If I am accused of murder in Los Angeles County am I entitled to bail?

In most cases the answer is yes. However, the typical bail for someone accused of murder in Los Angeles County is one million dollars.

In cases where the District Attorney is seeking the death penalty you are not entitled to bail. In some cases, at a formal bail hearing an experienced criminal defense attorney can convince the judge that under the facts of your particular case, the bail should be lowered. However, what it important to understand is that for the purpose of setting bail the judge must presume that you are in fact guilty of the offense of murder. This is the only time in the case where the “presumption” is that you are guilty. After the bail is set then you are presumed “innocent” for the remainder of the case, including at jury trial.