A lavish beach city, located on the coast of sunny southern California, Laguna Beach is home to celebrities, scholars, and artists from all over the world. Laguna may seem like an extraordinary place to live, and it is, but that does not exclude this city from a major issue that concerns many in this country… crime rates. Laguna Beach is home to thousands of arrests annually, whether committed by residents or tourists. These arrests can cause unnecessary emotional and financial hardship on everyone involved. No one should have to face the gravity of their case without their entitled freedoms and comforts, and it does not have to be this way. If you or a loved one has been arrested, your first call should be to a reputable bail agent. Bail agents make the cost of bail significantly more affordable while walking you through the process of getting your loved one released from custody to return where they belong. Why pay thousands of dollars on bail fees when that money could be directed towards building a stronger case? Bail bonds are a safe sure method to ensure that you are making fully informed decisions throughout the bail process. If you are looking for a trustworthy agency, dedicated to efficiency, speed, and compassion, look no further! Riverside Bail Bonds has been a part of the Laguna Beach community for years and is widely known as the best bail agency you could find in all of Orange County. Our bail agents will navigate the complexities of the bail system and break it down so that you understand every step. We will make sure that you fully recognize your rights and your options before you act fast on any situation. We will be with you from start to finish and we cannot wait to help you get your freedoms back. You can call us today at any time at 951-788-2663, or you can read on to learn more about the bail system and how we operate.
The Bail System
Immediately after an arrest has occurred, the defendant will be taken to the closest open jail that is in the vicinity. After the defendant has been assigned a jail facility, the booking process will begin. This typically is the time where the inmate will be processed and acclimated to their cell assignment and can take 30 to 60 minutes, varying upon the capacity of the jail. After this is completed the bail procedure may begin. Make note that you should call a bail agent immediately after being made known an arrest occurs. This enables the bail agent to gather the proper information to begin filing paperwork so that the inmate can be released from custody as soon as possible. Bail is established in one of two ways. Typically, bail is decided based on the assignment of a bail schedule. A bail schedule is a list of bail amounts, predetermined by a judge, to speed along the process of allowing inmates to be released from custody. However, if the charge is more high-profile, the defendant may have to wait for the second option of assignment via a bail hearing. Regardless of how your bail is posted, we can assure you that our agents will do everything they can to have you released from custody in the least amount of time possible. You can do your part by relaying as much information to us on the case, as fast as that information is updated. Keeping a strong line of communication between the defendant and the bail agency is essential to allowing us to operate quickly and efficiently.
Your Options
Bail can be a complex process to maneuver, especially if you do not have a bail agent to navigate the intricate details. For instance, you probably did not know that in some cases, bail is not even necessary in order to be released from custody. This is called being released upon your own recognizance. When a defendant is facing a minimal charge, such as a misdemeanor, and poses no risk to the courts or the community, they may be released without having to pay any sort of bail fee. However, this situation is uncommon and there is typically some form of fee that is required. Everyone is entitled to bail as protection under the 8th amendment of the constitution. Thus, if you feel these rights have been violated, you should immediately contact legal representation. The only time this right can be revoked from you is if a judge determines that the defendant is a flight risk to the courts or a threat of danger to the community. However, if neither of the above apply to you, you will be given a wide range of options regarding bail. Taking out bail bond is the most affordable way to go about paying off your bail fees, but we will discuss all of your options so that you can make a fully informed decision. This might seem confusing at first, but we will be thorough and answer all of your burning questions and concerns.
Your first instinct to paying bail might be to have it taken care of fast by paying in full. This is typically referred to as obtaining a cash bond. Cash bonds are a fast option in regard to actually obtaining the bond, but that does not necessarily mean they are the best option. Bail can easily range from ten to fifty thousand dollars, and most people cannot afford to pay the fee in such short notice if not at all. No one should have to take on such a massive financial burden when there are alternative options that are far more affordable. Likewise, after a cash bond is completed, it can take weeks to reimburse the left-over funds. Riverside Bail Bonds provides a multitude of various in-house financing options that enable families of all economic backgrounds to obtain affordable bail bonds. Furthermore, we have opened our agents to accepting cash, credit, debit, check, cashier’s check, money order, and collateral. We have done everything in our power to make bail affordable as widely as possible. However, if you are still facing a financial hardship, we encourage you to discuss your plan with an agent to see if an accommodation can be made. We generally recommend a surety bond as the most feasible option if you are looking for speed and fiscally pleasing choices.
The best and most widely used method of obtaining bail is through a surety bond, also known as a bail bond. A surety bond is a contract between a co-signer and a bail agency, exchanging cooperation for only having to pay a portion of the full bail amount. The co-signer is responsible for paying a percentage of the bond to a bondsman as a premium rate, and then the bondsman puts up the remaining cost. This premium rate is fixed at 10%, as mandated by California law, to ensure that all parties are paying a fair rate. The co-signer will become liable for the full cost of the bond in the case that it is forfeited, but otherwise it is a small price to pay for the security and freedom of fighting one’s case from the comforts of home. The fee is nonrefundable and nonnegotiable as a means of providing the bail agent with an income. Nonetheless, this rate is substantially more appealing than paying the entire bail fee, which we advise against. Our agents will begin to file the application for your loved one’s release, immediately upon payment of the premium fee. This application can be completed by phone or in person and typically only takes thirty minutes to fully fill out. We will simplify the process for you and help you to make the best decision on behalf of your situation. However, if there is an alternative that is more suitable to your situation we would be happy to go over your options and decipher what choice is most fit.
