Learn More About Bail

Bail Bonds in the San Gabriel Valley

What is Bail?

Bail is an amount of money that must be paid to the Court in order to secure a defendant's release from custody. When an individual is arrested and charged with a criminal offense, his or her first court appearance will be an arraignment. The judge will inform the defendant of the criminal charges he or she faces, and the defendant will enter a plea of guilty, not guilty or nolo contendere (no contest). If the defendant pleads not guilty, the court will set a bail amount. At times this may be based off a particular schedule laid out for similar offenses, or the judge may determine a specific bail amount to apply to the defendant's unique situation and charges.

Bail may vary depending on the severity of the charges, the defendant's perceived danger to others, and whether the court considers the defendant a "flight risk." Such factors as the nature of the offense, the defendant's ties in the community and similar factors will be taken into account when the court sets bail. At times, a defendant may be released on his or her own recognizance. This means that no bail amount needs to be paid.

Why is bail necessary?

Bail is used as a guarantee that a defendant will show up in court when necessary. Instead of simply releasing a defendant and hoping that he or she shows up in court for trial, the court requires a certain amount of money to be paid as a guarantee that the defendant will return to court. If the defendant does not show up, the full bail amount will be forfeit. If the defendant does show up, however, the bail amount will usually be returned in full.

At Adelante Bail Bonds, we can provide you with the information you need to successfully secure the release of your loved one from jail. Call our San Gabriel Valley bail bondsmen today to learn more about your rights and options.

If you would like to learn more about bail in the San Gabriel Valley, contact a San Gabriel Valley bail bondsman at Adelante Bail Bonds today. If you cannot afford to pay bail on your own, we may be able to help you secure a bail bond.