With this type of bond, you will pay your attorney a standard non-refundable fee which is usually 10% of your bond amount. How do bail bonds work in Texas? } In Texas, every court has a bond schedule that guides the judges on bail, depending on the type of crime. "@type": "Answer", When charged with a crime in Texas, the court arrests the accused, books the trial date and the judge sets the bail amount. If you live in Texas, have a job that supports your family, do not have a passport, and have never left the state, you are not a flight risk. A bond, on the other hand, is a promise made in money, and a bonds company hired by the defendant pays the amount.Therefore, the bail can either be a personal bond or a bail bond. Other reasons for not appearing include circumstances beyond the defendants control. A court in Texas may order the posting of a bail bond for a . "@context": "https://schema.org", Bail jumping is only charged in certain states if there are underlying charges. Visit our California DUI page to learn more. There could be some differences in the cost of the bail based on the type of crime committed, as mentioned. The amount of bail money is supposed to be significant enough to induce the person to show up to recover the bail money. The bail bonds professionals at Just Bail Bonds in DFW are here to get you out of jail as quickly as possible. A fourth reason to use a bail company that is more reliable is the possibility of a case losing steam when the accused is not there. The amount of the fee can be up to 15% of the bail amount set by the courts. 22.01. Bail bonds are the most common way to post bail, especially for severe charges. Another way bail can be decided is through an algorithm. "acceptedAnswer": { The bond amount is determined by the offense accused and the court hearing the case. To keep the person who pays the bond fond of you make sure that you show up in court for your scheduled court date. However, if the defendant defaults to the court trial, they will not get their money back. Personal recognizance - It is most common for first-time offenders of non-violent crimes to be given the opportunity to be released on their own promise to return for all court hearings. If you cant afford to pay it, you might need to work with bail bond agencies. A bailbonds license does not extend throughout the state as is typical in most US states. The judge will also consider the severity of the crime. Adhere to all of the court imposed bail bond conditions: No Driving Without A Valid Driver License, Possible GPS Monitoring and/or Home Monitoring, May not be allowed to travel a certain distance from home, Substance Abuse Monitoring (Electronic or otherwise). Therefore, the bail can either be a personal bond or a bail bond. Can I get 0 down bail bonds? check-ins with bondsman, drug/alcohol screening, etc.) CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE. They will be held in jail until the hearing if they are unable to post bail or if they are denied bail. The surety bond issued by the agent acts as a guarantee that the bail will be paid in the event the defendant doesnt show up for their court date. They're able to give you advice tailored to your specific situation and . Bail is a process by which a defendant being held for trial is released in exchange for an amount of money to be held as a guarantee of their appearance at all court hearings about the charges for which they were arrested. A bail bond is a surety bond in the amount of a defendants bail. The agent will typically charge 15-20% of the total bond amount, and the money or collateral you furnish is non-refundable. Finally, hiring a more competent bail bondsman agent allows bailed defendants to take a step back from their situation and rebuild their lives. Well examine the bail process in this article, including answering the question how does a bail bond work in Texas. "@context": "https://schema.org", Then, the defendant could be released from jail until court. They ensure that a defendant will follow a court's requirements, including . There is cash bail, which is where the defendant gives the court a check or cash for the amount of their bail. In such a case, the court holds a bail hearing to decide whether to reduce it. The criminal must still appear in court after paying the bond money. Property bonds are another type of bail that can be posted. When it comes to understanding how bail bonds work in Texas; co-signors should know that the bail bonds process, fees and oversight is typical in Texas as in most states. { . This can differ from one county to another. *The accused should also be aware that the bail bondsman, should there be one, may have added additional conditions to his/her contract. Art. The usual way to do this is to post bail. HowBailBondsWork is an information and directory service. Its difficult for one bondsman to manage all the regulations across multiple counties, so various small bail companies exist across county lines. A decision is made about whether they can be released on bail or not. Lawsuits for Dangerous Drugs & Medical Devices. 7 hours ago Web As with most states, the Texas bail bonds agent will charge a 10% fee of the total amount of the bail that has been set. Forms of Bail. The following are the most general considerations used by the court to set bail amount: However, bail does not have to be paid in cash. If the defendant appears in court for trial, they get their money back. Owner of Bail Bonds Network, specializing in quality content research, analyzing bail bondsmen that are featured on our website, and general content contributions that are verified by our expert panel. The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp is a criminal law firm built around the basic goal of achieving the most positive results for our Texas clients. Cash bond - The detainee's friends or family can pay the . }, { Example: If the bond was set at $10,000, you will owe the bondsman $10,000. }. } Texas bail bonds laws are not so different when compared to other states. PR release, as it is often called, allows defendants to await their trial at home without posting bail, at all. Eventually, prosecutors dropped the charges against him, but the damage was done Browder . The last example of a bond type is a surety bond a secured form of bail. The defendant is responsible for paying the company back. the defendant is a risk to someone elses safety. If youre the cosignor just know that if the defendant skips bail, you will be responsible for paying the bail bonds company the full cash value. These can take up to weeks, as the court must conduct inspections and valuations on the property. In order to be released from custody, in the state of Texas, bail has to be posted. The amount of the fee can be up to 15% of the bail amount set by the courts. The court will likely issue a bench warrant for the persons arrest. This fee is non-refundable. Most jails have standard bail plans that specify the bail amounts for certain crimes. }] After someone has been arrested for a crime in Texas, the judge hearing the case may require the individual to remain in prison until trial, release the individual on his or her own recognizance to appear in court at the required time, or require a bail payment for release until trial. Different courts may be more or less busy than others before you can get your bail hearing, of course. We do not handle any of the following cases: And we do not handle any cases outside of California.
