Ok, So my wife and I had and argument she punched, scratched me, daughter called 911. She was put in jail because of domestic violence. I told the officer that I didn't want to press chargers againt my wife, but the officer said that because of the scratches wich arent that big but still there is evidence that tells she is guilty. So now she is in jail thurday she is booked around 2-3am on friday. She couldn't see the Judge today untill Monday. Now I see the bail is $50,000.00 But a friend of mine told me that it would be better for her to just wait and see the Judge on Monday. So my question is how this Bail money works. I heard you pay 10% of the total Bail amount, do you pay that money if you want to get her out Jail right away?
Or people with first offense get a break when seen the Judge etc, etc?. It is sad that this happened to us but as the victim I don't wish this to no one but I know deep inside my wife is a good person and we can work this out. And sorry for typos =)
Thanks in advance,
Charly.
Bail is a very simple thing.
Her bail is $50,000.
You find a bail bonding agency.
They'll charge you about $5,000-5,500 to bond her out within minutes of being paid.
That money you never see.
That's their fee for springing her.
If she has a clean (or a pretty clean) criminal record, she'll see a judge as you said.
The judge will set her bond, normally, if she's got a good history; she can probably get released on her signature and promise to appear.
But, this is where it gets complicated for you and her.
She will probably be ORDERED to stay away from your home, as long as you stay there, too.
If you agree to move out, she can probably return to the home.
But, you must then stay away.
Bottom line, you will not be able to see each other and live together until this is resolved.
That will take weeks, if not months.
They will likely order her to take classes, get counseling, maybe you, too.
And, your kid might be required to get counseling.
This is a BIG problem, that will only get worse, before it gets better.
Before you ask, no, you can't just say it never happened.
You can't just say it was a mistake.
Well, you might be able to say that later, but not right now.
So, she appears Monday, pleads NOT GUILTY, ask for a lawyer, gets her bond reduced, says she'll move in with mom or sister.
She probably won't be allowed to see her kid, unless her visits are supervised.
That's the worse part I mentioned above.
Domestic violence is taken seriously, and you just can't explain or excuse it away.
I'm not being judgmental, I'm just painting you a picture.
I suggest you make some decisions and some arrangements for her when she gets out.
Contact her people, and get her housing, or arrange housing for you.
Good luck, and prepare for the long haul.
This can be fixed, and often does get fixed, but you are no longer in control of a great part of your life.
Here. read how this is handled in courts across California, plus what assitance is availble for you and your family:
http://www.fresno.courts.ca.gov/family/domestic_violence_issues.php
http://www.vwattorneys.com/domestic-violence.php
http://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-domesticviolence.htm
http://da.lacounty.gov/domv.htm
http://www.cpedv.org/