Being arrested can be a scary experience for both a person and any family members or friends who are looking to help them get released. The person who is arrested will be held at a police station, jail, or holding facility, and when behind bars, they may feel powerless and uncertain about how they can get back to their normal lives. A person’s loved ones will often be looking to help them put together enough money to post bail, but navigating the systems followed by jails and courts in these cases can be confusing. Fortunately, a bail bondsman is here to help, and they can post bail on someone’s behalf and make sure the person will get released quickly. Here are some questions you will want to ask when working with a bail agent:

How Quickly Can a Person Be Released?

The amount of time before a person can get out of jail after being arrested can vary. In some cases, a person may need to wait until a bail hearing is held at which a judge will set the amount of bail. After bail is set, making payments and ensuring that all paperwork is in order can also take time, and this will often depend on how busy a jail is on a certain day and time. Fortunately, Doc’s Bail Bonds can help speed this process along as much as possible. With our knowledge of the jails in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and our experience working with personnel at these facilities, we can make sure payments are made quickly, and we can help meet all of the requirements for a person’s release.

How Much Will Need to Be Paid?

The amount of bail set by a judge will usually be based on the offense a person is charged with, and other factors may also be considered, such as the person’s criminal history and whether they may not show up for court dates as required in the future. Fortunately, a person who has been arrested or loved ones who are helping post bail will usually not have to pay the full amount of bail. When you work with Doc’s Bail Bonds, you will only be required to pay 10 percent of the total amount in most cases.

In many cases, people who are charged with criminal offenses will receive sentences of community supervision, which is more commonly known as probation. This will allow them to avoid serving time in prison, continue living in their community, and maintain employment. However, there are a number of restrictions that will apply to a person during a period of probation, and violating these restrictions may result in an arrest. A person who has been arrested based on a probation violation will want to understand the steps they can take to address this issue, including whether they may be able to obtain a bail bond that will allow them to be released from police custody.

Understanding Probation Violations

Generally, when a person is sentenced to probation, they will need to meet a number of ongoing requirements, and they may be restricted from participating in certain activities. These restrictions and requirements may include:

• Maintaining steady employment

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For many people, the holiday season offers a chance to take a vacation, relax, spend time with family and friends, and participate in enjoyable activities while preparing to begin a new year. Unfortunately, nothing can ruin these festivities like getting arrested. Even though many people may be staying home or keeping their celebrations small this year due to the ongoing pandemic, others may be planning to attend Christmas celebrations or spend time out and about on New Year’s Eve. Because police are aware of the potential for drunk driving while people are celebrating, they will be looking to arrest anyone who may potentially be intoxicated. Those who are arrested and charged with DWI will need to understand their options for posting bail and getting released.

Increased Drunk Driving Stops and Arrests Over the New Year’s Holiday

Law enforcement officials have stated that the rate of drunk or intoxicated driving increases significantly during the holidays, and because of this, they regularly increase their enforcement efforts during this time of year. The Texas Department of Transportation has reported that there were 2,462 car wrecks in the state in 2020 between December 1 and January 1 that involved drunk driving or other forms of intoxication, and these led to 215 injuries and 93 deaths. In addition, the Texas Highway Patrol performed 615 DWI arrests during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays in 2020.

Getting arrested and being charged with a crime can cause a great deal of difficulty for a person and their family at any time of year, but these issues can be especially problematic during the holiday season. Dealing with legal issues related to a criminal case may throw a wrench into a family’s plans to travel for winter vacations, give gifts, and celebrate the holidays together. Most of the time, a person who has been arrested will be able to post bail and be released from jail, but they will need to understand how this will affect their other activities during the holidays.

Bail-Related Restrictions

After being arrested, a person will be taken into police custody, and they will be held until they have the chance to appear before a judge in an arraignment. While some courts may operate at reduced capacity during the holiday season, an arraignment must be held within 48 hours after a person is arrested. At the arraignment, the judge will set an amount of bail, and they may also impose some restrictions that will apply to a person after they are released.

