When detained, the justice system allows for release from custody by paying the bail amount set by the judge or according to the bail schedule. This payment guarantees that the defendant will attend all court proceedings and hearings. If an individual cannot pay the full bail amount, they can work with a professional bail bondsman like Bail Bonds Company. We operate 24/7 and can bail you out if you or a loved one is arrested in Arcadia. Call us today and receive assistance from a well-trained and experienced bail bondsman.
Arcadia Bail Bond Process
The bail bond process in Los Angeles County follows the same steps as in the rest of the state. However, it is worth noting that bail amounts and specific procedures can vary depending on the court and the case's circumstances.
Here are the general steps involved in the bail bond process in Arcadia:
The Arrest
The defendant is arrested and taken into custody by the police.
Booking at the Police Station
The booking process in Arcadia aims to collect the arrestee's personal information and upload it in the National Crime Information System. The data is pivotal for government agencies in the criminal justice system.
Expect the following in the booking process:
- Fingerprinting and photography — The defendant is fingerprinted and photographed.
- Personal Information — The defendant's personal information, like his/her name, address, date of birth, and criminal history, is recorded.
- Medical screening — The defendant is examined by a medical professional to ensure they are in good health.
- Placing in a holding cell — The defendant is placed in a holding cell until the officers complete the booking process.
The booking process can vary depending on the specific jail facility or police station and the case's circumstances. The time a person spends in the booking process also varies depending on the facility and the time of day.
Bail Hearing
Once the officers complete booking the defendant, he/she will have a bail hearing in front of a judge, usually within 24 to 48 hours of their arrest.
A bail hearing is a court proceeding in which a judge determines the conditions of a defendant's release from custody while they await trial. The purpose of a bail hearing is to determine whether the defendant is a candidate for bail release and, if so, what the bail amount should be, and the likely bail conditions the courts should set.
During the bail hearing, the prosecution and the defense will present evidence and arguments to the judge or bail commissioner. The prosecution will argue for the defendant to be held in custody, while the defense will argue for the defendant's release on bail.
The judge will consider various factors when deciding whether to grant bail and what the bail amount should be, such as:
- The nature and severity of the crime.
- The defendant's criminal history.
- The defendant's ties to the community.
- The defendant's employment and financial situation.
- The likelihood of the defendant appearing in court.
- The safety of the community.
Note: The bail hearing is adversarial, and the prosecution and defense will present evidence to support their position. If the court grants bail, the defendant will be released on the condition that they pay the bail amount and abide by any conditions imposed by the court, for example, reporting to a probation officer or not leaving the state. If the defendant fails to follow these conditions, police officers will make an arrest, and the courts will forfeit the bail.
Bail Payment
Bail payment refers to paying the bail amount set by the court for a defendant to be released from custody while they await trial. The bail payment can be made in various forms, including cash, personal check, money order, or credit/debit card, depending on the court and the bail bond company's policies.
When paying bail, it is crucial to ensure that the payment is made to the correct facility and in the right amount. Equally important is to keep the receipt of the payment as it will be needed to prove that the bail has been paid. Further, receipts help when claiming any refundable amounts at the end of the case.
In the case of a bail bond, the defendant or a third party will pay a non-refundable fee to an Arcadia bail bonds company, typically 10% of the bail amount. After that, the bondsman pays the full bail amount to the court.
Bail payment is not a fine or a penalty. The courts will return the amount at the end of the case, minus any administrative fees, if the defendant appears in court as required. However, if the defendant fails to appear in court or violates any of the conditions of release, the courts will forfeit the and subject the defendant to additional charges and arrest.
Release from Prison
After a bond has been posted, the defendant will be released from custody, provided that all the conditions set by the court have been met. The release process after posting a bond varies depending on the facility where the defendant is being held and the jurisdiction. However, the general process typically includes the following steps:
- The bail bond company or the person posting the cash bail will pay the bail amount to the jail or court where the defendant is being held.
- The jail or court will verify that the bail amount has been paid and that all the necessary paperwork has been completed.
