A person arrested in North San Diego County, will eventually be taken and booked into the Vista Jail/Detention Facility. The Vista Jail/Detention Facility is part of the San Diego County Superior Court Complex in the City of Vista, California. The intake booking process includes, but not limited to, questions, finger prints, mug shot’s, warrant checks and can take 2 – 6 hours, during which time the defendant is placed in a cell known as the phone tank.

The first time non-violent arrestee, those accused of drug offenses, public order offenses, property offenses, Domestic violent offenses who have established roots in the local community are eligible to arrange bail for their own release with Vista Bail Bonds. If they can not arrange for their own release, we can be discreet in helping locate a friend or family member to assist, but more often than not, a friend or relative will contact Vista Bail Bonds by phone first. Vista Bail Bonds will need basic information like the defendants name and/or booking number to get started. We can arrange to have one of the licensed bail agents from Vista Bail Bonds come to your home, office or other location if necessary. The paperwork process can usually be completed in less than 1/2 hour, and for most San Diego bail bonds only 3 simple documents need signatures. The process is very fast and simple.

Vista Bail Bonds will post a Bond with the court for the full bail amount and charges the defendant 10% of the full bail bond amount for services rendered. A bail bond premium is 10% of the bail amount in California, for example, if the bail bond is $1,000 – the premium is $100. A “premium” is the amount paid to a San Diego bail bond company like Vista Bail Bonds for the services and financial risks assumed by Vista Bail Bonds on behalf of the defendant. It’s similar to the premium paid for a home or auto insurance policy. The California Department of Insurance strictly monitors the 10% premiums charged by San Diego bail bond companies. The premium paid to a San Diego bail bond company like Vista Bail Bonds is for services provided to get the defendant released from jail and is non-refundable. The premium is not refunded after the defendant appears in court – even if all charges are dropped. If the defendant fails to appear, Vista Bail Bonds is liable for either the cost of returning the defendant to Court or the FULL amount of the posted bail, with no cost to the Taxpayer.

Collateral is something with enough financial value to ensure the defendant completes his/her case. Usually supplied by relatives and/or friends of the defendant, this provides additional financial incentive to make sure the defendant appears in court when ordered. Collateral can be anything of financial value that is legal. If the defendant fails to appear in court, and is unable to be located, Vista Bail Bonds would use the collateral to help pay the court for the forfeited bond.

No. Most of our bonds are written with no collateral. Vista Bail Bonds considers many factors like job/work history, time at current residence, credit rating, character, type of crime, as well as other factors, when determining bail. These considerations are for the defendant and co-signer individually. Vista Bail Bonds understands everyone doesn’t have a perfect background, and we make every effort possible to write your bail.

When the bond has been exonerated by the court and all financial obligations to Vista Bail Bonds are satisfied, the collateral must be promptly returned. California law strictly mandates this. Unless other arraignments are made, any collateral will be returned to the owner’s that originally pledged and signed for it.

The Bail Agreement spells out the relationship and obligations between the defendant, cosigner/indemintor(s) and Vista Bail Bonds and our Surety Insurance Company. When you bail somebody out, you agree to accept full financial responsibility for the bail amount should the defendant fail to appear in court. You are not criminally liable, but you are financially liable. If the defendant makes all court appearances, the 10% is the only cost associated with the San Diego bail bond.

The court will order the bond forfeited. A forfeiture occurs when a defendant fails to appear when ordered by the court. If this happens, Vista Bail Bonds is allowed approximately six months to “surrender” the defendant back to the custody of the court before having to pay the full bond amount. If the defendant can not be found, the Court will demand payment of the full bond amount from Vista Bail Bonds. Fortunately most bail bond issues or problems happen by accident and are easy and quick to resolve, although some problems do escalate beyond a simple phone call.

The defendant will remain in custody until either their case is resolved or the Judge lets them go on their promise to come back.

Yes. Anyone that wants to write bail in the State of California must undergo a background check, complete a 16 hour pre-licensing class and pass the 4-hour examination in order to obtain a license from the California Department of Insurance. To maintain this license, every year bail agents must complete an 8 hour continuing education course approved by the State of California.

Our family has been in the bail bond business in Vista since 1959. Vista Bail Bonds is a proud member, in good standing, of the Better Business Bureau, California Bail Agents Association, Vista Chamber of Commerce, San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, San Diego Bail Agents Association and more. Please feel free to inquire about us in each of these organizations. You can also contact the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-4357 to inquire about Vista Bail Bonds Inc.

Appearance Information
Misdemeanors, felonies and warrants require a court appearance. Prescheduled court appearances will be on the calendar. Advances and continuances may not be included. Please report directly to the courtroom to which you have been assigned. Courtroom doors generally open at 8:30 a.m. If your name is not listed on the calendar and should be, report to the Clerk’s Office for additional information. Present the clerk with any paperwork you have that relates to your case.To appear in court on a non-calendared case, you must report to the Clerk’s Office by 7:30 a.m., Monday through Friday. Present the clerk with any relevant paperwork/information, such as case number, copy of citation, bail/bond receipt, driver’s license number and/or proof of compliance of a court order.
For courtroom appearances, the following rules are enforced:

• Shirt and shoes are required in the courtroom.
• Tank tops and T-shirts are NOT allowed in the courtroom.
• Food, drinks, and gum chewing are NOT allowed in the courtroom.
• Weapons are NOT allowed in the courthouse.
• Pagers and cell phones must be turned off.
• The courtroom is a JUDGES domain and he/she has the last word.
• If you want to impress the Judge then:
• be courteous, professional, and mature
• Answer ONLY the question asked of you; do NOT try to explain your answer away using the entire history of your version.
• Keep it short, simple, and to the POINT. REMEMBER the Judge has heard it all and knows when someone tries to throw BULLSHIT to the wind.

