Understanding the laws in place that govern bail bonds is important if you or someone you know has been given the option of posting bail to get out of jail in advance of a trial. Here’s an overview of bail bonds and some of the specific rules surrounding the process in Texas.
The basics of bail bonds
There are several different release options available to individuals who are arrested for a crime in the state of Texas. These include cash bail, surety bond and a release on one’s own recognizance. A release on one’s own recognizance is granted by the court if it is determined that the defendant is likely to appear in court even without the payment of bond. A cash bond is relatively straightforward and involves the defendant giving the court the entire set amount of bail in cash, which the court holds until the defendant appears in court.
A surety bond, meanwhile, offers a defendant a means to have their bail posted even if they are unable to pay the entire cash amount up front. In this scenario, a bail bond agency will post the cash amount on behalf of the defendant and accept another asset as a form of collateral until the defendant appears in court.
Texas laws that apply to bail bonds in Angleton
In order to post bail by means of a surety bond, there are several criteria set by the state of Texas that must be met. For starters, the bail bond agency must prove that they have adequate resources to afford the cost of bail. Additionally, the bail bond agent must agree to pay the bail amount in full in the event that the defendant does not appear for their scheduled court dates. In turn, the bail bond agent will request a premium as well as collateral to be supplied by the defendant or their family in order to provide them assurance that the defendant will appear in court.
Generally, premiums set for bail bonds in Angleton are around 10 percent of the full bail amount. Once this fee has been supplied as an assurance to the bail bond agent, they will post bond for the full bail amount on behalf of the defendant. In addition to a premium, collateral might also be required to secure a bail bond. This collateral can be anything of financial value, including vehicles, houses and other valuable items.
Once your bail bond has been posted, it can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 24 hours before the release of a defendant from jail. This time frame is dependent on the type of jail (county or city) that the defendant has been booked into. Typically, county jails take longer to process bail release than do city jails.
Working with a bail bond agent
If you can’t afford the full cash amount of your bail, working with a bail bond agent is a great alternative. At Brazoria County Bail Bonds, we can help you understand the process of posting bail by utilizing bail bonds in Angleton. We are experienced in assisting defendants in a wide range of legal matters that require bail to be posted. Our services allow you to leave jail prior to your court date even if you cannot furnish the full amount of your set bail. To learn more, please reach out to us today.