Bail is part and parcel of the U.S. (and Californian) legal system. It's essential for upholding American citizens' right to a fair trial.
Bail not only gets you out of jail for the moment, but it is also financial leverage for the offending person to appear in court. If the person appears in court as scheduled, the bail amount is returned. However, should they fail to show in court, they are subject to arrest and the bail amount is forfeited.
Prosecutors usually move cases along more slowly when defendants are not in custody. As a result, witnesses can disappear and cases can get stale, so that bailed-out defendants often wind up with better deals. As defense attorneys like to say, "Justice delayed is justice."
The decision to post bail for someone should not be taken lightly. Financially, you risk losing the bail amount or collateral if the defendant fails to appear in court. Legally, the defendant's absence can lead to arrest warrants and additional charges, complicating their legal situation further.
Should you bother trying to get out on bail or released on your own recognizance? Talk to your lawyer about how your case may play out and your options. Generally speaking, getting out is usually the better option.
You should only help bail someone out of jail that you trust to show up on time for all of their required court appearances. However, be assured that the outcome of the trail has no bearing on whether the bail bond will be released.
No - if you signed the bond it doesn't matter whether you have a job or not - or whether the bondsman asked you if you did. You are liable as surety on the bond - having a job or not has nothing to do with your liability. Sorry.
In California, a bail bondsman typically has six months to find and return the defendant. If the defendant is not found in the timeframe, you will be responsible for paying not only the full amount of the bond, but also any additional expenses and any unpaid premiums.
Most bond agreements include travel restrictions, confining you to a specific geographic area such as your county or state. These limitations are designed to ensure your availability for court dates. If travel is necessary, you must seek prior approval from the court or your bail bondsman.