Choosing a Bail Bond Company Doesn't Have to Be Difficult. Same as above, violate them and go back to jail. If they are considered a safety risk, then the presence of prior convictions, restraining orders, and whether they are on probation could affect the cost as well. Many defendants cant raise enough to do this. For various bonds companies, the defendant pays a premium fee of 10 percent of the total bail amount, then the bonds company covers the bail. The defendant then signs an agreement with them in order to post the bail. For your convenience, we're available 24/7, so whenever you need our expert assistance, we're here for you. When someone has been charged with a crime and arrested, they may get a bail amount from the judge. Some of these rules include: The pros of knowing how bail works in Texas are that you only have to pay 10% of the bond allowing you to use the money you saved on rent, a lawyer or other bills you may have gotten when arrested (example: if your car was towed). A little bit of education could help secure your freedom. Can You Leave the State on Bond in Texas? Cash bond - The detainee's friends or family can pay the . Bail bonding is a booming business, collecting $2.5 billion in fees in 2006 alone, according to Seattle PI. For starters, its going to depend partially on the criminal charge. Unlike other states, Texas has a unique way of handling bail bonds costs. 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. Bail is essentially an insurance policy that allows an arrested individual to move freely until trial, with assurance he or she will appear as required on his or her court date. If you need a bond reduction in Texas, youll have to work with the courts and the bond agencies available to you. is the better choice. If the defendant appears in court as required at the appropriate time and date, the court dissolves the bail bond and the bail agency or bail bondsman returns the collateral to the parties who posted it. The amount of bail varies by jurisdiction and crime, but the judge usually has discretion. Most . If you are being priced out of your freedom, a motion to reduce bond in Texas may be your best option for getting a bond reduction. It is recommended that you use a more professional bail company to assist you with all requirements due to the complex nature of immigration bail bonds. If you ever post bail, be sure to carefully review the stipulations of both the bail agency or bail bondsman and the rules set by the court. The bond amount is determined by the offense accused and the court hearing the case. The license to work as a bail bondsman is conditional upon your depositing cash or deeds with the CBB of over $50,000 (or $10,000 in counties with a population of . 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. Other factors might also have an impact on the quantity. If the defendant appears in court for trial, they get their money back. In return for a non-refundable payment, the bail bondsman will pay the bail amount and receive it when the trial is over. After all, they are taking on a big risk by providing the bond. They can contact bail agents/bail bondsmen who will issue a bail bond. If you or your lawyer feel the bail has been set too high, there are options for a motion to reduce bond Texas lawyers will often use. "@type": "Question", If you post the bail bond, the court will release you under pending trial, and if not posted, you will remain in custody until after the trial. HowBailBondsWork is an information and directory service. Then, the defendant could be released from jail until court. They also do not serve to punish the defendant for any alleged crime. After an arrest occurs in Texas, the person is usually processed at the local county jail. , which is where the defendant gives the court a check or cash for the amount of their bail. Never sign a bond with a company that cannot do bail outside of their authorized county. They would violate the terms of their release and would lose the bail money. How much is a non-arrest bond? If they do, the money they posted for bail will be returned. The defendant usually pays 10% to 15% of bail amount. Fortunately, there is a better option: work with Doc's Bail Bonds to get out of jail by posting a bond to the court. Bail is security (money or property) that a defendant (or someone on the defendant's behalf) posts with a court. In some cases, the court can take credit cards or collateral. 