Bail is when a person charged with a criminal offence is released from custody while awaiting their trial. An individual can be released with or without conditions that they must follow during their release. Not everyone who is charged with a crime receives bail.
Felony Domestic Battery: Felony charges often result in higher bond amounts, ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 or more, depending on the specifics of the case. Aggravated Assault or Battery: Bond amounts for aggravated offenses can be significantly higher, potentially ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 or more.
Bailing someone out of jail who has a history of untrustworthy behavior can create headaches. You're essentially agreeing to put up 10 percent of a bail bond that could be tens of thousands — or even hundreds of thousands — of dollars. If they fail to show, then you went to all that extra trouble for nothing.
California's statewide Penal Code also provides minimum bail amounts for certain crimes. If a county hasn't adopted a schedule, the statewide figures apply. For misdemeanor assault, for example, the Code mandates $10,000 minimum bail.
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 Bonds and Credit Scores It's a common misconception that co-signing for a bail bond will ruin your credit. In reality, a bail bond won't affect your credit score in any way. However, bail bond companies may conduct a credit check before allowing you to get a bail bond to make sure that you're a reliable co-signer.