It’s late at night, and you receive a phone call letting you know that a friend or loved one was arrested. You want to help them get out quickly, but it’s after business hours. Now what? Can you bail someone out of jail at night?
Yes. Keep reading to learn how. A reputable, round-the-clock bail bond company is your best resource for bailing someone out of jail at night.
Most arrested people want to get out of jail as soon as possible. The best way to do that is by posting bail.
Bail is cash, a bond, or property that someone who’s been arrested gives to a court to secure their release until trial. It is not a fine. Instead, bail serves as insurance that a defendant will appear in court. If they fail to appear, the defendant forfeits the money. After the trial is over, bail is returned (except for a processing fee).
You may hear the terms “bail” and “bond” used interchangeably, though they’re different things . Bail refers to the money the defendant must pay to get out. A bond is what the bail bond company posts to secure the defendant’s release.
Many arrests occur outside of business hours, and most bail bond companies are open twenty-four hours a day.
However, keep in mind that even though a bail bond company is open at night, it may be several hours before your friend or loved one is released. Many factors may affect how quickly an arrested person is released from jail.
In California, bail bondsmen usually charge about seven to ten percent of the whole bail. Once the bondsman receives payment, they deliver the bond to the court to secure the defendant’s release. Bail fees are non-refundable.
There are three kinds of bail:
If you’re unfamiliar with the process, here are the steps to follow to bail someone out of jail.
Receiving a call from your local jail can leave you shaken up, but don’t forget to obtain the relevant information. It’s critical to know how much the bail is and what the person is charged with. You should also know where they are being held and their birth date.
Once you have all the necessary info, contact a bail bond company right away to start the process. They will ask for information about the arrested person’s situation and explain your options.
Be prepared to pay part of the bail amount. The bondsman will let you know how much is required and your payment options. You will also have to fill out some short forms, which can usually be completed via email if you can’t fill them out in person.
Before signing anything, it’s critical to understand that the bond signer assumes full financial responsibility for the bond amount if the defendant fails to appear. You should only enter into this agreement if you are one hundred percent certain your loved one will make all appearances. If you have any questions, ask the bail bond company first.
The bail bond company will secure your friend or loved one’s release once all paperwork is in order. At this point, you should drive to the detention center where they’re being held. They’ll need a ride home, or they may need a ride to their lawyer’s office.
Yes! In California, bonds can be posted twenty-four hours a day, seven days per week. But whether you can bail someone out of jail at any time depends on their situation.
When someone is arrested, they have a first appearance soon after. During this appearance, they go before a judge, who decides the bail amount based on the crime. But when an arrest occurs on the weekend, people often have to wait until the next business day to see the judge.
However, for less violent or severe offenses, the defendant may be able to forego court and go home. Common crimes usually have a fixed bail amount, which is what courts refer to as a “bail schedule.” In many cases, bail can be assigned based on the schedule, even before a defendant’s first appearance.
A judge may decide not to grant the arrested person bail. They will look at the defendant’s history to determine if bail is suitable. Judges take into account things like the severity of the crime and whether or not the person has missed court before. Being from far away may also hurt your chances of receiving bail.
If you have a friend or loved one in custody in California, Roseville Bail Bonds is ready to help–day or night. Contact us, or call us at 916-771-4222 to get started on the bail bond process right away.
For those facing felony charges in California, the bail process can be more complicated than for those facing misdemeanor charges. This is because the amount of bail set for felonies is typically much higher than for misdemeanors and may require the use of a bail bond company to post bail. If you or a loved one are facing felony charges in California, it’s important to understand how the bail process works and what options are available to you. What Is Felony? In California, a felony is defined as a punishable crime by death or imprisonment in state prison. Examples of felonies include rape, murder, robbery, and assault with a deadly weapon. On the other hand, misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in county jail. Felony Vs. Misdemeanor Charges in California? The main difference between felony and misdemeanor charges in California is the potential punishment if convicted. Felonies are more serious crimes than misdemeanors with harsher penalties. For example, a conviction for a felony can result in a prison sentence, while a conviction for a misdemeanor usually only results in a county jail sentence. Another key difference between felonies and misdemeanors is that felonies are typically charged as “wobblers.” This means that they can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances of the case. Misdemeanors, on the other hand, are always charged as misdemeanors. What Are Wobbler Offenses in California? A wobbler offense may be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances of the case. There are many wobbler offenses in California, including typical felonies, like grand theft and burglary, and some usual misdemeanors, like petty theft and vandalism. Whether to charge a wobbler offense as a felony or a misdemeanor is up to the prosecutor. They will consider the severity of the crime, the defendant’s criminal history, and the victim’s injuries when making this decision. If a wobbler offense is charged as a felony, the defendant will usually be sentenced to prison if convicted. The arrested person will usually be sentenced to county jail if it is charged as a misdemeanor. What Is Bail? Bail is the money that an arrested person or defendant must pay to be released from jail pending their trial. Its purpose is to ensure that the defendant will return for their court date. If the defendant does not show up for court, they will forfeit their bail, and a warrant will be issued for their arrest. In California, bail is set by a judge at the defendant’s arraignment. The judge will consider several factors when setting bail, including the severity of the crime, the criminal history of the accused, and whether or not there is a flight risk. Flight risk means that the defendant is likely to flee the jurisdiction before trial. If the judge thinks the suspect is a flight risk, they will set a higher bail amount. How Much Is the Bail for Felonies in California? The bail set for felonies is typically much higher than for misdemeanors. For example, the bail for a felony murder charge can be as high as $1 million, while the bail for a misdemeanor DUI charge is typically only a few thousand dollars. This means that many people facing felony charges in California will need to use a California bail bonds company to post bail. Bail bond companies are businesses that post bail on behalf of the defendant. The company will usually charge the defendant a non-refundable fee (10% of the bail amount) to post bail. If the suspect fails to appear for their court date, the bail bond company must pay the total amount of the bail. The company may then try to track down the defendant and bring them back to court. If they are not successful, they may hire a bounty hunter. What Are the Different Types of Bail Bonds in California? There are three main bail bonds types in California, such as: Cash Bail Bonds A cash bail bond is when the defendant or a cosigner pays the full amount of the bail in cash to the court. The money is then returned to the cosigner at the end of the case, minus any fees that may be owed. Property Bail Bonds A property bail bond is when the defendant or a cosigner uses their property as collateral for the bail bond. If the suspect fails to appear for their court date, the court may seize the property, and a bounty hunter may be hired to track down the defendant. Surety Bail Bonds A surety bail bond is when the defendant or a cosigner pays a bail bond company a non-refundable fee (10% of the bail amount) to post bail on their behalf. Failure to appear of the accused for their court date means that the bail bond company should pay for the full amount of the bail and may hire a bounty hunter to track down the defendant. How Do I Choose a Bail Bond Company in California? There are many bail bond companies in California, so it’s essential to choose one that is reputable and has experience posting bail for felonies. You can ask the people you trust if they have any recommendations, or you can search online for reviews.You must also ensure that the California Department of Insurance licenses the bail bond company you choose. You can check the Department of Insurance’s website to verify that a company is licensed. Bailing Out a Loved One in California If you have a loved one who has been arrested and charged with a felony in California, it’s essential to act quickly. The sooner you contact a bail bond company, the sooner your loved one will be released from jail. Also, make sure to understand how to post a bail bond in California before you sign any paperwork. You don’t want to end up paying the bail’s full amount if your loved one fails to appear for their court date.