| <p>It's one of those events that you | | | | schedules to determine what the dollar amount |
| think happens only to someone else. You get | | | | at which the bail will be set.< |
| a phone call that someone close to you needs | | | | p><br> |
| you to bail them out of jail. The stress | | | | |
| that follows can be fueled by the | | | | <p>This is where the bail agent assists |
| unfamiliarity with the process. At times | | | | people. Bail agents fund the <a href=" |
| like this, a little knowledge about the legal | | | | bond</a> through an agreement with the |
| process can help a person handle the | | | | indemnitor, the person who will be |
| situation better.</p><br> | | | | responsible for the bail amount and ensure |
| | | | the defendant attends court appearances. |
| <p>The criminal legal process in | | | | Bail agents may allow the indemnitor to pay |
| California can be broken down into 5 simple | | | | off the bail premium through a payment plan. |
| steps. First, the defendant is charged with | | | | This is extremely helpful if an indemnitor |
| a crime by the arresting agency. After this | | | | does not have the cash upfront to pay for |
| the District Attorney reviews the case and | | | | bail.</p><br> |
| makes a decision whether or not to file | | | | |
| charges. If the District Attorney does not | | | | <p>A bail agent can expedite the |
| file charges, the case is | | | | release of the defendant from jail. For this |
| dismissed.<br></p> | | | | reason it is important that a bail agent be |
| | | | experienced and handles them in a |
| <p>If, however, the District Attorney | | | | professional manner.</p><br> |
| does file charges, there will be an | | | | |
| arraignment where the defendant pleads either | | | | <p>Once bailed out, the defendant needs |
| innocent or guilty. If the defendant pleads | | | | to attend their court dates and will have to |
| guilty, he or she is sentenced and the case | | | | occasionally report into the <a href=" |
| is closed.</p><br> | | | | bond agency</a>. Keeping in contact |
| | | | with the bail agent helps the defendant and |
| <p>If the defendant pleads innocent, | | | | indemnitor by providing information for court |
| then a court date is set. At that time the | | | | appearance, explaining the bail process and |
| court would hear the case, reach a verdict, | | | | contracts and being available to indemnitor |
| and the case is closed. While this sounds | | | | and defendant for information regarding |
| simple, the hearing can take some time and no | | | | process.</p><br> |
| one wants to be in jail that long and some | | | | |
| can't afford it. Defendants have jobs to get | | | | <p>By knowing the court process and |
| back to in order to pay their bills.< | | | | role of the bail agent to assist in it, a |
| p><br> | | | | person is able to cope better with the |
| | | | situation. Keeping calm allows a person to |
| <p>During this period of time, being | | | | make educated decisions during a difficult |
| bailed out can be crucial. When the | | | | event. When looking for professionals to |
| defendant is in custody before the | | | | guide you, look at their experience and how |
| arraignment, the court may allow the | | | | they present themselves to you. People who |
| defendant to be bailed with the understanding | | | | have been in business for a longer period of |
| that they will return for their court | | | | time not only offer you more experience, but |
| appearances. California courts have bail | | | | also have a reputation to uphold. |