Staying Proactive After an Arrest

The California Criminal Justice system can be hard to understand and even more difficult to navigate. If a person is suspected of committing a crime in California they are arrested. Dependent upon the severity of the crime or how many times a person has committed a crime you may either be released on your own recognizance or bail bonds come in to play. Being released on your own recognizance means the courts trust you will return for your court dates without needing a bail bond.

Bail Bonds offices can be called using your regular phone call privilege. It is important to stay proactive. You are your best advocate. If you have the opportunity to bail out take it. It makes a big difference when it comes to arraignment, hearings, and sentencing to be out on bail instead of sitting in jail waiting to be sentenced. Being out on bail is an opportunity to show the courts that you are responsible enough to stick around before they sentence you. And it may be a factor in whether they decide to send you to jail or offer other deals such as time served or programs which are alternatives to jail.
Being your own advocate in this process can be realized in many ways. Never be afraid to ask questions. If you get frustrated don’t take it out on those who play a key role in the court process, such as your lawyer or the judge. Ask others in jail about alternative programs. If you have family or friends who are supporting you ask them to do a little research on alternative programs. Talk to your lawyer about your findings. He or she may not have had the opportunity to use some programs for their clients. During this process do what you can to stay positive. It may affect the outcome or it may not, but it will certainly put you in the right frame of mind to get through it all and move on in your life. It is never easy to face charges, but it is a challenge that can be overcome with the right attitude and good support.