GO TO JAIL: Go directly to jail. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. That was always an awful card to draw while playing Monopoly, but it’s undoubtedly much worse to hear from law enforcement in real life. As we all know, there are multiple levels of crime. There are the worst kinds of crime (felonies), the most minor (infractions) and then there’s the middle ground: misdemeanors. Even though they’re not as serious as felonies, sometimes a misdemeanor can land offenders in jail, requiring defendants need to get misdemeanor bail bonds in Angleton.
What is a misdemeanor?
A misdemeanor offense varies from one jurisdiction to another, but they are generally less serious crimes that are worse than infractions, but definitely not as bad as felonies. Examples of common misdemeanors include: public intoxication, simple assault, trespassing, vandalism, reckless driving, etc. These obviously aren’t terrible crimes, but they are also definitely not offenses that a police officer can witness and let slide. If you get caught red-handed committing one of these acts, you can expect to be punished. Depending on which state you live in, a misdemeanor can carry a fine of up to $1,000 and even a year in jail.
What happens after an offender gets caught for a misdemeanor?
Under typical misdemeanor circumstances, an offender would probably spend a little time in jail while paperwork is being filed, and then be released on his or her own recognizance. A few days later, the offender would receive a piece of paper in the mail letting them know when their court date is. In this scenario, misdemeanor bail bonds in Angleton wouldn’t be necessary, since the offender didn’t spend much (if any) time in jail. However, there are circumstances in which an offender could get hauled off to jail and would need a close friend or family member to bail him or her out.
When would a misdemeanor require bail?
Again, this depends on the jurisdiction, but there are several cases in which the offender is definitely going to require bail money:
- Misdemeanors elevated to felonies: If an offender’s misdemeanor crime is elevated to a felony offence (i.e. the most serious kind of crime), there’s no way the police are letting him or her walk out of jail without posting bail. This can happen when police find the misdemeanor to be particularly heinous. For example, a misdemeanor simple assault charge can be raised to a felony aggravated assault charge if the victim’s wounds are severe.
- Multiple offenses: If a repeat offender has committed the misdemeanor several times, the second or third time could wind up landing him or her behind bars and in need of financial assistance from a bondsman.
If you or anyone you know gets picked up by the police for a misdemeanor offense, contact Brazoria County Bail Bonds today. We know how trying a time it can be for anyone sitting in a jail cell—let us help your loved one get out as quickly and easily as possible.