You can negotiate for lower criminal penalties during a plea negotiation. Your attorney can argue for a reduced sentence during the sentencing hearing. After conviction, you can file a motion to reconsider your sentence or get an early release with good behavior.
Typically after sentencing, the case is done. In some cases, the defendant may choose to appeal the judge or jury's decision, or even the sentence. There are strict deadlines for appealing. After a defendant serves a sentence, in some cases, they may be able to "clean their record".
You cannot bail out anyone who has been sentenced to prison. Bail is only for pre-sentencing proceedings. Once sentenced to incarceration bail is revoked, and the defendant is taken into custody.
Yes! In California, bonds can be posted twenty-four hours a day, seven days per week. But whether you can bail someone out of jail at any time depends on their situation. When someone is arrested, they have a first appearance soon after.
No, bail is for people awaiting sentencing. Until that time you are innocent and bail is just a way to guarantee that you will go to court. After sentencing you are being detained as punishment and you must complete your sentence.
If the conviction is for a minor crime or the sentence is a relatively short one, there is a greater chance you will receive bail. Most jurisdictions weigh this decision by determining if your jail sentence is shorter than the time it would take to resolve the appeal. If so, you will likely have bail be available.
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.