The holiday season, which lasts between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, is usually thought of as an opportunity to spend time with loved ones, give and receive gifts, and enjoy time off work. Unfortunately, nothing can ruin this season like being arrested and charged with a crime. When a person is arrested, they and their loved ones will want to determine how they can get out of jail as soon as possible, which will help avoid any issues that could affect their ability to spend time with loved ones, as well as their employment and income. By posting bail after a person is arrested, they can get released quickly and avoid problems that could affect their holiday plans.

Common Criminal Offenses During the Holiday Season

Reasons for criminal arrests during the holidays may include:

• Driving while intoxicated - Many people attend holiday parties, including family get-togethers, events at friends’ homes, and gatherings at bars and restaurants. These parties often involve alcoholic beverages, and some people may also use other substances. When driving home from these events, police officers may pull a person over, and they may decide to arrest them on DWI charges. In these cases, a person will not only need to understand how they can be released from custody, but they will also need to determine whether their driver’s license will be suspended and whether they will need to find other methods of transportation.

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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. 

If you have learned that a family member or friend has been arrested, you may wish to determine how you can help them get released as soon as possible. Being forced to remain in jail can cause a great deal of difficulty in a person’s life, and by bailing them out of jail, you can ensure that they will be able to avoid missing work or suffering other consequences, such as the loss of custody of their children. By working with a bail bondsman throughout the bail bond process, you can ensure that you follow all of the correct steps to allow your loved one to be released.

Steps in the Bail Bond Process

1. Find out where the person is being detained and their booking status - Although you may know where a person was arrested, you may be unsure about which police department, jail, or holding facility they have been taken to. If necessary, we can assist with an inmate search to help you locate your loved one. Once they have been located, you will also need to determine whether they have been booked and whether they will need to complete an arraignment where an amount of bail will be set before they can be released.

2. Determine the amount and conditions of bail - After bail has been set by a judge, this amount will need to be paid before a person can be released. A judge may also impose certain restrictions, such as requiring the person to submit to GPS monitoring and regular drug testing, or they may be restricted from leaving a specific geographical area. If the full amount of bail is paid, this amount will be refunded once your loved one’s criminal case is completed.

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Lawmakers in Texas have been considering a new law that would make changes to the state’s bail system, and after this bill was passed in September 2021, it was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott. While this law will not affect everyone who has been arrested, it may play a significant role in many cases, and some people may have more difficulty posting bail and getting released from prison. Fortunately, a qualified bail agent can ensure that people who have been arrested are able to receive a bail bond that will allow them to get out of jail while their case is pending.

Details of the Bail Reform Law

One of the primary goals of the new law is to help avoid situations where violent offenders may be released and commit additional crimes that cause harm to the public. To address this issue, the law has eliminated the ability for judges to issue personal bonds for those who have been charged with violent crimes or who have been arrested for felony charges, misdemeanor assault, or firearm-related charges while out on bail for another charge. A personal bond allows a person to be released without making a cash payment, although other restrictions may be imposed, such as GPS monitoring or mandatory drug testing. 

Opponents of the bill believe that it will not actually reduce violent crime, but it will instead result in people who cannot afford to pay bail being forced to stay in prison until the conclusion of their criminal case. This issue is much more likely to affect Black people and other minorities, causing them and their families to experience difficulties as they remain in jail.

For most people who are arrested, the process can be frightening and confusing, and they will be wondering when they can be released from police custody and return to their normal lives. A person can usually get out of jail by posting bail, but coming up with the money to do so is not always easy. Fortunately, by working with a bail bondsman, a person or their friends or family members can pay the amount of bail set by a judge quickly, allowing them to be released as soon as possible. In cases involving illegal drugs or controlled substances, the amount of bail will often depend on the specific charges. By understanding these charges, a person can make sure they take the right approach during their case.

