Bail Bonds in San Diego: What You Need to Know
Most people won’t need to know how to get themselves or a loved one out of jail. And yet, it doesn’t take much to find yourself on the wrong side of the law. An erroneous charge of domestic violence, one too many drinks at the company Christmas party, or even getting behind on child support could end with someone in jail in downtown San Diego.
The good news is that if you or someone you know are arrested, you don’t have to wait in jail until the trial date. If you can post bail, you’ll be released until the date of your hearing. If you can’t afford to post bail, the key to an earlier release is working with a company offering bail bonds in San Diego.
The Arrest and Beyond: Understanding the Process Leading Up to Using Bail Bonds in San Diego
There’s a lot that you should know about the process of getting bail bonds in San Diego because missteps here could be disastrous.
The beginning of the process is the initial arrest. Once arrested, the individual will go through processing and booking. They will also have the opportunity to make a phone call to an attorney or a loved one.
Eventually, the arrested individual will go to what’s called an arraignment. This is a meeting with the judge during which the individual’s case is assessed and bail is set. In California, judges use what’s called the Uniform Bail Schedule to determine the amount of bail to set for different charges. A couple of primary factors go into determining the amount of bail (and whether bail will be set in the first place).
The first of these factors is the severity of the crime. Both felonies and misdemeanors qualify for bail, although not all crimes do. In the case of particularly serious charges, the judge may choose to deny bail, but this decision is never made lightly. In general, the more serious the charge, the higher the total bail amount will be.
The second factor is the number of crimes the accused is charged with committing. This will also affect the amount of bail, with those accused of multiple crimes having higher bail amounts than someone with fewer charges, although severity will definitely play a role here as well.
Finally, the judge makes their decision based at least partially on the defendant’s perceived flight risk. That is, if the judge deems the arrestee likely to flee the country rather than go to court, they might set the bail amount higher than otherwise or deny it outright. Many factors play into how a court sees a person’s flight risk, including:
· Family ties in the area
· Community ties in the area
· Employment situation
Once the judge has set the bail amount, the defendant then has the option to pay it and be released from jail, pending their trial. This may be unrealistic for most people because even less serious crimes can see a total bail amount somewhere between $20,000 and $50,000. Few people have the financial resources to post bail on their own.
This is when people turn to a bail bonds service in San Diego.
Understanding Bail Bonds for San Diego Residents
If you or a loved one has been arrested and arraigned, and bail has been set, it’s time to contact a company that services bail bonds in San Diego. Called bail agents, these individuals work with family members or the defendant to have them released on bail.
So, how does the process of bonds work in San Diego, Chula Vista, and the surrounding areas? You’ll want to follow these steps.
First, you’ll need to contact a local bail bondsman.
Next, you’ll need to provide the bail bond agent with some basic information, including the defendant’s name and where they are currently incarcerated – that might be San Diego Central Jail, the San Diego County Jail, or another facility within the wider area.
The information will also include the accused’s booking or report number and a list of the charges they’re facing.
You will also need to provide any information regarding the arrest that the bail bonds agent might require.
Finally, you will need to complete the paperwork and pay the non-refundable fee.
How Much Do Bail Bonds Cost in San Diego?
The fee paid to a bail bonds agent is equal to 10% of the total amount of bail. So, if your loved one’s bail was set at $10,000, the total amount paid to the bail bond agent would be $1,000.
Is the Bond Refundable?
No, the 10% paid to the bail bonds agency is not refundable. This is a fee, not a deposit. Some bail bonds services may require the entire amount paid upfront, but many can offer payment plans that allow you to break the amount up into smaller, more affordable chunks over time.
How Do Bond Agencies Get My Loved One Out of Jail?
Once the fee has been paid and all the information has been gathered, the bail bonds agent will usually meet you at the jail to get you or your loved one out of jail.
In Conclusion
If you or a family member are facing jail time, working with a company that specializes in bail bonds in San Diego can offer the help and hope that you need. Bail bond companies offer an affordable way to have a loved one released from jail until their court date without having to pay the entire bail amount set by the judge.