- The jail or court will process the release of the defendant. The process includes fingerprinting, photographing, and completing any other necessary forms.
- The defendant will be released from custody and given any necessary instructions on how to comply with the conditions of release.
Once the defendant is released, they will be required to appear in court as scheduled and comply with any other conditions set by the court, like reporting to a probation officer or not leaving the state.
The release process could take some time, especially if the jail or court is busy. It is best to check with the jail or court for an estimated release time and to confirm that all the necessary paperwork has been completed before the defendant is released.
Further, the defendant must comply with specific conditions of release. Examples include restrictions on travel, regular drug testing, or a curfew.
Court Appearances
Court appearances refer to when the defendant must appear in court concerning their case. Courts schedule these appearances and could include the following:
- Arraignment — The defendant's first court appearance, where they will be informed of the charges against them and will enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
- Pretrial hearings — These are court appearances scheduled before the trial. Pretrial hearings aim for parties to discuss and decide on motions to suppress evidence and set a trial date.
- Trial — The defendant's final court appearance, where the prosecution and defense will present evidence and arguments to a jury or a judge, and the jury or judge will decide on the defendant's guilt or innocence.
- Sentencing — If the defendant is found guilty, the judge will schedule a sentencing hearing, where the judge will decide on the defendant's punishment.
The specific court schedule and the number of court appearances vary depending on the nature of the crime and the court's schedule. The defendant is required to attend all court appearances as scheduled. Failure to do so could result in bail forfeiture, additional charges, and the issuance of an arrest warrant.
Return of Bail
If the defendant appears in court as required, the courts return the bail sum to the person or company that posted it at the end of the case.
Note: The bail bond process can vary depending on the specific court and the circumstances of the case. Seek the help of a lawyer or bail bond agency to navigate the process.
Bail Bond Payment Options
Arcadia bail bonds payment options typically include cash, personal check, money order, or credit/debit card. Some bail bond companies also offer financing or payment plans. The cost of a bail bond is typically a non-refundable fee, and the total amount is usually due before the individual can be released from custody.
Additionally, some Arcadia bail bond companies require collateral in addition to the non-refundable fee. It is crucial to check with the specific bail bond company to see what payment options they accept and what their terms and conditions are.
What Other Options Do I Have Besides Using Arcadia Bail Bonds?
Several options are available to individuals seeking to post bail for themselves or a loved one. Some of these options include:
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Cash Bail
Cash bail is a type of bail where the defendant or a third party pays the total amount of the bail in cash to the jail or court where the defendant is being held. This type of bail can be used for all cases, from minor offenses to more serious ones. Courts determine the cash bail amount after considering several factors, including the nature and severity of the crime, the defendant's criminal history, and the likelihood of the defendant appearing in court.
Once the case is over and the defendant has appeared in court as required, the courts return the cash bail to the person who posted it, minus any administration fees incurred. However, if the defendant fails to appear in court, the courts will forfeit the cash bail and subject the defendant to additional charges.
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Property Bond
A property bond, also known as a real estate bond, is a type of bail where real property, like a house or land, is used as collateral to post bail. The process of posting a property bond typically involves the following steps:
- A bail bond company will evaluate the property's value and determine the equivalent amount of bail it can serve as security.
- The property owner will sign a "deed of trust" document that pledges the property as collateral for the bail bond.
- The bail bondsman will then pay the bail amount.
- The courts will release the defendant from custody, but the property will remain pledged as collateral until the case is over.
If the defendant fails to appear in court as required, the property will be subject to foreclosure proceedings, and the property owner could lose the property. If the defendant appears in court as required, the courts will release the asset from the lien, and the owner will not lose the property.
Property bonds typically require a substantial amount of equity in the property, and the property must be within the same jurisdiction as the court where the defendant faces trial.
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Own Recognizance Release (O.R.)
Own recognizance release is a type of bail where courts release defendants from custody without the need to pay bail or post collateral. The defendants are released on the promise that they will appear in court as required.
