When a person is arrested in California, they can obtain pretrial release by posting bail. Generally, bail is an amount of money a defendant provides to the court to incentivize their court appearance. The court holds the money until a court hears and determines a defendant’s case, after which the defendant receives a full refund of their bail. The court can only retain the money in the event of bail forfeiture, which typically occurs when the defendant fails to appear in court.

However, critics claim that bail favors only those who can afford to post it. These are mainly the wealthy people, who can raise the required bail, even for a heinous crime. Defendants from low-income families do not stand a chance and could be forced to remain in jail for prolonged periods, even for an offense that does not warrant detention.

A new system is in place that gives all defendants a chance to obtain pretrial release, not based on their ability to post bail, but on the risk they pose to public safety. However, you need a reference to obtain a bail bond and enjoy this privilege.

What Does It Mean to Be a Reference for a Bail Bond?

California courts receive numerous criminal cases every year from first-time and, sometimes, repeat offenders. The courts also have new personnel working on cases throughout the year, including judges, court clerks, police officers, attorneys, and other court personnel. It becomes increasingly complex for a court to be fully informed about a particular defendant by reviewing their case file. Information about a defendant is necessary for them to benefit from California's new zero-bail system. For example, courts must assess the type of safety risk a defendant poses to the public before releasing them from jail after arrest.

A reference for a bail bond is a person or organization that provides information about a defendant, including their background, community ties, and any previous criminal associations. This information helps a court determine the defendant’s likelihood of appearing in court for the trial if they are granted a no-bail release as recommended by the new bail system. It also helps the court determine the safety risk the community faces if the defendant is released on bail. If the defendant is a safety risk or a flight risk, the court does not grant them bail, regardless of their financial ability to post bail.

Find a Reliable Bail Bondsman Near Me

Defendants in California can enjoy a pretrial release to return to their families and homes and prepare for trial if they incentivize their court appearances. However, a no-bail option is available for low-income defendants who face lenient charges. What you need is a reliable reference for your bail bond, which the court will use to obtain the necessary information to grant you a pretrial release.

At Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds, we understand how much a pretrial release means to you. If you want help with bail, you can count on our reliable and affordable bail bonds. We can also guide you if you need assistance in understanding the zero-bail option and what you need to take advantage of it. Call us at 844-400-2245 with all your bail questions and to learn more about our services.