WTF does bail actually mean in CA?

[Ns1]

So I thought bail in the traditional sense meant you pay this money and if you don't show up at court, that amount is forfeited


Well the SO got a ticket - it was a non-traffic non-misdemeanor (what is that, an infraction?)

She went to pay it today - fine was $35 and bail was 199. Well we're here for a ticket so wtf is this bail nonsense?

They explained that bail is court fees + penalties. WTF? How is this bail?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

So I thought bail in the traditional sense meant you pay this money and if you don't show up at court, that amount is forfeited


Well the SO got a ticket - it was a non-traffic non-misdemeanor (what is that, an infraction?)

She went to pay it today - fine was $35 and bail was 199. Well we're here for a ticket so wtf is this bail nonsense?

They explained that bail is court fees + penalties. WTF? How is this bail?

I hope you told them to keep her!

 

[lupi]

http://www.monterey.courts.ca.gov/Documents/Fee Schedule/2013-Uniform-Bail-and-Penalty-Schedule.pdf

 

[BoomerD]

In essence, they COULD hold her in jail pending trial...much like they can if you refuse to sign a ticket.
Paying the "bail" amount ensures that she will appear in court...or if she opts not to take the case to court, it's forfeited.

Here's a list of the various "fees," fines, and "bail" amounts levied on tickets:

http://www.scscourt.org/documents/traffic_bail.pdf

That's for Santa Clara county...each county may levy "fees" on traffic violations...

 

[Newbian]

I hope you told them to keep her!

Let her spend a night in jail and see what happens.

 

[Slew Foot]

Thank you for helping close the budget deficit

 

[lxskllr]

In essence, they COULD hold her in jail pending trial...much like they can if you refuse to sign a ticket.
Paying the "bail" amount ensures that she will appear in court...or if she opts not to take the case to court, it's forfeited.

Here's a list of the various "fees," fines, and "bail" amounts levied on tickets:

http://www.scscourt.org/documents/traffic_bail.pdf

That's for Santa Clara county...each county may levy "fees" on traffic violations...

IOW, a blatant money grab. So you park too close to a fire hydrant, and get a ticket for $x. You're then MANDATED to go court, and if you don't you get the special fee of $x, $y, $z?! If you do go to court, I guess you get the fees anyway, right?

I'd rather be dead than live in CA.

 

[Ns1]

IOW, a blatant money grab. So you park too close to a fire hydrant, and get a ticket for $x. You're then MANDATED to go court, and if you don't you get the special fee of $x, $y, $z?! If you do go to court, I guess you get the fees anyway, right?

That's pretty much what happened. Her court date was Monday. She went today to pay the fine and they made her pay bail. I still can't get over this.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Here in Virginia you have to pay a $65 *fee* even if you are found innocent of the charge.

 

[BoomerD]

IOW, a blatant money grab. So you park too close to a fire hydrant, and get a ticket for $x. You're then MANDATED to go court, and if you don't you get the special fee of $x, $y, $z?! If you do go to court, I guess you get the fees anyway, right?

I'd rather be dead than live in CA.

Yep...you get to pay the various fees whether you go to court or not...the "bail" amount just happens to be the total of the actual fine plus all the associated fees. If you go to court...you COULD be charged all those fines and fees...PLUS court costs.

California wasn't all that bad. I lived there more than 25 years....the escalating crime rate was the biggest thing that forced us to leave. Too fucking many Mexican gangs and the related crime that they bring.

Costs of living there weren't that much different overall than they are where I'm at now. (western Washington) Yes, some things there are higher...taxes, (personal income tax, but sales tax here is higher than where we were) tobacco prices here are fucking outrageous...almost double what I paid in CA, and energy costs, including electricity and gasoline.
Otherwise, grocery prices were lower, as mentioned, tobacco was much cheaper, booze prices are much lower, and the associated costs of owning and driving vehicles was a bit cheaper. (vehicle and driver's licensing) Insurance is about the same.

We're not going to stay here long term...it's just a nice place to winter.

 

[lxskllr]

We're not going to stay here long term...it's just a nice place to winter.

I remember you talking about moving, but didn't know you got around to it. Thinking of any place in particular for a permanent move, or are you gonna be a gypsy?

 

[DCal430]

Reminds me of the seat belt laws, you have a "$25" fine PLUS $175 in bail.

 

[BoomerD]

I remember you talking about moving, but didn't know you got around to it. Thinking of any place in particular for a permanent move, or are you gonna be a gypsy?

Yeah, we left California last November. Still looking around for a place to settle...OR, we just might buy a motor home, establish a "domicile" in a tax-friendly state and travel...