People who have been arrested will often struggle to determine how they can get released. When a judge sets a high amount of bail, a person and their family may be unsure about how they will be able to pay this amount. While a bail bondsman can provide assistance and pay bail on behalf of a person, the cost of a bail bond is usually 10 percent of the total amount of bail. For high amounts of bail or for those who do not have significant financial resources, even coming up with 10 percent may be difficult. In some cases, people may turn to charitable organizations for help, but due to recent law changes in Texas, they may be unsure about whether this will be an option.

Texas Law and Charitable Bail Organizations

The Texas legislature passed a bail reform bill in 2021 that affected many people who are arrested and who are seeking a release from police custody. Originally, the bill that was proposed by the Texas Senate sought to limit the cases where bail funds or other “charitable bail organizations” could post bail on people’s behalf. However, the final version of the bill removed these restrictions, and people can generally receive assistance from these organizations when needed.

The law detailed the requirements that organizations will need to meet to be able to accept public donations and use the money raised to post bail on behalf of defendants. These include:

If you or someone you love have been arrested and charged with a crime, you may be unsure of what will happen next. The criminal justice system can be complicated and confusing, and in most cases, the first step a person will need to take is to determine how they can get out of jail. This is usually done by posting bail, but as you may know, new laws have been passed recently, and the rules followed when setting and paying bail have changed. Fortunately, you can get released by obtaining a bail bond. The bail agents at Doc’s Bail Bonds can explain the rules that apply to you and the procedures that will be followed in your case.

Bail Reform Laws and Changes to Policies

In 2021, Texas passed a new law that requires cash bail for people who have been arrested and charged with violent crimes. Judges will also be required to consider a person’s criminal history when setting bail, and even if a person is charged with a misdemeanor or a lower-level offense, they may need to pay high amounts of bail if they had previously been convicted of a violent crime. This law went into effect on December 2, 2021.

Authorities in Harris County have also recently made some changes to how bail bonds are handled for certain types of crimes. Court officials had become concerned that some bail agents were posting bail on behalf of offenders at discounted rates, allowing some people to be released without paying a significant percentage of the amount of bail set by a judge. The Harris County Bail Bond Board passed a new regulation that will require bail bondsmen to charge a 10 percent fee for people charged with violent or sexual offenses, including murder, sexual assault, child abuse or neglect, aggravated assault, or violation of an order of protection. 

Few things can be as worrying as learning that a loved one has been arrested and may face criminal charges. In many cases, a person who is accused of committing a crime will be placed in a difficult and intimidating situation, with limited ability to contact others or determine how they can be released. A person may also need to deal with interrogations or threats that they will face serious charges if they do not cooperate with police officers. In these situations, family members will often want to help their loved one get released quickly so they can determine how to defend against criminal charges. By understanding the options for receiving a bail bond, a family member can make sure they take the correct steps to help a person get out of jail as soon as possible.

Steps to Follow After an Arrest

The first thing a family member will need to do is to determine where a person is being held. After being arrested, a person may be taken to a police station, or they may be booked into a local jail or detention facility. If necessary, a bail bondsman from Doc’s Bail Bonds can help perform an inmate search to locate a person and determine their current status.

After determining where a person is being held, a family member will want to obtain as much information about their case as possible. This information may include the person’s booking number at a jail or detention facility, the specific charges they are facing, the amount of bail set by a judge, and any other restrictions that a person will apply to a person after they are released from custody. With this information, a bail bondsman can make sure the correct steps will be followed to post bail and ensure that the person can get out of jail. Our bail agents can help gather this information and determine whether there are any other important details that will need to be addressed.

Watching a boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, or other loved one be arrested and placed in the back of a police vehicle is a terrifying experience to go through. You may not know what is going on or what to expect next. Many people are unfamiliar with the criminal justice system, so they are left completely bewildered and unsure of how to respond when a partner is arrested. To add to the stress of the situation, many people in this circumstance cannot afford to bail their loved one out of jail. If this describes you, do not lose hope. You may be able to secure a bail bond and get your loved one out of police custody.

