When the police arrest you In North Hollywood on suspicion of committing an offense, they take you to jail. However, they can release you once you post bail. The court sets the bail amount, which acts as a guarantee you’ll attend your court hearings. However, the court might set the bail at a high amount which could be difficult to raise. In such a case, you would need to use the services of a North Hollywood Bail Bonds agent.
If you or your loved one is arrested in North Hollywood and needs to post bail, you can always contact Steven Mehr Bail Bonds. We have been posting bail for defendants in North Hollywood for a long time. We also have an excellent rapport with the judges, prosecutors, and the police, which means you can get out of jail sooner after we post bail on your behalf.
Read on to understand more about how North Hollywood Bail Bonds work .
Understanding What Bail Is And How It Works
According to California law, bail is an amount of money the court charges so that you don’t have to spend time in custody during the trial period. Once you post bail, you agree to attend all your court hearings without fail. Once your trial is over and you have followed the bail conditions, the court returns the bail money even if you’re convicted. However, if you fail to show up, the court forfeits the bail money and issues an arrest warrant.
If you aren’t in a position to post bail, you will remain in jail until the court determines your case. In North Hollywood, it might take months for your trial to begin after the authorities arrest you. Therefore, it should be your number one priority to post bail after your arrest.
The problem arises when the court charges a significant amount as bail, and you aren’t in a position to raise that kind of cash. If you‘re in such a situation, you need to use the services of a North Hollywood Bail Bonds agent who will post bail on your behalf so that the court releases you from prison.
How Bail Bonds Work In North Hollywood, California
If the court sets the bail at $10,000, for example, the bail bond agent pays a percentage of the bail amounts to pay the $10,000 to the court on your behalf if you fail to show up in court. However, the North Hollywood Bail Bonds company will charge you between 10% to 15% of the bail amount plus other fees. The 10%, in this case, $1,000 plus the additional fees you pay to the bail bond agent is non-refundable. To protect themselves from any loss, the bail bond agent will also require you to provide collateral to cover the bail amount they have to pay the court on your behalf if you fail to show up in court and the agent can’t find you.
The collateral you provide to the bail bond agent can include a deed to your house, vehicle, or piece of land. You can own the collateral, or it can belong to your friend, family member, or colleague. Once the court concludes the case, the bail agent returns the collateral, and your obligation to them is over.
Since the bail bond agent undertakes a significant risk of financial loss should you fail to honor your bail conditions, they take some precautions to ensure you honor the agreement and show up for your court hearings. Most North Hollywood Bail Bonds agents prefer to have your friend or relative offer their property as collateral. The rationale behind this is that you will be more inclined to attend the court hearings once you realize you could render your friend or relative homeless if you fail to attend court.
The North Hollywood Bail Bonds agent will also send constant reminders about your upcoming court dates through phone calls and other means of communication. They will also require you to check-in with them from time to time to ensure you haven’t left town. If you flee and the bondsman can’t trace you, they will usually hire a bounty hunter to find you and bring you back to custody.
The Arrest And Booking Process in California
After facing arrest in North Hollywood, the police book you in jail. Booking means the police take your name and other personal information like your age. They also take your photo and fingerprints and enter them into their computer. They also hold your personal belongings in impound. Next, the authorities conduct a sobriety test, and you’re allowed to make one call. After this, they lock you up in a cell. The court usually sets bail 48 hours after your arrest, but it can take a shorter period depending on the prevailing circumstances.
Understanding How The Court Determines Bail Amount
Most states have a schedule that determines the bail amount the court charges. However, the judge has leeway on this matter, depending on the circumstances of your case. For example, in Los Angeles, the court could set your bail at $2,000 if you’re accused of committing a felony whose maximum jail term is three years. If you’re gainfully employed, or you’re a first-time offender or have family living in the area or have business interests in the area, the judge might reduce the bail amount. However, if you are a repeat offender or have a high risk of fleeing, the judge can decide to increase the bail amount or deny you bail altogether.
In some cases, it’s possible to post bail immediately after your arrest. The police will inform you if that’s possible, and you can post it immediately by paying cash.
Cash Bail Payment Procedure In North Hollywood
In North Hollywood, you can travel to a specified location like a courthouse or jail to post bail for your loved one or friend. A cashier or clerk at the location will receive the bail payment. You must give the official receiving the payment the defendant’s name, case booking number, and the bail amount you have to pay.
Once you make the payment, the cashier or the official who has received the payment notifies the correction facility where the defendant is being held, and they’re released from custody. If the defendant is at the same facility as the official, they will be released immediately. If they are far away, the release might take a few hours.
You can make the bail payment in cash, credit, or debit card. You can also use a certified check. Travelers check or money order to make the payment.
How Do You Find A Bail Bondsman?
