Temecula is a popular inland tourist destination with plenty to offer visitors and residents. It is also home to a robust police department.
Last year, a local couple got the scare of their lives when armed bail agents burst into their house looking for a defendant who had skipped court. Bail bond companies offer financial assistance and expert guidance to help defendants secure their release from jail.
Golden Boy Bail Bonds explains key factors influencing bail amounts in Temecula courts. Their website goldenboybailbonds.com offers insights and services for navigating bail processes effectively
1. Bail is determined by a judge
The judge is responsible for setting bail, and they typically use a county’s bail schedule as a guideline. However, the judge has the discretion to increase or decrease the amount, release the accused on their own recognizance, or deny bail altogether. The judge will consider a variety of factors, including the severity of the charge, your flight risk, and your past criminal history.
The court will also consider the potential penalty for your offense, which is the maximum punishment you could face if you are convicted. Crimes with more serious penalties will likely carry a higher bail amount.
If the judge sets a bail amount that is beyond your or your loved one’s financial means, you can hire a Temecula bail bondsman to help you post it. For a 10% non-refundable fee, the bond company will promise to pay the court the full bail amount if you or your loved one doesn’t show up for all scheduled court appearances.
2. You have the right to post bail
When you or a loved one is arrested, they will be taken to a Temecula jail and “booked.” Once the judge determines the bail amount, you have the right to post bail. Generally, the judge will set bail based on the county’s bail schedule. However, the judge can increase or lower your bail, deny it altogether, release you on your own recognizance, or impose other conditions.
When bail is posted, the court guarantees that you will attend all required court proceedings until your case is fully resolved. If you do not appear, the court will forfeit the bail money and may impose additional legal consequences.
If you are unable to pay the full bail amount, you can ask that it be assigned to someone else by submitting a sworn affidavit (available on the forms page). Upon a favorable disposition, such as dismissal or acquittal, you will receive the entire sum of your bail. If you are convicted, the court will retain 3% of the bond poundage.
3. You have the right to a speedy trial
Many criminal defendants have no way to come up with the high sum of money required for bail in a timely manner. In this case, a Temecula bail bonds agency can help them get released from jail for a small percentage of the total bond amount. The company promises the court that the accused will show up for all scheduled proceedings and obey any other conditions imposed on them.
The right to a speedy trial is one of the most fundamental rights guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution and the laws of individual states. This means that prosecutors must bring charges against accused criminals within a certain time frame or the charges will be dismissed.
The short time frame can make it difficult for the defense attorney to obtain information and evidence, take depositions, interview witnesses, and file motions. Additionally, the witness pool can quickly dwindle over time, and physical evidence may be lost.
4. You have the right to a lawyer
If you’re arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Temecula, you will be taken to one of the local jails. Men are held at the Southwest Detention Center and women are held at the Larry D Smith Correctional Facility.
Once you’re “booked” you’ll be charged with a felony or misdemeanor. A judge will schedule a bail hearing and determine your eligibility for a bail release. The court will attach specific bail conditions that you must follow while out on bail. Bail is not a punishment but rather a promise to appear at all future court proceedings, including trial.
Most people do not have the cash or property necessary to post bail. This is why a bail bondsman can help you. They will provide financial assistance and expert guidance to make the process faster, easier, and less expensive. Contact Justice Bail Bonds on Old Town Front Street for help with child endangerment and other types of criminal charges in Temecula.