No time is ideal to receive a phone call from a Laguna Niguel jail about a friend or loved one charged with a crime. Whether you were expecting the call or it took you completely off guard, you must think of a quick and convenient way to secure their freedom. At the Steven Mehr Bail Bonds, we can stand beside you irrespective of why you are behind bars. We understand that it may take a while to gather the required monies in person, and that’s where we step in to lend a hand. Our services are fast and reliable, and we can quickly return your loved ones home, where they belong.
We have a solid team of skilled and courteous bail bonds agents who are just a phone call away. You can reach us 24/7/365 for directions on how to process your loved one out of jail. By ensuring speedy processing, we believe that you can focus on what’s important, building a strong defense for your case.
An Overview of the Bail Bond Process in Laguna Niguel
The bail bond process in Laguna Niguel is not so different from the processes in other counties within California. If your loved one is in jail and you want to bail them out, you must know what to expect until the bail bond is exonerated.
Booking and Processing
Once the police arrest you, they will take you to the police or sheriff’s station for booking and processing. This is where they will take your photos and fingerprints and even conduct a thorough background check. Note that booking and processing can take anywhere between 2 and 8 hours to be completed. After this, the law enforcement officers can inform you of the bail according to the bail schedule.
Setting of Bail
Sometimes, the police cannot release you based on the bail schedule. This may happen if you are accused of a high-level crime, or you have a criminal history. In this case, you must attend a bail hearing where a judge will dictate the most appropriate bail amount. Note that it is also possible for a judge to release you on your own recognizance or deny bail altogether.
If the judge sets a bail amount, you could settle it to secure your release using three main options:
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Cash bail — If you can afford the total amount of the set bail in US currency, then you can post it to secure your release from jail. The money you post is referred to as a cash bail or bond.
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Property bond — A property bond can be in the form of real estate property or any other form of collateral that can be used as security for the bail. Note that the courts only accept assets whose values are considerably higher than the set bail amount.
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Bail bond — If you cannot afford cash bail and don’t have valuable property that can be used as collateral to secure your release, you have the option of obtaining a bail bond. This is by far the most common and preferred method of posting bail. You simply need to approach a bail bonds company in Laguna Niguel and pay an upfront fee of about 10% of your total bail money.
Steven Mehr Bail Bonds is a respected bail bonds company in Laguna Niguel. Once you give us a call, you will talk to a licensed and experienced bail bonds agent who will take you through the process of securing our services. In as little as 30 minutes, we can begin processing your loved one out of jail!
The Release of a Defendant
The bail bond process is quite straightforward, and meeting with a bond dealer in person is not always necessary. You can obtain the bail contract and application forms online, complete them and send them back via email or fax. If you want to bail a loved one out of jail, the contract will inform you about your responsibilities and potential repercussions if the defendant fails to attend all court hearings on the set dates. You will also have to pay the bail bond fee, set at 10% of the bail amount. This means that if the total bail amount is $20,000, you only need to settle an upfront fee of $2,000.
After the paperwork is complete and you have settled the bail bond fee, the process of securing your loved one’s release can begin immediately. Bail bonds companies work round the clock, so you don’t have to worry about contacting them after hours. Your loved one can be out of jail in as little as 30 minutes or a maximum of 12 hours. It will all depend on the prison where they are held and how quickly the staff can secure their release.
Attending All Court Dates
Bail bonds offer an affordable and convenient means for defendants to enjoy their freedom until trial. Remember that irrespective of the charges you face, you are not guilty unless the prosecution can prove so beyond a shred of doubt. Before your trial date, you can resume working and enjoy spending quality time with your loved ones.
It is crucial to understand that the courts will set certain conditions of release. The main requirement is that you have to appear in court during each court-appointed date. The work of a co-signer is to ensure that a defendant doesn’t miss any of the set court dates. If the skip town or skip court, the bail money will be lost, meaning that the defendant and bail-bond co-signer must repay the bailing company the full face amount of the bail bond.
The Bail Bond is Exonerated
If a defendant satisfies the conditions of release and their case is determined, the judge will exonerate the bail. This breaks any pacts the courts have with a defendant or bail bond co-signer relating to the bail money. The court will always exonerate the bail money, irrespective of whether a defendant is found guilty or is acquitted.
The bail bond process is easy and convenient. If you want to bail someone out of jail, we can offer much-needed assistance. Call us at any time of day or night for a free consultation.
What Happens To The Bail Money In Laguna Niguel If You Fail To Appear In Court?