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. "@type": "Question", If you fail to attend court or fail to appear at trial, your money is forfeited. The arrestee will have to pay the bail agent a fee for their service. However, if the offender has no links to the Texas community and is capable of fleeing if released on bond, the bail sum may be increased. } If you are arrested, or if you have someone close to you in this situation, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer immediately. Public Arrest Records- Tips on how to find Reliable Records, Federal Court Appoints Lawyer To Represent Woman Allegedly Fired For Serving On Jury. CHAPTER 17. Choose to Sign with a Professional Bail Bondsman: A bail agent or bail bondsman can act as a surety and post bail for the defendant. Previously, Harris County, as well as Dallas and Galveston counties, relied on "fixed" bail schedules, which set bails at predetermined amounts and fail to consider an . They can also ask the judge to increase the bail amount if they are unable to post bail according the bail schedule. Example: A bounty hunter in Texas was seeking to apprehend Ruth Garcia, who had skipped bail. Types of Bail Bonds. A co-signer vouches for the defendant and ensures they have support on the outside in getting back on track and to trial. Bail is the amount of money that an accused person pays in order to be released from custody as they await trial. No one wants to be in jail any longer than necessary while they wait for their trial to begin. If they do, the bail money will be refunded to them. Art. "name": "Can You Leave the State on Bond in Texas? In Texas, there are three ways a person can get out of a police or county jail; Being released on their own recognizance does not require any money being used for bail purposes. So, for a $5,000 bail, a $500 fee will have to be paid. A bail bond works as a surety bond, which means that the bondsman is essentially vouching for the defendant, and that they will show up to their court date. At this time the process can begin to release the person and typically can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to be completed. Defendants can request a bail hearing by filing a motion for bond reduction or a writ of habeas corpus. If the defendant makes all of their court dates, the company gets their money back. The collateral generally falls to vehicles, real estate or other valuables which can be re-sold for the total amount of the bail that was set. After the court has set the bail amount, the defendant has the right to ask for a reduction. The amount required to post bail can be reduced in a bail hearing. The cost for the service is usually around 10% the bail amount. The payment of bail does two things: It grants the defendant freedom (at least . So what is bail in general, and how do bail bonds work in Texas, specifically? The bail bonds Texas authorities use to release those arrested from jail before their court date has been in place for many decades. How to Find Out if There is a Warrant for Your Arrest. You may also be asked to put up property as collateral. ", In return for their services, bounty hunters typically receive anywhere from 10 percent to 20 percent of the total bail bond. Most of the time, it shouldnt be longer than 48 to 72 hours after your booking until your bail hearing. Partially secured Bonds Instead of paying the entire bail amount, the court allows the loved one to pay a fee that is usually 10%. By claiming that the defendant is not a flight danger, the defense counsel can assist the defendant in obtaining a reduction. A bonding company, bail agent, or bail bondsman provides a bail bond in exchange for collateral that releases a defendant from jail until his or her court date. Whether the defendant is on probation for another offense. To be granted remission, the accused must provide valid reasons for the money to be returned. The amount of the fee can be up to 15% of the bail amount set by the courts. WE CAN HELP! The defendant must meet specific conditions to stay out of jail with a pending trial. So, what exactly does a bounty hunter do? ", Texas proposes different ways to post bail, and certain methods will depend . Judges have the discretion to set bail higher or lower than the amount on the schedule, based on the circumstances. You could arrange for release by paying bail to the court if you have the funds. If the bond amount is $700, you'll have to post the full amount in cash or by using a secure payment such as a debit or credit card . Criminal bail bonds can be used in criminal cases. Arrestees who are given bail amounts have two options to make their bail. Keep in mind that this is not part of the bail. Bail was set at $3,000, and his family couldn't pay it. However, bail can be complicated. These rules are straight forward and help you stay on track with your court appointments. Those who are charged with a crime like multiple murders, for example, will generally have a much harder time getting bail unless they have an outstanding criminal defense team. So, for a $5,000 bail, a $500 fee will have to be paid. However, if the defendant fails to appear in court, they will not be reimbursed. They were so pleasant and knowledgeable when I contacted them. Criminal Defense and Constitutional Rights, Copyright 2023 Law Office of David A. Breston. A bail bondsman will front the money on behalf of the defendant, in order to get them out of jail. However, if you lose your bail due to not fulfilling your responsibilities to the court, youll have to pay the bondsman the full amount. How Bail Bonds Work San Antonio Bail Bonds Bail bonds in San Antonio Texas are set first by a magistrate. No, you od not get the bail premium you paid returned, that is a fee. Police officer mistakes, faulty breathalyzers and crime lab errors may get your charges