If you are arrested for a crime, a judge will likely issue bail — unless the act is particularly heinous or you pose a significant flight risk. Sometimes, a defendant is released on their own recognizance, which means that they make a promise to appear at a later date. A clean criminal record, ties to the community, and strong personal references are all factors that many judges require in order to grant release on recognizance.
Other defendants will be released from jail if they can make bail. Bail is the amount of money a family member, loved one, or friend must pay to have you released from jail until your next court date. The person that pays your bail will pay a percentage of the total cost while the bail bondsman pays the difference with the expectation that you’ll show up to all scheduled court dates.
A missed bail hearing can have serious repercussions including a warrant being issued for your arrest, your driver’s license being suspended, ineligibility for bail in the future, charges for additional offenses, and the amount of your bond can be increased substantially.
Bail Skipping Texas
Specific to Texas, skipping bail is an actual crime called bail jumping and is typically prosecuted as a Class A misdemeanor which could result in up to one year in jail. With that said, if you were charged with a Class C misdemeanor, bail jumping is only publishable with a fine.
If you are facing a federal charge, the consequences are far more severe because bail jumping will be processed as a third-degree felony which results in a 2 to 10-year prison sentence. Bail skipping in Texas is not advisable and should be avoided at all costs.
Missing Court Dates
Additionally, if you missed court when out on bail, the court will likely order that your initial bail payment be forfeited. To further complicate matters, a bondsman can demand repayment and seize any collateral like a house or car that you offered to guarantee the money amount of the bond.
To learn more about the services a bail bonds company offers, give Brazoria County Bail Bonds in Angleton, TX a call. With more than 20 years of experience in the field, our highly trained team makes it easy and affordable for our clients to meet their bail requirements so that they can resume their daily lives while awaiting their day in court.