When you engage in criminal activity, you could face arrest and detention awaiting trial. Sitting behind bars before trial can be traumatizing. You could miss time with family and sometimes lose your job. Fortunately, most defendants can be released pending trial upon posting bail.
Bail for defendants varies based on the criminal charges and criminal record. You can either pay your bail in full up front or opt for surety bonds or property bonds. For most defendants, surety bonds are the safer option. At Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds, we will offer the financial assistance and expert guidance you need to navigate the bail process in Clovis, CA.
Types of Bail
Bail is the guarantee that, after you are released from custody, you will return to court to attend all scheduled proceedings. There are different forms of bail you can use to ensure a release for yourself or your loved one, including:
Own Recognizance Release
Not all defendants need to make a monetary commitment for a release before trial. Sometimes, the court can allow your release on a promise that you will return for scheduled proceedings. You may qualify for an OR release if this is your first crime or if your offense is minor.
Even after a release on your own recognizance, the court may still impose some strict conditions on you during the period of release. If you violate these conditions, you may face detention and a bail requirement.
Cash Bail
When you decide to post a cash bail, you must cover the entire amount that the judge sets up front. You could consider cash bail if you have the financial means to pay. With this type of bail, you can eliminate the need for intermediaries in the case. You can get a full refund of your payment after the case ends and you meet all the conditions.
However, arrests are often unexpected, and most people rarely have sufficient funds to make the payments. Furthermore, posting high bail amounts could create financial scrutiny from the court or prosecution. A financial investigation can delay your release and invade your privacy.
Property Bonds
If you and your family have insufficient funds to pay a cash bail, you can use property that you own to secure a release. When using a property bond, you will present the property deed before the court. A judge places a lien on it and can only lift it when the case has ended. Depending on the bail amount set, the court will determine the value of property that is acceptable as bond. Before accepting the bond, the court will schedule a hearing.
At this hearing, you must present the property deed and appraisal documents for the property. If you own the property in question jointly, all the individuals whose names appear on it need to attend the hearing.
Surety Bonds
If you do not have enough money or property for your bail, you can post a surety bond. Securing a release on a surety bond requires you to call a Clovis bail bonds service and ask for help. After receiving your request, the agency will appoint a bondsman who will handle your case. The bail bondsman will consider the defendant's risk of flight and the co-signer's ability to pay the bond costs before offering their services.
If you are eligible for a bond, you can pay 10% of the original bail amount and secure your loved one's release. Sometimes, the service fee for the surety bond is too high to afford in a single installment. In this case, you can request your bondman to create a repayment plan for you. With such a plan, you will only cover a portion of the bail bond fee in advance. You can pay the balance in installments over a year.
Many people opt for bail bonds because they save money and receive guidance through the bail process.
What Happens to Bail When the Case Ends?
Bail is no penalty for your crimes. Therefore, you stand to recover the full amount you paid when the case ends. The fate of your bail money depends on your adherence to the bail conditions:
Bail Exoneration
If you follow all the conditions set by the judge at your release, you can receive the amount you paid as bail. For cash bail, the judge can send you a check for the full bail. If you offered a property bond, the court will lift the lien it placed on your property. For defendants who post bail with the guidance of a Clovis bail bondsman, the surety company will not be obligated to pay the full bail amount.
Bail Forfeiture
The court can forfeit your bail if you violate bail conditions or you fail to show up for trial. A bail forfeiture means that you may not recover the money you used. If you paid cash, you risk losing the full amount. For defendants who use property, the court can auction it to cover the bail. If you post bail, the Clovis bail bondsman should cover the total bail amount. If you provided collateral, you may lose the item to the surety company.
Jails serving Clovis, CA, include:
Clovis City Jail
Courts serving Clovis, CA:
Fresno County Superior Court
Find a Reliable Clovis Bail Bonds Company Near Me
When you or your loved one is arrested in California, securing a quick release is a priority. It helps you avoid the stigma of spending time in detention and can enable you to return to your family. With bail, you can secure a release pending trial. When the court determines an appropriate amount of bail for your case, you can post it immediately and go home. However, many defendants cannot afford to pay the high bail amounts up front. Therefore, they may need surety bonds to have a chance at release.
If you seek a surety bond, you can contact a Clovis bail bonds company and request their assistance. If you meet the eligibility requirements, the agency will help you secure a release at an affordable fee. With the reliable services we offer at Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds, your bail process can be faster and smoother. Contact us by calling 844-400-2245 from Clovis, CA, for much-needed assistance.
