Ed. Note: The following content was provided by All American Bail Bonds who is a client of KHTS AM-1220.

Your teenager was just arrested for vandalizing the walls of a local high school and you wonder, “what do I do?” All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita has highly trained bail agents that want to make the process of getting a loved one out of jail as quickly and smoothly as possible for their clients.

“The good news is that vandalism is considered a misdemeanor, which is a criminal offense considered less serious than a felony,” said Inessa Chavez, vice president of All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita.

Misdemeanors generally are punishable by a maximum fine of $1,000 or a county jail term of one year or less, but not by imprisonment in a state penitentiary.

Examples of misdemeanors include prostitution, vandalism, drunk driving and shoplifting, depending on the value of the merchandise.

After an arrest is made and the police take the defendant to jail, one of three things can happen:

1. The defendant is released and no charges are filed.
2. The defendant bails out or is released on his or her own recognizance (“O.R.”) and is scheduled for arraignment.
3. The defendant remains in custody of the sheriff or law enforcement agency and is brought to court for arraignment.

“The bail is usually set at the defendant’s first court appearance after an arrest by a judge,” said Chavez.

When the defendant is brought to court for an arraignment or plea:

1. The defendant is informed of charges
2. The defendant is informed of his or her constitutional rights
3. An attorney is appointed. If the defendant wishes to have an attorney but cannot afford one of his or her choice, the court will appoint one.
4. Bail is set by the court, or the defendant is released on “OR,” or the defendant remains in custody.

OR

1. Defendant enters a plea – guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

Judges usually follow standard practices for misdemeanors, for example, bail for nonviolent petty misdemeanors is usually set approximately $500.

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.

Defendants or loved ones of the defendant can post cash bail or purchase a bail bond from a bail agency, such as All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita.

“If the bail is set at $500, the defendant or a loved one of the defendant would pay premium, or 10 percent of the bail amount,” said Chavez. “In this case, they would only be paying $50 at All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita.”

Under certain circumstances, judges can remove bail altogether and grant release on the defendant’s O.R.

“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

[email protected]