Ed. Note: The following content was provided by All American Bail Bonds who is a client of KHTS AM-1220.
Sometimes it seems that if a person can’t make bail, they stay in jail. All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita wants to ensure that their clients don’t feel that way by educating them about the constitutional and other limits on how much bail a court can impose on a defendant.
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“At All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita, we want to ensure that all of our clients have a fair bail amount,” said Inessa Chavez, vice president of All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita. “Our hope is to reduce a client’s bail amount by as much as possible.”
The bail system is designed to guarantee the appearance of a criminal defendant in court at the time the judge directs. Typically, bail is set by a court based on:
- The severity of the alleged crime.
- If the defendant poses a risk of leaving the country before a trial or bail hearing if released.
- If the defendant poses a risk to the community if released from jail.
The Eighth Amendment prohibits “excessive bail,” meaning that the bail can’t be set so high as a ploy to force a defendant to stay in jail.
“A court has the right to refuse to release a defendant at all under certain circumstances,” said Chavez. “For example, in cases when defendants are charged with murder.”
Defendants have the right to request lower bail as well as request a hearing to seek bail reduction under the constitution and the Bail Reform Act.
The defendant can argue the initial bail set by the court is too high at the hearing.
“While we would like clients at All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita to be able to pay their bail easily, it is not required by the court,” said Chavez.
If the court’s motive isn’t to force the defendant to stay in jail awaiting trial, the court can set bail at any level it can justify.
The prosecution can also request the court set a higher level of bail if the defendant poses a risk of leaving the country before a trial or bail hearing or poses a risk to the community if released from jail.
“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 loved one in custody and they wish to talk to an All American Bail Bonds representative call:
818-990-0003 or 661-267-6777
CLIENT.SERVICES@ALLAMERICANBAILBONDS.COM
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