The 2018 lawsuit of Dallas' rapping, panhandling activistagainst the city has finally closed. The lawsuit was over the constitutionalityof the misdemeanor charge that comes with roadside solicitation, orpanhandling, in the city of Dallas. When you are arrested for any misdemeanorin the DFW Metroplex and need help getting out of jail quick, Doc's Bail Bonds are the ones to turn to.We can bail you out fast and at any time of day no matter what your case is,including panhandling.

How the Issue Began

In 2018, Yvette Gbalazeh, a marijuana legalization activist,was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor for panhandling on the streets ofDeep Ellum. Once she was arrested for violating one of the city's anti-panhandlingordinances, she filed a suit. With the precedence of a similar Houston lawbeing shut down in 2013, she claimed the ordinances violated the FirstAmendment. After failing to make the case a class-action lawsuit, Gbalazehcontinued to push for compensation and for the enforcement of the city's twoanti-panhandling laws to be stopped.

With marijuana becoming legal in more and more parts of the country, there can be a lot of questions about how exactly it is allowed to be possessed. Even within the same state, different cities and counties can have vastly different policies on how to handle marijuana possession. We are going to share with you what to expect if you or a loved one is caught with marijuana in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. And if you get stuck in jail for marijuana possession or anything else, be sure to contact Doc's Bail Bonds.

What Exactly Is Legal in Texas?

Well, the short answer is that the possession and usage of marijuana is still very much illegal in the state of Texas, but some forms of cannabis have become legal to possess and use. Minimal level THC is allowed to be possessed, specifically in the form of oil. This low concentration THC is also known as hemp. CBD products containing 0.3% or less of THC also fall into the category of hemp derived substances, so they too are considered legal all over the state.

Products containing 0.5% THC or less may be prescribed by a medical doctor, but that is the only reason a product with that amount of THC would be legal. These products are to be used for medical purposes only, including conditions such as: epilepsy, terminal cancer, neurological disorders and several others.

Readjusting to society after incarceration can feel like a lonely task. Many people assume that there are very few places to turn for a second chance, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Believe it or not, there are a lot of resources for ex-inmates to find their way back into the regular routines of life, including employment for ex-cons. Five of those helpful groups can be found right here in Texas! Doc's Bail Bonds wants to point Dallas – Fort Worth ex-cons in the direction of assistance, because we understand the confusion that comes with incarceration and release. You shouldn't have to face the further punishment of unemployment after you've served your time.

1. ExOffenders.net

If you are looking for general reentry information after release and do not even know where to begin, ExOffenders.net is a great database. ExOffenders offers extensive lists of resources available to ex-cons, as well as lists of employers who are known to hire convicted felons. They even provide information on felon voting rights and how to gain back different rights and liberties on the outside.

2. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

HUD provides Section 8 vouchers to those who need housing assistance. Ex-cons are able to qualify for their programs, as long as they have not been convicted of a violent or drug-related crime. Complete information on qualification criteria and the application process can be found on the official HUD website.

When a loved one is taken into police custody, there is a frantic search for help to get them out as quickly as possible. Though there are a lot of options when it comes to bail bondsmen in Dallas, it can be difficult to know which bail bond company is the most trustworthy choice for help in your fight for release. Dallas area residents can take comfort in knowing that they have Doc's Bail Bonds ready to back them up at any time. If you are sick of jail time, call Doc's 24/7, 365 days a year!

Here Whenever You Need Us

Doc's Bail Bonds takes pride in our accessibility to the community. We offer a 24-hour hotline operated by a knowledgeable staff who is ready to take your call any day of the year, including holidays. We know how valuable every minute is when getting someone out of jail, so as soon as we answer your call, we start working tirelessly to get your situation rectified. When working with Doc's, never will you have to wait around. We will give you a quote right over the phone within minutes of calling. Once you get your quote, we can begin the paperwork process to ensure your loved one is released as soon as possible. Doc's wants to be the quick, painless cure for you or your loved one's jailtime.

