What Happens if You’re Accused of Stalking in California
Stalking accusations are taken very seriously in California. Every single person connected to the state’s judicial system understands that stalking often escalates into more serious crimes, which is why they will quickly launch an investigation when someone accuses you of stalking them.
Whether you actually are stalking them or it’s an accusation that has been made in an attempt to get you into legal trouble, it’s in your best interest to start preparing yourself for what the future could hold if the police find enough evidence to justify filing stalking charges against you.
Stalking is dealt with in California’s Penal Code 646.9 PC. Reading through the law is the best way to fully understand what the state does and doesn’t consider stalking. The law reads:
“Any person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows or willfully and maliciously harasses another person and who makes a credible threat with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear for his or her safety, or the safety of his or her immediate family is guilty of the crime of stalking…”
While stalking is taken very seriously by the entire California legal system, it is also one of the state’s wobbler offenses, meaning that you could be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. Things like your criminal history, if any threats were made, how long the stalking took place, how intense the stalking incidents were are taken into consideration when a judge decides if you should be charged with misdemeanor or felony stalking.
If you are charged with misdemeanor stalking in California, you shouldn’t assume that you’ll get off lightly. If convicted, the judge could sentence you to a full year in a county jail and/or fine you $1,000. It’s also possible that you’ll be required to take some education courses such as anger management and substance abuse recovery.
The sentence for felony stalking in California is a three-year span in one of California’s state prisons and a fine that could be as much as $10,000.
It’s important to note that stalking is one of California’s Three Strikes crimes, meaning that the third time you’re convicted of felony stalking will result in a minimum sentence of 25 years in a state prison.
The Lasting Consequences of a DUI | California Laws
It’s likely that you already know that the first time you’re convicted of a DUI in California, you will lose your driving privileges for a period of time, be required to pay some hefty fines and have to take some substance abuse classes.
What you may not have considered is the long-term impact that a single DUI will have on your life.
The first thing you need to consider is how your employability will change following your DUI. The biggest challenge comes right after you’ve been sentenced and have your driving privileges revoked. How are you going to get to work? How will you get home? If you’re unable to make the commute to your current job because you are no longer able to drive, will your employer give you a leave of absence and allow you to return to work once your driving privileges are reinstated, or are you going to have to look for another job?
The DUI conviction could also impact your ability to get another job. Some employers specifically ask if you have a criminal conviction on your record when you apply. Whether you have to disclose your DUI depends on how the question is worded. If they are only asking about felony charges, you can avoid mentioning the conviction. However, if they ask about any criminal offenses, including misdemeanors, it’s in your best interest to mention the DUI. This protects you if the potential employer runs a background check that turns up the DUI conviction. At least they won’t think you’re dishonest.
Be prepared for the DUI to play a painful role in your budgeting for a long time to come. Not only will you have to deal with the court fines connected to the conviction, but it’s also going to have a seriously negative impact on your car insurance. Many insurance companies will drop you after you’ve been convicted of a DUI. Even if your insurance company does decide to keep you on as a customer, you should be prepared for your premiums to skyrocket and for them to stay high for a very long time.
The first time you’re convicted of a DUI in California, you’re potential sentence could include a six-month suspension of your driver’s license, a $390-1000 fine, DUI school, and up to six months in a county jail.
Fentanyl Crisis In California | What You Should Know
It seems like every few years, one drug falls out of favor, and another takes it’s place. In the past, serious concerns have been raised about LSD, heroin, cocaine, meth, and more. The current drug of concern is fentanyl.
Technically speaking, fentanyl is a legal drug. It’s a synthetic opioid that’s used to treat pain. When used properly, it improves the quality of life for those who struggle with chronic pain. The problem is that fentanyl has become a street drug. The illegal use of fentanyl has led to a steady increase in overdose deaths during the past decade. There is even a current case that’s gaining a great deal of national media attention in which a wife is accused of using fentanyl to murder her spouse.
Using fentanyl without the use of a prescription is illegal, but the legal consequences of using fentanyl are in the process of becoming more severe.
The House of Representatives recently passed legislation that’s specifically geared towards individuals who abuse fentanyl. It is an issue that has helped unite both Democrat and Republican politicians.
One of the main purposes behind the new legislation is to have fentanyl listed as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. If the legislation becomes law, it means that the prison sentences for fentanyl related crimes will become significantly more severe. While the bill still has to gain both Congressional and Presidential approval before it becomes law, it does appear that the White House is in favor of the bill.
At this point, if you’re caught with a small amount of fentanyl and don’t have a prescription, you will likely be charged with a misdemeanor. If the quantity is larger, you’ll face felony charges. The biggest decision maker between a misdemeanor and felony is the amount of fentanyl you are in possession of and if you have it for personal use or if evidence suggest that you’re involved with the sale or trafficking of fentanyl.
It is not unusual for someone who is in possession of a large amount of fentanyl to be convicted of a drug crime and be sentenced to up to ten years in prison. If you’re accused of trafficking fentanyl, you will face federal charges and could be sentenced to spend the rest of your life in prison and/or fined $1 million and $50 million.
