For most people, in the event they are arrested and charged with a crime, their immediate focus is being released. Except in very rare cases the accused is allowed out of jail once he or she has posted bail. The court will take cash, property of equal value to the bail set or a bail bond. The objective of bail is to ensure that you will return to court for hearings and eventual trial.
If you follow the rules, show up as required, the bail will be returned. If, on the other hand, you should not appear the bail will be forfeited in favor of the court and a warrant for arrest will be issued.
Posting bail:
The court will set an amount that is thought to be warranted, for minor crimes the bail is usually set against a schedule. Regardless of whether the judge sets the amount or it is set by schedule, it has to be posted before release. There are a few ways to pay it:
-
Arrange for the amount from a company that provides bail bonds in San Bernardino
-
Pay using cash or check
-
Pledge property that has a value equal to or more than the bail amount
Depending on the circumstances the accused may be released on his or her own recognizance
The bail bond:
In accordance with the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, bail is not to be excessive. What is considered excessive by the court is often not the same definition given by the accused. Many people simply cannot raise the cash nor do they own property, in cases such as this they can contact companies that provide bail bonds.
For a non-returnable fee which is about ten percent, the bonding company put up the full amount demanded by the court. In the event the accused follows through with all scheduled court hearing the bail is returned to the bondsman who retains the fee for providing the service.
In many cases, if it was not for bail bonds in San Bernardino the accused would languish in jail until his or her court date.
