After facing arrest and detention in a police center, you may have to deal with a new and unfamiliar environment. Naturally, you will have fewer liberties when in police custody compared to life as a free citizen. Therefore, your goal is to exit jail as soon as possible to secure your freedom. When you post bail or bond, you will have a chance to exit jail in exchange for a recoverable security deposit. Once the court receives the amount, they will authorize the release process, meaning you can return to your normal life.
By choosing Steven Mehr Bail Bonds, you have access to well-experienced bail bond agents serving in Los Alamitos, California. Over the years, we have helped multiple clients post bail and bond to secure their release. Thus, you can expect high-quality bail bond services from the team as they work on posting bail for your release.
The Process Leading to Bail or Bond Requirements
After law enforcement officers receive details concerning your wrongdoing, they follow a specific procedure for arrest and detention. The guidelines apply to ensure you face fair processes that do not undermine your constitutional rights.
Therefore, learning of the process leading to detention and bail bond requirements is necessary. Thanks to a proper understanding, you can anticipate the next steps in your criminal process. The following are the main steps involved before facing bail or bond requirements:
Arrest and Booking
When a complainant or a police officer raises alarm over your illegal actions, law enforcement officers conduct the arrest. However, the need to form probable cause before apprehending you to ensure you do not face an unfair process.
Typically, probable cause varies depending on the committed offense. For example, involvement in a DUI requires the arresting officer to establish that you were under the influence when driving. Without forming probable cause, you can rightfully protest the arrest and request for a review or release.
Upon apprehension, the police will then transport you to the nearest police station for detention. When you arrive at the station, the officers in charge will begin the booking process. Booking happens before you proceed to a cell unless many arrested suspects are awaiting the process.
The importance of a booking process is to ensure the police department captures your information for current and future reference.
By retaining your details, a record is created, meaning that your information is easily retrievable. Hence, the booking process entails collecting personal data used to identify you individually. You can therefore expect to have these details collected:
- Your official name
- Identification card number
- Your driver’s license details
- Your photographs, also known as mugshots
- Fingerprints
- Details regarding your next of kin
When the officer in charge consolidates these details, they will run a background check to determine whether you are a repeat offender. They will refer to your records for subsequent operations, including when going over the bail bond schedule.
Determining the Preliminary Bail/ Bond Amount
The bail bond schedule is available for reference at the police station, allowing you to estimate the amount that the judge may require. After completing the booking process, the presiding police officer should help you go over the document for easier preparation.
You should remember that the schedule provides descriptions for various offenses and lists the bail bond amount. Subsequently, you will need to know the charges you face, especially unfamiliar with Penal Code provisions. The police officers will offer additional guidance in determining your possible charge.
Having determined the approximate amount of bail or bond you will pay, you can request to speak to a loved one or a bail bonds agent. In doing so, you will be one step ahead in preparing for the bail bond hearing.
For example, after the bail bond agent learns of the estimated amount, they can apply to the company to set the money aside. This way, the agent can make upfront payments soon after the hearing.
Court Arraignment for the Bail Hearing
Statutory requirements dictate that an arrested suspect should be arraigned in court for a bail bond hearing within twenty-four hours of arrest. However, an exception applies to persons arrested over the weekend, as courts resume sessions on Monday.
When you are eligible for the hearing, you want to contact your bail bonds agent as well as your attorney. They will offer the necessary support for a successful bail/bond outcome. Moreover, you can make inquiries on what to expect during the hearing.
What to Expect in a Bail Hearing
When appearing before the presiding judge, you will receive several questions. Firstly, the judge requires you to state your plea; whether you are guilty or not guilty. Afterward, the bail hearing begins, leading to an analysis of your case.
Although the bail bond schedule provides the estimated prices to pay, the judge retains discretion in granting bail. Further, they may enhance or reduce the amount depending on several factors. Due to this, you want to be ready to respond to the posed questions.
Factors for the Judge to Consider Before Granting Bail
The factors discussed below vary based on the arrested person’s case outline. Thus, the judge may not go over all the concerned elements. On the other hand, they may decide to include additional factors to consider, also informed by the nature of your offense. The main factors for consideration include:
Whether you are a Repeat Offender
Typically, repeat offenders face more scrutiny and restrictions based on their repetition of the offense. Thus, the judge may impose a higher bail amount as a punitive measure to deter you from future legal violations. Moreover, the judge may deny bail, particularly if you have repeated the same offense more than thrice.
The Nature of the Charged Offense
Additionally, the nature of your charges plays a significant role in your bail hearing outcome. For example, offenders involved in felonies may have to pay higher bail amounts compared to misdemeanor offenders.
Whether You Can Re-Integrate in Your Community Without Causing Harm
The judge should also be confident that your release poses no significant danger to the general members of your society. Thus, they may conduct a brief assessment to determine whether release on bail or bond is suitable.
