If a person can't make bail in Sacramento, they must remain in jail until their case eventually goes to trial. The so-called “pretrial detention” period — the time between when a person is arrested and their case reaches a courtroom for a trial — can take anywhere from several weeks to several years.
Court Hearings and Bail Reduction If you're unable to afford bail, another route is requesting a bail reduction during a court hearing. Legal representation can argue on your behalf, presenting factors such as lack of criminal history, strong community ties, and employment status.
Debunking Myths: Jail Time for Unpaid Bail While courts won't jail you for unpaid bail, they might if you fail to attend civil court hearings. Judges could issue a warrant for your arrest for “failure to appear” (FTA).