Many people are arrested every day in California. When you are arrested and charged with a misdemeanor or felony, you become a defendant in a case that may keep you in jail until your hearing. Being in jail takes away time you wish to spend with your family and can lead to losing your job if you are in custody for too long. Although California law allows defendants to leave jail while waiting for trial, the process could be complicated, especially if they do not have enough funds to pay for their bail.
If you cannot afford the bail amount set in California, you should find a trustworthy Ventura bail bonds company that can pay for your bail at a fee. At Future Bail Bonds, we can post bail for you or your loved one so they can leave jail and prepare for court. Contact us today to secure your freedom.
Definition of Bail
Bail is the money a defendant pays to be released from custody while waiting for court hearings. It guarantees that you will show up for future court hearings. Judges do not always grant bail requests. They can deny bail based on factors such as the crime you committed.
The bail amount also differs based on the crime. Each county in California has its own bail schedule that outlines the standard amounts for different offenses. Each situation is unique when a judge decides on bail. Here are factors the judge must consider when deciding on bail:
- The amount listed in the Ventura County bail schedule
- Your criminal history or active warrants. A defendant with a criminal background may have to pay a higher bail. The judge might also deny bail for those with outstanding warrants elsewhere.
- The severity of the alleged crime. Serious crimes attract higher bail amounts.
- Likelihood of attending court. Defendants who have missed court dates in the past are likely to have a higher bail set.
- The risk the defendant poses to the public
- The defendant’s connection to the community
- Risk of fleeing
How Bail Bond Works in Ventura County
Many Ventura bail bond companies are available 24/7, which makes finding help when you are arrested easy. Some also allow you to arrange bail online or by phone, which can be convenient for many. After the bail is processed, the time it takes for you to be released from custody will depend on how busy the holding facility is.
A Ventura bail bondsman will pay you the bail amount in return for a non-refundable fee. In Ventura County, the maximum fee is 10%. For example, if your bail is set at $10,000, you must pay the bail bonds service $1,000 as the fee.
If you follow all the court’s conditions regarding your release, like attending all your court hearings, the court will return the bail amount to the bondsman.
Eligibility for Ventura Bail Bonds
Each bail bondsman has unique rules for qualifying for their services. Here are some of these qualifications:
- Should be able to make the initial payment for the premium fee.
- Must be a resident of California.
- Should be willing to follow the payment plans set by the Ventura bail bondsman.
- Must have a trustworthy consignor.
Types of Collateral Accepted By Ventura Bail Bondsmen
In Ventura, bail bondsmen accept various types of collateral as long as they hold value and can serve as an alternative to cash payment. Bail bondsmen typically require collateral as security for the amount they pay to bail you out of jail or police custody.
Vehicles
Here are some examples of vehicles that can often be used as collateral for bail bonds:
- All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
- Recreational vehicles (RVs)
- Snowmobiles
- Trucks
You can keep the vehicle provided you attend all required court appearances. However, if you miss a court date and the bond is canceled, the court will take your vehicle.
Stocks, Bonds, and Other Securities
Defendants may also use investments such as stocks, bonds, and other securities as collateral for bail bonds. You could lose your bond and collateral if you do not fulfill your court obligations.
Real Estate
Real estate, including businesses, homes, or land, can be collateral for bail bonds. If you have a mortgage on your home, you can still use the equity you have built up. For example, if your house is valued at $400,000 and you have $200,000 in equity, that amount can be used as collateral for the bond.
Your Jewelry
Valuable items like precious jewelry, metals, and family heirlooms can also be collateral for your bail bond. Your Ventura bail bonds company will evaluate the market value of your jewelry or metals to ensure their value is sufficient to secure your release.
Collectible Items
Items of value, such as collectibles or pawnable goods owned by a defendant, can be collateral. For example, if you have gaming items or vintage musical instruments, your bail bonds service may agree to accept these as collateral.
Cosigner Responsibilities
When you bail someone out, you take on several responsibilities. To secure the release of yourself or a loved one from jail, you must sign a legal agreement involving yourself, the defendant, the court, and the bail bonds service facilitating the bond.
The following are some of your responsibilities as a cosigner:
Payment of the Bond Premium
The consignor must ensure the bond premium is paid to the Ventura bail bonds service. As a consigner, you must pay this premium in cash or use the bail company’s payment method before they post the bail.
Ensure the Defendant Attends Court
A key duty of a cosigner is to make sure the defendant appears in court. While many think cosigners only need to ensure the defendant attends the first court date, they are responsible for all scheduled court appearances since the bond remains active until the case is finished.
Extra Costs
Depending on the defendant’s situation, the cosigner may face additional charges. For example, if a defendant misses court dates, the bail bonds service might need to hire a bounty hunter to locate and return the defendant to jail, which means the cosigner will have to cover these extra costs.
Ventura Jails and Court Information
Ventura County Jail
2101 East Olsen Road,
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Ventura County Superior Court
800 South Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009
Find a Reliable Bail Bondsman Near Me
In California, many defendants in jail can be temporarily released after posting bail pending trial. If your criminal charge allows for bail, the judge will set the amount based on your case’s details. Posting cash bail is the quickest way to secure your release. However, if you cannot afford to post cash bail, you can consult a Ventura bail bonds service to cover the bail amount. You only need to pay a premium of 10% of your total bail amount. At Future Bail Bonds, our bail bondsmen are ready to help you secure your release from custody. If your loved one is in jail in California, call us now at 619-880-8737.
