Bail bonds can be a lifeline during your or your loved one’s most dire time of need. Learning how to maneuver through this process, which may seem to be intimidatingly difficult at first glance, can help you to make the most of very difficult circumstances.
While many people are familiar with the terminology surrounding bail bonds in Angleton, few understand how the process actually works. Courts establish bail after an arrest is completed to ensure that the charged individual appears before a judge on their scheduled date. If the defendant appears in court before the judge, the court will return the bail. If the suspect doesn’t appear, however, the court will confiscate the funds.
If you or a family member have been arrested, there are several steps that law enforcement officers will take to ensure that you arrive at your scheduled court appearances. Knowing how to use bail bonds in Angleton can help you to recover lost time with your family member, and ensure that you are able to maintain your employment throughout the duration of your court proceedings:
- Being booked: Once you are arrested, law enforcement will process your information, a procedure which is typically known as “booking.” During the booking process, your personal information will be gathered, and the details of your alleged crime will be recorded. You may also have personal effects, such as your keys and cell phone, confiscated during this period.
- Terms of release: Depending on your criminal record, the nature of your ties to the community and the severity of the crime that you are being charged with, you may be simply cited and released. In cases where you are released without bail, you are expected to appear in court on your own recognizance, and will be asked to sign an agreement to appear in court on the date and time specified. This usually happens only when you are charged with nonviolent misdemeanor offenses and have deep ties to the area where you have been arrested.
- Determining bail: If you are not released on your own recognizance, the relevant court will determine the amount of bail that you are being held for. In some extreme cases, courts may determine that you are not eligible for release under any condition. Typically, however, courts will factor in your personal health, your risk of flight and any criminal history when determining your bail amount. They may also pose restrictions on your subsequent release, such as curfews or mandates to stay away from alcohol and other mind-altering substances.
- Securing your release: Once your bail has been determined, it must be “posted,” or paid to the court. Typically, bail is posted in cash, money order or cashier’s check. If you are unable to pay the cost of posting bail yourself, services offered by bail bondsmen can help you to secure your release. Bail bonds in Angleton are usually paid out by the bondsman, who charges a percentage of the total cost of bail in exchange for their services.
Brazoria County Bail Bonds has been serving the communities surrounding Angleton, TX for more than 25 years. Contact us today to learn how we can help you or your loved one in your time of need!