Drug Charges in Texas

For most drug crimes, the seriousness of an offense will depend on a drug’s penalty group and the amount of drugs involved in a case. The state of Texas considers substances in Penalty Group 1 to be the most dangerous drugs, while drugs in Penalty Group 2 are less dangerous, those in Penalty Group 3 are even less dangerous, and so on. Marijuana is not included in any of the penalty groups, but it is considered separately, and it can also carry serious penalties. 

Generally, drug crimes will fall into one of the following categories:

Fall is “back to school” season, and during this time, many college students leave home for the first time or return to campus to attend classes. While most college students are at least 18 years old, making them legal adults, they have not yet fully matured, and they can often engage in risky behavior or unlawful activity without considering the consequences. If a child is arrested while attending college, parents will usually be very concerned about what they can do, including whether they will be able to post bail to ensure that their child can be released from custody and return to their classes. This is especially true in cases where children are attending college far away from where their parents live. By understanding the issues that may affect their child’s case, a parent can make sure they are taking the right steps to help them resolve these matters properly.

Bail for College Students

After a college student is arrested, they will appear before a judge, who will set an amount of bail that must be paid before they can be released. This amount will vary depending on the offense the student is charged with. For minor offenses, such as shoplifting, vandalism, or public intoxication, bail may be set at a few hundred dollars. However, bail will usually be higher for more serious offenses, such as sexual assault or injuring someone while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Restrictions may be placed on a student following their release, such as prohibiting them from leaving the area or associating with other people involved in the alleged offense. A student will also be required to appear in court for all scheduled hearings during their case.

How Doc’s Bail Bonds Can Help

The best way for a student to pay bail and get released is to obtain a bail bond. A parent can secure a bail bond on their child’s behalf, and in most cases, they will only be required to pay 10 percent of the total amount of bail. A bail bondsman will then post bail on behalf of the student and ensure that all procedures are followed correctly so that they can be released from jail.

Anyone who is arrested will want to get released from custody as soon as possible. To get out of jail, a person will usually be required to post bail. By paying a certain amount of money, a person will be able to return home and resume their normal activities while their criminal case is ongoing. However, people who have been released and those who have helped them post bail will need to understand the conditions that they may be required to follow.

Common Bail Conditions

Bail is meant to ensure that a person who is released from custody will appear in court when required. A judge will decide on an appropriate amount of bail based on the charges a person is facing and other factors, such as whether they may fail to appear in court or whether they may be a danger to others in the community. Based on these factors, a judge may also place certain conditions on a person when setting bail. These may include:

• Travel restrictions - To ensure that a person does not attempt to flee, a judge may require them to stay within a certain geographical area, such as the city or county where they live. If they plan to travel to other areas within the same state or to other states while their case is ongoing, a person may need to obtain written permission from the court. International travel will typically be forbidden until a person’s criminal matter has been resolved.

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In Texas, most people who are arrested and charged with a crime have the right to be released on bail. However, people sometimes struggle to pay the amount of bail set by a judge, and if they cannot pay, they may be forced to remain in jail while their criminal case is pending. A new bill that is currently being considered by Texas lawmakers may create additional difficulties for those who have been arrested, and criminal justice advocates believe that if this law is passed, it would disproportionately affect people of color.

Details of the Bail Reform Bill

Currently, Texas judges have discretion in most cases regarding whether to set cash bail or to release a defendant on a personal bond without the requirement to pay bail. The new law would prohibit personal bonds in cases where a person is charged with a violent crime or when a person is arrested and charged with a felony after being released on bail or community supervision for a violent crime charge. Applicable violent crimes include murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, sexual assault, injury to a child, domestic assault, or continuous violence against the family.

The law would also require judges to receive training for duties related to setting bail, and it would create a public safety report system that would provide information about a defendant to determine whether they are eligible for a personal bond or whether cash bail should be set. This system would include information about a person’s previous criminal history, including misdemeanor or felony convictions, previous jail sentences, and any previous failures to appear in court as required after being released on bail. When setting bail, judges would be required to consider whether the person is charged with a violent crime, their criminal history, and their citizenship status.

