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If you want to understand the California bail system, it helps to know the statistics. Nothing quite compares to numbers’ ability to give you a clear picture of the bail landscape and how it works.
But what statistics should you be paying the most attention to? That’s the subject of this article. We explore some of the most essential bail-related numbers out there so you can better understand how everything works.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look.
1. The Average Bail In California is $50,000
Many people in California are calling for bail reform. That’s because the average bail amount is currently $50,000, while only $10,000 nationwide.
Bail is higher in the Bear State than in other regions because of the California Bail Schedule. This document determines how much bail judges must apply in a case, depending on the charges against a defendant and their history,
2. Most Cash Bail In California Is For Non-Violent Crimes And Misdemeanors
According to cash bail statistics, judges usually only grant cash bail for minor crimes in the Bear State. For other crimes, defendants may need to apply for different types of bail.
3. California Arrests 23% Of Defendants Released On Bail
Re-arrest rates in the Bear State are high. Police catch around 1 in 4 defendants on bail and bring them in for questioning for additional crimes or breaking bail terms.
4. 29% Of Bail Agents Have A Bachelor’s Degree
According to statistics, bail agents have a diverse array of educational backgrounds. Twenty-nine percent have a bachelor’s degree, 27% have an associate’s and 26% have a high school diploma. Ten percent have other degrees, while 8% have a nationally-recognized diploma.
5. The Highest Bail Ever Paid In California Was $3 Million
The highest bail amount ever set by a California judge was $3 million for Robert Durst in 2015 for suspected murder. Durst claimed he acted in self-defense, but the court found him guilty of murder after he dismembered his victim’s body and discarded it across Galveston Bay.
6. Bail Bond Agents Can Only Charge 10% Of The Total Bail Amount
Bail bond agents operating in California can only charge a maximum of 10% of the bail amount in fees. For example, defendants with a $50,000 bail will only pay $5,000 to bail agents to secure their release.
California implements this system to be fair to defendants. The state works closely with bail bond agents to ensure those charged with crimes attend court dates.
7. Bailing Someone Out Only Takes A Few Hours In California
Bailing someone out of jail in California is not a complex process and usually only takes a few hours. Under state law, judges must post bail within 24 working hours of a defendant’s arrest.
How long it takes in reality depends on the day of arrest. Defendants arrested over holiday periods may need to wait significantly longer before a judge becomes available to review their case.
8. California Authorities Release 60% Of Arrestees On Bail
Nearly two-thirds of people arrested in the Bear State get bail and spend time out of confinement before their trial. That compares to around 61% nationwide, according to data from the Center for American Progress.
9. California Has 20,000 People In Jail Awaiting Trial
The Bear State has thousands of people in jail awaiting trial simply because they cannot afford bond. Around 75% of the country’s jail population has not been convicted of a crime.
10. 25% Of Defendants On Bail Fail To Appear In Court
According to annual bail-skipping statistics, a staggering 1 in 4 defendants don’t show up to all their trial dates at the specified time. Some people charged with crimes outright refuse, while others flee the county of the state.
The penalties for skipping bail can be high. In California, officers and bounty hunters hunt down those skipping court and take them into custody again. Judges may then set a new bail, reflecting the increased risk the defendant poses, or refuse to allow bail at all. Defendants who miss court may also fail to qualify under various pretrial release programs or legal options that do not require bail payment.
11. Bail Reform Is A Large Movement In California
Reforms of the bail system are a political priority in California. Many voters would prefer a more equitable approach to bail in the state so more people afford it.
12. The Average Bail For Felonies In The U.S. Is $10,000
The amount of bail the average American must pay is considerably less in other parts of the country than in California. New Yorkers still paid a lot in bail, but less than the inhabitants of the Bear State. In 2019, they had to cough up $19,162 for release from jail, rising to $38,866 in 2021.
13. The Gender Distribution Of Bail Bond Agents Was 47% To 57% Women Since 2011
The bail bond industry is popular among women, with 47% and 57% of the workforce being a member of the gender over the period 2011 to 2021. The high number of female workers in the industry reflects reformed labor practices, positive role models, and the bail agency’s desire for diverse perspectives.
Additional reasons for women’s involvement include flexible careers, the ability to manage family responsibilities alongside work, and the skillset the job requires. Many women see working as a bail bond agent as a dream job because of the advocacy and empathy it involves.
14. Female Bail Bond Agents Are Racially Diverse With 75% Non-White
Figures reveal that California’s female bail bond agent population is diverse, with only 25% from a white background. Thirty-eight percent are Hispanic or Latina, 20% are Asian, and 17% are Black.
The diversity of the bail bond industry reflects its values. Bail agents believe in assisting vulnerable individuals and helping less fortunate participants in the criminal justice system.
15. There Is No Correlation Between Bail Amount And Likelihood A Defendant Will Attend Court
Judges set higher bail amounts in California to incentivize defendants to show up to court. However, evidence suggests no correlation between the two: higher bail amounts don’t result in more trial attendance.
Because of this, California may amend the law to change how much people pay to secure release from jail. New thinking suggests individuals should only pay what they can afford. Bail amounts should reflect a person’s net worth and capacity to pay, rather than absolute amounts.
16. Bail Reform May Increase Crime By 45%
California is currently reforming its bail system. However, recent experiments in Illinois’s Cook County suggest that changing the rules around bail may increase crime by as much as 45%.
What Have We Learned?
These statistics reveal the complexity of California’s bail bond system and how it has grown up over time, responding to circumstances. Some statistics show the system’s brokenness, while others suggest the Bear State is in much better shape than other parts of the country.
The purpose of bail bonds is to make it less expensive for people to get out of jail while awaiting trial. California has some of the highest bail in the U.S., but bond agents can bring down prices considerably, with most agents charging 10% or less of the original amount.
These prices can still seem high to many, but new financing deals mean that most defendants can get out of jail without handing over a penny upfront. The crediting firm pays the bail agent who then uses that fee to post bail on the arrestee’s behalf.
How California’s bail system will change in the future remains to be seen. Many officials and high-profile individuals are pushing for greater leniency on the part of judges, with some suggesting they throw out the bail schedule entirely and grant more pretrial releases.
This notion comes from the idea that many people have that large, unaffordable bail amounts are unfair. But bail agents can help and provide the funds required while balancing the need to protect the public. Defendants still require incentives to show up to trial but that shouldn’t prevent them from being free.
California officials say that the purpose of the state’s bail system is to reduce the number of non-convicted people in jail awaiting trial. Innocent until proven guilty is a fundamental tenet of state and federal law and one that judges and other officials want to uphold.
If you’re looking for experienced bail agents who can answer your questions twenty-four-seven, you’re in the right place. Our team is here to provide you with the support you need. We can communicate with you at any time, ensuring you get the bail money you need to bust out of jail while awaiting your day in court. With knowledge of these California bail statistics, you’re in a much better position to understand and negotiate the system.