reduced or dismissed. After the court has determined the bail amount, the defendant may request a reduction. This is when the bail bondsman posts the bail bond for the arrestee for a fee. The amount of time that you will have to spend in jail before getting bailed out will vary. Although bail amounts are usually determined by judges, there are mechanisms that can be used to set bail without the need for a judge. In addition, jail can be a hostile place with worse conditions than prison. bail bond, where a bail bondsman posts bail on the defendant's behalf, for a fee, and; property bond, where the court puts a lien on the defendant's property, often a house. Each court has its own bond schedule. As with any Texas bail bond, co-signors and/or defendants needs are finding the most reputable bail bond agent will be very important, so it pays to do a little research before making a commitment. You'll be released from policy custody in exchange for the cash. A bail bond does not guarantee immediate release from jail. First, the "bail" amount is simply an amount of money that must be paid to the court in the event that the defendant does not appear in court or violates any other pre-trial bond conditions imposed by the court. "@type": "Question", Bail is essentially an insurance policy that allows an arrested individual to move freely until trial, with assurance he or she will appear as required on his or her court date. The common factors that the court uses to determine the bail amount are: However, bail doesnt have to be in cash form. However, when bail is set high, a bail bond is the better choice. } Think back to our initial "how does bail work" example of So-And-So was released on a $400,000 bail. Texas bail bond companies must have a license from the state of Texas for the bail bond to be accepted. "@type": "FAQPage", If the defendant appears when he or she was ordered to, bail is refunded. Some bondsmen can even accept Western Union Money-Grams to receive payments from out of state co-signors. If you are arrested for a fairly minor criminal offense, and your bail is set at $5,000, then you would pay a bail bondsman $500 to avoid spending more time in jail. Whether the criminal poses a risk to society. The answer to the question of whether a bail company should be better is often yes. DEFINITION OF "BAIL". But the hours are long and grueling -- sometimes 80 to 100 hours a week, and the work is tough. With this type of bond, you will pay your attorney a standard non-refundable fee which is usually 10% of your bond amount. "author": "David A. Breston", A bail bond is a surety bond in the amount of a defendants bail. While typical, your case may vary from these numbers based on the specific circumstances. The bail bond agent arranges how the defendant will get a bond bail from the bonds company. That means apprehending a jumper with a bond on their head worth a hundred grand can put a cool . 7031 Koll Center Pkwy, Pleasanton, CA 94566. If you cant afford to pay it, you might need to work with bail bond agencies. It is used instead of paying the whole amount of bail that a court has set for releasing a defendant. HowBailBondsWork.com DOES NOT negotiate NOR write bail bonds. Breaking any agreed upon terms with the court or bondsman will result in a warrant for your arrest and you will be liable for the entire bail amount, not just the 10% paid to the bondsman. This depends on rules of the court you have to follow. If it is not posted, he or she will most likely remain in custody while awaiting trial. He previously served as a state and federal prosecutor and magistrate, making his content contributions extremely relevant on legal and bail related topics. However, when bail is set high, a bail bond is the better choice. The judge will also consider the severity of the crime." The court will allow the person who placed the bail to request a remission . To complete your remission form, you can consult a more reliable bail bond service to learn about bond reduction in Texas. If you dont understand your obligations, you might end up owing a large amount of money. If the crime was serious or violent, such as rape or murder or if the defendant has served a lengthy sentence in jail, bail or felony bail bonds will not be granted. The company will post bail on the defendants behalf. The amount of bail money is supposed to be significant enough to induce the person to show up to recover the bail money. Local lawyers are familiar with the local justice system and can help you get the right lawyer. Research by the Laura and John Arnold Foundation (LJAF) shows that those who are in jail prior to their trial are four times as likely to be convicted and sentencing than those who were released. Other elements could cause the cost to rise at the bail hearing, as you will see below. Wait for the judge to set bail.
