With my extensive experience in handling bail situations and dealing with outstanding warrants in California, I can't stress enough the importance of a reliable bail bondsman. A good bail bondsman, who is well-versed in the Los Angeles County court system and knows the quickest way to secure a release, is your first step in this process. 

As I write this post, the bail in LA County appears to fluctuate between approximately 6% and 10% for the bail bondsman. Most bail agents typically charge 7% to 8% of the bail amount. That's something I like to coordinate with my clients and assist them if possible. I've got a bondsman who I know will be fair and give them a good price. I know they're going to back up everything and get the person out as quick as they possibly can because when you're in custody, and you want to get bailed out in LA – and trust me, it's not pleasant in there – you want it done quickly and efficiently. So, bail in Los Angeles is crucial, and you must hire a skilled attorney who understands the bail system and knows what it takes to secure the lowest possible bail to get you out as quickly as possible and save you as much money as possible.

How Does A Judge In LA Decide What The Bail Is Going To Be?

This is a great question because many people are unsure of what to do when they or their loved ones are taken into custody, and they struggle to decide between posting bail and hiring an attorney. Of course, I'm biased because I'm an attorney, but the bottom line is that posting bail doesn't really do anything to help you in the case. It just gets you out temporarily, potentially. The attorney, on the other hand, is going to be your champion and the person who can keep you out of custody, can fight your case, assert all your defenses, and resolve your case in the best possible manner.

So, if you have a choice between an attorney and posting bail, my suggestion is to hire an attorney first. Let them see if they can either get you released on your recognizance or lower the bail. Many people are bailing out, and they will ultimately have to serve some time, only to be returned to custody, which is not a pleasant experience in any way.

When setting bail at an arraignment in a Los Angeles criminal case, the judge will consider the person's prior criminal history. They're going to assess whether they pose a flight risk. They will look to see if they pose a danger to the community. They will look to see whether they've ever skipped bail before or failed to appear, and, of course, they will examine the nature of the crime. What did the person do?  The judges in Los Angeles County have established a bail schedule for every crime in the county, so there is a presumptive bail amount that the judge will typically set. Now that bail can vacillate and change.

The bottom line is that the person is entitled to a reasonable bail, and once that bail is set – that's the bail – there's no changing it later. The only way you can change the bail later is if you can show that there are some sort of changed circumstances to warrant either making the bail lower from a defense standpoint or higher from a prosecution's standpoint.

What Is A 1275 Hold When It Comes To Bail?

Essentially, prosecutors can place a $1,275 hold on a person's bail if they believe the individual might use money from ill-gotten gains to secure their release. This means they can tell the judge, 'Look, Your Honor, they can post $50,000.00 bail, for example.' ' Still, we have to see that whatever money they're using for the premium and whatever collateral they're using is clean.

 In other words, it's not from the crime they've committed. They shouldn't be able to use money from drug proceeds, for example, to bail themselves out, so that's when a 1275 hearing is held. The attorney cross-examines the witnesses and shows the judge and the prosecutor – yes, this money is clean. This money is coming from a family member, for example. They've got a job. They've got a credit card. They've got a means of money. The premium will be deducted from a bank account. Look, they have $10,000.00 in there. This is the type of thing that will have to be done when it comes to a 1275 Hold in Los Angeles and the person trying to post bail.

So, the bottom line is that if you have a bail issue and need to get a loved one out or yourself, start by consulting an attorney. Let them guide you. They do this all the time. I've been in the courts every single day for twenty-five years, battling for bail for my clients. I can typically tell a person whether their bail is going to stay at $100,000.00. You might as well just bail out if you're going to bail out, or I can tell them no, don't bail out now. I might be able to get the bail reduced to half or even get you released on your recognizance. Save yourself $ 10,000. Consulting an attorney can provide you with the reassurance and guidance you need during this stressful time.

So, get to an attorney first. Let them guide you through because they've been in the trenches. I've been there before. I've seen what happens in these bail cases. I know what factors the judge is using to set bail, and I know what it takes to get a bail lowered; I know what it takes to get an OR release, and I know when it's a good idea to bail somebody out and when it's not a good idea to bail somebody out. Understanding the bail process can empower you and give you a sense of control during this challenging time.