This is a good question because bail costs money, and if you're going to hire an attorney. You're the loved one of someone who was arrested and is in custody, or even if you're trying to figure out what to do — a friend, a family member — whatever the case may be — figuring out bail is not easy.
The crucial thing is to get to an attorney right away. Let the attorney help you with bail and the reason I say that is, let's say the bail is $100,000.00 in this example and you post $100,000.00, you pay anywhere 7% to 10% to the bondsman or you pay him a small amount and you get your loved on out.
The court date will probably be pushed back 30, 45, or 60 days now, especially during the Coronavirus outbreak. They're moving these cases, so the attorney can't get any of the paperwork until there's a court date, so that's one reason you may want to consider just leaving the person in custody.
Let the attorney argue the bail, especially in my example, which is $100,000.00. The attorney may be able to get the person out on their recognizance or reduce the bail, whatever the case may be.
Zero Bail and Own Recognizance Release
The bottom line is that with the Coronavirus, all bail in Los Angeles County is zero unless it's a serious or violent felony or an enumerated crime—a very dangerous crime that society needs to be protected from.
However, the judges are very reasonable right now with the bail, so wasting $7,000.00 to $10,000.00 may not be the way to go. If you choose between an attorney and bailing the person out, you pick the attorney every time.
This is because all you do when you bail somebody out, especially in a severe case, is you put a band-aid over a bullet wound. That doesn't fix anything. That gets a person out — fantastic. But it would be best if you had an attorney.
In my opinion, and I've been doing this for 26 years, I've worked for the DA's office, I've worked for a judge, and I've been a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles since 1994. Get the attorney first.
Let the attorney help make the best decisions so you don't put yourself in a position where all you can do is bail a person out, and then you put yourself in a position where you can't hire an attorney. That would be a wrong move.
Retain a Criminal Lawyer Immediately
Also, bear in mind another factor and many of them exist. This is a big one. In my example, you bail the person out at $100,000.00. You can't hire an attorney because you have no more money left.
You commit yourself financially. You spend all your money. The person goes to the arraignment and the DAs argue to double the bail or even triple the bail for some reason. The judge grants it and now that person gets taken back into custody.
You lose all your money with the bail bondsman because they have no reason to get it back. They bailed you out like they were supposed to. It's not your fault that you were taken back into custody.
Again, this is crucial — let the attorney be the guide. Let the attorney help you make the best decision when bailing your loved one out in Los Angeles, especially in these crazy times. Attorneys have their pulse on what's going on.
That's the crucial thing. I've been doing this for a long time. I've seen the bail do a lot of crazy things recently, so you want to make sure that you have the right strategy going in.
Bailing Someone Out is Not Always the Best Strategy
I can even think of another scenario when it comes to bail. Sometimes, you have a situation where a person will end up getting jail or prison time, and they know it.
Maybe they have strike priors, perhaps it's a severe case involving a weapon — whatever the case may be — why would you bail that person out only to have them go back in again. It doesn't make any sense.
There are so many different scenarios when it comes to bail that your best bet is to get an attorney. Let the attorney guide you through the process.
Pick up the phone now. Ask to speak to Ron Hedding. I'll get moving on the case immediately and make the right moves for you and your loved one so you can get the best result.
