However, when bail is set high, a bail bond is the better choice. The company can take legal action against the defendant to recoup its losses. There is cash bail, which is where the defendant gives the court a check or cash for the amount of their bail. Please note: Our firm only handles criminal and DUI cases, and only in California. The defendant is responsible for paying the company back. "@context": "https://schema.org", So, what exactly does a bounty hunter do? The bail bonds professionals at Just Bail Bonds in DFW are here to get you out of jail as quickly as possible. You can also check our city pages for a nearby Texas bondsman. Violating these rules could lead to significant penalties and influence your sentencing. If they appear in court, they will get their money back. Whether its bail or a no-arrest bond, these companies will loan you the money to cover your bail. If you have a higher bond, you may have to provide the . The answer to the question of whether a bail company should be better is often yes. Most of the time, it shouldnt be longer than 48 to 72 hours after your booking until your bail hearing. If the defendant does not have enough collateral to post the bond, the bail bondsman or bail agent may ask the defendant's friends and family to help cover bail. have no process for certifying bail bondsmen but, Texas does. "description": "What You Need To Know About The Texas Bail Bond Process", Even then, the amount of the bond might be high. Some courts may be more willing to let defendants out on reduced bail or on personal recognizance if they are at risk for the disease. It is always a good idea to look up the bondsmans information on the county bail bond board website. This is the part of the state government that oversees bail bond agents and insurance companies. The amount of the fee can be up to 15% of the bail amount set .

A criminal bail bond exists for defendants facing criminal charges and usually entails a much larger bail amount. Apply for Your license with the state. A bailbonds license does not extend throughout the state as is typical in most US states. . Can I leave the state when on bond? A bail bond is a written document in which the court informs the accused that he or she can leave jail for now but must return on a specific date in exchange for a certain type of bond. This allows the defendant to pay the bail amount and be released from jail. Bail bonds in Texas typically have fairly standard amounts for common crimes. For example, the bail bond for a defendant with bail set at $10,000 would be $1,000. For your convenience, we're available 24/7, so whenever you need our expert assistance, we're here for you. Most arrests are made for misdemeanors, which are not as serious as felonies. In Texas, a bail bond is money required by a court for a criminal defendant to be released after an arrest. To keep the person who pays the bond fond of you make sure that you show up in court for your scheduled court date. The local Bail Bonds Board will always have a listing of the companies allowed to post bond. Call us at (713) 224-4040. If the defendant misses a court date, the bail bond company loses the money it posted. Can I get Probation Instead of Jail in Harris County for Sexual Assault? If the accused does not show up on their court dates, the fee is refunded to the person who paid it. The bail bond system exists to ensure that individuals charged with crimes appear for their court dates as required while allowing them to move freely between booking and arraignment. So what is bail in general, and how do bail bonds work in Texas, specifically? Fred Shanks is a licensed bail bondsman and the owner of Apex Bail Bonds. "text": "The amount of time that you will have to spend in jail before getting bailed out will vary. These can be for capital felonies like murder. If the bail is paid, or posted, the defendant can be released from custody pending trial. Since a bail bond is how a defendant affords bail, there are different types of bonds. Bail is the sum of money paid by an accused person to secure a release from jail while awaiting trial. "@context": "http://schema.org", As long as the arrested person attends all court dates and meets any other requirements (e.g. Once the court appearance has been made, the collateral is returned to the individual, although the 10% fee is still non-refundable. Courts can also choose to release a defendant on personal recognizance. Because of this, people charged with a crime should choose a bail company that is more likely to deliver better results. A little bit of education could help secure your freedom. A friend or family member takes the full amount in cash, goes to the bonding window at 49 San Jacinto, and posts the bail. Very helpful with any questions and concerns and I can't thank them enough for the experience I had. There is usually a non-refundable fee of around 10% of the bail amount charged for this service. With this type of bond, you will pay your attorney a standard non-refundable fee which is usually 10% of your bond amount. This algorithm may produce a score or recommendation as to whether the defendant should remain in custody. There will be bond fees to pay, and those fees are not refundable. So what happens if these conditions are violated? To complete your remission form, you can consult a more reliable bail bond service to learn about bond reduction in Texas. Art. An experienced bounty hunter who works 80 to 150 cases a year can earn anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000 annually. The premium can be between 10 and 20 percent of the bond amount. Defendants end up receiving a better deal than what they expected. For more information and to learn more about how bail bonds work Texas residents may consult with the Texas Department of Insurance website. This form is encrypted and protected by attorney-client confidentiality. If the defendant makes all of their court dates, the company gets their money back. For example, when arrested, the court can ask for a bail of $60,000. 