The bail bond industry in Texas is tightly regulated and often the last resort for accused people. Rather than pay the full bail, the bail bond requires a down payment in return for paying the remainder of the bail. This often allows the accused to be released from jail until their trial or sentencing hearing. Here is how this system works and what you need to do when you benefit from a bail bond in Angleton:
- Personal recognizance: A bail bond may not be necessary if you don’t have a previous record. First time offenders accused of non-violent crimes may be released on personal recognizance if they agree to attend their court hearings and pre-trial diversion programs. If this is the case, consider yourself lucky. Unless you are rearrested and jailed with bond, you likely will not require our services.
- Cash bonds: Misdemeanors with no aggravating circumstances often do not require bail above $1,000. Many defendants can pay this themselves or with financial help. As long as you follow the court’s instructions and attend hearings, you will receive most of the money back, minus any court fees. In these cases, a bail bond is often not necessary.
- Security bonds: This is where a bail bondsman becomes instrumental. Some charges produce bail amounts so high that a defendant’s assets or financial help will not suffice. In these cases, the bail bond agent can release the defendant from jail with a payment amounting to 10 percent of the bail. If you show up for your hearings, the bail bond agent receives the bail back and keeps the original 10 percent payment as a fee. However, if you fail to follow through, you (and any cosigners) are responsible for paying the agent the entire bail amount.
- Property bonds: Rather than relying on timely payment and court compliance, the bail bond agent secures the amount of bail with property. This does not happen frequently as most accused individuals do not own property that meets the requirements. But if this is an option, the court files a security interest against the property and if the defendant fails to show up for all hearings, it will foreclose on that lien.
- Cost and procedure: As mentioned above, the cost of a bail bond is around 10 percent of the total bail. Sometimes, that will increase to 15 percent. Once posted, the booking and bail process can conclude in two to three hours. This minimizes your jail time, although if you are arrested late in the day, you may have to stay at the facility overnight. However, that still beats the weeks and months of waiting that could result if you have to wait until your arraignment.
- Default: If you miss a court appearance, the amount of bail is forfeited. With a cash bond, this means you will not receive that money back. For bail bonds, the agent does not receive the money back and can now pursue recovery of the funds against you. This could result in an additional arrest and garnishing your wages and property.
Brazoria County Bail Bonds is here if you or a loved one seeks bail bonds in Angleton. Call or visit today so we can make arrangements for release.