Detention Centers in Riverside, CA:
Robert Persley Detention Center
Corrections Department
Riverside Sheriff’s Department
Courts Serving Riverside, CA:
Superior Court of the County of Riverside
Court of Appeal
Bail is the money paid by defendants to the court in exchange for a temporary release. Instead of sitting behind bars waiting for trial, many defendants pay the bail money and go home to be with their families during the difficult times of battling criminal charges. In cases where you do not have the financial capacity to post bail on your own, you must call a reputable bail bonds company immediately after learning of your loved one’s arrest.
With the help of its agents, the bail bonds company will take on the responsibility of paying a defendant’s bond and ensuring that they do not skip court dates. The only amount you will pay for bail bonds is 10% of the bail to act as a bail bond fee. This removes the financial strain of raising bail money and focuses on planning a defense and hiring legal guidance. At Get Lucky Bail Bonds, we understand the devastation of sitting behind bars. Our Riverside bail bond agents will offer you fast and affordable bail services to ensure your loved one comes home with you.
Cash Bail
Paying your bail in cash is the fastest and most convenient way to secure a defendant's release before trial. The court will accept a cash-only bail if the defendant is a low flight risk. Additionally, individuals will have the opportunity to post cash bail for minor offenses like failing to appear for court dares or failing to pay fines. When you opt to post cash bail, the court requires that you post the total amount.
If you are in jail, your family member or third party can post your bail. Presenting a cash bail is not complicated and can take a few hours. Unless instructed otherwise, the court cashier will write a bond receipt in the name of the person that pays the money. This allows the refund to go to the right person after a bail exoneration.
Like other types of bail, individuals released on cash bail must comply with specific conditions set by the judge based on the nature of their criminal activity. After posting the cash bail, the court holds that amount in a truck until your case ends. Whether you face a conviction or exoneration will not affect your bail amount.
Although cash bail is fast and easy, most defendants avoid this option because:
- Cash bail is expensive. You can only secure a loved one’s release on a cash bond if you present the total amount stipulated by the judge. California courts have a reputation for setting bail amounts. Therefore, many defendants lack the financial capability to post bail in cash.
- Loss of assets. Most people adamant about securing cash bail could be tempted to liquidate their assets to raise the bail money. Since the need to secure the release is abrupt, the assets may not fetch an amount close to their real worth.
- Financial scrutiny. When you post cash bail, the prosecution or judges may investigate the source of your funds. Even when the defendant’s crime is not financial, an investigation is aimed at determining whether the funds were obtained illegally.
In federal court, the court holds two separate hearings. The first hearing determines the bail amount, while the second hearing is held when you decide to post cash bail. During this hearing, you are responsible for proving to the court that the amount you used for bail was obtained legally. Instead of going through the hassle associated with a cash bond, it would be best if you opted for a bail bond.
Bail Bonds in California
Bail bonds are agreements between a defendant, a bail bonds company, and a bail bonds cosigner. The bail bonds company agrees to post bail for the defendant in exchange for a bail bond premium. The bail bonds process begins when a defendant is found on the wrong side of the law. A police officer will arrest you and take you to jail, where the booking process takes place. After the booking, they are allowed a phone call when they can call you and inform you of their arrest.
The judge holds a hearing where they assess different aspects of your case and quote a specific amount needed for bail. Although you can negotiate for a bail reduction, bail amounts in California are generally very high. This makes it challenging to raise the amount. If you allow a loved one to sit in jail because bail money is unavailable, they will miss time with their family and could lose their job.
Posting a bail bond is easy for many defendants from financially strained backgrounds. If you learn of your loved one’s arrest and realize that the bail amount is not easy to raise, you must immediately contact a Riverside bail bonds agent. When contacting a bail bonds agent, you must have the following information:
- The jail cell where your loved one is held. This allows the agent to locate the defendant faster.
- The official names and booking numbers of the defendant.
- The severity of the crime with which your defendant is charged.
- The amount of bail needed for a release.
Before agreeing to offer you a bail bond, the company will need the bail bonds agent to assess different factors of the case to determine your eligibility. Two main factors can help determine your eligibility for a bail bond:
- Defendant’s flight risk. Like a cash bail, the court will forfeit a bail bond if a defendant fails to return to court or violates the bail conditions. As you seek the bail bond for your loved one, you must prove to the agency that the defendant will not flee. You can do this by explaining that they have a stable job r family in the area.
- A cosigner’s ability to pay for the services is critical. Seeking a bail bond for another person means you are the cosigner for their bail bond. As a cosigner, you are responsible for ensuring that the defendant shows up for trial. In addition, you must cover the 10% premium and the bail bond fees. If you demonstrate the ability to pay this fee, the company can consider the defendant for the bail bond.
If the bail bonds agency agrees to your request for a bail bond, the agent will gather all the paperwork, and you can sign the agreement. Before signing a contract, you must read through it to ensure that you meet the company's requirements. In addition to the premium, some companies require that you offer collateral for the bail bond.
