cost-friendly bail bond services after an arrest for any alleged offense in Fountain Valley.
