Finding out that a friend or loved one has been arrested for a drug-related crime can be nerve-wracking. Unfortunately, it’s something that a lot of people have had to deal with. If you ever find yourself wondering whether your friend or family member is safe, where they are, and what you can do, here are a few steps to follow.
Call the Jail
If your friend or loved one was arrested in or around Santa Clarita, they were most likely taken to the Santa Clarita Sheriff Station jail to undergo booking and processing. Usually, when someone is taken there, they will remain at that location for up to 72-hours. However, if the jail gets overcrowded or if their time in custody exceeds that amount of time, they may be transferred to a larger jail in downtown Los Angeles.
Look for a Bail Bondsman
You can usually avoid a transfer if you get the bail bond process started quickly while the defendant is still at the SCV Sheriff Station. Depending on the severity of the charge, their bail could be set at tens of thousands of dollars – an amount most people don’t have ready access to. By calling a bail bondsman, we can quickly get the bail bond process started for only a fraction of the cost.
Think About Legal Representation
If possible, start looking for legal representation. If you’re unable to find or afford one, your friend or loved one will have a public defender provided by the court. However, public defenders usually have a huge caseload and aren’t always able to take the time to focus on the defendant’s case. By getting outside counsel, you can significantly improve the defendant’s chances.
Ensure They Go to Court
Last but not least, make sure that your friend or loved one attends all of their court dates. If you bail them out of jail and they fail to appear in court, you (or whoever signed the bail bond) will be financially responsible for the entire amount of bail. Provided the defendant shows up for court, there will be no further financial obligations regardless of the outcome.