Criminal Division
Criminal courts have jurisdiction over infraction, misdemeanor and felony cases. Criminal courts conduct arraignments, criminal readiness, preliminary hearings, trials, motions, sentencing, probation hearings, and Mental Health proceedings.

Criminal cases in San Diego County are heard in the Central, North County, South County, and East County courthouses.

Things to Bring to Court

• Proper identification (Driver’s License, Social Security Card, picture identification, etc.)
• Copy of citation (if applicable)
• Appearance letter
• Any receipts regarding your case.
• Any documents which prove compliance with judicial orders and/or sentencing
• Money or credit card to pay for fines and fees
• Do not use any nickname or alias; use the same spelling as listed on documents related to the case, and ensure spelling listed on documents is correct – if they are not, advise the Court.
• REMEMBER, it’s your responsibility to know your next Court appearance date.
• WARNING: If you fail to appear in Court as promised, a warrant will be issued for your arrest and you may be returned to by JAIL.

Misdemeanor
The processing of a misdemeanor usually follows this order:

• An arrest is made – police take the defendant to jail. Three things can happen:
• The defendant is released – no charges are filed.
• The defendant posts bail/bond or is released on his or her own recognizance (“O.R.”) and is scheduled for arraignment.
• The defendant remains in the custody and is transported to court for arraignment.

• Arraignment
  The misdemeanor arraignment is the defendant’s first appearance in court. The following events occur:
• The defendant is informed of the charges against him or her.
• If the defendant cannot afford an attorney of his or her own choice, an attorney is appointed by the court.
• The defendant enters a plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest.
• Not Guilty: The defendant states that he or she did not commit the crime.
• Guilty: The defendant admits that he or she committed the crime and is in effect, convicted.
• No Contest: Also known as “Nolo Contendere.” The defendant does not contest the charge. This plea has the same effect as a guilty plea, except that the subsequent conviction cannot be used against the defendant as evidence of liability in a civil suit.
• The defendant is released on his or her “Own Recognizance,” or the court sets bail and the defendant is remanded/committed to the custody of the Sheriff.

• Pretrial
  At the pretrial hearing, there is an exchange of information between the prosecution and the defense known as discovery. Pretrial motions may also be filed before the start of the trial. Motions may be made to set aside the complaint, to dismiss the case, to suppress evidence, etc. The defendant may at this point change his or her plea to guilty or no contest.

• Jury Trial
  If the defendant is in custody at the time of arraignment, the trial must begin within 30 days (four weeks plus two days) of arraignment or plea, whichever is later.If the defendant is not in custody at the time of arraignment, the trial must begin within 45 days (six weeks plus three days) of arraignment or plea, whichever is later.If the defendant waives the right to a speedy trial (enters a time waiver or “waives time”) or requests/consents to the case being set beyond the statutory periods, the court must begin the trial within ten days of the day the case is set or continued for trial.Before a trial can begin, a jury must be selected. During the trial, witnesses may testify and evidence will be presented. At the conclusion of the trial, the jury must decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty. If the jury finds the defendant is not guilty, he or she is released and cannot be tried again for the same crime. If the defendant is found guilty, the case will be continued for sentencing, or the defendant may be sentenced immediately. The defendant may appeal a conviction to the Appellate Department of the Superior Court.

• Court Trial
  In lieu of a jury trial, the parties may agree to proceed with a court trial, in which the judge hears the evidence and arguments and finds the defendant guilty or not guilty.

Felony
The processing of a felony usually follows this order:

• An arrest is made – police take the defendant to jail. Three things can happen:
• The defendant is released – no charges are filed.
• The defendant posts bail/bond and is scheduled for arraignment.
• The defendant remains in the custody of the law enforcement agency and is transported to court for arraignment.

• Arraignment
  A felony arraignment on the complaint is the defendant’s first court appearance. The following events can occur:
• The defendant is informed of the charges against him or her.
• The defendant is advised of his or her constitutional rights.
• If the defendant cannot afford an attorney of his or her own choice, an attorney is appointed by the court.
• The defendant enters a plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest.
• Not Guilty: The defendant states that he or she did not commit the crime.
• Guilty: The defendant admits that he or she committed the crime and is in effect convicted.
• No Contest: Also known as “Nolo Contendere.” The defendant does not contest the charge. This plea has the same effect as a guilty plea. A plea of “nolo contendere” to a felony can be used against the defendant as evidence of liability in a civil suit.

• Preliminary Hearing
  A preliminary hearing is held to determine if there is sufficient evidence for the judge to reasonably infer that the defendant committed the crime and should therefore be “held over” for trial.Once a defendant is “held to answer,” the prosecuting agency files a document called the Information. The defendant will subsequently be arraigned on the Information at which time he or she will enter a plea and proceed to trial.

• Jury Trial
  The Information must be filed within 15 days of the date the defendant was “held to answer” at the preliminary hearing.The trial must begin within 60 days of the arraignment on the Information, unless the defendant enters a general waiver of the statutory time requirement or requests/consents to a date beyond the 60-day period.Before a trial can begin, a jury must be selected. During the trial, witnesses may testify and evidence will be presented. At the conclusion of the trial, the jury must decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty. If the jury finds the defendant is not guilty, he or she is released and cannot be tried again for the same crime. If the defendant is found guilty, the case will be continued for sentencing, or the defendant may be sentenced immediately. The defendant may appeal a conviction to the Court of Appeal of the State of California.

• Court Trial
  In lieu of a jury trial, the defendant may agree to proceed with a court trial, in which the judge hears the evidence and arguments and finds the defendant guilty or not guilty.