RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.—Court minutes from Thursday morning's scheduled pre-preliminary hearing of adult performer Mercedes Carrera and husband Daemon Cins on the multiple felony charges against the couple relay that said hearing was pushed back a third time to June 6—with the notable diversion in course this time around that on the new date they will be afforded the chance to make a plea to the court that they be released from jail until trial.
Carrera and Cins have been held since their arrest February 1 at the West Valley Detention Center in San Bernardino County, and up to now have not been granted any possibility of pre-trial bail. At this fourth appearance for the pair before the Superior Court of California - County of San Bernardino—with each represented by a different court-appointed attorney—presiding judge Stephen G. Saleson allowed for the above-mentioned third postponement of the pre-preliminary hearing until June 6 and accompanying waiver of time by both parties for a preliminary hearing until August 6.
Judge Saleson with this continuance, however, added a Bail/O.R. (Own Recognizance) hearing to the proceedings scheduled for June 6. In such a hearing, according to the Shouse California Law Group website, a judge will consider either modifying a defendant's bail amount or releasing the defendant on their own recognizance until trial. Because the charges against Carrera and Cins are classified as "serious felonies," the judge cannot set their bail at less than the scheduled amount unless he finds "unusual circumstances" or "good cause" to warrant doing so. According to the Superior Court of California - County of San Bernardino 2019 Bail Schedule, the bail amount is $500,000 for the most serious charge Carrera and Cins each face (sexual intercourse with a child under 10).
One matter that could potentially be deemed "good cause" for Judge Saleson to allow bail or O.R. release, at least in Carrera's case, is the fact that during June 6's proceedings she is also slated to register confirmation of counsel; until now she has been represented by a series of public defenders, but has continuously expressed hope through those she's spoken with while in custody to secure her own private counsel. If she is able to do so, that would constitute a "change in circumstances" which in turn is considered "good cause" for the defendant to be granted bail; a "change in circumstances" may refer to any change in the defendant's situation, in the facts of the case, or in the proceedings.
In order to be granted an O.R. release, which is technically allowed for any defendant not charged with an offense punishable by death in California, the factors a judge will consider are whether the defendant's release will compromise public safety and whether their appearance for future court proceedings can be reasonably ensured.
Carrera and Cins will remain in custody until their next ordered appearance at the Rancho Cucamonga courthouse at 8:30 a.m. June 6.