A judge decides to release a defendant on their own recognizance based on factors including:
- The defendant's criminal record.
- The severity of the crime, and
- The likelihood of the defendant skipping court.
In some cases, the court requires the defendant to provide a written promise to appear or could impose conditions of release like travel restrictions or reporting to a probation officer.
The goal of an O.R. release is to ensure the defendant's appearance in court while minimizing the use of pre-trial detention and the financial burden that comes with it. However, if the defendant fails to appear in court as required, they could be subject to additional charges, and the court could issue a warrant for their arrest.
It bears emphasizing that the court has the final say on the bail amount and the conditions of release.
What Is The Purpose Of Bail Bonds?
Bail bonds allow a defendant arrested and charged with a crime to be released from custody while they await trial. Bail ensures that the defendant will appear in court as required and protects the community from dangerous defendants who could pose a risk if released.
Bail bonds are a type of surety bond typically provided by a bail bond company. The defendant or a third party pays a non-refundable fee, generally 10% of the bail amount, to the bail bond company. In return, the company pays the entire bail amount. This allows the defendant to secure release from custody without paying the full bail amount up front.
In addition to ensuring the defendant's appearance in court, bail bonds also serve other purposes, such as:
- Allowing the defendant to return to their job and support their family while they await trial.
- Allowing the defendant to prepare their defense while they are not in custody.
- Protecting the community by ensuring that defendants who pose a risk are not released without proper oversight.
The court determines the bail amount, and the defendant is not guaranteed to be released on bail. The court will consider the nature and severity of the crime, the defendant's criminal history, and the likelihood of the defendant appearing in court when deciding whether to grant bail and, if yes, how much the bail amount should be.
Online Bail Bonds Options
Online bail bond options refer to the ability to process bail bond transactions through the internet. This typically includes filling out bail bond applications, submitting payment, and signing legal documents electronically.
Online Arcadia bail bonds can provide a convenient and efficient way for defendants and their families to post bail. This was the case during the COVID-19 pandemic when many courthouses and jails had limited in-person visits. Many bail bond companies retained online services post-COVID.
However, not all bail bond companies offer online options, and availability could vary depending on the jurisdiction. Additionally, online bail bond companies have different terms and conditions and could require additional documentation or verification.
Note: Online bail bond companies could not be authorized to do business. Using an unlicensed bail bond company can result in fines, penalties, and the forfeiture of the bond. Before using online bail bond options, it is best to check with the specific bail bond company and the jail or court where the defendant is being held to confirm the availability and the specific requirements.
The Length of Time Arcadia Bail Bonds Remains Valid
The validity of a bail bond typically lasts until the defendant's case is over and they have appeared in court as required. This includes all court appearances and any other conditions set by the court.
Typically, the court will schedule a series of court appearances for the defendant, starting with an arraignment, where the defendant enters a plea, and then pretrial hearings, where the court will decide on any motions and the trial date. The final court appearance will be the trial or sentencing, after which the case will be closed.
If the defendant fails to appear in court as required or violates any of the conditions of release, the bail bond could be forfeited, and the Arcadia bail bonds company could require the defendant to pay the forfeited amount in full or surrender the collateral attached to the bail bond agreement. In this case, the bail bond is no longer valid, and the defendant could be subject to additional charges and arrest.
The specific court schedule and duration of the case vary depending on the nature of the crime and the court's program. It is best to check with the particular court where the defendant's case is detained for more information on the court schedule and the duration of the case.
Arcadia Jail and Court Information
Arcadia Police Department
250 W Huntington Dr
Arcadia, CA 91007
+1 626-574-5151
Pasadena Courthouse
300 East Walnut St.
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 396-3399
Los Angeles Superior Court, Monrovia Court
300 W Maple Ave
Monrovia, CA 91016
Find a Bail Bondsman Near Me
Are you in Arcadia and looking for bail bond services? Reach out to the Bail Bonds Company for assistance. Our team operates 24/7 and is ready to assist you. Contact us at 323-579-1415 for more information.