Always Friendly and Understanding

Mistakes can happen to anyone at any moment, and sometimes bad things happen to good people. That's why our agents never judge; we've seen and heard it all, and we are advocates for jailed individuals. The longer you stay in jail, the higher the likelihood that something could go wrong, like a coerced confession or a violent encounter with another detainee. Let Doc's get you out fast!

One of the scariest things that can happen to someone is for them to be taken into police custody, as it impacts many aspects of an individual's life. Not only is it difficult for the person being taken away, but for their loved ones it can also be a time of intense uncertainty and fear. Doc's Bail Bonds understands the gravity of jail time, and we are ready to help DFW area families get back together and back on track. Call our friendly bail bond agents any time, day or night, when you or a loved one needs to get out of jail fast.

Decreased Job Security

Jail time can affect your work in a couple of different ways. One way is if you are unexpectedly jailed, you could miss a shift or important meeting, causing your boss and coworkers confusion and distrust in your reliability. Some jobs have very strict policies on no-call/no-shows, and when you are in jail, you will not get the opportunity to call up your employer to explain yourself or find a replacement for a shift.

In addition to this, some employers might look down on those who have served jail time, which could lead to a boss holding you on a tight leash. Not showing up to work or having a boss grow wary of you can ultimately cost you your job, affecting your home life and your family's financial security. Doc's Bail Bonds operates 24/7, 365 days a year, because we know that time is sensitive, and we cannot let a late night run-in stop you from making it to work the next day.

In times of distress, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and lost. This is especially true when jail time is involved. The rush to find and free your loved one can often be confusing, daunting even, and it might lead you in a never-ending circle, but Dallas area residents are in luck! Doc's Bail Bonds goes out of our way to make this process less stressful and more direct, no matter where you are in the DFW area.

First, Get Your Bond in Order

Dallas is a big city, and it is vital that you know exactly what is needed to even begin your search. At Doc's Bail Bonds, the first step to locating an inmate is to have their bail set up with the court. Doc's fair payment plans and quick services can get you on the road to finding your friend or family-member in minutes, even over the phone. Speed is imperative when dealing with the jail system. There is no time to bother with a bondsman who cannot set you in the right direction, so just rely on Doc's.

Start Your Search

The next thing to do is to actually begin searching for your inmate. You can always give Doc's a call to help with your search at (214) 747-4110. The friendly 24/7 hotline is waiting to take your calls and get you started. Another option is our easy to use online inmate search links. To help make your hunt more directed, our search links are separated into five DFW counties; Dallas, Collin, Denton, Grayson and Fannin. No longer do you have to go in loops to get your answers! We've compiled your resources into one simple webpage with direct links to county directories. At Doc's, we know that jail time encompasses more than just securing a bond, and we want to simplify the whole process for you.

When you hire someone for any job you are hopeful that they are reliable and good at what they do. This is especially true when they are responsible for bailing you out of jail. When quickly looking for bail bonds, it is easy to fall for a company that promises high quality business even when they are not capable of it. We are going to share with you four signs that a bail bond agent is reputable, trustworthy and ready to work for you. And who shows all of these signs? Of course, Doc's Bail Bonds.

More Than a Low Price

You get what you pay for, simple as that. When researching bail bond companies, it is important to see that they are promising more than to save you a buck. If a bondsman is only interested in the money and not the emotional and long-term logistics of your situation, they most likely do not have your best interest at heart. At the end of the day, jail time is a serious matter, and it has way more repercussions than the financial ones. Quality should be key.

Diverse Reviews

Have you ever looked at the reviews of something and felt they were ridiculously repetitive? Everyone's situation and experience with the service was basically the same? Look for a wide array of cases the bondsman has worked on. Jail time can happen to anyone, make sure that your bondsman is willing and able to work with a variety of circumstances; you never know what kind of crazy situations you could find yourself in! This is also important when it comes to getting approval. If your bondsman is only willing to work with a certain type of client or case, you might want to look for help elsewhere. Do you want someone who is picky getting you out of jail?

