Here’s what you should know about Santa Clarita bail hearings:
Bail is set according to the Los Angeles County Bail Schedule – a list of suggested bail amounts that will vary from crime-to-crime. When someone is bailed out shortly after their arrest, the bail amount will be based on what is listed in the LA County Bail Schedule. However, if an individual remains in jail, they will go before a judge within a few days to attend a bail hearing.
At a bail hearing, a judge will decide whether or not a defendant should be released, and the defendant’s legal counsel (if they have any) will be able to argue in their favor. The bail hearing is not the defendant’s court date. The judge will not be hearing any arguments regarding the defendant’s innocence or guilt. Instead, the judge will hear arguments from the prosecutor and the defense as to whether or not the defendant should receive bail.
The most important factor that a judge will take into consideration at a bail hearing is whether or not the defendant poses any danger to the community. If the judge deems that they do, bail will more than likely be withheld. If they do not, the judge will take into consideration their risk of flight and any arguments by the defense and prosecution. The judge will then take all of the information and decide whether bail should be raised, lowered, kept the same, or if the defendant is eligible for another option for release.
If an individual is bailed out of jail before their scheduled bail hearing, they will have to pay whatever is set at the Santa Clarita Sheriff Station, and that will likely be what is listed on the LA County Bail Schedule. If the defendant chooses to wait and attend a bail hearing, they may have their bail lowered and ultimately have to pay less to get out of jail. The opposite, though, is also true. The defendant could have their bail raised and ultimately have to pay more for their release.