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. } 7031 Koll Center Pkwy, Pleasanton, CA 94566. A cash bond means the court will accept only cash for the full amount of bail, not a bond that's secured by equity in property or other collateral. When you work with your Texas county bondsman, make sure you understand what all is involved in the bail fee. 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. The United States is one of the few countries in the world that permit defendants to use a bail bondsman. A firm understanding of how bail bonds work in Texas can help you secure their release by providing you with the facts on how to appropriately interact with the system. Call and tell us your situation. If the defendant has the cash, then it is simple; they pay the total amount to the court and get a release with a pending trial. A person's first thought upon landing in jail is often how to get outand fast. The bail bond is a legal agreement between the accused and the bonds company. I will personally sit down with you and we can figure out what the best course of action is for you. The bondsman then guarantees the full amount of bail to the county theyre licensed in. A bail bondsman, bail bond agent or bond dealer is any person, agency or corporation that will act as a surety and pledge money or property as bail for the appearance of a defendant in court.. Zlatan's experience in credit and lending is vital since many important factors, such as credit history, over-leveraging, and predatory loan options can have a long term impacts when looking for financial assistance. Local lawyers are familiar with the local justice system and can help you get the right lawyer. Do I get my money or collateral back? If you fail to attend court or fail to appear at trial, your money is forfeited. This is most common with any of a variety of . } Its difficult for one bondsman to manage all the regulations across multiple counties, so various small bail companies exist across county lines. The offense may be either a misdemeanor, or a felony depending on where you live. Instead, the accused signs a commitment stating that they will attend all court dates. By claiming that the defendant is not a flight danger, the defense counsel can assist the defendant in obtaining a reduction. The bail agent forfeits the bond amount if the defendant fails to show up in court on the date scheduled. If the defendant fails to appear in court, the bonds company loses their money, and the defendant is responsible for the losses. Bail bonds are the most common way to post bail, especially for severe charges. The answer to how do bail bonds work in Texas is that they work relatively simply. If it is not posted, he or she will most likely remain in custody while awaiting trial. This is when the bail bondsman posts the bail bond for the arrestee for a fee. If the bail is paid, or posted, the defendant can be released from custody pending trial. Bail doesn't aspire to penalize defendants. Criminal Defense and Constitutional Rights, Copyright 2023 Law Office of David A. Breston. This service is not free. At the end of your court [proceedings the bondsman will release any liens and/or send you a check for collateral that may have been posted. After all, they are taking on a big risk by providing the bond. Unfortunately, there is no bail mechanism in federal proceedings. He isn't addressing people stuck behind bars because they can't afford to pay. Immigrant Bail Bond These bonds are for those who have been convicted of an offense. Defendants who post bail and then miss a court date forfeit their bail money. Written by our Subject Matter Experts, Updated on September 25, 2019. Since implementing these reforms in 2017, New . On the other hand, a bond company can post a bond to ensure the defendant's release. 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. Its purpose is to ensure the defendant shows up in court. However, if you cannot come up with the $1000, you may negotiate to pay part of the $1,000 upfront as a down payment and then clear the remaining amount using an agreed-upon payment plan. the defendant is a risk to someone elses safety. CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE. Defendants who post bond have to abide by the conditions of their release. If it is not posted, he or she will undoubtedly stay in custody for a trial. This co-signer can theoretically be anyone who knows the defendant. For example, when arrested, the court can ask for a bail of $60,000. In return for a non-refundable payment, the bail bondsman will pay the bail amount and receive it when the trial is over. Most of the time, it shouldnt be longer than 48 to 72 hours after your booking until your bail hearing. 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. An award-winning criminal defense attorney. How much does a bail bond (surety bond) cost? A decision is made about whether they can be released on bail or not. The company will post bail on the defendants behalf. Those motions outline why bail should be lowered. For fast, comprehensive bail bond assistance in Dallas, TX, give our team a call at (214) 760-9978 in Dallas County or (817) 261-2828 in Terrance County. "acceptedAnswer": { If you end up in jail, or if one of your friends or loved ones is jailed, do not stay any longer than absolutely necessary. ", So, for a $5,000 bail, a $500 fee will have to be paid. 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. 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.