As 2019 draws to a close and people all across the DFW Metroplex prepare to celebrate the dawning of a new year, you can bet police will be on high alert for anyone driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Sometimes they set up roadblocks where drivers must submit to a sobriety test, and failure means a quick trip to jail. Is this legal? What should you do if you run into a DUI checkpoint this holiday season? Doc's Bail Bonds has the answers. We'll also bail you out 24/7 if you get hit with a drunk driving charge.

Are Sobriety Checkpoints Legal in Texas?

That's a gray area. While the Texas government has not specifically approved DUI checkpoints, they get treated like legal roadblocks for all intents and purposes. Opponents claim they violate a driver's right to protection from unreasonable search because everyone on the road gets pulled over and questioned, even if the officers had no probable cause to detain them. You are within your legal rights to refuse a field sobriety test or breathalyzer, but such a refusal can lead to criminal charges.

What About No-Refusal Checkpoints?

No-refusal checkpoints, as the name suggests, cannot be refused. If you find yourself at a no-refusal DUI checkpoint, you must submit to a field sobriety test or a breathalyzer, or officers have the authority to make you take a blood test – either on the spot or at the jail.

Getting out of jail is a chore, but Doc's Bail Bonds makes it go as smoothly as possible. During the holidays, you don't want to wait while a loved one sits behind bars. So what does the bail bond and check-in process look like at Doc's? Here's a guide so you'll know how we do things at our trusted Dallas bail bond company.

The Bail-Out Process

Every holiday, someone gets arrested for doing something reckless – like road destruction, for example. The state considers it an offense for anyone to damage a sign or a telephone pole by running into it. If your loved one gets arrested, it's up to a family member or friend to bail them out. Enter Doc's Bail Bonds.

When a father, mother, or friend calls up Doc's to post a bond, we assess what kind of a charge you're posting for and work from there. If the offense is a Class C Misdemeanor, bonds run from about $500-$750. Smaller crimes, or Class B misdemeanors, typically post for $150. Everyone who needs a bond must come to the office and co-sign for it themselves, since Doc's can't post any bonds without a signature (two signatures are needed – the co-signer and the arrestee's).

Identity theft is still a problem today. According to a 2019 study by Javelin Strategy and Research, 14.4 million people in America fell victim to identity fraud in 2018, representing a total of $14.7 billion dollars in losses.

But how is it that so much crime happens during the holidays? Many people observe the chaos of the season and determine to take advantage of the shopping rushes, charitable giving, and unoccupied homes to commit acts of crime spanning the whole nation. Even with the police ramping up their vigilance during the holidays, somebody's holiday out there is ruined by those on the loose during this festive season.

Here's a list of the top five most common crimes during the holidays and how to avoid falling victim to them.

Are the conditions in Dallas County jails really all that grueling? 

Lew Sterrett Justice Center is one of Dallas County's largest jails, otherwise known as the gloomy compound sitting alongside Trinity River. Constructed in 1993, it's a relative eyesore on the river. And in January of last year, Shannon Daves, a homeless and unemployed resident in Dallas County, found herself trapped inside. Without the money to pay for her $500 bail for alleged shoplifting from Macy's, she had to wait out her unconvicted sentence behind the bars of Lew Sterrett. 

Daves described the path she went on to the local ACLU during her time of arrest in Lew Sterrett. Needless to say, it wasn't pretty.

According to national statistics, two-thirds of all of the people behind bars have not been convicted of a crime.  Although the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution prohibits excessive bail, the price range remains just out of reach for many Americans who still simply can't afford to pay it.

High bail costs are a huge reason why arrested, non-convicted citizens stay locked up for months or years at a time. But don't give up hope. Here are several things you can do when you or someone you know can't afford to pay bail.

Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer 

Bail amounts are not set in stone. Anyone can hire a criminal defense lawyer to plead their case before the judge and request a lower bail. Your criminal defense lawyer can successfully work with the court to negotiate a lower bail amount. If the bail amount places an undue economic hardship on the defendant, for example, the bail may be lowered, but that decision ultimately rests with the judge.

