This is a question that most people don’t spend too much time thinking about in their daily lives. At some point, however, the answer may reveal itself through a first or secondhand experience.

In California, individuals are taken to a local law enforcement station to be processed and booked after being arrested. Their personal belongings will be taken and catalogued while a background check is performed.

For eligible defendants, their bail amount will be set during the booking process, and once placed in a cell, they will be able to contact a bail agent or family member to work towards securing their release.

Related: Bail Bonds In Santa Clarita: Decoding Bail Bonds, The Importance Of Hiring A Bail Agent

“The bail system works to ensure that defendants make all of their court appearances,” said Inessa Chavez, vice president of All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita.

Within the criminal justice system there are two release options that rely on the integrity of the arrestee and are initiated by law enforcement staff.

Own Recognizance (OR) is a less common release option that typically evaluates individuals through telephone interviews and allows detainees to be released without any economic commitment.

Citation Release is another scarcely available option where the arresting officers inform the arrestee of their upcoming court date and release them, often times without completing the formal booking process.

Related: Bail Bonds In Santa Clarita: Criminal Sentencing In California

If OR and Citation Release are not options presented, there are three additional release options that will utilize the defendant’s assets to ensure that they appear in court.

A cash bond requires 100 percent of the bail amount to be posted in cash to the courts. If the defendant appears at all of their scheduled court hearings, the cash will be returned.

In rare cases, property bonds can be posted with the court in order to secure the bail amount. If the arrestee fails to appear in court, the court may initiate foreclosure proceedings on the property in order to collect the forfeited bail.  

A surety bond requires a contractual agreement with a bail bonding company like All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita. It allows for the bail amount to be posted by a bail agent with the expectation that the defendant will appear at all court dates and complete any additional conditions set in their contract.

While there are several ways for an individual to be released from jail, working with a bail agent to execute a surety bond can be an effective option.

Bail agents are available 24/7 and need to be given the defendant’s full name, aliases, jail location, booking number and charges. They charge a premium percentage of the bond — which is 10 percent in the state of California — and once it is paid, they will take action for the defendant to be released.

After their release, it is paramount for the defendant to appear at their court hearings to avoid further repercussions.

“With Us You Are Never Alone”

All American Bail Bonds

23360 W. Valencia Blvd. #E

Santa Clarita, CA 91355

661-255-2245

Call Toll Free: 888-755-2245

24 hours a day — 7 days a week

If your loved one is in custody and they wish to talk to an All American Bail Bonds representative, call:

818-990-0003 or 661-267-6777

[email protected]