What Are the 4 Most Common Misconceptions About Bail Bonds?

 Posted on May 23, 2025 in Bail Bonds

Every three seconds, a person in the United States is arrested (more than 10.5 million arrests per year). The majority of these charges are for low-level and non-violent crimes. Commercial bail is the most common type of pre-trial release, accounting for about half of all felony pre-trial releases, and closer to 80 percent of all pre-trial releases (felony and misdemeanor).

A bail bond is provided by a bail bond company. It allows a defendant to be released from jail after paying a percentage of the bail amount to the bail bondsman. The bail bondsman then provides the court with the full bail amount. Bail can be used in criminal cases to assure the court that the individual charged will appear for hearings and trial.     

Despite their widespread use, many people do not fully understand the concept of bail bonds, and there are many myths and misconceptions about how bail bonds work. If you are facing criminal charges and the judge sets bail, speaking to a reputable Dallas, TX bail bondsman from Doc's Bail Bonds is important.

We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for calls. We understand your situation and will work hard to ensure all your questions are thoroughly answered before you post a bail bond for yourself or a loved one. As one of the oldest and largest bail bond companies in North Texas, we have an exemplary reputation that you can count on during a difficult time.

Four Common Myths About Bail Bonds

There are many common misconceptions regarding bail bonds. Below are the four most common myths:

Bail is Automatic

This misconception concerns the court system and the bail bond company. Whether a court will agree to bail depends on many different factors. The type of crime a person is accused of, the defendant’s criminal history, and the defendant's perceived flight risk are all considerations in whether a defendant will even be granted bail.

Once bail is approved by the court, there is no guarantee that a bail bondsman will post bail for any given defendant because the bail company looks at the same things the court looks at: the type of crime, prior criminal history, and whether the defendant appears to be a flight risk.  

Bail Bonds Are Only for Serious Criminal Offenses

Bail is set for many criminal offenses, not just high-profile or violent ones. Even minor offenses like drug possession and traffic violations can have a bail bond set. DUI offenses often have bail bonds, as do simple assault and theft offenses. Posting bail does not indicate guilt and does not affect your chances of an acquittal or not guilty result in any way. A bail bond simply guarantees you will show up for court.  

A Bail Bondsman Can Negotiate Your Bail

Bond companies have zero say in how much a person’s bail will be. The judge assesses various factors when determining bail and will hear from both the prosecuting attorney and the defendant’s attorney before making the decision. Prosecutors often recommend a bond amount, the defense attorney argues that it should be lower, and the judge makes a decision, but the bail bondsman has no say in the matter.

You Must Pay the Full Amount of the Bail, and You Must Pay Cash

Neither of these is true. Generally, a defendant or his or her family member will pay 10 percent of the total bail set. So, if the judge sets bail at $50,000, the defendant must come up with $5,000. Bail bond companies often accept various types of payment, including cash, credit cards, property, vehicles, and even jewelry or artwork.

Contact a Collin County, TX Bail Bondsman

We understand that this is a time of stress and anxiety, and it can be difficult not to panic and choose the wrong bail bond company.  When you choose a McKinney, TX bail bondsman from Doc's Bail Bonds, you will deal with a reputable, licensed company with six locations in Texas.

Doc managed a professional baseball team before becoming a bail bondsman, which means he understands what it takes to build a strong team while also understanding the rules of the game. Call 214-747-4110 to speak to a skilled Texas bail bondsman.