Every person who is arrested in the United States has the right to bail according to the 8thAmendment of the Constitution. Although there are exceptions to the rule, a person who is charged with a crime has the right to ask for and receive bail. Once bail has been determined, the defendant can have a friend or family member hire a bail bonds agent and post their bond and obtain their release from jail. The agents at Riverside Bail Bonds can help you find out how much bail is and get the bond posted in a timely fashion so your loved one can come home. If you live in the Alhambra area, call 951-788-2663 to get the process started immediately!
How Is Bail Determined?
Bail is often determined through the use of a Pre-determined Bail Bond Schedule. This is a schedule of bond amounts that have been agreed upon by local judges and are set according to the severity and nature of the crime. The list starts with the minor infractions and assigns a bail amount to each one. Felonies will require the highest bond amounts due to the severity of the crime. Bail bond schedules allow the defendant to be released without appearing in front of a judge during an arraignment hearing.
When multiple charges are filed, the defendant may have to wait to be released until they appear at an arraignment hearing. An arraignment is usually required if there are extenuating circumstances that would cause the judge to demand a higher bail than what would already be listed on the bail bond schedule. These types of cases can include aggravated assault, attempted murder, first-degree murder, or any type of charge or charges that are exceptionally violent.
Can A Person Be Denied Bail?
There are instances where bail can be denied. Certain things must happen that would give the judge cause to go against the 8thAmendment. A few of these would be:
- Fear of flight or leaving the jurisdiction of the court
- An exceptionally violent crime that resulted in harm to another person or their death
- Capital murder or conspiracy to commit murder
- Risk of harm to themselves or others
The risk of these types of incidents must be extremely high for a judge to even consider revoking a person's right to post bail.
In some cases, the judge may choose to allow bail but set the amount so high that it is unlikely that the defendant can come up with the funds necessary to post the bond. The bail for a first-degree murder charge can be as high as $1 million to hopefully deter the defendant from being released.
Where Do I Go To Court?
Alhambra residents will have to attend court in the area where the arrest occurred. If it was local, you will more than likely be called to appear at the Los Angeles Northeast Alhambra Courthouse located at 150 W Commonwealth Avenue in Alhambra, California. If you need directions or want to talk to the clerk, call 626-293-2195. The courthouse opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m. If for any reason you miss court, don't avoid the court! Call the clerk's office immediately to let them know what is going on. If you missed court due to something beyond your control, they will reschedule your court date and make sure your bond is secure.
If you live in the Alhambra area and have received a phone call that a loved one has been arrested, don't get upset. The agents at Riverside Bail Bonds are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year to help you get through this difficult time. Pick up the phone and call 951-788-2663 immediately so you can get the bail bonds process underway. The agents have many years of experience and work hand in hand with local law enforcement officers and court officials to make the process as smooth as possible. Dealing with bail bonds is something that many people are unfamiliar with. If you have questions, call the office now and talk to a licensed agent. They have the answers you're looking for and will help you make sense of a difficult situation.
