Tax refunds are the funds you receive from the federal government after overpaying the government via withholding taxes during the previous financial year. You can receive a tax refund if you have tax credits. You can use the amount however you wish and ensure it positively affects your finances. For example, you can pay Perris bail bonds for a loved one detained in police custody. Please read this blog post to learn more about how to cover bail bond costs using a tax refund.

What is California Bail?

Bail is the money you, the defendant, pay to court to be released from police custody and remain in your community while the California judicial system finalizes your criminal case. It is a type of pretrial release.

It is a deposit that guarantees you will attend your court proceedings. The court will hold the amount until the court resolves your case. If you skip bail, the judge will forfeit the money and issue your arrest warrant. If you abide by the court terms, the court will return the money at the end of your case.

All California counties have preset bail schedules for various crimes. Bail schedules allow defendants to post bail directly with the police without waiting for a court hearing.

Otherwise, the judge decides whether to grant bail or not and the amount during a bail hearing. The bail hearing happens within 48 hours of your arrest. When determining the bail amount, the judge considers factors like:

  • Circumstances and the severity of your allegations — Severe crimes or those threatening public safety attract a higher bail amount.
  • Your criminal record — The court will review your current criminal status, including previous failures to attend court hearings, convictions, and arrests. For a person with a history of skipping bail or a criminal record, the court will deem them a flight risk and set a higher bail amount.
  • Possibility of reoffending
  • Your community ties — The judge will consider links to your community, like employment, family relationships, and residence.
  • Whether you are a threat to your community
  • Your flight risk
  • History of substance abuse and mental health illness

While there are guidelines, the judge can set any bail amount they deem fit, provided it is not excessive.

You will remain detained until your trial if you cannot pay bail.

If you cannot personally bail, you can request a loved one to assist you. Alternatively, you can engage a renowned Perris bail bonds firm to post your bond. The bondsman promises the court to pay your bail if you violate a release condition, including jumping bail. In exchange, the bond company will require you to pay service fees, usually ten percent of the bail amount. For instance, if the set bail amount is ten thousand dollars, you will pay a $1,000 premium.

You can use the following methods when paying your Perris bail bonds. Understanding these options can help you explore what suits you best.

  • Cash — Paying your premium in cash is the most convenient method. It is ideal if you can afford to foot the whole amount without financial strain.
  • Payment plans — You can use a payment plan if you cannot afford to pay the premium upfront. With a payment plan, you pay your premium in installments over a given duration. When exploring the Perris bail bonds payment plan, discuss with your bondsman the best plan that suits your financial ability. Remember to consider your qualification criteria, interest rates, and repayment period.
  • Using collateral — Bail bond companies accept valuable assets like jewelry, stocks, houses, and cars if you do not have access to cash. It is crucial to understand that your bondsman can seize the asset you used as collateral if you fail to pay the premium.

Paying Bail With Tax Refund In California

As previously mentioned, a tax refund is money you overpaid to the U.S. government in withholding taxes during the year. After filing your taxes, the Internal Revenue Service sets the amount you owe and returns the overpaid amount.

Generally, adults and families with minors can receive additional credits, including refundable tax credits, that enable them to receive more tax refunds than they paid during the year. The tax refunds are meant to assist working adults and families not making enough money to cater to their needs.

If the prosecutor has filed an offense against you or a family member, you can post bail to secure your release or wait in custody until the court case concludes. You can use the tax return money to post bail. However, you should take note of the following crucial factors before posting bail with a tax refund.

First, no bail bond companies or jails can take cash from your tax return check. Instead, you should cash it beforehand and deposit it into a PayPal account, a bank account, or a prepaid credit card.

Secondly, posting your entire bail amount with tax refund cash could not be the proper usage of the funds because bails are designed to dissuade the accused from skipping town before their case conclusion, so judges usually set a high dollar amount. Unfortunately, only some individuals can obtain enough tax refunds to cover the full bail amount. Perris bail bonds companies only charge about 10% of the bail cost, making it a more favorable value option that achieves the same objective for you or your loved one.

Requirements For Posting Perris Bail Bonds Using Tax Refunds

The documents you need to use your tax refund for posting bail include:

  • Photographic ID
  • Proof of residence
  • Proof of income, like a recent payslip
  • Completed bail application
  • Your payment method

Why Use a Perris Bail Bonds Company Instead of Posting a Cash Bail?

While your tax return money might be enough to post a cash bail, it is advisable to hire a bondsman instead. Here is why:

Your Bondsman Will Treat You Better

Facing a criminal case can be embarrassing and daunting, mainly if you do not have the financial muscle to post bail. Your bondsman can assist you, offering the funds and ensuring the prosecutor treats you better.