A criminal bail bond exists for defendants facing criminal charges and usually entails a much larger bail amount. If the defendant does not show up, another bail agent must pay the bail. Even then, the amount of the bond might be high. Then, the defendant could be released from jail until court. This is when the bail bondsman posts the bail bond for the arrestee for a fee. The court will keep the money that was posted to secure a pre-trial release. Other reasons for not appearing include circumstances beyond the defendants control. 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.The bail bonds Texas authorities use to release those arrested from jail before their court date has been in place for many decades. The pros of using a Texas commercial bail bondsman over paying the state the entire bond is that you save 90%. If you need a reputable bail bondsman in Texas, Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Providers. This service is not free. 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. An immigration bond is a type of bail bond. This will be used by the attorney to secure your bail bond. For example, if the arrestee is considered to be a flight risk, the bail could be higher. If the case is resolved and the defendant has not missed an appearance, the bail money will be returned. The judge will use bail algorithms to guide their decision. The amount of bail depends on the offense being charged and the court hearing the case. restraining orders against the defendant. Bail is generally higher for felonies than for misdemeanors. When charged with a crime in Texas, the court arrests the accused, books the trial date and the judge sets the bail amount. The judge will also consider the severity of the crime. "acceptedAnswer": { For example, if a defendant is required to post $50,000 bail, the bail bondsman will seek a signature release of . The bail bond agent works with the defendant and their loved ones to get a bail bond to secure his or her release. Then, the bond can be placed that gets you released. The industry is represented by various trade associations, with the . Rather than having one set fee percentage that is charged for each bail bond in the state, Texas allows each county to regulate its bail bond system in accordance to T.D.I Chapter 17.04 (Texas Occupations Code). 2023 How Bail Bonds Work | All Rights Reserved, Hidalgo County Bail Bond Association | HCBBA. Each Texas bail bonds company can only write bonds in the county in which they are licensed. "contentLocation": "Houston,TX", This practice destroys lives and doesn't keep us safe. The cons are that you dont get that 10% back. Often we can help you get charges reduced or dismissed, and avoid jail and a criminal record. They can also release defendants for no bail, at all. Different courts may be more or less busy than others before you can get your bail hearing, of course. Those checked by court or jail personnel will be in effect. They are classified according to the severity of the crimes they are accused of. The stronger the relationship, the more likely the bail bondsman will be inclined to accept the co-signer. A bail bonds office that judiciously bails out low flight risks that carry high bail amounts can make money simply by taking in the 10 percent fee. The bail agent can also use collateral provided by the defendant to cover any losses that may result from the defendant not paying bail. The defendant does not get the premium back, though. In the case of a PSBU, the cost is $200 in many parishes, as well as court costs other charges. You must make your application within one year of the forfeiture being ordered. If they are considered a safety risk, then the presence of prior convictions, restraining orders, and whether they are on probation could affect the cost as well. When researching how does a bail bond work in Texas, remember to also research the reasons why bail can be denied. Learn more about how an attorney can help you with your case. This is a critical step in determining which bail bondsman to hire. An experienced bounty hunter who works 80 to 150 cases a year can earn anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000 annually. The general bail bond fee charged is 10% but each county has the power to decide a minimum, maximum, or neither. For example, in Denton County if the bail amount is $10,000, the premium charged by the Denton County bail bonds company is $1,000 to $2,000. Failure to appear in court on time may result in bail being forfeited and held by the court. A bail can be posted by another person, usually a friend or relative of the defendant. Similar to forfeiture remission, incarceration or hospitalization are valid reasons. One danger of jail is the possibility that you could make recklessly implicating statements. New Jersey passed a suite of criminal justice reforms in 2016 that essentially eliminated cash bail and created a new pretrial services program. Your Texas bail bondsman will explain the rules to your bond and may even have you sign an acknowledgement form alerting you to the company rules. The arrestee will have to pay the bail agent a fee for their service. This approach allows you to pay a specific sum of money to the court, which is retained for the duration of your case. Then, the defendant could be released from jail until court. This level of regulation at the county levels is a reason why Texas has a large amount of bail bondsmen.