Failing to appear in court will forfeit your bail bond deposit, return you to jail, and force you to put money down on a new bail bond. With consequences like these, who would miss a court date?

According to research by the Bureau of Justice from 1990-2004, the vast majority of defendants who miss their court date isn't because they're trying to flee town. Here are a few reasons why people often miss their court date, even when the stakes are high.

Defendants Have Extenuating Circumstances

Prosecutors often say that suspects failing to appear in court is a means of evading justice. But oftentimes, it's extenuating circumstances that keep folks from showing up in court.

Governor Greg Abbott called for statewide bail reform after Texas officer Damon Allen was killed in 2017. The man who killed Allen was previously convicted of assaulting an officer in 2015, as well as ramming into a deputy's vehicle two years later. For the first conviction, he served one year in jail. For the second conviction, he was released on a $15,500 bond, according to Smith County local news. However, the issue highlighted was the fact that the judge allowed bail. Because the man who killed Allen was clearly a risk to the public, he should not have been given the option. The judge who set the bail said he was unaware of the man's previous convictions.

The proposed bill—titled the Damon Allen Act—surfaces as several counties in Texas (as well as municipalities across the country) fight lawsuits challenging their existing bail practices. Harris County, which includes Houston, recently announced dramatic changes to its current bail practices. These specifically address its detainment of defendants accused of minor offenses.

RELATED: The Damon Allen Act: 2019 Bail Reform in Texas?

The heated debate around Dallas' bail bond system has been an ongoing issue for several years now. After a series of lawsuits (and counter-lawsuits), both Dallas and Harris County are finding themselves torn in the middle of an inconclusive back-and-forth—a limbo, if you will. Today, Dallas lawmakers and county officials are planning to implement a new system; one that strikes a balance between our current bail process and one that eliminates bail for detainees considered 'flight risks,' or a 'danger to society.'

For context, Governor Greg Abbott introduced the Damon Allen Act in 2018, named after a Texas State Trooper who was gunned down by a violent criminal recently released on bail. Because the murderer's previous charges included assault of a deputy sheriff, the crime's controversial nature prompted Texas lawmakers to propose limiting bail options to specific, non-violent individuals.

While this particular bill is still being debated, one thing is certain: the algorithm-based system determining who can get a bail bond—which other counties and states already use—is likely a big part of Dallas's future. Here are a few things you need to know about this system, and why it's a big deal.

If you found out about an active warrant for your arrest, you may have a hundred thoughts running through your mind. For what? Is the Dallas Police Department (DPD) looking for you? Can you drive?

Before anything, you must know exactly why you have a warrant, and what it's for. Depending on who you are, you may know exactly what it's for. Other times, it may simply be due to forgetting to pay a ticket (which is common). Before you take any steps towards trying to resolve this situation, you must know the details of your warrant. Some examples of key information you need to know are:

• Why you have a warrant
• When it became effective
• Which district, county, or state it applies

While your warrant notice (the letter) states all the above information, it never hurts to learn more. With your unique case number (as stated in the letter), you can find your detailed records either online or over the phone.

If you've recently been arrested, we understand the last few days were tough. This is especially true if you missed work—and even worse if you didn't get to call your boss ahead of time. While it's a terrible thing to happen, it happens to the best of us. The folks at Doc's Bail Bonds fully understand the gravity of this scenario and have seen it play out thousands of times during our field of work—which is why we've decided to share some advice on how to keep your job after an arrest.

We're aware most bail bond companies don't have true concern for the overall well-being of their clients, perhaps feeding into the common stereotype of The Greedy Bailbondsman™️. However, there are many benefits when working with an honest, genuine, and reputable bail bond company—such as free advice. That's why we've compiled a short list of ways to tell your boss about your arrest safely.

First, what do we mean by 'safely?' This means it's done in a way that is both honorable and honest; two very distinct traits most celebrated by most employers in North Texas.

