Options for Getting Out of Jail Without Money Release on Recognizance (ROR) Definition: Release based on the defendant's promise to appear at all court dates. Bail Reduction Hearing. Definition: A court hearing to request a lower bail amount. Public Defender Assistance. Pretrial Release Programs. Bail Bondsmen.
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.
Common Bond Conditions: The Essentials to Know Mandatory Court Appearances. One of the primary conditions of being out on bond is attending all scheduled court appearances. Travel Restrictions. Maintaining a Law-Abiding Lifestyle. No Contact with Certain Individuals. Compliance with Substance Abuse Testing.
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.
Meanwhile, the courts may find 'good cause' in alignment with PC 1382 to delay the trial. This usually relates to complex cases or the discovery of new evidence. As with most states, California has stay-out-of-jail periods lasting between 90 days and 120 days depending on the circumstances of the case.
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."