Common Questions People Have About Bail Bonds
What is a bail bond? A bail bond is posted by a guarantor of your choice resulting in your release from jail. It’s a way for the courts to ensure that you will be present at all of your bail hearings. Many people choose this option because you aren’t personally responsible for coming up with the entire bail amount– just 10%. This amount can be paid with U.S. currency or collateral. Why do bail bonds…
Recidivism and Rising Rearrest Rates
Government officials and public speakers for privatized U.S. prisons frequently parrot the sentiment that jail time is rehabilitative. Although, the masses that are serving years in poor conditions for low-level crimes would likely just call it punishment. Spending an extended period of time in jail can permanently damage the trajectory of someone’s life. What’s worse? Oftentimes, the sentence isn’t even rehabilitative and actually exposes inmates to more serious offenders and dangerous situations. Typically, the punishments…
5 Common Crimes Committed in Texas
Larceny Many people use the terms theft and larceny interchangeably. Regardless of which term you prefer, the act of larceny is a serious crime in the state of Texas. Generally, a prosecutor can only charge you with these crimes if you intentionally take something belonging to another person without their knowledge or permission. The consequences of a theft charge typically depends upon the value of the object, product, or service you allegedly stole. Drugs Drug…
The Texas Indictment Process
In Texas, an indictment is a critical step in the legal process for felony charges. It serves as a formal accusation against an individual, issued by a grand jury after reviewing evidence presented by the prosecution. Unlike misdemeanor cases, which may proceed based on a complaint or information, felony cases require an indictment before they can move forward in court. Understanding how this process works is essential for anyone facing criminal charges, as it determines…
How To Prepare For Your Bail Hearing
The purpose of bail is to ensure that you attend all of your hearings, throughout the duration of your trial. Bail provides a defendant with conditional liberties under the assumption that they aren’t a threat to anyone. The judge presiding over your hearing uses the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to determine if you qualify for bail. The code limits which kinds of indicted felonies qualify for bail releases. The Texas Criminal code grants the…
Winter Storm Uri’s Impact on Texas Jails
It’s common knowledge that inmates in Texas jails endure unhealthy conditions and abuse. In the past, they’ve experienced extreme temperatures and unsanitary conditions. As the Texas prison population continues to grow and jails near capacity, more accounts of physical abuse and neglect emerge. When winter storm Uri tore through Texas, inmates also had to contend with infrastructural issues. Nearly ⅓ of Texas jails lost power and had very little water if any. All prison units…
How to Find a Job With a Criminal Record
Once you complete your jail sentence, and are ready to re-enter society, it can feel like a daunting task to find work. Your heart plummets every time a job application asks if you’ve ever been convicted, and you realize you probably won’t even be called for an interview. Finding a job is an important part of getting your life started again and staying on the straight and narrow. In the past, newly rehabilitated individuals struggled…
What’s the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and a Felony?
The terms felony and misdemeanor are ways of classifying the severity of a crime. Misdemeanors are less serious than felonies and result in a year or less in jail time. Felonies are very serious and you may find yourself in jail for a year or up to a lifetime. Misdemeanor A misdemeanor is a criminal offense that can carry up to a year in jail time. These crimes are less serious than felonies, and you’ll…
Bail Bonds: Items You Can Use for Collateral
Sometimes you need to post bail at a moment’s notice. It’s possible that you won’t have sufficient funds to pay the entirety of your bail. At times like these, you can turn to a bond company. If you can’t come up with the 10% fee a bondsman can accept different forms of collateral. Vehicle Most people have some form of transportation to get around. Even if it’s just for work. You can use your main…
Common Myths About Bail Bonds
There are a lot of myths about bail bonds floating around, that can make you feel hesitant to get one. However, it doesn’t have to be a scary or overwhelming process. Our bondsmen at ABC Bail Bonds want to make this as painless as possible and get you out of jail fast. So we’re going to dispel some common myths and set your mind at ease. All Bail Must be Paid Before Release A bail…