A civil bail bond basically ensures the payments of debts or penalties from civil cases, plus interest and other expenses." Some are more frequently used than others. Paying the bail amount does not automatically release a defendant from responsibility until his or her court date; posting bail may entail additional restrictions and impose specific penalties for violating these rules. In some cases, the court can take credit cards or collateral. "text": "The amount of time that you will have to spend in jail before getting bailed out will vary. If you are a resident of Texas, you have a job that supports your family, have no passport and have never been out of Texas, then you are not a flight risk. They can also ask the judge to increase the bail amount if they are unable to post bail according the bail schedule. Bail bond agents in Texas do not necessarily need to be paid in cash as some take credit cards or use collateral to help secure the bond. Consider the above info so that you can make the decision that is best for you. Consult a federal criminal defense attorney if you were given a federal bail and have not been released from jail. These can be for capital felonies like murder. However, bail can be complicated. Texas Legislature 2021. "name": "How is bail typically determined in Texas? Houston, TX 77008, 2023 SharpCriminalAttorney.com Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer, Should Gambling Be Legalized? Bail is security (money or property) that a defendant (or someone on the defendant's behalf) posts with a court. You'll be released from policy custody in exchange for the cash. "acceptedAnswer": { The amount of bail that courts will set for pre-trial release depends in large part on the criminal charge. Choosing a bail bond company that is best for you comes with plenty of benefits that you can't neglect. The bail agent forfeits the bond amount if the defendant fails to show up in court on the date scheduled. By claiming that the defendant is not a flight danger, the defense counsel can assist the defendant in obtaining a reduction. The bonds company will post the bail and assure the court that the defendant will appear for trials. When you have a family member who has been arrested and who is awaiting trial, you naturally want them out as soon as possible. Never sign a bond with a company that cannot do bail outside of their authorized county. The bail bond is a legal agreement between the accused and the bonds company. Once you have passed your examination and met all other eligibility, you may apply for your bail bondsman license. is the better choice. The suspect doesn't have to pay any money. Bail is the amount of money that defendants have to post in order to stay home during their trial.1 Those who do not post bail will have to wait for their trial behind bars. The schedule sets recommended amounts for bail for each type of criminal offense. Posting bail will allow you or your friend or family member to be . restraining orders against the defendant. It is used instead of paying the whole amount of bail that a court has set for releasing a defendant. The way bail works is that when a person is arrested, the defendant is booked by the authorities for the crime, brought before a judge for an arraignment, and eventually gets a bail hearing. Keep in mind that this is not part of the bail. If youre arrested, you might be eligible for bail. Even then, the amount of the bond might be high. Vehicles, land, and expensive goods can all be used as collateral. While you will get a 100% refund of your money, this is a costly option. Are you looking for a bail bond in Texas or information on bail? "author": "David A. Breston", For starters, its going to depend partially on the criminal charge. Our bail experts also answer many important questions on how bail bonds work in Texas and how much bail bonds cost. The Vera Institute of Justice estimates that someone is arrested in America every three seconds. At this point, the bonds company becomes responsible and assures the court that the defendant will appear for the trial. Whether the criminal poses a risk to society. Youll borrow money from them, then pay a fee for the service. Choosing a Bail Bond Company Doesn't Have to Be Difficult. Bail doesn't aspire to penalize defendants. The person who posted bail for the defendant will be paid their money at the conclusion of the case if the accused shows up to court on the scheduled date. CHAPTER 17. Or by visiting the local bail bond association in that county. Often we can help you get charges reduced or dismissed, and avoid jail and a criminal record. The industry is represented by various trade associations, with the . One danger of jail is the possibility that you could make recklessly implicating statements. "contentUrl": "/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Texas-Bail-Bond-Hearing-Process-1-1.jpg", Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This service is not free. They serve only to give the defendant an incentive to appear in court at the time and date set. He previously served as a state and federal prosecutor and magistrate, making his content contributions extremely relevant on legal and bail related topics. If the defendant misses a court date, the bail bond company loses the money it posted. The court can accept collateral, usually land or buildings, if the defendant doesnt have enough cash. Often, a bondsman may sell the bond to another bail bonds company in your area. Types of Bail Bonds. Reach out to us today to see how we can help. Infractions can be petty offenses which are not punishable with imprisonment, while misdemeanors can result in fines and/or imprisonment of no more than one year. Its purpose is to ensure the defendant shows up in court. So for example, if your bond is set at $5000 then you will pay a non-refundable of $500 to $1000. You hire a bail bondsman or post bail, and you are free to go. A "bail bond" refers to the promise made by the defendant or a "surety" (someone who promises to pay for the defendant) to the court to forfeit the bail money if the defendant does not return.