How Does Bail Work?

When someone is arrested for drunk driving, drug possession, or another offense, they are taken into police custody. The individual may be released in exchange for a monetary deposit called bail. The court holds the deposit and uses it as collateral. In theory, bail encourages the criminal defendant to show up for his or her court date. The court holds the bail money until the criminal proceedings are complete. If a defendant cannot pay bail, he or she may need to stay in police custody until his or her court date. This can be extremely difficult for individuals with jobs, family obligations, and other responsibilities. Unfortunately, bail is often prohibitively expensive. Most people do not have tens of thousands of dollars lying around. People in this situation may be able to secure a bail bond to pay bail and get their loved one out of jail.

A Bail Bond is Used to Pay Bail and Get a Defendant Out of Jail

People who cannot pay the full bail amount may be able to secure bail through a bail bondsman or agent. The bail bondsman posts bail on your behalf and you pay a fee, usually 10 percent of the total bail amount. For example, if the bail is $15,000, you would pay the bail bondsmen $1,500. Many people are able to use their own savings, loans from friends and family, and other financial resources to post bail when they go through bail bondsmen. At Doc’s Bail Bonds, we also offer affordable and flexible financing plans.

If the police have probable cause to believe that an individual has committed a crime, they have the authority to place that person under arrest. The person may be handcuffed and placed in the back of the police vehicle. Many people are unsure of what happens next. How does the arrest and booking process work in Texas? What can I do if my loved one was arrested? In this blog, we will discuss what happens if someone gets arrested in Texas and how you can post bail and get someone out of jail after an arrest.  

Individuals Arrested on Suspicion of a Crime

An arrest may follow a failed roadside breathalyzer test, an alleged act of family violence, or any number of incidents. Police may also arrest someone if an arrest warrant has been issued. Each case is different, but the process usually consists of the following:

• Arrest – A criminal suspect is usually handcuffed and placed in a police vehicle.

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There are many situations where the police may be called to address potential domestic violence. While these cases may involve allegations of physical violence or other forms of abuse, they may also occur because of an argument that got out of control or even a misunderstanding by neighbors or other outside observers. When officers are called to the scene of a family violence case, they have a number of requirements, including informing alleged victims of their rights to request a restraining order. While officers are not required to perform arrests in these cases, they may do so if they believe there is evidence that a person has committed domestic assault or other crimes against members of their family or household. Those who are arrested in these situations will need to understand the restrictions that may apply to them once they post bail and get released from custody.

Conditions of Bond and Other Restrictions in Family Violence Cases

A person who is arrested based on alleged family violence may be officially charged with multiple types of criminal offenses. The most common charge in these cases is assault, which may apply if a person is accused of intentionally causing physical injury to their spouse or another family member or threatening to injure a person in their household. A person may even be charged with assault if they allegedly made physical contact with a family member in a manner that is considered “offensive or provocative.” This means that something as simple as poking your finger into your partner’s chest during an argument could be interpreted as domestic assault, and this could be the basis of criminal charges.

Once criminal charges are officially filed, a person will usually be required to post bail before they can be released from police custody. The amount of bail that a judge will set may vary depending on whether the judge believes that the person is a danger to the community or whether they may fail to show up in court in the future when required. 

Those who have been arrested and charged with crimes will need to understand their options for defense. However, the first priority for many people is determining how they can be released from custody, allowing them to resume their normal lives and take steps to defend against criminal charges. Since theft and related offenses such as burglary are some of the most common reasons for criminal arrests, those who are facing these types of charges will need to understand how they can post bail and get out of jail quickly.

Theft and Burglary Charges in Texas

The ability to post bail will often depend on the severity of the charges a person is facing. The bail amount set by a judge may be based on whether a person has been charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense. Other factors that may affect bail include previous arrests or convictions and the possibility that a person will fail to show up for future legal proceedings.

The severity of theft charges will depend on the amount of money or the value of goods or services that a person is accused of stealing. In Texas, the potential charges for theft include:

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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