Can a Grandparent Bail Their Grandchild Out of Jail in Ventura?

Knowing your grandchild was arrested and charged with a crime can be devastating. This is especially if you have no idea what to expect from a criminal sentencing and how it can affect your grandchild’s life. As a worried, caring grandparent, you would like to know if there is anything you can do to prevent your loved one from going to jail. Fortunately, there are ways you can assist your grandchild during their time of need. Our Ventura, CA criminal defense attorneys invite you to keep reading as we discuss whether you can bail your grandchild out of jail.

Can I Bail My Grandchild Out of Jail in Ventura?

As a grandparent, there is nothing you wouldn’t do to protect your grandchild, especially if they face criminal charges. You may wonder if there is anything you can do to get your loved one out of jail. Also, it may be difficult to understand how bail is set in Ventura, CA, or what will happen after posting bail. Fortunately, you can post bail for your grandchildren. Bail is the amount of money a defendant will need to pay to avoid going to jail.

Generally, the courts will set your grandchild’s bail following the guidelines established in their county’s bail schedule. The bail schedule has a list of different criminal offenses and the amount of bail a judge should set depending on their case. It is essential to understand every county’s bail schedule is different, and they may assign a different value to the same criminal offense.

Consulting your county’s bail schedule can give you an idea of how much money you may need to pay to get your loved one out of jail. The amount of bail you will need to post can vary depending on the severity of your grandchild’s charges. For instance, you may need to pay up to $20,000 if your grandchild was charged with sexual battery. However, if your grandchild was accused of assault in Ventura, you could be looking at $100,000 in bail.

There is a caveat to posting bail. Your grandchild may believe that being set free from jail means he or she will be free to do whatever they want. This can be a costly mistake. Posting bail means your grandchild will not remain in custody until future hearings. If he or she fails to appear to any court-ordered hearing, the court may retire their bail benefit and order their arrest.

How Can I Post Bail for My Grandchild in Ventura, CA?

Many grandparents may not have a clear idea of how they can post bail for their grandchild. There are different ways you can post bail for your grandchild. First, you can post bail by paying the full amount in cash. You can take your money and deposit it with your county’s court clerk. The court’s clerk will keep the bail money while your grandchild’s case is pending. If your grandchild meets all of the requirements set forth by the court, you will receive a full refund of your bail.

However, you need to be careful and make sure your grandchild complies with all court orders. If your loved one skips a bail hearing or flees the jurisdiction, you may lose all of your bail money. In addition to losing your money, the court may also issue an order for your grandchild’s arrest.

One thing to consider when posting bail is that courts are somewhat reluctant when someone offers to pay bail in cash, especially if it’s a large sum. If the courts suspect the money used to post bail was obtained through illegal means, you may get into trouble. It is up to you to prove the cash used to post bail is legitimate.

There may be situations where the set bail is too high, and you may not have enough money to post your grandchild’s bail in cash. Under such circumstances, you can post bail through a bail bond agency. Bail agents or bondsmen will post bail for to get your grandchild out of jail for a fee. Generally, a bail bond agency will charge a 10%, non-refundable fee based on the bail’s overall value. For instance, if your grandchild’s bail was set at $100,000, the bail bond agency will retain $10,000. In addition to their fee, bondsmen will also ask you to provide collateral. Similar to a bail paid in cash, you may lose your collateral (house, car, or jewelry, etc.) if your grandchild doesn’t meet his obligations to the court.

Do I Need to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer for My Grandchild in Ventura?

If your grandchild cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint a public defender to take over their case. However, these court-appointed legal professionals may not have the resources, time, and focus required to handle your loved one’s case. Hiring a private criminal defense attorney may be the best option your grandchild may have. Generally, a private counsel can dedicate more time and resources to a particular case, which can be beneficial.

Your grandchild needs competent legal representation by their side at all times. A criminal defense lawyer can work to defend your grandchild’s constitutional rights at all times. There may be times where a judge may impose a bail that may be too high for the charges against your grandchild. The Constitution protects all individuals against excessive bail, and this is a matter a criminal defense attorney can help you solve.

Criminal Defense Lawyers Offering Free Consultations in Ventura, CA

At the Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC, we understand how vital your grandchild is to you. Our Ventura, CA criminal defense lawyers can help you defend your loved one’s rights throughout their criminal process. In our criminal justice system, every defendant is innocent until proven guilty. The prosecution will try to prove beyond reasonable doubt your grandchild is guilty of his or her charges. Our criminal defense lawyers can help build a robust defense to make sure your grandchild gets a fair trial. To learn more about our services in a free, confidential consultation, call our law offices today at (805) 643-5555.