An arrest for a felony can be very hectic and almost unbearable for both the one involved and their family. The entire process of arrest is only the start of a long legal battle, affecting personal as well as professional life. However, there is an answer that makes it faster and gets out of jail by staying under bail till the beginning of the trial: bail bonds. Knowing how bail bonds work can make all the difference for the Houston, TX residents who have felony charges. It allows getting out of jail quickly and begins the preparation of the next steps in the legal process. Let’s explore what a bail bond in Houston TX is how it functions and why, in this case, for Houston residents who have been arrested for a felony.
What Are Bail Bonds?
1. The Basics of Bail
If a person has been arrested and charged with a crime, that person may be allowed to post bail. Bail is an amount of money that a court decides as a guarantee for the appearance of the accused before the judiciary on the scheduled date of appearances. In case the defendant does not appear before the court, then the bail amount is forfeited and an arrest warrant is issued. Bail can vary significantly based on the severity of the offense, the defendant’s criminal record, and the danger of flight.
2. Bail Bonds and Their Role
Most people could not afford to pay the full bail amount. This is where the bail bonds become effective. Technically speaking, a bail bond is a loan that the defendant receives from the bail bond agent, thereby allowing the defendant to get out of jail without having to pay the full amount of the bail. Generally, the bail bondsman gets a non-refundable fee from the defendant, which is around 10% of the overall bail amount. In this case, the bail bondsman gets an obligation for the full bail whereas in other cases the defendant will present themselves in court.
The Process of Bail Bonds in Houston TX for Felony Arrests
1. Arrest and Bail process
When arrested for a felony in Houston, Texas, the detainee is taken to the booking process at the local jail for fingerprinting, photography, and other processes. By this stage of the process, a bail amount shall have been determined by the court. In most cases, these depend on the severity of the felony charges against the convicted person, the record of criminal activity, and the extent of flight risk. Once the amount of the bail is set, it can then be followed by the process called obtaining a bail bondsman if the defendant wants to arrange his or her release.
2. Working with a Bail Bondsman
The bail bondsman arranges for an advocate for the defendant to deal with much confusing and involved legal process. The bail bondsman contacted will collect information important to the case, such as the defendant’s details, the bail amount, and charges facing the defendant. Then, the bail bondsman will usually charge a non-refundable amount of 10% of the total bail. For instance, if the bail is set at $20,000, he will pay the bail bondsman $2,000.
3. Posting of the Bail
The bail bondsman will post the bail on behalf of the defendant after payment is made. Then he is released from jail, within hours depending on the processing time of the local jail. He is expected to attend all the required hearings upon his release. If the defendant fails to appear before the court, then a bounty hunter hired by the bail bondsman is going to hunt him down. In this case, the bondsman can recover the full bail from the defendant or co-signers.
Why Use Bail Bonds in Houston TX?
1. Fast Release After a Felony Arrest
The speedy release is one of the major reasons why defendants prefer to use bail bonds after their arrest on a felony charge. While some defendants can afford to pay the full bail amount upfront, many cannot. Bail bonds provide one the fastest ways and certainly, a very inexpensive means to get out, that allows someone to return home to their families and begin to prepare their defense. The prompt release can assist in mitigating the stressors of detention, such as losing time at work or time away from family.
2. Less Financial Burden
A lot of individuals, especially those with limited resources will find paying the full bail amount too expensive. With bail bonds in Houston, TX, defendants need to only pay a fraction of the required amount for them to secure their freedom. This significantly opens the process for a broader populace. Moreover, since the bail bondsman takes full responsibility for the bail amount, the defendant does not have their loved one risk the large money sums at stake.
3. Professional Help
It is very hard to understand the law process, especially right after a felony arrest has been made. Bail bondsmen are professional individuals who are well aware of the process of bail and can guide you through that stressful period. You can walk them through the entire process to get out and even present them with a payment plan if that’s necessary. With experience and knowledge, the whole process is less intimidating for people.
4. Relief for Families
Some relief to families whose members were arrested on felony charges is the fact that getting a bail bond is going to bring solace. The family knows that their member will be released quickly. They are not going to worry much emotionally and financially about the whole situation of getting the person out of the police station. All their attention is going to be on how to assist the defendant and how to prepare to defend the case.
What Happens When You Fail to Go to Court?
1. The Consequences of Missing a Court Date
Failure to appear in court as scheduled when on bail can lead to severe outcomes. In addition to the possibility of additional criminal charges, the bail money is usually forfeited, thus resulting in a loss of money posted by the bail bondsman. In such a case, the defendant may be faced with a bounty hunter contracted by the bail bondsman to locate and bring them back into custody.
2. Point of Attendance in the Court Hearings
What is worth noticing is that after the bail release, you need to go to all court hearings scheduled. If you need to have doubts about the court process or wish to have a re-arrangement of a hearing, you need to consult your lawyer first. Failure to attend court might have severe legal implications and can work against the benefits of using a bail bond.
Conclusion
With the danger of felony arrest, Bail Bonds in Houston TX is the most viable alternative for accelerating one’s freedom from jail. The process of a bail bond and the work of a bail bondsman is essential knowledge for defendants to avoid red tape within the legal system without suffering from the full force of the preliminary bail amount. Whether you or your loved one happens to be charged with a felony, the bail bondsman can help get you out of jail as soon as possible, which lets you begin focusing on the legal process concerning your defense. Proper support could help ensure that your rights are protected while the disruption of life is minimized.