The collateral acts as security to ensure the company can recover its money in case of forfeiture. Collateral can be any valuable item like real estate property, vehicles, or expensive jewelry. The Riverside bail bonds agent will go to court post bail and ensure your loved one is free. If a defendant skips bail, the bail bonds company will hold you responsible for all the losses associated with bail forfeiture.
Characteristics of a Good Riverside Bail Bonds Agent
Although posting a bail bond is easy, cheap, and convenient, your experience will depend on the type of bail bond agent you hire. Bail bond agents are the bail bonds company employees, and they walk with you from the moment you contact the company to when bail is exonerated and you recover your collateral. Therefore, the choice of a bail bonds agent can make a significant difference. The following are some of the characteristics you want your bail bondsman to have:
- In-depth knowledge of the bail process. Bail bond agents have the responsibility g]to guide you through the bail payment process. If you have questions about your loved one’s release and what the court expects, the agent is the right person to answer you. Therefore, you must go with an agent who exudes in-depth knowledge.
- Availability. A good bail bondsman is available when you call. If your loved one is arrested on a weekend or during the night, you don’t need to wait until morning or on a weekend day to start processing their release. Therefore, an agent who is ready to render their services at any time of the day is what you need.
- Ability to communicate. Going to jail is a traumatic experience, and one of the roles of your Riverside Bail Bonds agent is to help you understand the bail process in the best way possible. As you are distraught from the arrest and detention, the right agent must be able to take you through the process while exercising utmost empathy.
- Licensing. Working with a licensed bail bonds agent gives you the confidence that you are receiving the best services. California requires licensing for all bail bond companies and agents. Therefore, having a license may indicate a proven record of quality services.
- Excellent reputation. The internet advancement allows you to check relevant information about any company online. Before you settle for a bail bonds company, you must search for credibility and experience. An experienced bail bond agent can work well with law enforcement officers and courts to secure a fast release for the defendant.
- Patience. A professional bail bondsman exercises patience when dealing with you and the defendant. The time after an arrest and detention is confusing. Your agent should understand that you are distraught and be patient with all your questions and concerns.
- Transparent. The worst thing that could happen to you is signing a bail bond agreement and later finding additional charges or requirements you did not know. Therefore, you must work with an agent who discloses all details of your agreement before you sign it. Lack of transparency can take away your trust in the company.
Exoneration
Bail exoneration is the recovery of bail money. Often, the court allows you to collect your money under the following circumstances:
- The defendant appears for trial. The main aim of paying bail is to assure the court that you will follow up with all your court processes. Therefore, chances of bail recovery are high if the defendant appears for their court proceedings.
- No bail violation. In addition to the requirement to return for trial, the judge imposes additional requirements that a defendant must follow while on bail. Some common bail release conditions may include travel restrictions, no contact orders, and avoiding criminal activity. Often, the court may impose more conditions depending on the specific factors of your case. Adhering to all bail conditions increases your chances of a bail exoneration.
If you pay bail for a loved one in cash, you can collect a refund check a few weeks after the end of the defendant’s case. In cases where a bail bond is used, your Riverside bail bonds agent stands to collect the total amount they presented to the court. While bail amounts are refundable, the 10% premium paid to the bail bonds company is not refundable.
Bail Forfeiture
The most significant risk of posting bail for a loved one or friend is the likelihood of losing the full amount through forfeiture. The court will not refund the amount paid as bail in cases where the defendant flees after a bail release or a bail violation. Bail forfeiture can be voluntary, where you allow the court to use the bail money to cover your fines and other court costs. On the other hand, involuntary bail forfeiture is a consequence of skipping bail.
If you used a property to secure your loved one’s release, the court holds onto it. Bail forfeiture causes a loss to the bail bond company for defendants who secure a release on a bail bond. During the initial stages of seeking a bail bond, the Riverside bail bonds agency will assess the defendant’s likelihood of flight before entering into the bond agreement.
If your loved one or friend is a high flight risk, you may need to secure the bail bond with collateral. If the bail bonds agency loses its money from a forfeiture, the agent could seize and sell the property used for collateral.
Find a Competent Riverside Bail Bonds Company Near Me
The first thing on your mind after learning of a friend’s arrest or facing your own arrest is how to post bail and get back to your life. Unless a police officer releases you on a citation or you secure your own recognizance, you will need to come up with bail money to secure your release. Typically, a defendant is expected to remain in a jail cell until the judge pronounces the outcome of their case. However, California law attempts to reduce crowding in jails and maintain the integrity of the defendants by allowing them to secure their release before trial.
The court ensures that you will not flee after your release by mandating payment of bail money. Bail amounts vary depending on the crime and other factors in a defendant’s case. If you cannot afford the amount quoted by the judge, you can contact a bail bonds company to help you in the bail posting process. These companies provide both finances and guidance at a 10% fee. Opting for a bail bond allows you to have a lower financial burden in the bail process. At Get Lucky Bail Bonds, our team of professional bail bondsmen is available to take your call and post your bail in Riverside, CA. Call us at 951-506-0006.
