If you cannot pay bail, then you will remain in jail until your case is resolved. The amount of time that you stay in jail will depend on the type of case and how you choose to move forward.
After you are arrested, the first court date will be within 3 business days (which excludes weekends and holidays). At this hearing, known as the arraignment, you will have the opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty to the charges filed against you. If you plead guilty — which you may chose to do based on a plea deal negotiated with the assistance of a criminal attorney Orange County, CA — then the judge will sentence you and you’ll either be freed or remain incarcerated, depending on the sentence.
If you plead not guilty, however, the bail may stay the same, be increased or reduced. You may also be freed on your own recognizance. If you still cannot post bail — or if you are not eligible for pretrial release — then you will remain in jail until your case has been resolved.