Tips for Finding a Safe Rental Property
While there are many perks connected to living in California, the ability to easily find rental properties isn’t one of them. While it’s possible that there are some areas in California where safe and affordable rental properties are available, those locations are very rare. Difficulty finding rental properties is an issue that plaques nearly all of California’s large cities.
No matter how desperate you are to find a rental property where you can live, you must remember that your safety is very important. You do not want to put yourself in a position where you are always worried that something is about to happen. Here are a few tips that will help you find a safe rental property in California.
Check Out the Neighborhood Crime Stats
These days, it’s easy to learn not only what the crime rate in a particular neighborhood is, but to also find out what the most common types of crime are in the area. There are several sites that will provide a great deal of information about the crime rates in an area, allowing you to gain the information you need in just a few minutes.
Learn What Safety Precautions the Property Owner Has Taken
One of the first things you should do when you’re looking at a property is learning what type of safety precautions the owner has taken. Find out what types of locks are installed on the doors. Are there security cameras at the entrances? If the property is a multi-family dwelling are the other residents long term tenants, or are the other units used for short term rentals, such as Airbnb’s? Can the windows be locked? Are there bars over the windows? Are you allowed to make changes that would improve your sense of security.
Carefully Examine the Property for Potential Hazards and Safety Concerns
Most people only think about crime rates when considering the safety of a potential rental. While crime rate is important, it’s also important to really consider what type of hazards are found on the property. Are there maintenance or clutter issues that could lead to trip and fall accidents? Is there something noisy nearby that could cause you to lose precious sleep? Do the stairs have banisters? Is the home in decent enough repair that you don’t have to worry about thing falling apart? Are the appliances in good working order.
Don’t let the scarcity of rental properties in California distract you from considering the pros and cons of every rental property you look at. Considering the potential safety hazards only takes a few minutes and could spare you a great deal of stress and worry once you’re locked into a contract.
How to Get Bailed Out of Jail Quickly In California
No one wants to sit in a jail cell longer than necessary. The longer you’re locked up, the larger the financial, emotional, and even mental toll the experience takes on you. The good news is that there are some things you can do that will help speed up the bail bond process.
Stay Calm, Cool, and Collected
The worst thing you can do after being arrested is lose your temper. Not only will throwing a fit not accomplish anything, but it can also make the situation worse. It’s not unheard of for a fit of temper to result in a person getting charged with additional crimes after they’ve been arrested. These additional charges delay the process and can result in your bail becoming even higher or even getting denied altogether.
Let Others Know What Happened
Many people try to hide their predicament from others, but in the long run, this is a mistake. Letting your loved ones know what has happened is in your best interest. Not only can they make sure that everyone close is aware of the situation, but they can also start to see if collecting enough money to post your bail is possible.
Reach Out to Absolute Bail Bonds
We have several decades’ worth of experience helping people just like yourself. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can help you set up a payment plan, approve your collateral, and connect with a co-signer. The sooner this is done, the sooner we can post the bail bond and release you from jail.
Another thing that helps speed up the process is having some critical information that we require on hand when you first contact us.
To start the bail bond process, we need the following things:
- Your legal name
- Date of birth
- List charges you’re facing
- What jail you’re being held at
- Your inmate/booking number
- The bail amount
The reasons you should contact Absolute Bail Bond include the following:
- 24/7 Bail bond service
- 20% Discount for veterans
- Phone/online approvals
- 0% Interest payment plans
- No hidden fees
- No collateral is required for working signers
Consultations are always free. Simply call 1-800-793-2245 for additional information.
Guaranteed High-Quality Bail Bond Services in Lynwood
Absolute Bail Bonds in Long Beach has been providing our clients with high-quality services and is available 24 hour a day 7 days a week!
We understand how stressful life can become when you or a loved one is charged with a crime. One thing that shouldn’t weigh on you is organizing a swift release from jail. Absolute Bail Bonds in Long Beach is with you through the entire process, from filling out all necessary paperwork to paying your fees. Bonds can be easily repaid via cash, check, or credit card.
We offer convenient payment plans with flexible terms to ensure that you’re able to get the freedom you’re entitled to.
Absolute Bail Bonds fully supports you with your criminal bail bond needs. Our agents can take care of any required paperwork and answer any questions you may have. We offer a variety of bond types so you can get the solution that best suits your unique needs.
- Federal bail bonds
- Collateral bail bonds
- Signature bail bonds
- Walk-through bail bonds
- All court-ordered bail bonds
The conditions of your release may vary, but it’s important to keep in mind that many court-sanctioned release scenarios include mandates. These are things like travel restrictions, treatment for drugs or alcohol, additional collateral for those with a history of bail jumping, and conditional release pending criminal proceedings.
You never know when you’ll need assistance from a bail bondsman for yourself or someone else. Absolute Bail Bonds is here for you 24/7. Call us now for a free bail bond consultation! 1-800-793-2245
What Happens During a Bail Bonds Consultation?
Don’t underestimate the importance of a good bail consultation. The consultation allows you and us to get to know one another and decide if we’re a good fit for your needs.
Several things take place during a free bail bonds consultation.
