How to Keep Your Life on Track While You’re Out on Bail
Just because you have been released from jail on a bail bond doesn’t mean you’re life will go back to being completely normal. You’ve only been released from jail. Official criminal charges against you will still impact your living over the next few months. You must keep your life on track and organized until your legal matters have been settled.
Here are a few tips that will help you keep your life on track while you’re out on bail.
Review any Restrictions Connected to Your Bail
If you have only been charged with minor crimes, likely, there aren’t any real restrictions connected to your bail. However, if the charges are more serious, the judge probably laid out some rules you must follow if you don’t want your bail revoked. Take some time to review these restrictions and make sure you fully understand how they will impact your day-to-day life.
Let Your Employer Know About Your Situation
Many people hope to hide the news that they’ve been arrested from their employer, but that isn’t always a good idea. First, information about who has been charged with what is readily available in local and online papers. If your employer frequently checks police records or county information, they will likely learn about your charges. It’s far better that they get the news from you.
The second issue is that there will be mandatory court dates in your future; it’s important for your employer to understand why you need those upcoming times off.
Arrange Your Finances so That you Have Budgeted for Bail Bond Payments.
If you signed up for Absolute Bail Bonds zero-down, zero-interest payment plan, you will want to sit down with your normal budget and figure out how to incorporate the regular payments into your budget.
Record Court Date Onto Your Calendar
The most important rule connected to being bailed out of jail is that you must attend all of your mandatory court dates. Don’t assume that you don’t have to go just because it’s something only your lawyer will speak about; you still do. Failing to appear at any mandatory court dates results in the automatic revocation of your bail.
In addition to knowing your court dates, make sure you take some time beforehand to arrange for reliable transportation.
The services our clients enjoy include the following:
- 20% discounts for some applicants
- Zero worry about hidden fees
- Zero-down bail bond
- Zero-interest bail bond
- Flexible payment plans
- Simple contracts
- 24/7 service
- Phone consultations
- Online consultations
To learn more about bail, call (800)793-2245. Free consultations are available 24/7!
How Does A California Bail Reduction Work?
A high bail amount is often the difference between getting released from jail and resuming your life while your case goes through the slow judicial process or spending all of that time stuck in a jail cell.
When bail is set so high that it seems impossible, one of the options you will likely want to explore is a bail reduction. Before you start the process, you should know that it is complicated, time-consuming, and often doesn’t work out. Another and considerably easier and quicker choice is contacting Absolute Bail Bonds about the possibility of getting bonded out of jail.
If you decide to pursue the possibility of getting the bail reduced, you first need to consider why such a large bail was set in the first place. There are several factors California judges consider when setting bail for a defendant, including the following:
- The severity of the characters you’re dealing with
- If you have a prior criminal history and the types of convictions that history includes
- If the prosecutor plans to file additional charges against you
- If you have an account of failing to appear for court dates
- If there is anything that indicates you are a public safety risk or could potentially threaten the safety of your alleged victims whiles you’re out on bail
If you feel that the judge set bail unreasonably high, you can arrange for your lawyer to file a bail reduction motion. If you can show that the high Bail violated statutory or constitutional factors, the amount will likely be reduced.
Another option that is usually more successful is motioning for a bail reduction due to a change in circumstances. The most common reason for this motion to be granted is that some charges were dropped.
If you find yourself in need of bail and are unable to raise funds yourself, you should contact Absolute Bail Bonds. We are a 24-hour bail bond service with decades’ worth of experience helping people like yourself.
Every single one of our clients enjoys the following:
- 20% Discount
- Phone/online approvals
- 0% Interest payment plans
- No hidden fees
- No collateral is required for working signers
To learn more about how you’ll benefit from an alliance with Absolute Bail Bonds, contact us for a free consultation at (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 “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.
Trick-or-Treat Safety
Finally! Halloween is here. Not only does that mean cooler weather, pumpkin spice coffee, and an excuse to snuggle up with a good book rather than going out, kid will tell you that it’s time for free candy.
While kids love trick-or-treating, parents often have mixed feelings about the popular activity. Yes, it’s great to see how excited your kids get each year. The problem is that each year, parents worry how they will keep their child safe while they go from one house to another.
The good news is that there are things you can do to insure trick-or-treat safety while also allowing your children free rein to enjoy the holiday.
Make sure your children are visible, even if they’re out after dark. This isn’t complicated. Simply arm your child with a flashlight, and incorporate some flashing lights and reflective strips into their costume.
