If you have been arrested and booked into custody, your first concern would be how you are going to get out. In Texas, offenders will remain in jail after being arrested as they wait for trial. However, based on your circumstances, you can pay bail using cash or property as collateral. If you have no means of raising the amount needed for your release, you can hire a bail bondsman who can post bail on your behalf. At 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we realize the importance of being out of custody as you await trial. Our Austin bail bond professionals will ensure that your bail is posted on time, allowing you to return home and prepare for your case.
The Bail Bond Process in Austin
A bail bond is simply a legal commitment by an individual accused of a crime to attend and respond to a criminal allegation in court. A bail bond serves as a form of debt security. Simply put, posting bail is how you get out of jail after being detained for committing a crime. A judge may enact any plausible conditions for your bail, taking into consideration the welfare of the public or the purported victim.
When someone has been arrested and brought to jail, they are made aware of the bail sum that must be paid for them to be released. Depending on the severity of the offense, bail can be quite costly at times. A bail bond agency can pay the bail sum needed when a defendant is not able to raise the bail sum him or herself. A bail bond can also be defined as a surety bond that's given to the courts as assurance that defendants will appear before the judge for their trial. When the person fails to attend court for the trial, the bail money will be forfeited. If you attend every court hearing as scheduled, the bail amount will be reimbursed.
The video below will discuss how to post bail in Austin, Texas and frequently asked questions about bail bonds services. We are proud to offer 24 hour bail bonds services in Austin, Texas and the surrounding areas. Fast easy payment options and no collateral needed on most cases. Post bail online or by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Main Types of Austin Bail Bonds
When someone is accused and arrested for committing an offense, they must go through a booking process that normally lasts one to two hours before being assigned a trial date to address the allegations against them.
At this stage, the person can either choose to stay in custody until their trial date or post bail to secure their release. If they go with the second option, they must either engage a licensed local bail bond agency or get a family member or friend to post the bail on their behalf.
A defendant can be freed from custody in Austin in one of the following three ways:
-
A Cash Bond
This type of bond is one in which the criminal gives the court cash in exchange for a commitment to attend court. For example, when a defendant's bail amount has been set at $20,000, $20,000 will be paid as a cash bond for them to be freed from jail. Once the matter has been resolved, the amount provided as a cash bond will be refunded, minus a 5% charge levied by the court.
-
A Surety Bond
A surety bond serves as bail when you pay a premium to a bail bondsman or a firm in the bail bond business. They consent to serve as your surety and accept accountability for the bail sum as well as serve as security to ensure that you appear in court.
-
Personal Recognizance Bond
A PR bond is nothing more than a pledge to attend court. You merely sign a contract and commit to being present for the court hearings without posting any cash or having to hire a bail bondsman to settle the bail sum. If a defendant is freed on a personal recognizance bond but fails to attend court, bail must then be paid.
A personal recognizance bond requires no cash to be paid as collateral security. These bonds are usually designated for those who have close relations with their community, like having lived and working in the sector for many years, and who do not worry about attending court for their trial.
How is Austin Bail Amounts Set?
Once a person has been detained and booked into the jail system, they will be scheduled to appear before a court "with no delay and also no more than 48 hours since their arrest." The judge can also set the bail sum and any terms that they deem necessary. Texas law gives some guidelines for establishing bail amounts. These include:
- Bail should be set high enough to provide reasonable certainty that the commitment to attend court will be kept
- The sum of bail should not be employed as a tool of subjugation
- The severity of the crime and the purported circumstances surrounding it should be taken into account
- The ability of an individual to post bail or pay the bail sum should be taken into account
- The public's and the victim's safety must be regarded
The amount of bail imposed by judges for pretrial release is mostly determined by the criminal charges. Bail for felonies is usually higher than that set for misdemeanor offenses. Courts have the authority to entirely deny bail. They also have the authority to release offenders with no bail (personal recognizance).
Every court imposes its own set of bail schedules. The schedules establish appropriate bail sums for each sort of criminal charge. Judges can set bail at any amount above or below the amounts on the already established schedule, depending on the details of the case.
Bail can also be raised due to a variety of factors, including:
- The seriousness of the purported act
- Previous charges
- Restraining orders that have been issued against the accused
- The accused is at risk of fleeing the country or jurisdiction
- The accused was on parole at the moment of his or her arrest
- The accused poses a threat to the security of others
In certain circumstances, especially those involving serious allegations, the courts have the authority to deny bail. These could be for serious offenses like murder. The accused will be held in custody until his trial.
Is It Possible to Get Bail Amount Reduced?
