How does bail bond work in Texas?

Asked by: Asha Kuhic III  |  Last update: July 3, 2022
Score: 4.6/5 (75 votes)

Bail Bonds in Texas. In Texas, a bail bond is money required by a court for a criminal defendant to be released after an arrest. If the bail is paid, or posted, the defendant can be released from custody pending trial. If it is not posted, he or she will most likely remain in custody while awaiting trial.

How does the bail bond system work in Texas?

The Texas Penal Code defines bail more precisely as “the security given by the accused that he will appear and answer before the proper court the accusation brought against him, and includes a bail bond or a personal bond.” After a person is arrested, they are brought before a magistrate, who sets the conditions of ...

What percentage of bond do you pay in Texas?

Posting bail will allow you or your friend or family member to be released from police custody. As part of your release, you promise to appear in court for all of your scheduled criminal proceedings. You will usually pay 10% of the total bail to our bail agents, and we will pay the full bail amount on your behalf.

Do you get your bond money back?

Pay cash bail.

If it is cash bail and you pay the full bail amount, the money will be returned to you if the defendant shows up on all the hearing dates. If he won't, you will never get your money again. Bond can only be discharged if: A defendant found not guilty on the charge.

How long can jail hold you after bond is posted in Texas?

It depends on the jurisdiction. A person can technically and legally be held for up to 72 hours for investigative purposes, but charges in Harris County are usually filed within 8-12 hours from time of arrest. It could be longer in complex cases.

How Bail Bonds Work - San Antonio Bail Bonds

23 related questions found

Can you bond out on a felony charge in Texas?

Felony Charge Bail Bond in Texas

Offenders facing these charges will likely be in for a lengthy and stressful trial. PCS Bail Bonds helps make it so defendants can be out of jail and in their homes while dealing with these charges. Being arrested and charged with a felony is overwhelming enough.

Can you bail yourself out of jail in Texas?

To answer our original question, yes; you can bail yourself out. However, there are some limitations. In order to bail yourself out, you need to have the full amount of bail on your person at the time of the arrest. Depending on your offense, that may be quite a lot of money.

Do you get bail back if you are innocent?

Whether you are guilty or not guilty, if you fail to appear, the court will keep the money. However, if you show up and are found not guilty, the money will be immediately returned to you through the court. If a bail bondsman posted the bail, the money would be returned to the bondsman.

What's the difference between bail and bond?

Bail is the money a defendant must pay in order to get out of jail. A bond is posted on a defendant's behalf, usually by a bail bond company, to secure his or her release. Defendants with pending warrants are usually not eligible for bail.

How much do you pay for a 1000 bond?

A $1,000 bail bond paid at a bail bonds company will cost $100. This is often the base fee for posting bail on the lowest amount. Bonds that will not net the bail bonds company at least $100 in interest will often earn a minimum payment of $100 or 10% of the total bond.

How much does a bail cost in Texas?

In Texas, bail bonds are set at lower rates in the $1,000-$3,500 for misdemeanors or less serious crimes. Felonies range from $5,000-$20,000. Suspected murder bail bonds start at usually $1 million or more.

How does a bail bond work?

Bail bonds work by allowing a defendant to post bail that he or she would not have otherwise been able to afford. The bail bondsman posts the full amount on the defendant's behalf. The defendant pays the bail bondsman a percentage of the bail amount – usually 10 percent. This payment is nonrefundable.

How does the bail system work?

Bail often means a defendant enters into a recognisance (a bond between them and the court) to pay money if they break the conditions of bail. Anyone providing a guarantee (or surety) may also have to enter into a recognisance.

What happens after bail is granted?

What is bail? If a defendant is granted bail it means they are allowed back into the public while they await trial or further police investigations, instead of being remanded in custody (ie, locked up). A person can be released on bail at any point from the moment they have been arrested.

How long can you be on bail for without being charged?

Bail can be either unconditional or conditional, the latter being that certain restrictions and conditions are put on defendants such as not being able to contact a complainant or go to a certain location. The initial bail period is 28 days but can be extended up to 3 months by a Superintendent.

How do I get around a cash only bond?

If a defendant needs to post a cash-only bond, there are a few ways to get this done. A family member can post it, the defendant can post it, or a third party can post it. There are some bail bond agencies that work with cash-only bonds. In some cases, it is preferred to work with a bail bond agency.

What is a personal bond in Texas?

A Personal Bond is a sworn agreement by the defendant that he/she will return to court as ordered and will comply with the conditions placed on his/her release.

What does bonded out mean in jail?

Defendants who immediately secure their release with money are bailed out. Defendants who secure their release with collateral (property or a promise to pay) are bonded out. If you need help with bail or a bond, talk to a criminal defense attorney in your area.

What are the types of bail?

Broadly speaking there are three categories of bail and they are- i] bail in bailable offences, ii] bail in non bailable offences, iii]anticipatory bail, BAIL IN BAILABLE OFFENCES, Section 436 of the Code of Criminal Procedure deals with provisions of bail in bailable offences.

Can you work while on bail?

CAN YOU STILL WORK WHILE ON BAIL? The short answer is Yes. It would be best if you keep your job while out on bail and using a bail bonds near me because of several reasons. The need to report to work is also one of the compelling reasons why someone wants to bail out from prison.

What happens if bail is denied?

If the person released on bail fails to comply with the conditions in the bail bond as regards time and place of attendance, the court may refuse him to be released on bail when he appears on a subsequent occasion. The bond executed by him and his surety stand cancelled under Section 446-A of CrPC.

What happens at bail hearing?

The purpose is for the court to inquire into the likelihood of the defendant reappearing at his or her criminal trial. This hearing also sets the exact amount of the bail which will be required, if granted. Evidence may be presented by the defendant and the decision is ultimately made by the court.

How do bail bonds make money?

When defendants use a bail bond agent, they pay the agent a fee and the agent acts as a surety, telling the court that they (the bond agents) will pay the full bond amount should the defendant fail to appear at court. Bail bond agents make money by collecting a fee from those who want to be bailed out.

How do you get someone out of jail in Texas?

To get someone out of jail, the whole fine must be paid, or in some circumstances, the judge will allow a payment plan to be set up and release the individual. You may also go through a bond agency. If you wish to pay the FULL amount of a fine or bond you can pay by credit card online.

Can you go to jail for not paying bail bonds in Texas?

Legal Ramifications

It's not a violation of the law to fail to pay your bond fee, but it can still land you in jail.