Bail Industry

Understanding the Bail Bond Process – II

In the last part we learned that there are 3 main steps that happen prior to someone being bailed out of jail.

• A person is arrested and ‘booked’
• Bail Is Set
• Bail is Posted

In the last post we discussed what happens when a person is arrested and booked. This post will discuss how a bail is set and posted.

How Is a Bail Determined?

Each year in Los Angeles, a new Bail Bond Schedule is issued by a conference of Judges. This sets the standard for all Judges throughout the county and determines the bail amount for all crimes. This is the schedule that is used by all Judges, defense attorneys, police and bail bonds man in order for them to be able to know how much bail needs to be posted. Although you can ask for a bail hearing in an attempt to lower your bail amount, most likely it would be futile. With the schedules, Judges are unlikely to waiver on the amount. Because of overcrowding in jails, most misdemeanor crimes, known as a ‘lesser’ crime, examples would be petty theft or disorderly conduct, do not usually require bail to be posted for release. People are “released on their own recognizance”, meaning they are expected to return when requested or they will be arrested.

When A Los Angeles Bail Bonds agent Posts Your Bail.

The final step is the bail bond agent posting the bail. Since  all Los Angeles Bail Bond companies are licensed by the Department of Insurance and the state caps the maximum fee at 10%, you will not be asked to provide a fee higher than 10%. Once the fee has been paid, the bail agent will pay the bond to have you released. Processing and release times can both be longer than expected, especially in larger jails. Processing (when you are taken in) can take up to 24 hours and once your Bail bond has been paid, being released can take between ten and twelve hours. Nobody likes the idea of staying in jail a minute longer than necessary, this is why contacting an experienced, qualified, Los Angeles Bail Bondsman as soon as possible will help expedite your release.

Communication With Your Bail Bondsman

During this emotional and confusing time, clear communication with your bail bondsman  is essential. Most reputable Los Angeles Bail Bonds agencies have 24 hour lines where you can reach a licensed bail agent with any questions you have to ask. Before hiring a bail bondsman be sure to ask up front what their policies and views are when it comes to asking questions and helping you or your loved one understand the bail process in Los Angeles. You also need to know what sort of  turn around you can expect, how long will you or your loved one be in jail while you wait for a Los Angeles Bail Bondsman to post bond? Will they help you understand the process are they available by phone if you have questions? All of these are important questions that you need to know before making a decision.

Understanding the Bail Bond Process – I

Trying to understand the Los Angeles Bail Bond process or one from any other city can be confusing and quickly become frustrating. There are 3 main steps that happen prior to someone being bailed out of jail.

• A person is arrested and ‘booked’
• Bail Is Set
• Bail is Posted

Understanding these first steps will make it easier to navigate the process of getting bailed

What Happens When You Are Arrested?

The process below is explained for the City of Los Angeles; however, the process is very similar in every other city

In Los Angeles when a person is suspected of committing a crime of some sort they are arrested. The first step is that they are usually taken, by police car, to a detention center and go through a process where they are ‘booked’. At this point, background information is collected. The police look for outstanding warrants, or charges against the person. They take finger prints and run them against unsolved cases or, if this is a first offence, simply index them. Photos, known as ‘mug shots’, are taken and any possessions the person may have on them at this time are taken and processed. If there is a concern that you are under the influence of something, intoxication checks are done at this point. Finally you are escorted to a holding cell where you are allowed to make one collect call. Usually at this point you call a loved one. Discussing with them the possibility of contacting a good, reputable Los Angeles Bail Bonds agency who is an expert in your area, is the best plan.

In the next part of this series, we will discuss how the Bail is set and then posted.