During a bail hearing, the amount necessary to make bail could be lowered. It could also be lowered if the trial is postponed. By submitting a bond modification petition, accused persons can seek a bail hearing. Those petitions lay out the reasons why bail needs to be reduced. Your defense attorney can provide proof in favor of lowering bail during the hearing. The bail amount can also be lowered if the accused has already stayed in jail for a long period before his or her case has been presented in court.
What You Need to Know Before Cosigning a Bail Bond
You can assist a loved one in getting a speedy release by serving as his or her cosigner. A cosigner is necessary to ensure that the offender will appear at the court hearings as ordered by the court. The cosigner's relationship with the accused may have a considerable impact on the bondsman's decision to post bail.
When you decide to become a cosigner, you'll be liable for the accused's actions once he or she is out on bond. You could also be required to pay a premium charge, which is usually the amount charged for services offered by the bail bond agency. When the defendant fails to attend court, the bail bond company may impose a recovery fee on you to locate the offender and bring them back to jail.
However, you have to satisfy the following requirements before agreeing to cosign:
-
Hold an Excellent Credit Score
When you possess a solid credit record and complete your payments on time, you could be a great cosigner. This is thanks to the assumption that you possess the economic means to cover the bond amount.
-
You Must Be Prepared to Be Held
It's not easy to cosign bail bonds. You have to be prepared to cope with the implications of the contract if the accused does not satisfy the bail terms and conditions. Additionally, you'll be made responsible for the accused's court appearance.
-
You Must Have a Satisfactory Work History
The bail bond firm will be confident when you have kept a stable position at your workplace for a long time.
If upon signing up to be a co-signer, you believe the accused will not attend court or won't comply with the court orders, you can withdraw from the agreement. However, you need to first notify the judge as well as the bail bond firm of your intention to cancel the agreement.
If someone you care about has been arrested, you can contact an experienced bail agent who'll walk you through the co-signing procedure.
Things to Consider When Engaging a Bail Bonds Agent in Austin, Texas
The initial step towards finding a local Austin bail bonds agent would be knowing what you should be looking for and what you should do as the defendant. First and foremost, the bail bond agent you choose has to be licensed and certified by the state where they operate. For example, a bail bond agency in Austin has to be certified in Texas, precisely within the county where their offices are located.
Experience
Experience is also another crucial factor to consider. The process of being detained is complicated enough that it can be stressful and frustrating for the accused. And, since you are assumed innocent, you will most likely desire to go back to your normal life as quickly as possible. Hiring a bondsman who is familiar with the local judicial process saves a lot of time and also helps speed up the whole process.
Flexibility
You also need to search for a flexible bail bonds company. When you or a loved one is arrested and the court case commences, finances often become a major problem, and even though the local agencies charge equal fees (in certain states, all prices have to be similar), how they design their repayment plans could differ dramatically.
Don't Give Out False Information
A bail bond agent will require particular details about the accused as a key component of the application procedure for surety bail bond services. Before posting bond, the agency will need to know your name, residence, and the offense you've been accused of, among other things. Giving false details could jeopardize your ability to receive bail bond services. Furthermore, if your dishonesty is revealed, you may face more serious consequences.
Seek Clarification on Your Bond's Terms
The judge may impose bail terms that you have to comply with, based on the details of your case. Some bail requirements, for instance, might include the submission of travel credentials and follow-up proceedings. To prevent getting it wrong, it is critical to seek guidance from and work collaboratively with the bail bondsman when you do not clearly understand what's required under the release terms.
Despite your bail terms, some acts are not acceptable when you have been released on bail.
Noncompliance with court orders may lead to re-arrests and the forfeiture of your bail money. If you use a surety bond company to make bail, you must avoid being arrested again by all means. If you are rearrested, it could result in the bail bond company losing the money they paid as bail on your behalf. The asset you provided as security could also be forfeited.
Conduct Your Research
Take your time when looking for a bail bond firm to locate one that you can trust. Before committing, look at their website, read testimonials from previous clients, and chat with the bail agent directly.
Inquire About Your Payment Options
Ensure you understand the payment plans before you sign a contract. Any reputable bail bondsman should be ready to negotiate a repayment schedule that suits your needs. Even if you are paying the entire sum or using a payment plan, make sure you grasp the payment procedures.
Austin Jail Information:
Travis County Jail
Travis County Correctional Complex
Courthouse Information
Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center
Find a Bail Bonds Agent Near Me
If you have been detained and risk facing jail time in Austin, Texas, it is necessary to seek the assistance of a seasoned bail bondsman. At 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we work relentlessly to try and ensure our clients are released from custody within a short time. Call us today at 512-890-1903 to learn more about how we can help you.