While it's indeed more affordable to live in Texas, there is one thing the state slaps a high price tag on—crime. Committing a crime in Dallas county can accrue thousands of dollars in fines and fees, regardless of severity. Of course, one could theoretically save money by staying in jail—although that involves months, even years at the Dallas County Jail (or another detention facility). In fact, according to a national survey, around 70% of people detained in United States jails are only there because they can't afford bail. Ignore the fact that this theoretically means only 30% of current inmates are actually violent, hardened criminals—70% can't afford bail.

What's even more upsetting is of that 70%, how many do you think know they can get a bail bond without paying for it in full? Although most facilities set their bail at 10% of the total bond, it's still a lot of money to have to pay. Take this into consideration: the highest possible bond for a misdemeanor is typically set at $2,000. So, someone arrested for a minor crime has to pay upwards of $200 just to get out. This doesn't include any additional fines and fees, such as court costs and state taxes.

Many Ways to Get a Bail Bond

When you take this into account, it makes sense why so many remain in jail despite committing a small crime. However, it doesn't have to be this way. Many are unaware of the vast array of options available to them when it comes to bail bonds. Despite bail bond amounts usually being large, many bail bond companies offer alternative methods of payment. Of course, this isn't true for all bail bond companies; a lot of times, bail bondsmen only seek profit and thus refuse to offer any amenities or alternative methods of payment. This results in hopelessness, more stress, and jail time.

In August of 2018, Texas Governor Greg Abbott proposed the Damon Allen Act. This bill wants to protect police officers—and communities—after a Texas trooper was murdered by a convict with an extensive criminal record last Thanksgiving. In fact, there are now two sets of bail reform bills named after Texas troopers killed by a criminal—out of jail on bond. Both instances were for assaulting a sheriff's deputy. The criminal who killed Texas trooper Damon Allen didn't only have prior convictions of assaulting a sheriff's deputy, but also had convictions for assaulting a public servant and evading arrest.

The reason this hardened criminal was free on bond despite these violent charges was due to miscommunication. The Justice of the Peace in this situation was unaware of his criminal history—and his past convictions. It's been said this potentially highlighted some issues of magistrate information access.

Texas Known to Slam Bail Reform

This isn't the first time bail reform laws were proposed. In 2017, Texas lawmakers tried to pass extensive laws reforming the bail bond system, which failed. Since then, there have been several lawsuits against Texas counties (that were successful). In fact, two of Texas' most populous counties—Harris and Dallas—were at the front lines of those lawsuits. Federal judges in this case claimed the reform attempts to be unconstitutional. However, with recent events, this topic is making new rounds. Lawmakers predict that in 2019, bail reform issues will return to the headlines as Texas legislators renew their platform—once again sparking the long-disputed call to reform bail bond laws.

If you've ever been charged and arrested for a crime in Dallas, you know how time-consuming—and expensive—it is. This is especially true in Dallas and Collin County, where there are hundreds of inmates detained in jail for long periods of time—even for small crimes. In fact, according to a national survey, 70% of inmates detained in United States jails have not been convicted of a crime. While this is largely due to affordability and expensive bail bonds, there's another factor many forget. Many inmates end up staying in jail for long periods of time because of slow paperwork. While a small amount of this is due to understaffing, the main reason for slow paperwork is the bail bonds companies themselves.

After being arrested in Dallas County, inmates most likely go to the Dallas County Jail. Of course, this depends on the nature of the crime and the criminal themselves. Even paperwork for the smallest of crimes—involving jail time—can take too long for most bail bondsmen. A class A misdemeanor (the most severe of low crimes) results in up to one year in jail. While misdemeanors may be seem easy to process, for many bail bondsmen, they're not.

Don't Wait in Jail

However, people arrested for a crime don't have to wait in jail at all. Doc's Bail Bonds is not only open 24/7, but is the fastest bail bondsmen in Dallas County. While many think getting a bail bond is all about the money, they forget about how crucial the time factor is. Below are three basic reasons why time-sensitivity is the most important feature in a bail bonds company: