You probably found this page because someone you love has just been arrested for murder in Riverside, and you are searching for any way to get them out of jail. Maybe you got a short, panicked call from the jail, or you saw a booking alert online, and the words “PC 187” or “homicide” are burned into your mind. Right now, you want one thing more than anything else: to know if there is any chance of bail and how fast you can get them home.
Families call us in this exact situation at all hours. They are staring at a screen that says “no bail,” or they have heard a huge bail number and cannot tell if it is real. They are trying to figure out whether they should call a bondsman, call a lawyer, or just wait for the first court date. The worst part is feeling like the system knows what is going on, but you do not.
As a Riverside murder and homicide lawyer, we spend extensive time in Riverside Superior Court and local jails. When a new arrest occurs, we review the booking information, analyze the charge, and compare it against the Riverside County bail schedule to determine whether bail is possible and when we can fight for it. This article will guide you through how bail works for murder in Riverside, what happens in the first few days, and how you can protect your loved one’s options.
What “Bail For Murder” Really Means In Riverside
Many families mistakenly think of bail as a price tag to buy freedom. In reality, bail is a legal promise backed by money. The court sets an amount high enough to encourage your loved one to attend every scheduled court hearing. If they appear as required, the bail is exonerated at the end of the case. If they fail to appear, the court can keep the money and issue a warrant.
For most felony charges in California, including homicide, bail is technically available. Riverside County relies on a written bail schedule with suggested amounts for each offense. Murder charges typically appear at the top of the schedule, meaning bail amounts are often hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. These numbers are guidelines for judges and jail staff, not guarantees.
Not all murder charges are the same. California recognizes several homicide-related charges:
- First-degree murder
- Second-degree murder
- Attempted murder
- Voluntary manslaughter
- Involuntary manslaughter
Each of these is treated differently for bail purposes. Judges consider the specific charge, any special circumstances or enhancements, and the accused’s criminal history before deciding whether to follow the schedule, raise it, lower it, or deny bail entirely. When reviewing a new arrest, we focus on the statutory section, any added allegations, and the person’s background to give families a realistic picture of bail possibilities.
The First 48 Hours After A Murder Arrest In Riverside
The first two days after a Riverside murder arrest often feel chaotic for families, but the process is relatively predictable. Once arrested, your loved one is taken to a Riverside County jail facility, such as the Robert Presley Detention Center, where booking occurs. This includes fingerprints, photographs, biographical information, and an initial entry of the charge into the jail system.
At this stage, the jail may show a charge like “PC 187,” along with a bail amount from the Riverside County bail schedule or the words “no bail.” Sometimes the entry changes once the District Attorney files formal charges. As Riverside homicide lawyers, we check the booking information as soon as families contact me, looking for any holds or detainers that could prevent release, even if bail is allowed.
California law guarantees a court appearance within about 48 court hours, excluding weekends and holidays. This often results in a first appearance within two to three calendar days. The arraignment is when the judge formally informs the accused of the charges, takes a plea, and addresses counsel and scheduling issues.
In some Riverside murder cases, bail is not fully addressed at this first appearance, and the judge may adopt the bail schedule as a temporary order or defer the matter to a full bail hearing. We prepare for both scenarios to protect our client’s rights.
Why Many Riverside Murder Cases Start With No Bail Or Extremely High Bail
Seeing “no bail” next to your loved one’s name can feel devastating. In Riverside, it is common for initial bail statuses to be either denied or set at levels beyond most families’ reach. Understanding why helps families see potential paths forward.
Several factors influence this early designation:
- Special circumstances – Allegations like multiple victims or certain felony murder types make the case more serious and increase the likelihood of no bail.
- Prior convictions – Past serious or violent felonies, known as “strikes,” can push judges to deny bail or set extremely high amounts.
- Parallel holds – Probation or parole violations, out-of-county warrants, or immigration holds can prevent release even if bail is granted.
Prosecutors often argue that homicide defendants are dangerous or flight risks, particularly when firearms or gang ties are involved. As a Riverside murder lawyer, we explain to families that multimillion-dollar bail may be effectively unattainable, and we often focus on reducing the charge or changing the judge’s perception rather than solely raising funds.
How Judges Decide Bail In Riverside Murder & Homicide Cases
Judges do not make bail decisions arbitrarily. They weigh multiple factors, and understanding these can highlight where a Riverside homicide lawyer can make a difference.
Key considerations include:
- The seriousness of the charge and potential sentence
- Strength of the evidence at the early stage
- The accused’s criminal history, including failures to appear, violent convictions, or restraining order violations
- Community ties, such as residence, employment, and family connections
Judges also consider the prosecution’s argument that the accused is a danger to the community.
Presenting a structured release plan can mitigate this, including:
- Confirmed housing with responsible family members
- Agreement to electronic monitoring if available
- Documentation of the accused’s daily life and responsibilities
Providing this detailed information helps the judge see the accused as a person, not just a charge.
