Sonora Bail Bond Lawyer
We Understand Your Legal Rights
For many people, needing help to bail a person out of jail is their first introduction to the criminal court system. The bail process can be confusing and costly when navigating it on your own, but having the right attorney can assist you in obtaining an immediate release from jail at the lowest possible cost to you. At The Law Office of Charles B. Smith, we know that time is of the essence. That is why we work hard to help and can often times save you thousands of dollars as we assist you in the bail process.
Call our Sonora bail bond attorney today at (209) 231-6506, or contact us online.
Your Bail Options in Tuolumne County
When a person is arrested and booked into jail, they can be held in custody until their case is resolved. Practically speaking, this means a person can spend up to 90 days in jail just waiting for their trial.
There are several ways to post bail and we are more than happy to explain your options, represent the client at their hearing, and/or refer you to a well-respected bail bondsman. Below you will find some additional information about bail or bond options.
Cash Bail
Cash bail is when an amount of cash equal to the amount of bail is deposited with the court. If the client is present at all court hearings as required by the judge, at the conclusion of the case all the money is returned in full to the person who posted bail.
Bail Bond
With a bail bond you are essentially paying a fee to the bail bondsman guaranteeing that the client will be at all court hearings as required by the judge. The cost of the bond is typically 10% of the bail amount (for example, if bail is set at $10,000 then the bond will cost $1,000) and is non-refundable. Because the bail bondsman becomes personally responsible for the defendant attending all hearings, oftentimes they will require collateral equal to the bail amount to ensure the promise to appear in court is kept.
Property Bond
With a property bond, real estate such as homes, condominiums, or vacation property can be used as security to guaranty the client’s appearance in court. The real estate collateral must be worth at least two times the amount of bail (for example, if bail was set at $250,000 then the property must be equal in value to, or exceed, $500,000). This process can take up to 7 business days to acquire the necessary documentation, but can actually be the most cost effective method when dealing with extremely high bail amounts.
Own Recognizance (O.R.)
Of all the options listed, this is the one that has no financial cost to the client. In this case, if the judge decides that the client is neither a flight risk nor a danger to society, the client can be released on their promise that they will attend required hearings. A failure to appear in court will result in a warrant for arrest being issued, being remanded back into custody, and the judge either setting bail or making the defendant remain in jail until their case is resolved.
Call (209) 231-6506 to learn more from our bail bond lawyer in Sonora, CA.

Putting People First
Read Our Client Reviews-
“Charles is one of the best in the area. When I was in trouble and needed an attorney before court he came to the rescue. My family had sent another attorney to talk to me prior to court but the ...”
- Christy -
“By far the best legal advice we have received EVER. Highly recommend Mr. Smith. Last year we had an issue with our registered firearms. We didn't know if we needed to hire a lawyer or not. After one ...”
- Deb -
“I am blessed to say that Charles is the best at what he does...HANDS DOWN!!!!! He is truly a great person and very kind hearted. My wife and our 5 kids are blessed to have gained such a beautiful ...”
- Sione -
“Today was the end of a 3 year emotionally draining roller coaster ride centered on a mistake my son made. I can only praise God for creating the wonderfully caring human that is Charles Smith. His ...”
- Mike -
“Charles is an extraordinary gentleman. He went above and beyond representing me and has transformed my life and the lives of those around me for the better. I highly recommend him.”
- R.H.