Bakersfield is a city in Kern County, California, with a population of 403,455, according to the 2020 census. The city is an energy production and agricultural hub, ranked as California's leading oil producer and the fourth-largest agricultural county nationwide. An arrest in this city can disrupt your life by leaving you unable to work and separating you from your loved ones. Every hour counts when you are in jail, and a quick pretrial release should be among your priorities so that you can resume your life.
Understanding the city’s bail process is critical in securing an early release. At Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds, we are available around the clock and discreet. Our bail bondsmen are available to answer your questions, walk you through the bail process, and secure you a quick and affordable release from jail or police custody pending the trial.
The Arrest and Booking Process
After your arrest or that of a loved one, the arresting officer transfers you to the nearest police station for booking. Booking takes between minutes and hours, depending on the inmates being processed and the available staff. The process can be daunting and long, but it is a necessary step in the bail process. So, ensure that you cooperate with the officers and answer any questions they ask to avoid delays or complications. At this stage, the police collect crucial identifying information. The details they gather at this stage include:
- Your full name
- Your physical description
- Your fingerprints
- A mugshot
- Your physical address
- Information regarding your next of kin
- Your contact information
Additionally, the police will confiscate your personal items and enter them in the inventory. Also, the police will conduct a comprehensive search of their database for any active arrest warrants. Once the booking is completed, the police will return your phone so you can make a call. This is your best chance to contact your Bakersfield bail bonds service. If you do not have a bail bondsman in mind, you can call a trustworthy friend or relative so that they can call the bail bonds company on your behalf.
The Purpose of Bail
Once you are booked, you must wait for bail determination if you are eligible to secure pretrial freedom. Bail is set in two ways. One, the arresting officer can rely on the Kern County bail schedule to establish the predetermined amount assigned to the crime. The officer follows the prosecutor’s bail-determination guidelines using the schedule. Not all crimes are assigned bail amounts in the schedule. Only infractions and misdemeanors.
However, for severe offenses not listed on the bail schedule, you must appear before a judge in an arraignment hearing to learn your bail. Alternatively, the judge can set a separate bail or adversarial proceeding to address bail matters. In the hearing, the prosecutor provides reasons for opposing bail, while your defense attorney gives reasons you should be granted bail. Based on the evidence presented and the case’s facts, the judge can grant bail, deny bail, or revise the bail amount set during arraignment.
The Eighth Amendment provides all defendants with the right to bail and pretrial freedom. The purpose of bail is to guarantee to the court that you will return for future hearings and the trial after temporary release. The bail amount varies based on several factors, including:
- Flight risk
- The severity of your offense
- The threat the defendant poses to the public
- Criminal record
Once bail is set, you can post it with cash or through a bail bond. In some instances, bail is set so high that the defendant cannot afford it in cash. You should hire a Bakersfield bail bonds service to provide the financial support to post bail and guide you through the bail process for a quick release.
1% Bail Bonds
A bail bond works by allowing a defendant to post bail they would not otherwise be able to afford. Your Bakersfield bail bonds company pays the full bail on your behalf or promises to owe the court an equivalent of bail if you skip court. In exchange, you pay the company a 10% non-refundable premium. The bond is then secured using collateral.
The 10% fee is a fraction of the total bail you should deposit. So, by hiring a bail bonds firm, you significantly reduce the initial cost of pretrial freedom. However, even though the premium fee is small compared to the total bail you should post, sometimes the amount can run into thousands of dollars, making it challenging for some families to afford. If you are in this position, it is good to open up about your financial struggles and negotiate the repayment of the bail bond premium.
After a successful negotiation, the Bakersfield bail bonds company can grant you a 1% down bail bond. Here, you pay 1% of bail instead of 10%. The balance is paid in installments after the defendant secures release. The bail bondsman will be willing to negotiate a flexible repayment plan that suits your financial situation and makes it difficult to default. Because you, the defendant, are in jail, you appoint a cosigner to handle the bail bonds contract, including payment of the bail premium.
The Information your Bail Bonds Firm will Require to Execute the Contract
When your cosigner contacts the bail bondsman to help with your release, the company will require the following information to process bail:
- Arrest information
- Details of the cosigner
- Financial details of the defendant and cosigner
Hiring the Right Bail Bonds Firm
The time it takes to process your bail depends mainly on your choice of Bakersfield bail bonds firm. Finding the right company is usually the cosigner's responsibility. The qualities you should look for in a company include:
- Presence of online and over-the-phone bail services
- Flexible premium repayment plans
- Around-the-clock availability
Jail and Court Details
Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility
Metropolitan Division of the Superior Court
Find a Seasoned Bail Bondsman Near Me
Attaining an early pretrial release offers several benefits, including reuniting you with your family, resuming work, and starting to prepare for the trial. Your chances of a favorable outcome in trial are high if you prepare sufficiently from outside jail. Bail is the most common way to leave jail after arrest, but it can be complicated, which is why you need a professional.
At Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds, we understand that pretrial release restores stability in your life. Our bail bondsman will provide the support you need to regain freedom. Contact us at 844-400-2245 to begin the bail process in Bakersfield.