An alternative option that is most commonly seen in cases regarding illegal immigration is the use of a property bond. This is due mostly to the fact that a property bond further enforces that the defendant remains in the country while tending to their legal responsibilities. A property bond, unlike a surety bond, is anchored with collateral. Collateral can qualify as anything from jewelry to real estate but must value in one and a half times that of the actual bond. This overage fee is necessary to ensure that all additional restitutions associated with securing the property are covered. Property bonds are not efficient in terms of speed, taking months in some cases to actually secure property. Meanwhile, the defendant is forced to wait in custody. This method sort of defeats the purpose of a bond being fast. Likewise, another downside to obtaining a property bond is that it cannot be passed on to a new co-signer. If a co-signer decides they no longer wish for their property to be secured, they must file the paperwork to have the bond cancelled, which again can take several weeks, and the defendant will have to be returned to custody. However, if a judge decides to forfeit the bond, the protocol is much different. The defendant will be given thirty days to return to custody or the co-signer’s property will be sold at auction. The profits will then be used to pay off the bond and any restitutions and the left-over funds will then be returned to the co-signer. This is not an ideal situation for anybody, which is why we advise against this option. Property bonds are typically only issued by a judge in cases of illegal immigration to ensure that the defendant remains in the country while tending to their legal responsibilities.
Release from Custody
The next step in the bail process is actually being released from custody. You may think that at this time it is okay to relax, but we greatly caution you to not make this choice. Bail is a great opportunity to defend your case with all for your deserved freedoms and comforts. It is not a time to get a last “hoorah” before conviction. Your very first action upon release should be to contact a reputable lawyer and litigation team to begin building your case. It is important to maximize your time to access all the available resources at your disposal that can better your situation. We are happy to refer you to respectable businesses in the area. It can also be a chance to return to work, tend to your family, and to get your affairs in order in the event of further jail time. It is crucial that you take this time seriously as it can greatly impact the outcome of your case.
Bail is solely available to you at the discretion of a judge. If you violate the terms set in place by the courts, you can have your bail revoked. The co-signer will be asked to keep all contact and case information updated and accurate between the courts and the bail agency. The defendant, on the other hand will be asked to meet a few more requirements. A judge typically mandates that the defendant attend all court hearings, remain within the vicinity of the courts, avoid further criminal charges, and comply with any restraining orders that may apply. As your agent, we will do everything we can to assist you in following all of the proper protocol. We are here to be your advocate throughout the entire bail process. However, if you do fail to comply with your stipulations, the judge will most likely issue a bench warrant. The defendant will then be given thirty days to return to court or the co-signer will be held fully liable for the bond fee. We will do our best to protect you from this inconvenience but the best way to do so is through precautionary measures.
What Makes Riverside Bail Bonds Your Best Option?
You have read a thorough an examination of the bail process and should have a general idea of what to expect at this point, but now it is time to decide how to obtain a bail agent. Riverside Bail Bonds has been long established in the Orange County region, with over 17 years of experience in the bail process. Our agents are just as experienced and have a strong relationship with the courts, knowing what tools to employ in order to ensure a speedy bail process. This is especially essential when time is of the essence regarding your case. We take your time very seriously and strive to maximize it wherever applicable.
Arrests can occur at any time of day and it often happens when an individual least expects it. We understand this lack of expectancy and have devoted our agents to being available to you at any time of the day. Riverside Bail Bonds is under operation 24 hours a day, weekends and holidays. You can call us at your time of need and we will be there. Likewise, we also understand that an arrest can be a private manner. Our first priority to our clients is to keep them safe and secure. We keep all interactions 100% confidential and we will never disclose any information to anyone without your consent and only for the sole purpose of bettering the outcome of your case.
The bail industry is a field that greatly lacks a touch of compassion, and Riverside Bail Bonds has committed our agency to providing that comfort. We are widely known for the best customer service in the region. We will keep you grounded and get you through this pressing situation with both respect and dignity. We understand that people make mistakes, and that an arrest can often be the lowest point in a person’s life. We would never criticize you or make you feel small. We want to build you up with confidence so that you could make confident decisions from start to finish.
If you catch yourself in a bind and need a reputable, fast, efficient, and compassionate bail agent, look no further! Riverside Bail Bonds is the most reliable agency in all of Laguna Beach. You can call us at 951-788-2663 and we will have an agent on the line right away. The application can take as little as thirty minutes to complete, and you will be one step closer to getting you or your loved one home where they belong. No one deserves to go through this alone, and luckily, you do not have to! Do not wait until you have lost your freedoms. Protect yourself today. Call our Orange County Bail Bonds company today!