The aftermath of failing to appear in court in Laguna Niguel will highly depend on various factors. First, the court will consider the type of bail you posted. For instance, if you posted cash bail, the court will forfeit the money and not make a refund. On the other hand, the court will strip you of ownership of the property you set as collateral if you post a property bail.
You can expect the same process if you use a bond. The only difference is that in this case, the bail bond company will be on the hook and will be forced to settle the total bail amount. As such, the company will seek to regain its money by selling any property you set as collateral. If your agreement didn’t involve using collateral, the bail bond company has to use a bounty hunter to help re-arrest a fugitive.
The work of a bounty hunter is to apprehend fugitives and return them to jail. If they are successful in a mission, they are paid a small percentage of the bond. Usually, the courts set a time limit to re-arrest a defendant, or else the bond company has to submit the set bail amount in full.
It is also possible for the court to vacate an order to forfeit the bail. This may happen if a defendant shows up within 180 days from the date of bail forfeiture and provides a valid excuse. The court may still exonerate the bond if a defendant offers reasons such as:
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Serious injury or illness that is backed by a medical report
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Verifiable temporary or permanent disability
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The defendant was held in custody in a different jurisdiction
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Temporary or permanent mental illness that the report of a practitioner can corroborate
It is also imperative to understand that failing to show up for your court dates has financial and criminal consequences. Usually, the courts will indicate your FTA on your record, affecting the bail hearings of subsequent court cases. For instance, a judge can use this record to increase your bail or deny it altogether.
Moreover, an FTA (failure to appear) attracts criminal penalties. If you fail to appear to answer a misdemeanor charge, the judge will add an FTA misdemeanor sentencing during your conviction. If you fail to show up in court to answer felony charges, the court will add another FTA felony sentencing to your punishment.
Any time the courts release a defendant from jail, the main condition of release is to attend all court hearings without failure. That said, whether you are required to post bail, or a judge releases you on your own recognizance, the courts will order your arrest immediately after you miss a court date.
It is in your best interests to stay the course after posting bail and returning home. You cannot afford to take the privilege of posting bail lightly. It allows you to return to your loved ones, focus on your defense and enjoy your freedom before trial. Apart from committing to attend your court dates, other conditions of release you must adhere to may include:
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You will remain within the jurisdiction of the court
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You will not commit any other crimes
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You will give up your rights to possess a firearm and other lethal weapons
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You will not consume alcohol or drugs or enter establishments where such substances can be bought
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You will check in with the court and your bail bondsman regularly
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You will notify the court and your bail bonds agent of any changes in your personal contact information or employment status
Note that violating any of the set terms of release can lead to the court revoking the bond. This means you will be rearrested and taken back to jail until the trial date.
Laguna Niguel, CA Court, and Jail Information
If you are arrested in Laguna Niguel, you will be transported to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for booking and processing before being ferried to the main jail in Santa Ana. Depending on a defendant’s location during an arrest, they may also be transported to neighboring prisons.
Jail Information
Orange County Sheriff’s Department Main Jail facility (Central Jail Complex)
550 N. Flower Street, Santa Ana, 92703
Phone No: (714) 647-4666
13502 Musick, Irvine, CA, 92618
Phone No: 949-855-2612
325 S Melrose Drive, Vista, CA 92081,
Phone No: (760)-936-0014
Riverside Jail (Robert Presley Detention Center)
4000 Orange St, Riverside, CA 92501
Phone No: (951)-955-4500
Las Colinas Detention Facility
Riverview Pkwy, Santee, CA 92071
Phone No: (619)-402-1312
1173 Front St, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone No: (619)-610-1647
315 4th Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Phone No: (619)-691-5220
Court Information
Harbor Justice Center - Laguna Hills
Harbor Justice Center - Newport Beach
Phone No: (657)-622-5400
Civil Complex Center - Santa Ana, CA
Phone No: (657)-622-6878
Community Court - Santa Ana, CA
Phone No: (657)-622-5801
Central Justice Center - Santa Ana, CA
Phone No: (657)-622-6878
Find a Bail Bonds Agent Near Me
Fast and reliable are two words that best describe our services. At the Steven Mehr Bail Bonds, we take pride in upholding the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity, and trustworthiness. If you or your loved one is in a Laguna Niguel jail, we can help you secure your freedom so you can start preparing for your case as soon as possible. Our qualified bail bonds agents treat each client with compassion because we understand that even good people are not immune to a bad turn of events. You can bet on our expertise, experience, and promptness in handling the bail bonds process. If you need our help, please call us at 800-834-8522 to talk to one of our bail bonds agents.