After being arrested, nobody wants to spend time in jail. Unfortunately, some people may worry that they have no other options, especially if the judge in their case requires them to pay a certain amount of bail before they can be released. If you are worried about your ability to afford this amount, you may wonder if it would be better if you simply remained in police custody during your case. However, this can cause a variety of problems that may affect your criminal case, your personal life, and even your health. To avoid these issues, you can work with a bail bondsman to post bail and get out of jail as quickly as possible.

Problems With Staying in Jail

The longer you remain in jail, the more ways your life will be negatively affected. By getting out of prison, you can avoid issues such as:

• Loss of employment and harm to personal relationships - Time spent in jail is time when you cannot work and earn an income. If you do not show up to work, you will likely lose your job, and it may also be more difficult to find work once you are released. The loss of income can also affect your ability to pay ongoing expenses and provide for your family. Being unable to pay child support and spend time with your children could result in additional consequences, including the loss of child custody. Even if you are able to avoid financial problems, being unable to communicate or spend time with family members or friends can cause permanent damage to these relationships.

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After being arrested, a person will usually need to take certain steps and meet a number of requirements before they can be released. In many cases, a judge will set bail, and the person will be released once this amount is paid. While a person may be able to pay the full amount of bail, securing a bail bond is often the better option, since the person will usually only be required to pay 10% of the full bail amount. However, in some instances, a person may be able to receive a personal bond where they will not be required to post bail.

What Is a Personal Bond?

The purpose of bail is to make sure a person shows up in court when required. The bail that a person pays to the court will be refunded once their case has been completed, and if the person does not meet all of their requirements, this amount will be forfeited. If a judge does not believe that bail would be needed to ensure that a person will appear in court, they may choose to issue a personal bond. This is also known as being “released on one’s own recognizance.”

A personal bond functions as an agreement in which a person will commit to appearing in court for future proceedings throughout their case. A judge may also place certain requirements or restrictions on a person during their release, such as requiring them to undergo treatment for drug or alcohol abuse or submit to drug tests during their case. A judge may still set an amount of bail, and if the person does not meet all requirements during their case, they may be responsible for paying the full amount. Other penalties may apply as well, such as being taken back into custody or facing additional criminal charges.

Being arrested and charged with a crime can be a difficult situation for anyone to deal with. A judge will usually set bail for a person, and after this amount is paid (usually through a bail bond), they will be released from jail while their criminal case is ongoing. However, there are some situations where a person may be arrested for a separate offense after being released on bail. In these cases, it is important to understand how a second arrest may affect both the original criminal case and the new charges the person may be facing.

Consequences of Being Re-Arrested After Being Released on Bail

The bail a person pays for their initial arrest is separate from any bail ordered for a second arrest. This means that any bail that was already paid cannot be used as bail for a new criminal charge. When bail is set following a new arrest, the judge may take the previous arrest and criminal charge into account, and this may result in higher bail for the second charge. Depending on the severity of the crime and factors such as whether a person is considered a flight risk, bail may be denied altogether, and the person may be required to remain in prison throughout their case.

A second arrest may also lead a judge to revoke bail for the original arrest. In these cases, the amount of bail that was previously paid may be forfeited. A second arrest that took place in a different jurisdiction from the first arrest can also lead to additional complications since a person who is being held in jail will be unable to attend court hearings in the initial jurisdiction. This may result in additional penalties.

Following a person’s arrest, an amount of bail will be set by a judge, and this amount must be paid before the person can be released from custody. This amount can vary based on several different factors, but the specific offense that the person is charged with is often the primary issue that a judge will consider. For more serious offenses such as felonies, crimes involving a victim, and situations where a person may be a threat to public safety, bail will usually be set at a higher amount. While paying thousands of dollars or more may not be possible for a person who has been arrested, they and their family members or friends can obtain a bail bond, where they will usually only be required to pay 10% of the total amount set by the judge.

