It's one of those events that you think happens only to someone else. You get a phone call that someone close to you needs you to bail them out of jail. The stress that follows can be fueled by the unfamiliarity with the process. At times like this, a little knowledge about the legal process can help a person handle the situation better.



The criminal legal process in California can be broken down into 5 simple steps. First, the defendant is charged with a crime by the arresting agency. After this the District Attorney reviews the case and makes a decision whether or not to file charges. If the District Attorney does not file charges, the case is dismissed.

If, however, the District Attorney does file charges, there will be an arraignment where the defendant pleads either innocent or guilty.If the defendant pleads guilty, he or she is sentenced and the case is closed.

If the defendant pleads innocent, then a court date is set. At that time the court would hear the case, reach a verdict, and the case is closed. While this sounds simple, the hearing can take some time and no one wants to be in jail that long and some can't afford it. Defendants have jobs to get back to in order to pay their bills.

During this period of time, being bailed out can be crucial. When the defendant is in custody before the arraignment, the court may allow the defendant to be bailed with the understanding that they will return for their court appearances. California courts have bail schedules to determine what the dollar amount at which the bail will be set.

This is where the bail agent assists people. Bail agents fund the through an agreement with the indemnitor, the person who will be responsible for the bail amount and ensure the defendant attends court appearances. Bail agents may allow the indemnitor to pay off the bail premium through a payment plan. This is extremely helpful if an indemnitor does not have the cash upfront to pay for bail.

A bail agent can expedite the release of the defendant from jail. For this reason it is important that a bail agent be experienced and handle themselves in a professional manner.

Once bailed out, the defendant needs to attend their court dates and will have to occasionally report into the. Keeping in contact with the bail agent helps the defendant and indemnitor by providing information for court appearance, explaining the bail process and contracts and being available to indemnitor and defendant for information regarding process.

By knowing the court process and role of the bail agent to assist in it, a person is able to cope better with the situation. Keeping calm allows a person to make educated decisions during a difficult event. When looking for professionals to guide you, look at their experience and how they present themselves to you. People who have been in business for a longer period of time not only offer you more experience, but also have a reputation to uphold.