The Police Have Arrested Your Loved One- What Happens Next?

No one ever likes to get the call that the police have arrested a loved one and need your assistance. Knowing that a loved one—whether a parent, child, spouse or another family member—is arrested can be upsetting. It is critical to comprehend what follows next and the best actions you can take to assist them, regardless of the cause of their arrest.

Arrest and Booking

The often drawn-out criminal justice procedure begins with an arrest. This stage of the procedure has already been completed if you are getting phone calls from a loved one who is incarcerated. They’re probably being detained by the cops presently at a temporary facility. Instead of keeping them at the station, the police may occasionally move them to a nearby jail.

Your loved one will have gone through the booking process prior to this. Although "booking" is frequently discussed in the media, the process itself isn’t very challenging or exciting. Instead, it consists of a series of straightforward administrative procedures like background checks and fingerprinting. Following an arrest, the police must always go through this procedure.

Initial bail

Police typically impose a temporary bail and place recent arrests in a holding cell at the station. Think again if media and movies have led you to believe that a judge always sets bail. The bail is initially determined using a list of typical charges.

This schedule is nondiscretionary, as opposed to the bail established by judges; the police have no say in the sums.

Remember that bail schedules are usually only offered for minor infractions or felonies. For instance, if the police are holding your loved one for a traffic infraction, it’s likely that their initial bail would be set according to a timetable. A judge will set bail later in the process for more serious crimes.

Release (or Not)

This is your first chance to bring your loved one home if the police have set bail. If you post the specified bail amount, the police will let them out of custody. Before being arraigned, your family member will now have a few days to work with a lawyer or make the required preparations.

Keep in mind that release might not be feasible during this time. Your loved one will need to wait until their arraignment if the police have charged them with a crime that isn’t listed on the schedule of charges. They can probably anticipate spending a couple of days in jail in this situation.

Bail Hearing or Arrest

The following stage on the way to their ultimate court hearing, regardless of whether they are still in police custody, is an arraignment. The prosecution will formally bring the charges at the arraignment, and your loved one will be required to enter a plea. A lawyer must be present during this initial hearing in any case involving a serious offense.

Your loved one will also be able to ask for a bail hearing in California. They can ask for a lower bail amount or other special arrangements at this hearing. If the original bond is excessively exorbitant or burdensome for another reason, bail hearings may be scheduled. Additionally, exceptional circumstances (such as a spotless criminal record) may be taken into consideration.

Working With a Bail Bond Agency

Working with a bail bond company is frequently the greatest approach to guarantee a prompt release from custody once your loved one’s bail has been set. A bail bond typically costs 10% of the total cash bail amount in California. Whether your loved one is in initial custody or has already been charged, Smart Choice Bail Bonds can assist you in getting them freed as soon as possible.

If any of you or your family or friend need the assistance, contact Smart Choice Bail Bond agents today to get it started as quickly as possible!