Know Your Rights: Eighth Amendment and Excessive Bail

Eighth Amendment and Excessive Bail: general information about your rights in California. This is not legal advice.

Overview

The Eighth Amendment says that excessive bail shall not be required. Courts apply it by asking whether bail is set higher than needed to make sure a person returns to court.

What This Means for Families

If bail seems out of line with the charge, ask an attorney about a bail hearing.

Key Points

Judges have discretion, and what counts as excessive varies with the facts. A defense attorney can ask the court to review bail.

Questions to Ask an Attorney

Consider asking:

Which court will hear the case, and on what date?
Is release without bail an option?
How will missed dates be handled?
What records should the family collect now?

What to Have Ready Before You Call

A bail agent needs these details to look up a case:

The charges, if known
Your own name and phone number
The person's full legal name and date of birth
The booking number, if you have it
The jail or station where the person is held

Talk to Bail Bonds Monterey Park Experts

Bail Bonds Monterey Park Experts is based at 220 S. Glendora Ave Suite J, Glendora, CA 91741 and takes calls at (626) 513-8778 (open 24 hours / 7 days). For your rights: eighth amendment and excessive bail, an agent can explain how bonds work in Los Angeles County, where people are held after an arrest by Monterey Park Police Department, such as Men's Central Jail, and which courthouse, for example Alhambra Courthouse (serving Monterey Park), hears the case.

A Note on Limits

A bail agent can explain how a bond works and what the written agreement requires of the person who signs. A bail agent cannot give legal advice, predict how a case will end or influence the court. For questions about a charge, speak with a criminal defense attorney.