A bail bond agent will look at your case, the bail amount, and your history and connections to the county to decide whether to mark your case for bond approval. In return for their services, bounty hunters typically receive anywhere from 10 percent to 20 percent of the total bail bond. The arrestee is released and, once the case is resolved, the person gets the full amount . 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. The defendant simply signs a note stating they would return for any and all court appearances in the county. Call us at (713) 224-4040. How Bail Bonds Work in Texas The Easy Way. Some are more frequently used than others. A magistrate ordered him jailed on . 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. 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. Courts can even deny bail, completely. When you find out how much the bail is, you can call on a bail bond agent to help you to make the bail and get out for a while until the next court date. Of course, most people do not have much knowledge about how bail bonds work. After all, they are taking on a big risk by providing the bond. 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. If you need my help, call my office today for a free consultation. They are similar to regular bonds, but rather than the financial guarantee being provided by the bail agent, the guarantee is derived from property the arrestee has. Let's see how we can help. Those checked by court or jail personnel will be in effect. It can also be reduced if the case gets delayed. If you cant access the cash and still want to be out of custody, you can ask for a bail bond. In Texas, every court has a bond schedule that guides the judges on bail, depending on the type of crime. Contact our Houston DWI Lawyerstoday for more information about bail bonds in Texas." When defendants cannot make bail, they can call a bail bond company. Texas Bail Bonds How Bail Works in TX, How Much Bail Costs, Find Bail Bonds Nearby, $1 Million Dollar Bail Bond Cost & Crimes, Find Bail Bonds Near You - Bail and Legal Knowledge Base, Marketing & Advertising Ideas for Bail Bondsmen. One danger of jail is the possibility that you could make recklessly implicating statements. "datePublished": "2020-04-23", 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. . Courts have the authority to release offenders on their recognizance. Hes also a family man with a wife and three kids. Often, a bondsman may sell the bond to another bail bonds company in your area. The Performance Bond coverage guarantees that . Bail was set at $3,000, and his family couldn't pay it. When hes not working he spends his time on the golf course or at the Rotary club. This means that the money can be returned to them. You can also check our city pages for a nearby Texas bondsman. "acceptedAnswer": { Choosing a bail bond company that is best for you comes with plenty of benefits that you can't neglect. We are a resource for people who need bail bondsmen and are ad-supported. They can also ask the judge to increase the bail amount if they are unable to post bail according the bail schedule. DEFINITION OF "BAIL". If the defendant makes all of their court dates, the company gets their money back. When you have a family member who has been arrested and who is awaiting trial, you naturally want them out as soon as possible. Defendants can request a bail hearing by filing a motion for bond reduction or a writ of habeas corpus. If you are worried about the consequences of missing bail, you should consult a criminal defense attorney. WE CAN HELP! If the defendant appears when he or she was ordered to, bail is refunded. This form is encrypted and protected by attorney-client confidentiality. If the court determines that it is the only way for a defendant to appear in court, bail will be set. In order to get out of jail you or a cosignor will need to pay a fee to a bondsman which is usually 10% of the entire bond, called the premium. "contentLocation": "Houston,TX", This is the part of the state government that oversees bail bond agents and insurance companies. 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. Whether the criminal poses a risk to society. The United States is one of the few countries in the world that permit defendants to use a bail bondsman. If the defendant receives a bail bond and does not appear in court as required, the bail bondsman or bail agency that posted the bail bond will take the defendants collateral to pay off the remaining 90% of the bail amount, and the defendant is liable for the full amount. After the court has set the bail amount, the defendant has the right to ask for a reduction. If the defendant fails to appear in court, the bonds company loses their money, and the defendant is responsible for the losses. "@type": "Question", The bondsman will usually only require you to pay them 10-15% of the total bail to post a bond on your behalf. It will not be returned when the case ends. After all, they are taking on a big risk by providing the bond. How much is a non-arrest bond? The defendant may be convicted of bail jumping if they can prove that they did not receive proper notice of the court date. For example, when arrested, the court can ask for a bail of $60,000. TITLE 1. Our practice is founded on the principle of combining the undivided attention of a small law firm with the full-service abilities of a large firm. How Bail Bonds Work in Texas. The rules still apply whether its a zero down bail bonds, online bond or walk in bond; if you dont abide by the rules of the bond company or the court youre going back to jail. Arrestees who are given bail amounts have two options to make their bail. Cash bail will be returned minus only court and administrative fees. But the hours are long and grueling -- sometimes 80 to 100 hours a week, and the work is tough. Many bail bond agents will also provide loans to cover the 10% if needed and re-payment will be based on collateral or a set payment schedule. For example, if the arrestee is considered to be a flight risk, the bail could be higher. A co-signer vouches for the defendant and ensures they have support on the outside in getting back on track and to trial. 