Whether You Are a Flight Risk
Anyone marked as a flight risk may risk losing out on release by bail or bond, as they are likely to evade the trial. Subsequently, you should aim to prove your ability to comply by surrendering your passport and other documents. Doing so will increase your chances of release.
What Posting Bail Entails
Bail is the most commonly used means to exit jail after the judge clears you. Therefore, understanding how it works will help you prepare and comply with the judge’s directions.
When posting bail, you will be making a promissory transaction between you and the court.
The judge will order you to deposit the chosen amount in exchange for your freedom. Further, the bail amount acts as collateral to bind you into making the necessary court appearances. This is because failure to appear in court when required will result in the complete loss of your money. On the other hand, defendants who comply are entitled to retrieving their money after the trial concludes.
Different Ways to Post Bail
You can explore various ways to post bail, depending on your financial capacity. However, the set bail amount may invoke indirect limits to some payment methods due to transaction limits. Therefore, you want to select a suitable option for a fast and reliable transaction. The various ways to post bail are:
- Upfront cash payment
- Through cheque payments
- Through a bail bonds agent
What Posting Bond Entails
Alternatively, the judge may decide to issue bond payment directives. The option is often reserved for offenders involved in more severe offenses amounting to felonies. Often, most bond directives require you to hand over the lien over specific property or valuable items to the court.
They would hold it within their control until your trial is complete and revert it to you if you completed the attendance requirements. On the other hand, failure to make the necessary attendances may jeopardize your entitlement to your property.
Since you may lack property or valuable items equivalent to the court’s asking price, your Los Alamitos bail bonds agent will post the bond on your behalf. They will also act as a guarantor for your court appearances to secure their surrendered property.
How Your Los Alamitos Bail Bonds Agent Helps
Upon approaching a bail bonds agent, they will pay the entire fee required in court on your behalf. They do this in exchange for a service fee discussed in detail below. However, since the bail bond company needs to maintain its operations, they require you to provide collateral.
To avoid future disputes, you will need to agree on the collateral item before the bail bond transaction is complete. Further, deciding on the preferred time will give you the necessary freedom to secure your release from jail.
Once the bail or bond is paid and you exit jail, you will begin making payments for the bail bond services. Although most clients will comply with the requirement, some may refuse to complete the transactions.
In this case, the bail bond company can rightfully take over the property issued as collateral. By taking a lien over the item or property, they can recover the amount you need to pay. Recovering their amounts in this way is considered more advantageous, as you will avoid legal avenues like suing.
Service Fees Charged for Working With a Bail Bonds Company
In California, bail bond service providers follow a specific billing system for the services issued. The amount is regulated at 10% of the total amount payable to the court. Since it is not a fixed amount, your Los Alamitos bail bonds agent will have experience in handling multiple transactions.
While the 10% fee is widely considered fair, some clients may still find it challenging to make the necessary payments. This often happens when the bail or bond amount is set at an extremely high fee, leading to a direct increase in the service fee. For example, if your bail amount is set at $200000, you will still have to pay $20,000 to the bail bonds agent.
Consequently, you may require a payment plan to ease the financial pressure you may otherwise face. Therefore, approaching your bail bonds service provider for payment plan options is advisable. Upon reaching an agreement, you will have an easier time completing the payments to avoid inconveniences.
Jail and Court Information for Los Alamitos Facilities
Although your assigned bail bonds agent may take over posting bail or bond on your behalf, you may still require to make personal follow-ups. For example, you may need to reach your loved one in a detention center to ask for their identification details. Thus, the following are useful contact details to note:
Los Alamitos Police Department
3201 Katella Avenue
Los Alamitos, California,
90720, United States.
Los Alamitos Community Center
10911 Oak Street,
Los Alamitos, California,
90720, United States.
Pacific Youth Correctional Center
3192 Mainway Drive,
Los Alamitos, California,
90720, United States.
Los Alamitos Jail
3201 Katella Avenue,
Los Alamitos, California,
90720, United States.
Contact a Bail Bonds Service Provider Near Me
When you or a loved one is currently detained in the local police station, they may face several challenges when behind bars. Therefore, posting bail or bond as soon as possible is advisable. In doing so, they will have a chance to return to their normal life. Further, they will be in a better position to plan for any oncoming trial by meeting with a criminal defense attorney. While posting bail is an excellent solution, undertaking the process alone may be challenging. This is because the requirements are strict and may have strict deadlines. Working with a bail bonds service provider is advisable, as they will expeditiously work on your or your loved one's release.
At Steven Mehr Bail Bonds, we work hard to deliver fast results for anyone detained in jail. Our bail bond agents are well trained in using technology and accessing your details on time to begin the process. Additionally, they are well versed with the court requirements to satisfy before proceeding to make payments. Therefore, you can expect a faster and more reliable service from the team than working alone in jail release. If you or a loved one requires the services of a bail bonds agent in Los Alamitos, California, contact us today at 800-834-8522.