Remind your child about the rules of the road. Kids are so excited about being dressed up and obtaining as much free candy as possible, that they can easily forget things like watching for traffic. Before they head out to trick-or-treat it’s really important to remind them that they have to be respectful of motorist who are driving along the streets.
Trick-or-treat as either a family or friend unit. Instead of sending your child out on their own to trick-or-treat, make this an opportunity to make some excellent family memories and go out with your children. If work or life makes it impossible for you to join in the trick-or-treating fun, arrange for your child to go out with friends or other family members. Your child is far safer in a group than they are by themselves. Make sure a responsible adult will be watching over your children the entire time they are trick-or-treating.
Your children will want to eat their candy right away, but encourage them to wait until you get home. Waiting gives you an opportunity to inspect their candy and make sure it hasn’t been tampered with, plus it means your child isn’t potentially stopping in the middle of intersections in order to snatch a sugary treat.
Covid-19 is still a concern so make sure you keep a bottle of hand sanitizer on you and frequently apply it to your child’s hands. Remind them not to touch their face until they’re home and able to thoroughly wash their hands.
What steps are you taking to keep your child safe while trick-or-treating this holiday season?
The Difference Between a State and Federal Warrant
Most of us know that the police can’t simply walk into our homes and start searching it unless you’ve given them permission to do so, or if they’ve gone through the correct legal channels and acquired a warrant.
The same is true when it comes to arrests. While there are some exceptions, such as drunk driving, you usually can’t be arrested unless the police have an actual arrest warrant.
What you might not know is that there are both state/local arrest warrants and federal arrest warrants.
The biggest difference between a federal and state/local warrant is the law enforcement agency that is involved in your case.
If a federal warrant has been issued for your arrest, it means that you’re a suspect in a federal crime. To obtain a federal warrant, the agency working on the case must present a federal judge with sufficient evidence that you potentially committed the crime and that the crime is indeed a federal matter.
In some situations, trying to determine if a case is federal or state can be complicated. When this happens, a joint task force that consists of both federal agents and state officers is formed. The joint task force not only allows the different agencies to pool talent and resources but also makes it easier to obtain warrants.
How you should behave if there is a warrant for your arrest depends on how you learn about this information.
If you have heard (or suspect) that an arrest warrant has been issued, but the police haven’t actually knocked on your door, don’t even think about trying to run. Bolting will only make the situation worse.
The first thing you should do is contact a lawyer. Tell them what you know and ask for their advice. They will likely encourage you to turn yourself in. By contacting a lawyer before you’re formally arrested, you can keep them by your side throughout the entire process and make sure that none of your civil rights are violated.
Since the police aren’t currently hauling you to the police station, take a little time to get your personal affairs in order. This is a good time to contact a bail bonds agency and alert them that you’ll likely need a bail bond. If you have children or pets, take steps to make sure they’re properly cared for if you have to remain in jail for a few days. Lock up your home, and make your way to the police station.
If the police show up at your home with an arrest warrant, read the warrant and make sure all the information is accurate. If the information is accurate, calmly and quietly go with the officers. Don’t even think about trying to resist the arrest. Don’t answer any questions, take a plea deal, or discuss the case with anyone until your lawyer has arrived.
California Public Intoxication Laws
MMany people assume that as long as they don’t get behind the wheel and try driving home they don’t have to worry about how much they drink when they go out. While the decision to never drive after you’ve been drinking is always wise, that doesn’t mean you can get a plastered as you want. There is always a chance that your night of heavy drinking at the bar could result in you getting arrested for public intoxication in California.
The good news is that if you simply have one too many while you’re at the bar, you probably don’t have too much to worry about. California lawmakers have made it obvious that the only time legal concerns and public intoxication combine is when you’re so heavily under the influence of drugs or alcohol that you’re unable to keep yourself and others safe.
For example, if you’re so drunk that you aren’t aware of traffic and start walking down the middle of the road, you’ll be arrested and charged with public intoxication. The same is true if you get so drunk while you’re at the bar that your normal mild-mannered nature abandons you and you start making threats or behaving in a lewd manner.
Public intoxication in California is a misdemeanor. If you’re convicted, the maximum sentence is six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. In many cases, the individual must perform a specified number of community service hours.
The good news about public intoxication is that it won’t impact your driving record. The bad news is that the charge could hurt your future. It’s possible that the charge will make it harder to qualify for scholarships, land your dream job, and be approved for an apartment rental.