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. A criminal bail bond exists for defendants facing criminal charges and usually entails a much larger bail amount. Once a person is eligible for bail, they can receive one of five different types. 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. Shouse Law Group represents victims throughout the U.S. who suffered serious complications and injuries from dangerous drugs and failed medical devices. A bail bondsman will pay the entire bail amount if the defendant intends to attend all court dates and pays a little more for the service. The bail agent can also use collateral provided by the defendant to cover any losses that may result from the defendant not paying bail. However, thats not the only factor. The Texas bailbond agent will post the bail electronically once the 10 percent premium is paid. Score: 4.6/5 ( 75 votes ) Bail Bonds in Texas. Consult a federal criminal defense attorney if you were given a federal bail and have not been released from jail. Bail can also be reduced if the defendant has already spent enough time in jail awaiting trial.2. Then, the defendant could be released from jail until court. This is most common with any of a variety of . [2] 2. No, you od not get the bail premium you paid returned, that is a fee. The fee is non-refundable and will provide a defendant with the money needed to make bail and be set free until their court appearance. The amount of bail depends on the offense being charged and the court hearing the case. 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. Texas bail bond companies must have a license from the state of Texas for the bail bond to be accepted. In Texas, do you receive your bail money back? Everything You Need To Know About How Does A Bail Bond Work In Texas, How Can A Bail Bond Help If You Are In Trouble, Are Bail Bonds Refundable And Other Questions To Ask A Local Texas Bail Bondsman, Why a Full-Service Law Firm Is a Great Choice for You, A resident of a community for many decades, Family members are welcome to join the community, Always appeared in court for previous charges. When you work with your Texas county bondsman, make sure you understand what all is involved in the bail fee. Has Realignment Led to Increased Violence in CA Prisons? 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. 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. "@type": "Question", There is usually a non-refundable fee of around 10% of the bail amount charged for this service. For example, if the court sets your bail schedule at $10,000, to purchase a bail bond, you would need to pay the bail bonds company $1000. Criminal defense lawyers are well versed in arguing for a bond reduction in Texas. If a friend or family member has been arrested, your first and primary concern is getting them out as quickly as possible. You can with good cosignors and longevity in the community. The bail agency or bail bondsman may also impose specific requirements for a bail bond, such as requiring the bonded defendant to remain in-state, or the bail agency or bondsman takes the defendants posted collateral. 17.01. We have a list of the most trusted bail bonds companies in Texas so you can get in touch with a nearby licensed bondsman. A person who needs Texas bail can also contact the local county bail bond board website for information. CHAPTER 17. If you are wondering can bail be denied the answer is clear. bail-jumping - the criminal offense of defaulting on one's bail; bailee - a person who receives personal property from another as a bailment; bailer/bail agent/bail bondsman - one who provides bail as a surety for a criminal defendant's release; bail bond - a bond given to a court by a criminal defendant's surety to guarantee that the defendant will duly appear in court in the future and, if . The bail bonds professionals at Just Bail Bonds in DFW are here to get you out of jail as quickly as possible. 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 Chapter 17.04 (Texas Occupations Code). Bail bonds are a profitable industry, making $20 million a year in profit according to a 2012 study. After a bail bond company posts bail on the defendant's . 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. The amount of the fee can be up to 15% of the bail amount set by the courts. A friend or family member takes the full amount in cash, goes to the bonding window at 49 San Jacinto, and posts the bail. However, when bail is set high, a bail bond is the better choice. Violating these rules could lead to significant penalties and influence your sentencing. The court can accept collateral, usually land or buildings, if the defendant doesnt have enough cash. By claiming that the defendant is not a flight danger, the defense counsel can assist the defendant in obtaining a reduction. Never sign a bond with a company that cannot do bail outside of their authorized county. A bail bond is a fee required by a court in Texas for a criminal defendant to be freed after arrest. This approach allows you to pay a specific sum of money to the court, which is retained for the duration of your case. the defendant is a risk to someone elses safety. It will have a list of possible restrictions and/or conditions that the court has required of the accused before being allowed to be released on bail. This can differ from one county to another. The defendant does not get the premium back, though. A bail bond does not guarantee immediate release from jail.