Bail Motions, Bail Review Hearings, & Second Chances At Release
Families often think that whatever the judge says about bail at the first appearance is final. In many Riverside murder and homicide cases, that is not true. California law allows for formal bail motions and bail review hearings, which give the defense a chance to ask the judge to reconsider an earlier bail decision once more information is available.
Bail Motion
A bail motion is a written request that explains why bail should be set or reduced. We typically file these motions after we have had at least some time to review the police reports, talk to the client, and gather background information from the family. The motion lays out the legal standards for bail in serious felony cases, applies them to the specific facts, and can attach supporting documents like letters, pay records, and proof of residence. The court then sets a date for a bail hearing, and the prosecution gets an opportunity to respond.
Bail Review Hearing
A bail review hearing is where the real argument happens. At that hearing, we can present witnesses, such as family members who can speak about where your loved one will live and how they will be supervised. We can also point out weaknesses or uncertainties in the prosecution’s case that were not obvious at first appearance.
In some cases, charges are reduced before this hearing, for example, from a special circumstance murder to a non-special circumstance murder or to manslaughter, and that can open the door to bail where it was previously denied. Not every case will see a change in bail at a review hearing. Some allegations are so serious, or the person’s record is so concerning, that judges in Riverside are reluctant to change course.
In other cases, a detailed, professionally prepared bail motion and hearing can be the moment when the court sees your loved one as a person with a family and a future, not just as a name on a complaint. We regularly use these hearings to ask for a second look after the dust of the initial arrest has settled and we can present a clearer, more complete picture.
Working With Riverside Bail Bond Companies On Murder Cases
If the court sets bail, families face the practical challenge of posting it. Most cannot pay the full amount in cash, which is where bail bond companies come in.
However, murder cases differ from lower-level offenses:
- Bondsmen charge a non-refundable premium, often 10% of the bail amount
- Collateral, such as property, is usually required
- Co-signers are needed to assume responsibility if the accused fails to appear
The difference between a $500,000 bail and a $3,000,000 bail is substantial. In high bail situations, a Riverside murder lawyer may prioritize filing a bail motion or seeking a charge reduction rather than risking family assets. Coordination with bondsmen is crucial to ensure the timing aligns with all holds and legal requirements.
What Families Can Do Right Now To Help A Loved One Get Bail
When someone you love is sitting in a Riverside County jail on a murder charge, the feeling of helplessness is overwhelming. There are, however, concrete things you can do from the very beginning that will help any lawyer who is fighting for bail. These steps do not guarantee release, but they make it much easier to present your loved one in the best possible light.
- First, gather essential information. That includes your loved one’s full legal name, date of birth, and, if you have it, their booking number and the facility where they are being held. Any information about past cases, probation, or parole is important, even if you are not sure it matters. When families call us with this information ready, we can move faster to look up the case, confirm the listed charge, and identify any holds.
- Second, start collecting documents that show stability and ties to Riverside County. Helpful items include proof of residence, such as a lease or utility bills, pay stubs or employer letters showing steady work, school enrollment records, and letters from family or community members who can speak about your loved one’s character and responsibilities.
- Third, if there are medical or mental health issues that affect how your loved one should be housed or supervised, records related to those conditions can also matter.
These materials become the backbone of a release plan. When we stand up in front of a Riverside judge in a homicide case, we want to be able to say not just that your loved one has a place to live, but where that is, who else lives there, whether there are firearms, what the rules of the house will be, and how transportation to court will work.
When Bail For Murder In Riverside May Not Be Possible
Some Riverside murder cases may be ineligible for bail from the outset. Examples include:
- Special circumstance allegations, such as multiple victims
- Strong evidence combined with a serious prior record
- Serious parole violations tied to the incident
In these situations, the focus shifts from bail to safety and case strategy. Families should remain involved while the Riverside homicide lawyer coordinates housing, visitation, and case progression. Understanding why bail is unavailable provides clarity and helps families plan next steps while the accused remains in custody.
Talk To A Riverside Murder Defense Lawyer About Bail Options
Bail in Riverside murder and homicide cases is complex, and the early decisions happen fast. Whether your loved one is listed as no bail, has an impossible-seeming bail amount, or has not even appeared in court yet, there is a specific sequence of events that will unfold in the next few days. Having someone who understands how Riverside County jails, the bail schedule, prosecutors, and judges handle these cases can make those days less chaotic and give you a plan instead of guesswork.
When families contact Blumenthal Law Offices after a murder arrest, we look up the booking, confirm the exact charges and any holds, and then walk them through what to expect at the first appearance and beyond. From there, we can decide whether to prepare an immediate bail argument, plan a bail motion and review hearing, or focus our energy on other parts of the case if bail is not realistic.
If someone you love is in a Riverside jail on a homicide charge and you need straight answers about bail, reach out so we can talk about the specific facts of your situation and what the next steps can be. Call (951) 682-5110.