When a person is arrested, they are entitled to a bail hearing within 24 hours of their arrest, regardless of what they have been charged with. The bail hearing determines if they can be released from custody until their trial date.
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.
Bail information is considered public record in the State of California, meaning that anyone (not only defendants themselves) can request this info. The details can be accessed via the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system or the Criminal Intake Section.
Post-conviction bail is usually not available after convictions of serious or violent crimes, but some jurisdictions allow post-conviction bail when a defendant's sentence is shorter than the amount of time that it would likely take to resolve the appeal.
Common reasons for bail denial include concerns about the gravity of the offence, potential risks associated with the release, and the accused person's criminal history. By understanding the reasons for bail denial, the accused person can work with their defense lawyer to address those concerns effectively.
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.
It is possible to revoke a bail bond if your circumstances or the relationship change, or you have concerns about the defendant's behavior. To revoke a bail bond in California, you will need to contact the bail bond agency and inform them of your decision.