The company can also offer specific protections, like:

  • Safeguarding your privacy
  • Advising you of your constitutional rights

You Will Secure Your Release Faster

Your bondsman has the resources and experience that enable them to navigate the process faster. The sooner you are released, the sooner you can build your defense and return to work and family.

24/7 Availability

Posting your bail can be time-sensitive, and you should secure your release promptly.

Most Perris bail bonds companies offer round-the-clock services and can assist you at any time of the day. It is beneficial in emergencies, like when the police arrest you outside of business hours.

Allows You to Build Your Case

If you spend time leading up to your trial while locked, you will have less access to your criminal defense attorney. Securing a release allows you to meet with a lawyer, discuss your legal options, and prepare your defense before appearing in court. That way, you increase your chances of obtaining favorable case outcomes.

What Happens If You Miss Your Court Proceeding?

Upon being charged with a crime, you can post bail as a commitment to attend your court hearings. You could face life-changing consequences if you break your release conditions and skip court.

The legal repercussions include the following:

Bail Forfeiture

If you or your cosigner posted a cash bail and you skipped court, you should not anticipate having it refunded. The California court will keep the cash, no matter how much you have posted, minus any incurred fees relating to your case. Additionally, you risk losing property, like a car, home, or other assets you used as collateral.

Fines and Prison Sentences

Skipping a planned court proceeding can have several legal consequences. The harshest of all for most fugitives is serving prison time. The jail terms can last from a few days to a year or even longer. The circumstances surrounding your case and what influenced your criminal conduct significantly impact the prison term.

Another legal concern is court-imposed fines. Regardless of the total financial payout amount, it could lead to reduced income.

You Will Have to Repay the Perris Bail Bonds Company the Bail Amount It Paid for You

If you involve a bail bondsman to procure bail, they could lose cash if you jump bail. In many cases, the California court will inform the bondsman via a letter of your failure to attend court and that your bail amount is defaulted.

The court provides a grace period that could aid in rectifying things. Nevertheless, it happens at the court’s discretion, which might not be forgiving. Consequently, if you break your bail conditions, be ready for your bondsman to demand the total payment.

California License Suspension

Another legal penalty for jumping bail is your license suspension. The license could be a driver’s or professional license. The California court can issue a warrant for your arrest if you do not attend court for a traffic offense and will alert the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the warrant.

The DMV will offer you 60 days to clear the citation before withdrawing your driving privileges. Afterward, your options for entering into a stipulated agreement with the prosecution over your ticket are limited. It could also be time and energy-consuming to reinstate your license if the court suspended it for skipping court.

Additional Criminal Charges

If you skip court, you risk a separate charge, including contempt of court.

Skipping court is considered a California misdemeanor. However, it can be a felony, depending on the facts of the underlying crime.

The judge will also impose a prison sentence once they find you guilty or you accept a guilty plea bargain. Most California judges consider the accused’s skipping court a sign of contempt for the judicial system. For this reason, the judge could issue serious punishment.

You should act swiftly if you skipped bail. Hiring a criminal defense attorney can help you prevent your re-arrest or have your charges dismissed by proving why you jumped bail. Additionally, other actions you should take include the following:

  • Do not flee to avoid your subsequent court hearing
  • Do not lie about why you missed your court hearing
  • Communicate with the bondsman

How to Receive the Tax Refund Money You Used to Post Bail Back

Receiving a refund of your bail funds depends on numerous factors, like your compliance with court conditions and the form of bail you used.

Cash Bail

If you posted a cash bail and followed your release terms, including attending all court hearings, you should receive a refund of your bail amount. Please note that the refund does not include the court or administrative fees the court charged you.

You will receive a refund once your criminal case is resolved, regardless of whether the court found you guilty, sentenced you, or you pleaded guilty. The court will discharge and return the amount to the individual who posted it as a check.

Bail Bonds

With Perris bail bonds, the case is different. The premium you paid your bondsman is non-refundable, and there is no bail return or refund of the 10% premium, even if you obeyed your court terms. It is the fee for their service of paying the entire bail amount to the court.

How Long Do You Have to Wait Until You Receive Your Bail Money Back?

If you post a cash bail, you will have the money refunded within three to six months. The local finance department will send the check to your mailbox.

If this duration has passed since your criminal case closure and you have not received the check, contact the court with information about your case.

Find a Knowledgeable Bondsman Near Me

If your family member is under arrest and you do not have enough money to post their bail, you can use your tax refunds. After the tax return money is in your possession, you can pay the Perris bail bonds with cash, check, or PayPal. Fausto Bail Bonds takes pride in exceptional customer support and services and can guide you in paying your bail effectively and affordably. Please contact us at 855-328-7867 to learn how we can help you promptly secure your loved one’s release.