If you or someone you love is facing charges for child abuse, one of the first steps is to get them out of jail, where they can repair relationships, seek behavioral help if it is needed, and deal with the legal implications of the charges against them.
Bail for Child Abuse
Bail is the fastest way to get someone out of jail when they are facing charges of child abuse. Cash bail is a system that has been in use in the United States since before the Revolutionary War and is a fundamental part of the justice system. Cash bail allows a defendant to place a cash deposit with the court as a bond to ensure that they will comply with all of the terms of their pretrial release. Upon payment of the cash bail, the defendant is allowed to leave the jail and return to their home and job while they work through the legal proceedings against them. Without cash bail, many defendants would be forced to remain behind bars until their hearings and trial could be held, a process that often takes months or years.
If a defendant fails to comply with the terms of their pretrial release, by failing to appear for hearings or trial, they will forfeit the cash bail that they deposited and will be re-arrested and returned to jail until their legal proceedings have been completed.
What If I Can’t Afford Bail For Child Abuse?
When the amount of bail is more than an individual can afford, as it often is, a bail bondsman can arrange for a bail bond to be filed with the court in place of cash bail, which will allow the defendant to get out of jail for a fraction of the cost of bail.
What is a Bail Bondsman?
A bail bondsman works with a surety company (similar to an insurance company) to help defendants get out of jail for less money than the full cost of bail. A bail bond is a promise to the court, backed by the surety company, that promises that the defendant will either comply with the terms of their pretrial release OR the bail bond company will pay the entire amount of cash bail to the court. This makes the bail bond agent a part of the justice system, as he or she functions to ensure that defendants appear for hearings and comply with the terms of bail.
Child Abuse Defined
The legal code for child abuse is PC 273(d), also called corporal injury of a child. PC 273(d) makes it a crime to impose physical injury or “cruel punishment” on a child. Violations of PC 273(d) include:
- Slapping a child so hard that you leave a mark
- Punching or hitting a teenager for staying out too late or being disrespectful
- Hitting a child with a belt, harder than is reasonable, as a means of discipline
California’s mandatory reporting laws require that certain professionals, such as teachers and doctors, report their suspicions that a child’s injury might be the result of abuse. If investigating officials believe that there is a “reasonable fear” that the child is in danger in the home, the child will be removed from the home and placed in an alternative living environment. That living arrangement might be with another family member or in a state-licensed home.
Child abuse is a “wobbler” offense, meaning that it could be charged as a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances. The factors that influence whether the charges of child abuse will be a misdemeanor or a felony include the severity of the injuries, the evidence available at the time of charging, and the past criminal history of the person being charged.
Is Spanking Child Abuse?
Currently, California law allows for spanking as a means of discipline within certain guidelines. While spanking is not against the law, a person should be careful to ensure that the punishment doesn’t cross the line into child abuse. Spanking that leaves marks, for instance, would be grounds for charges of child abuse. Other considerations are whether or not the spanking is a “reasonable” method of discipline for the infraction involved and whether the punishment reaches the threshold of “excessive.”
How Much are Bail Bonds For Child Abuse
Bail bonds allow a person to get out of jail for a fraction of the cost of bail. In the State of California, the rate for bail bonds is set (by the State) at 10% in most cases. This means that the cost of bail bonds is generally 10% of the full cost of bail.
The cost of bail is set by the Superior Court of each county. The bail schedule is available at any jail or booking facility or can be found online. The Riverside County bail schedule can be found here.
The cost of bail for child abuse can range from $10,000 to more than $100,000 depending on the various charges and factors involved. Often, the amount of bail for child abuse is more than an individual can easily come up with to bail out of jail. This is when the assistance of a bail bond professional is most helpful.
For just a fraction of the cost of bail, a bail bondsman can help you get out of jail and back to work where you can support your family and work with an attorney to resolve the charges against you.
Bail Bonds for Child Abuse
If you or someone you care about is arrested for child abuse, the first step toward dealing with the issue is to get them out of jail so that they can collaborate with an attorney as they continue to work and contribute to society.
For Child abuse bail bonds in Riverside County, call the professionals at Justice Bail Bonds (951) 445-4155.
