An arrest can happen to anyone at any time. Sometimes, even the police could arrest you mistakenly because you have the same skin color, height, or hairstyle as the alleged offender or suspect. Unfortunately, once that happens, they could hold you in legal custody as you wait for court proceedings to tell your side of the story.
When that happens to you or someone you love, you need quick and reliable assistance to navigate the stressful and confusing situation. In addition to hiring an attorney, you should consider working with a licensed bail bondsman for quick bail bond services. Our bail bondsmen at JR’s Bail Bonds would be glad to help make this process quick, seamless, and affordable.
When it seems all odds are against you, our bail bondsmen will stand with you to ensure you are out of legal custody without delay, wherever you are in Los Angeles.
Scenarios When the Police Can Legally Arrest You in Carson
An arrest as a suspect can be an overwhelming and daunting experience. You probably may not know your constitutional rights and what a lawful arrest entails. Here is an overview of scenarios when a police officer can lawfully arrest and detain you as an offender in a criminal case:
He/she Saw You Committing an Offense
When a law enforcement officer observes you committing an unlawful activity, he/she has the legal authority to arrest you immediately. These scenarios usually happen when a criminal activity occurs in plain sight. For example, an officer could lawfully arrest you when he/she observes you causing a public disturbance, drunk driving, or assaulting another person.
He/she has a Valid Arrest Warrant
Unless a police officer has probable cause or has observed you committing a crime, he/she will need a court-approved arrest warrant to arrest and detain you. The judge can issue the police with an arrest warrant against you when you refuse or fail to appear in court, fail to pay a fine, or violate the conditions of your pretrial release, especially if you are under restraining orders in domestic violence-related cases.
He/she has Probable Cause for Your Arrest
Probable cause is a vital requirement for an arrest under the Constitution’s Fourth Amendment. “Probable cause” means there is a reasonable belief based on the circumstances and facts that you committed or are likely to commit an offense. Examples of probable cause that the court could see as viable grounds for your arrest include:
- The police witnessed you committing an offense
- A dependable informant has provided crucial information that links you to an unlawful activity
- The police have physical or circumstantial evidence that links you to a criminal offense
When an arrest occurs, how you respond to the matter could significantly affect the outcome of your case. Ensure you consult a credible attorney for legal advice and legal representation on your case for the best possible outcome.
If you are indigent or your offense’s bail is high, your criminal defense attorney can also help you find a reliable bail bondsman in Carson to secure your freedom as the case progresses.
What to Anticipate After an Arrest Before Securing Your Temporary Freedom on Bail
Once a police officer arrests you, he/she will drive you to the police station. Afterwards, the following will occur before securing your freedom on bail:
Booking
When a police officer arrests you, he/she will transport you to his/her local station, where you will go through an administrative process known as booking. During this phase, the police will record your name and the details of the alleged case so that other police departments can assess it whenever you are an offender in a criminal case or are rearrested.
The process will also involve mugshot and fingerprint taking, a medical examination, and a thorough search of your person for contraband or drugs.
Detention
Depending on the facts of your case, the arresting officer will likely detain you as you wait for your initial court appearance. For non-serious cases, like traffic infractions, the police could allow you to receive your freedom with a citation to appear in court on a specific date.
However, if he or she commits grave offenses, chances are he/she could require you to remain in legal custody pending your arraignment or bail hearing. Unless your arrest occurred on a weekend or public holiday, the police should not hold you in legal custody more than forty-eight (48) hours.
Bail Hearing
During your bail hearing, the judge will review your case particulars to determine whether you are eligible for bail and the appropriate amount for your unique case. When making this decision, the court will consider some factors, such as:
- Your offense bail amount on the predetermined bail schedule
- The seriousness of your charge
- Your criminal record
- Whether you are a flight risk
- Your financial ability to pay the required bail
- Whether you have a record of jumping bail
After carefully considering these factors, the judge could grant you temporary freedom on bail, deny you bail, or allow you to secure your freedom without bail (own recognizance release). If you qualify for an own recognizance release, you have to sign an agreement promising to make your court appearances on the scheduled dates.
Transportation to the Nearest Detention Facility
Since the cells in police stations cannot hold several people for a prolonged period, the arresting officers will transport you to the nearest detention facility when the court denies you bail, where you will remain until your case’s trial date. Trials do not occur immediately, and it could take a few weeks, months, or years to receive a judgment on your case.
Hence, you should do your best to secure a pretrial release on bail. A seasoned criminal attorney can help make the difference between securing a pretrial release on bail and remaining in legal custody as your case continues.