The only way you can be charged with public intoxication is if you’re in a public area. That means the best way to avoid the charge is staying home when you decide you want to spend the evening drinking.
Tips for Kids Going Back to School
The threat of your young child disappearing when they go back to school is far greater than you imagine. According to Child Find of America, approximately 2,300 children are abducted every single day in the United States. The National Center of Exploited and Missing Children reported that in 2020, an estimated 1 in 6 missing children were victims of sex trafficking.
Stranger danger and abduction prevention lessons are something you and your children should always be working on. With the start of school just around the corner, now is the time to sit down with your child and review everything they know about stranger danger and staying safe.
While you’re shopping for school supplies, use this time with your child to review the rules you should already have in place regarding accepting rides from strangers.
The rules your child should already be familiar with include:
- Never get into a stranger’s vehicle
- Always staying several feet away from a stranger’s vehicle
- Knowing that if a person makes them feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable, that they should immediately seek out the assistance of a trusted adult
Abductors usually don’t bother with children who are traveling in packs, which is why it’s important to teach your child that they should always have a friend or two with them wherever they go. The more friends they have with them while walking home from school, playing in the back, and riding bikes, the safer they will be.
Now is the perfect time to teach your child how to be aware of their surroundings. This is something you should do by example. Put your phone in your pocket and actively survey your surroundings when you walk to and from buildings. Teach your child to notices is strange people are hanging around places like the playground. Teach them to be particularly aware if they notice that the same person shows up in multiple locations your child is at and to let you know about this person.
Make it very clear that it doesn’t matter if a stranger has candy, is saying they are lost/hurt, or has kittens/puppies to play with that your child is not to approach them. That their best course of action is leaving the immediate area and finding a trusted, familiar adult.
Teach your child to scream. If the worse does happen and a stranger approaches your child, the screams will cause the adult to quickly decide that your child isn’t worth the effort and they will flee the scene.
Don’t assume that just because your child is older that you no longer have to worry about abductions. According to the Missouri Child Identification and Protection Program, 81% of abducted minors were 12 years old or older.
Getting Into Trouble for Vandalism in California
California lawmakers have little patience for vandalism. The exact law dealing with the issue is Penal Code 594 PC which defines vandalism.
“Every person who maliciously commits any of the following acts with respect to any real or personal property not his or her own, in cases other than those specified by state law, is guilty of vandalism:
- Defaces with graffiti or other inscribed material.
- Damages.
- Destroys.
Whenever a person violates this subdivision with respect to real property, vehicles, signs, fixtures, furnishings, or property belonging to any public entity, as defined by Section 811.2 of the Government Code, or the federal government, it shall be a permissive inference that the person neither owned the property nor had the permission of the owner to deface, damage, or destroy the property.”
Most people assume that vandalism is a deliberate act, such as spraying graffiti on the side of a commercial building, and in some situations, that’s certainly true. However, there have been many instances where vandalism has been added to other charges. In many of these situations, people had no intention of committing an act of vandalism and don’t even realize they have until their defense lawyer explains the list of charges that have been filed against them. An example of this is being charged for vandalism because you broke a window during a fight.
Even doing something as seemingly innocent as leaving a handprint in some wet cement can be considered an act of vandalism.
Don’t assume that a vandalism charge isn’t something you don’t have to take seriously. Yes, it’s a misdemeanor but a guilty conviction could result in you spending some time in jail. If you’re convicted of felony vandalism, the long-term impact the single incident has on your life could be huge.
Vandalism in California is a wobbler offense, meaning that it can be a misdemeanor or a felony. The only thing that determines which way the charge wobbles is the monetary amount to the damage. Don’t assume that you would have to do a lot of damage to be charged with felony vandalism. If your act of vandalism results in $400 or more worth of damage, you’ll be charged with a felony. Considering today’s cost, that’s not much vandalism.
If you’re convicted of misdemeanor vandalism, you could be sentenced to a full year in jail and asked to pay a $1,000 fine. In many cases, the judge will also order restitution. It’s common for community service and probation to be a part of the sentencing.
A guilt conviction for felony vandalism could end in a sentence that includes up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The reason the penalties connected to vandalism are so severe is that state lawmakers want people to stop and think about their actions beforehand. Throwing a few eggs at your neighbor’s house when you’re upset about them blocking your driveway might seem like a good idea until you realize that doing so could result in you being sent to prison.
When it comes to acts of vandalism you should always stop and think if the moment of satisfaction will be worth the potential fallout if you’re caught and convicted.