Securing Bail for Minors
A common concern often expressed in the bail bond business is in regard to minors. It is widely known that because arrested youth are not yet legal adults, they have no right to post bail.
Unfortunately, as it stands, juveniles do not have a constitutional right to seek bail. However, many juveniles are released to their parents or guardians prior to arraignment in juvenile court. Though the majority of minors are released to their parents, there is still an overwhelming percentage of minors who are held in the court system until their arraignment. Minors can’t afford to damage their academic career or jobs sitting in jail until their arraignment so this becomes a difficult and burdensome issue. Juvenile arrests and the circumstances in which we can bail out a child under the age of eighteen are if the juvenile is being charged with a felony and as an adult. In other words, the crime has to be a felony and severe enough for them to be charged as an adult due to their crime.
The same procedure would be in place as with any other defendant. The individual(s) that are trying to bail them out would also need to meet the same requirements as any other charge. When we get a call about a minor, we work hard to get them the help they need to get home as soon as possible. Any juvenile who is being tried as an adult is legally entitled to bail. When we have the legal authority to post bail due to circumstances, we are successfully able to get minors home safe. If the crime was not severe enough to bump it into a felony category, then, unfortunately, we are unable to post bail for minors.
What constitutes a “juvenile” and what are the age limitations?
A juvenile is any person under the age of 18 and over the age of 12. Yet, in California, if a juvenile is at least 14 years old at the time of a felony, he or she may be tried as an adult. It is highly recommended to promptly hire a juvenile defense attorney who has an intimate understanding of minor’s rights and juvenile law and can take action before the detention hearing is held. Any juvenile in custody must be brought before the court within 48 hours after being detained. Because minors are expected to attend school and have serious obligations to their academics, fortunately, the system in place works to expedite these trials and hearings for minors.
If you or a loved one under the age of eighteen is experiencing a frustrating situation with the law and needs help asap, we recommend seeking the guidance of a juvenile defense attorney. They can further assist you in this battle and may be able to get you into a position to be tried as an adult. In some cases, being tried as an adult is actually beneficial as the defendant can post bail and return to his/her life without enduring cumbersome jail time.
Visit us at Power Bail Bonds to start the conversation and understand your options. We recognize that time is of the essence in these unfortunate situations. We work around the clock 365 days a year to ensure a speedy turnaround any and all hours of the day. At Power Bail Bonds, we proudly serve everyone- including minors. Call Us Today for a free initial conversation!