Ensure you hire a reputable and skilled attorney soon after you learn you are under investigation or after an arrest to help increase your chances of securing your temporary freedom on bail. When you are eligible for bail and the court has determined the amount, you should arrange to pay the amount as soon as possible to secure your release.
How to Post Bail in Carson
If you are under arrest in Carson and are eligible for bail, you can post the amount using your preferred method. Common acceptable ways of posting bail include the following:
- Using Cash
You will pay the required amount to the court’s clerk upfront and secure your pretrial release. You can use a cashier’s check to pay your full bail price if you do not have cash. While posting cash bail is the easiest way to secure your freedom after an arrest, the amounts required could be very high, making it a financial burden to pay the required amount up front.
When you fail to appear in court as requested, the judge will forfeit your bail, meaning you will lose the entire amount of money to the court.
- Using a Bail Bond
A bail bond is an agreement between you and a bail bondsman. Under this agreement, you will promise to make your court appearances as required. Then your bail bondsman will sign a contract with the court, promising to pay your set bail when you fail to attend your scheduled court hearings after receiving your freedom.
However, bail bondsmen do not offer these services at a cost-free rate. To secure your release from jail on bond, you will pay the bail bondsman a nonrefundable amount (premium) (ten percent of your full set bail price).
When you refuse or fail to return to court as requested, the court will forfeit and revoke your bail. That means your bail bondsman will owe the court your full bail amount. Your bail bondsman could hire a bounty hunter to immediately trace your location details and surrender you to the relevant local authorities.
- Using a Property
If posting cash bail or a bail bond is not an option for your unique situation, you can post a property bond to secure your freedom. In a property bond, you post your equity interest using a real property or asset to ensure future court appearances. However, the monetary value of that equity must be at least twice your bail amount.
For example, if the court sets your bail amount as $50,000, the monetary value of your property or asset must be at least $100,000. When you fail to return to court as required, the court will place a lien on your property and then foreclose it to recover your total bail price.
In addition to helping increase your odds of securing temporary freedom on bail, a seasoned attorney could help convince the court you deserve a lower bail amount for your offense. The court is more likely to reduce your bail if the alleged offense is non-serious and you are a first-time offender.
Common Conditions the Court Can Set for Your Temporary Release on Bond
When the judge grants you a pretrial release on bail, it will set strict terms and conditions you must abide by before your case’s verdict. These conditions typically ensure you will return to court for the scheduled hearings, and you do not pose a safety threat to the public. Examples of common bail conditions the court could require you to adhere to include the following:
- Wear an Electronic Monitoring Device Throughout
The court could require you to wear an electronic monitoring device on your ankle or any other device that can help track your location throughout before receiving a judgment on your case. The electronic monitoring device helps track your whereabouts and adherence to the required travel restrictions.
The court is more likely to set this condition as a requirement for your release on bail if the alleged offense is severe or involves drug trafficking.
- Comply With the Set Curfew
The court may require you to remain at your residence during specific hours of the night or day. If you are not at home within the particular hours, the judge will consider that a breach of your terms of pretrial release on bail.
- Agree to Regular Drug Testing
In some cases, especially those that are drug-related, the judge could require you to meet with a pretrial services officer for regular drug and alcohol tests. These tests help ensure you are not participating in or engaging in illegal activities while out on bond.
- Stay Away From Certain Individuals
As a condition for your pretrial release on bond, the court could impose a no-contact or restraining order against you, which requires you to stay away from specific individuals. That is particularly true if the alleged offense is domestic violence-related, to protect the safety of the accuser, victims, or witnesses in the case.
- Comply with Set Travel Restrictions
Travel restrictions are another common condition of a pretrial release on bail. The court could prohibit you from visiting certain jurisdictions without approval. The judge is more likely to impose this condition if he/she consider you a flight risk. Being a flight risk means there is a chance you could flee to another state or country to avoid prosecution.
If you or a loved one is seeking to secure a pretrial release on bail in Carson, the following jail and courthouse location addresses could prove helpful to ensure a quick release from jail:
Jail Address
Carson Station Jail
21356 S, Avalon Blvd
Carson, California 90745
Courthouse Address
Norwalk Superior Court
12720 Norwalk Blvd Room 101,
Norwalk, California
Find a Reliable Bail Bondsman Near Me
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the bail amount for most offenses is high and a financial burden for many defendants after an arrest. However, that does not mean staying behind bars is an option. In addition to affecting your freedom and mental well-being, being stuck in jail as your case continues could compromise your family life, schoolwork, and job.
Hence, you should prioritize securing your freedom without delay following an arrest. At JR’s Bail Bonds, we comprehend the possible financial repercussions of an arrest and are available around the clock, ready to assist you in securing your freedom. Call us at 888-577-2245 for speedy Carson bail bonds.