We Collect Your Information
It doesn’t matter if you’re contacting us about yourself or if you’re inquiring about a loved one, the first thing we do is collect some personal information.
The information we require includes the following:
- The full legal name of the person who requires the bail bond
- The name of the jail they’re currently being held at
- Their booking/report number
- The charges that have been filed against them
- The size of the bail bond they require
Once we have this information, we will be able to learn more about any terms, conditions, and restrictions connected to your release on bail.
The conversation doesn’t stop once we’ve collected the first wave of basic information. We will also want to know some of the same things the judge likely inquired about during your arraignment. We will ask about your community ties if you’re employed, and what your criminal history is like, particularly regarding how reliable you’ve been about attending past court dates.
If you’re calling about a recently arrested loved one, we will want to know your relationship with the individual and if you are willing to serve as a co-signer.
We Discuss the Contract
We require that all of our clients sign a contract. This contract outlines any restrictions you agree to follow while on a bail bond. It serves as a promise from you that you’ll attend all of your court dates. If you cannot pay our fee in one payment, the contract will also outline your payments and when they are due. If you’re happy with the arrangement, Absolute Bail Bonds will sign the contract, and we’ll start putting together the bail bond.
Other Issues that are Addressed During the Consultation
Some other things will come up during the consultation. These issues include:
- Whether you’ll need a co-signer
- How our zero down, zero interest bail bond payment plan works
- How you can communicate with us while you’re out on bail
- The importance of letting us know if anything changes in your life while you’re out on a bail bond
- Whether you’ll need collateral and what you can use
What You’ll Like About the Consultation
The two most obvious things you’ll enjoy about our consultation process is that it’s free and that consultations are available 24/7. You’ll also enjoy that instead of an automated system or chatbot, every single one of our consultations is handled by a live person with a great deal of experience with bail bonds.
It isn’t until you’re involved with the consultation that you’ll fully understand how nice it is to talk to someone who is willing to talk you through the entire process and patiently answer all of your questions.
The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can arrange to post a bail bond and release you from jail. Simply call (800)793-2245 for a free consultation.
Absolute Bail Bonds | Open 24 Hours A Day!
Absolute Bail Bonds has locations across the state of California offering fast response to all the local jails. Feel free to get in touch with the office nearest you or contact our main office toll-free 800-793-2245.
At Absolute Bail Bonds in Lynwood, we offer professional, HONEST and AVAILABLE customer service tailored to the needs of each individual client. We understand that an arrest can result in great stress and inconvenience to friends and family, and this is why we are committed to taking the extra steps to assist and guide you through the entire bail process.
You can count on our experience to guide you through the process. Our services include:
- No Money Down (approved credit)
- 24/7 Bail Bond Service
- 20% Discount
- Phone approvals
- 0% Interest Payment Plans
- No Collateral with Working Signer
- Se Habla Español
If you have any questions or to begin the bail bond process, simply call 1-800-793-2245.
Absolute Bail Bonds “We Never Sleep”
At Absolute Bail Bonds we make paying for a bail bond easy for our clients. We offer payment plans, 0% interest bail bonds, and personalized payment plans for qualified clients. We will never surprise you with hidden fees like our competitors because we believe in working with honesty and integrity.
- 24/7 Bail Bond Service
- 20% Discount
- Phone approvals
- 0% Interest Payment Plans
- No Hidden Fees – Unlike other bail agencies
- No Collateral with Working Signer
- Se Habla Español
You don’t have to worry when your friend or family member has been arrested. You can count on Absolute Bail Bonds in Los Angeles our bail agents are ready to assist you. Night or day, anywhere in California, we can help you bail out your loved one. Our skilled bail agents will always be available to offer their assistance.
What we do is help people in your situation post bail so they do not have to await their hearing in jail. Our process is simple:
1. Let us know who you need to bail out, their birthday if you know it, and where they are being held. Absolute Bail Bonds will contact that location and gather the rest of the information we need.
2. Tell us your financial situation and will work around it to formulate a customized payment plan with low monthly rates.
3. Review and sign paperwork so you understand what you are paying and the steps you need to take to ensure the bond is accepted (ie making sure the arrested individual appears in court when ordered).
4. Our agents will send paperwork to the location your loved one is at. The paperwork will be processed there and your loved one will be released.
It’s really as simple as that but once we start discussing your situation, we’re sure you’ll have more questions so do not hesitate to ask! For a free consultation simply call 1-800-793-2245.
You Can Count on Absolute Bail Bonds
At some point, you may need to hire a bail bondsman. As much as you don’t want to admit that you think your loved one going to get arrested someday, you know it’s very likely. So, you want to be as prepared as possible.
A bail bondsman will issue a bail bond for your loved one so that he or she can be released from jail. The bail bondsman will charge a 10% premium (like a fee for their services) which is 10% of the full bail amount. You will be allowed to pay off the premium over a set period of weeks or months, whatever you and the bail bondsman agree to. You will need to make sure your loved one shows up for court.
Absolute Bail Bonds in Los Angeles can go into deeper detail when you’re ready to talk one-on-one and get the bail bond processed or if you just want a consultation, free of charge. We can be reached online or on the phone at 1-800-793-2245.