In many cases, especially when facing serious charges, the court sets a considerable bail amount. When this happens, you have the option of securing a bail bond. You can search online to find the best bail North Hollywood Bail Bonds agents. Bail bond agents charge a fee of between 10% to 15% of the bail amount. They also charge other nonrefundable fees.
Types Of Bail Bonds in California
You will find different types of bail bonds in California, including:
I. Surety Bond
A surety bond is where a bail bond agent promises the court to pay the entire bail amount should you fail to appear in court. The bail bond agent acts as your surety to the court. However, you will have to hand over collateral to the bail bond company, which they can sell off to pay your bail should you flee before the court determines your case. When you use a bail bond agent, you must pay a fee and other additional costs. The bail bond agents charge a percentage of the bail amount, usually 10% to 15%.
II. Cash Bond
You can pay your bail using cash, and the court will release you once you pay the bail in full. In some cases, the court will set the amount at a high amount if you are at an increased risk of fleeing or pose a danger to the public.
If the court releases you on cash bail and fails to appear for your hearing, the court forfeits the cash bail and issues a warrant for your arrest. However, if you comply with all the rules, the court returns your bail money after determining your case.
III. Property Bond
A property bond is a type of bond where you use your property to secure your release. It means you give your property to the court in lieu as a surety you will attend all your hearings and abide by the bail conditions. If you miss any hearing, the court has a right to repossess the property you offered as security to cover the cost of the bail. You should consider using your property as a way to pay bail very carefully since you can easily lose your house, land or vehicle should you fail to appear for your hearings.
IV. Own Recognizance Bond
Under a personal recognizance bond, the court releases you from jail without having to pay bail. The court gives you this form of bail if you have a good criminal record.
In its simplest definition, a personal recognizance bond is a promise to appear to a court. It means you promise the court in writing you will show up in court and not skip out on trial. Although when out on bail, you’ve plenty of freedom to move around, you can’t run away or skip out on your trial without being punished by law.
If you aren’t capable of paying bail, the court or the prosecutors may consider a personal recognizance bond instead to avoid the financial burden of a bail bond.
The judge decides if you’re eligible for a personal recognizance bond depending on factors like the nature of the offense and your criminal history. The court will also consider the severity of the crime, the danger you pose to the public if the court releases you and your ties to the community, family ties, and if you’re gainfully employed.
Do You Get Your Money Back From A Bail Bond Company?
When you use the services of a bail bond agent, you must pay the service fee and other additional costs. You must also hand over collateral to secure the bail bond. If you abide by the bail bond conditions, the agent will return the collateral upon the determination of your case by the court. However, the service fee and other costs are non-refundable.
What Happens When You Forfeit Your Bail Bond Conditions?
If you violate the bail terms or fail to appear for a court hearing, the bail bond agent has a right to find you and bring you into custody. The courts give the bail bond agents a specified time to bring you into custody if you flee. If they fail to find you, they will have to pay the court the full bail amount since they acted as your surety. The contract with a bail bond agent states you have given the agent the right to enter your home, arrest you and take you into custody. The agreement also states the bail bond agency can use bounty hunters to find you should you flee.
Court House Information In Or Near North Hollywood
Burbank Courthouse
Telephone: (818) 260-8400
Chatsworth Courthouse
Telephone: (818) 407-2200
San Fernando Courthouse
Telephone: (818) 256-1800
Sylmar Juvenile Courthouse
Telephone: (818) 256-1180
Van Nuys Courthouse East
Telephone: (818) 901-4600
Van Nuys Courthouse West
Telephone: (818) 989-6900
Jail Information In Or Near North Hollywood
San Fernando Jail
Telephone: 818-898-1267
LAPD Foothill Area Jail
Los Angeles, California, 91331
Phone: 818-756-8865
Barry J Nidorf Juvenile Hall
Los Angeles, California, 91342
Phone: 818-364-2011
LA County Jail, Nidorf Juvenile
Los Angeles, California, 91342
Phone: 323-267-4800
Juvenile Camp Headquarters
12653 Little Tujunga Canyon Road
Phone: 323-267-4800
Holton Conservation Camp
12653 Little Tujunga Canyon Road
Phone: 818-897-7071
Devonshire Area LA Jail
Los Angeles, California, 91325
Phone: 323-267-4800
Call A Bail Bond Agent Near Me
Understanding bail and how bail bonds work in California can be challenging. Additionally, posting bail after your arrest can mean spending a lot of cash and have serious financial ramifications. Additionally, you’ll have to deal with the consequences of facing a criminal offense charge.
The San Diego Bail Bonds company charges a non-refundable fee, known as the premium, to post bail on your behalf. The defendant and the bail bond company sign a contract stating that the company will pay the court if the defendant fails to appear. If you or your loved one is arrested in North Hollywood and you need to post bail, don’t hesitate to contact Steven Mehr Bail Bonds at 800-834-8522. We will expedite the bail process so that you can be set free as fast as possible.
