What Happens if a Person Skips Bail in Texas?

 Posted on November 12, 2021 in Bail Bonds

When a person is arrested, taken into police custody, and charged with a crime, a judge will usually set an amount of bail that must be paid before the person can be released. In most cases, a person will need to secure a bail bond that will allow them to get out of jail and get back to their normal lives. While a person’s family members or friends may help them secure a bail bond, these people will need to make sure they understand the terms of the person’s release on bail, including what may happen if the person “skips bail” or violates the conditions put in place by a judge.

Consequences of Bail Jumping

The purpose of bail is to ensure that a person will return to court whenever required during their criminal case. When you work with a bail bondsman, they will pay the full amount of bail, and you will usually only need to pay 10 percent of the total amount. The bail paid to the court will be refunded at the end of the case. To ensure that they will be able to receive the amount that was paid, the bail bondsman will want to make sure that a person meets all of their requirements.

In addition to appearing in court at all scheduled court dates, a person may need to meet other requirements put in place by a judge. The judge may restrict the person from traveling outside of a certain area, such as the county where the court is located, and they may prohibit a person from engaging in certain activities, such as associating with known criminals. A person may also be required to take regular drug tests or receive treatment for alcohol or drug abuse. 

Violation of the terms of bail is known as “bail jumping” or “skipping bail.” Most of the time, these violations involve a person failing to appear in court. However, there are some cases where a person may flee the area in an attempt to avoid criminal consequences. A person who skips bail may be taken back into custody and required to stay in jail during the rest of their case, and they may forfeit the amount of bail that was paid. Bail jumping is considered a crime, although a person may be able to defend against these charges if they have a reasonable excuse for missing a court date. If a person was originally charged with a misdemeanor, skipping bail will usually be charged as a Class A misdemeanor, but if the person had been charged with a felony, bail jumping may be charged as a third-degree felony.

Contact a Dallas Bail Bondsman

When you work with Doc’s Bail Bonds, we will make sure you fully understand the terms of bail, and we will help you meet all requirements during a criminal case. If you are posting bail on behalf of someone else, we will advise you on how to make sure they follow the terms of bail, ensuring that you will not face consequences because of bail jumping. Contact our Denton County bail agents at 214-747-4110 for assistance with posting bail. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and we can meet with you in person or provide assistance over the phone or via email to ensure that you take the right steps to help your loved one get out of jail quickly.

Source:

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/PE/htm/PE.38.htm