Posts Tagged ‘bail set’

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.