What Types of Offenses Are Likely to Have High Amounts of Bail?

 Posted on January 21, 2026 in Bail Bonds

Following an arrest, bail will be set by a judge. This amount must be paid before the person can be released from custody. The amount of bail varies based on several different factors, but the specific criminal charges are the primary issue that a judge will consider.

For more serious offenses, bail will usually be set at a higher amount. While paying thousands of dollars or more may not be possible for most people, family members and friends often work together to get a bail bond.

A Dallas bail bondsmen can help you get out of jail if you have been arrested and are waiting on your 2026 trial. At Doc's Bail Bonds, we know the system in and out and are here to help.

How Do Texas Judges Decide What Your Bail Should Be?

Texas law gives judges specific guidelines for setting bail amounts. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 17.15, judges must consider several factors when determining how much bail to set. These include:

• The seriousness of the offense

• The person's past criminal record

• Whether the person has failed to appear in court before

• Ties to the community such as family and a job 

• The safety of the victim and the community

Judges also look at whether the person is likely to flee or try to avoid prosecution. Someone with strong family ties in Texas, a steady job, and no history of missing court dates will typically receive lower bail.

Criminal Offenses With High Bail Amounts

Some charges that are more likely to involve large amounts of bail include:

Murder/Homicide

Premeditated murder is one of the most serious crimes. Bail may be $500,000 or more. Other charges involving someone’s death, such as manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide, may result in bail being set at $50,000 to $100,000.

Sexual Offenses

For crimes such as aggravated sexual assault, sexual abuse of a child, forcing a person to participate in prostitution, or child trafficking, bail may be set around $500,000. Other types of sex crimes, such as sexual assault, rape, or indecent sexual contact with a child, may result in bail of around $50,000.

Drug Crimes

Bail is likely to be set at higher amounts for more serious drug offenses related to manufacturing or delivering controlled substances. Whether an offense is charged as a first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree felony will depend on the amount of drugs in question. For first-degree felony drug offenses, bail may be around $100,000, and for lower-level felonies, bail may be $50,000 or less.

Robbery

If someone is accused of using a deadly weapon or threatening or inflicting injury or death, they may be charged with aggravated robbery, and bail may be up to $500,000. Other robbery charges may result in bail being set around $50,000.

Misdemeanors

For misdemeanors or lower-level felonies, bail will usually be lower, ranging from a few thousand dollars to around $30,000. However, there are some factors that may lead a judge to increase the amount of bail.

These may include the possibility that a person may flee the area or that they may not show up at scheduled court dates, as well as the person's previous criminal record. Bail may also be increased if a person is charged with a violent crime or sexual offense that causes a judge to believe that they may endanger people's safety.

When Can Bail Be Denied Completely?

In some serious cases, judges may deny bail entirely, meaning the person must stay in jail until trial. Under the Texas Constitution Article 1, Section 11, bail can be denied for capital murder cases where the proof is evident. Bail can also be denied for felonies committed while already out on bail for another felony.

Additionally, judges can deny bail if they believe the person poses a danger to the community or to specific people. This often happens in domestic violence cases where there are protective orders involved, or in cases where the person has made threats against witnesses.

When bail is denied, the person has the right to a hearing where they can argue why they should be released. An attorney can present evidence about the person's ties to the community, their lack of criminal history, or other factors that show they are not a flight risk.

What Happens If You Can’t Afford Bail?

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, the average bail amount for a felony is $10,000. This is the equivalent of more than six months’ income for many people. Many people sitting in jail because they can’t afford bail are accused of minor offenses but lack the money to pay even small bail amounts.

When you cannot afford to pay the full bail amount set by the judge, a bail bond is often the solution. Bail bond companies like us charge a percentage of the total bail amount, typically 10 percent in Texas, as a non-refundable fee. This makes release affordable for most families.

For example, if bail is set at $50,000, you would need to pay the bail bond company $5,000. The company then pays the full $50,000 bail with the court. As long as you appear at all scheduled court dates, the bond company gets their money back from the court. The $5,000 you would pay is our fee for taking the risk that you might not show up to court.

Contact Our Denton County Bail Agents

At Doc's Bail Bonds, we believe that everyone should be able to afford to post bail after being arrested. We will work with you to find affordable solutions that will allow you to be released. We understand that arrests happen at all hours, so we are available 24/7 to help you or your loved one. To learn how we can help you post bail and get out of jail, contact our Plano bail bondsmen by calling 214-747-4110.