Ed. Note: The following content was provided by All American Bail Bonds who is a client of KHTS AM-1220.
One of the most common questions agents who sell bail bonds in Santa Clarita get is “How is bail set?”
“Judges are responsible for setting bail,” said Inessa Chavez, bail bond agent at All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita. “Because many people want to get out of jail immediately and, depending on when you are arrested, it can take up to five days to see a judge, most jails have standard bail schedules which specify bail amounts for common crimes.”
How Bail Works
When you or your loved one are arrested, the arresting agency such as the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station will arrest and book the person on a certain criminal offense.
The agency will then use a Los Angeles County Uniform Bail Schedule that tells them how much to set the bail at.
“Most people can be released on bail,” Chavez said. “Some are held and not released because the arresting agency feels that the person may flee the state or country, he or she is charged with capital offence or the release will compromise public safety.”
Depending on what the person was charged with, bail can range anywhere from a thousand dollars to millions of dollars.
Bail can be raised, or lowered in court depending on a case.
“The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution requires that bail not be excessive,” Chavez said. “This means that bail should not be used to raise money for the government or to punish a person for being suspected of committing a crime.
“The purpose of bail is to give an arrested person their freedom until he/she is convicted of a crime, and the amount of bail must be no more than is reasonably necessary to keep them from fleeing before a case is over.”
Bail goes along with the law that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty. It gives the defendant their freedom, for the duration of their case and assures the court that the arrestee will take responsibility for the dates and judgments of the court.
If you have questions regarding bail, All American Bail Bonds agents are more than happy to help.
“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