Criminal Offenses With High Bail Amounts

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

Many people who get arrested have little to no experience with the criminal justice system. In these cases, a person and their family members may not fully understand their requirements for posting bail and getting released. The various myths about bail and the misconceptions people may have about bail bondsmen can add to this confusion. However, with the right bail agent on your side, you can make sure you understand the bail bonds process, and you can help a person get out of jail quickly. As you address issues related to bail, you will want to understand the truth behind the following myths:

Myth #1: A Person Must Pay Cash Bail in Full Before They Can Be Released

When discussing the amount that must be paid before a person can be released from police custody, people often use the term “cash bail.” Because of this, it is understandable that you may think you will need to put down a certain amount in cash. If you do not have significant financial resources, you may feel that there is no way you will be able to come up with thousands of dollars in cash on short notice, and getting out of jail may seem impossible.

However, when you work with a bail bondsman, you will usually only need to pay 10% of the total amount of bail. This amount will not need to be paid in cash or even all at once. At Doc’s Bail Bonds, we accept credit cards, and we can also work with you to create a payment plan without performing any credit checks. If you need time to raise money, we can hold property as collateral. We will work with you to make sure posting bail will be as affordable as possible.

If you receive a call letting you know that someone you know has been arrested, you may be looking to see how you can help them get out of jail. In many cases, they will be required to post bail before they can be released, and you may want to determine how you can help them do so. However, the process of posting bail can be complex, and you will want to understand the steps you will need to take and the requirements that you must meet once the person is released. 

Gathering the Proper Information

If your loved one is being held at a local jail or police department, you will need to make sure you have all the necessary information to post bail on their behalf. You will need to determine the facility where they are being held, the offense they have been charged with, and the amount of bail that has been set by a judge. You may also need to provide identifying information, such as the person’s birth date. If you do not know where a person is being held, Doc’s Bail Bonds provides inmate location services, and we can help you obtain any other required information.

Obtaining a Bail Bond

While you may pay the full amount of bail set by the judge, it is often a better idea to work with a bail bondsman. When doing so, you will only be required to pay 10% of the full amount of bail in most cases. At Doc’s Bail Bonds, we will take care of the process of posting bail and making sure your loved one can be released. You will not need to be physically present to obtain a bail bond, and we can assist you no matter where you are located, ensuring that you can bail your loved one out of jail even if you are in another city, county, or state. We also provide affordable payment options, including accepting collateral in place of cash or setting up a flexible payment plan with no credit checks.

Being arrested and charged with a crime can be a scary experience, and a person will often be worried about whether they will be able to be released from jail quickly. One major concern that can affect a person or their friends or family members is how to afford the amount of bail set by the judge in their case. Fortunately, by using a bail bond, a person can get out of jail without being required to pay the full amount of bail. 

In most cases, a bail bond will only cost 10% of the total bail amount. However, it can sometimes be difficult to put together this amount of money. In these cases, a person or their family members may turn over collateral to be held by a bail bondsman until they can raise the necessary funds. Collateral may include any items of value, including:

• Real estate - A home or piece of land is often among the most valuable property owned by a person. To use real estate as collateral, a deed of trust will need to be filed giving authority over the property to the bail bond company, and a lien will usually be placed on the property. Usually, the equity a person owns in their property will need to be equal to or greater than the amount of bail.

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There are many different ways that a person can come in contact with police officers, and if an officer believes that the person has violated the law, they may perform an arrest and take the person into custody. Fortunately, those who have been arrested are usually able to get released quickly by posting bail. The amount of bail that a person will be required to pay will depend on the severity of their offense, their past history of arrests or convictions, and whether they may attempt to flee the area to avoid criminal prosecution. 

In the city of Dallas and the surrounding areas, including Fort Worth, Collin County, and Denton County, the most common offenses that result in arrests include:

• Assault - These charges may involve accusations of family violence or committed injuries or threats against someone else. Assault may be charged as a misdemeanor, although felony charges may apply if the person allegedly injured someone.

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