A bail bond is an insurance policy that assures the court appearances of an accused person. It does not determine guilt or innocence. Jail bonds are also known as surety bonds or bail bonds. Jail bonds are designed to get a loved one out of jail while they are awaiting trial. Getting out of jail does not mean the matter you were allegedly involved in has been resolved. You still have to go through a trial to defend your innocence.
What is bail?
Bail is money, property, or a bond that you pay to the court in exchange for your release from jail while awaiting trial. The purpose of bail is to ensure that you, once released, show up for future court dates. If you don’t appear back in court at the required time, the court can keep the money or property (called bail forfeiture) and issue a warrant for your arrest.
Conditions of bail
Some common conditions of bail are:
- Not using any illegal substances or substances banned by court
- Reporting to a probation officer for regular checkups
- Submitting to a drug or alcohol test
- (Until the trial) remaining in the state of Texas and sometimes within the jurisdiction
- Remaining a certain distance away from the crime victim
Conditions of bail are usually based on the nature of the crime. For example, someone caught in possession of marijuana or a controlled substance could be ordered to submit to a drug test. Failure to follow the conditions of bail can lead to other penalties, bail revocation, and forfeiture of bail.
It’s important to note that there is very little forgiveness given for a defendant found in violation of bail conditions. Normally, when a suspect violates even one condition of their bail, the judge will have the defendant’s bail bond revoked and they will immediately be taken back to jail until the date of the trial. Any bail already paid will most likely be lost. That is why it is so important to pay close attention to the conditions set by the judge or magistrate and take steps to carefully follow them.
Hire a criminal defense lawyer
If you have been arrested and are out on bond, hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer. It’s important to seek legal help when facing any criminal charges or proceedings. Trust your attorney! They will prepare the legal things needed for defending you. Trust your attorney to guide you through the different avenues so that your attorney can provide the best mitigating evidence at settlement negotiations or sentencing if you decide to take a plea deal.
The trial also gives you and your criminal defense lawyer a chance to face your accuser and cross-examine them. This can reveal holes in the State’s case against you and attempt to cast doubt on its evidence.
Delta Bail Bonds is here to help
When you’re out on bail, you’re allowed to remain at home until the trial process is over. Being released also enables you to prepare for your case, usually by working with a criminal defense attorney who knows how to challenge the allegations against you.
A bail agreement is a serious commitment. Once you create a lack of trust, it is hard to earn it back. It is better to be in constant communication with your bond agent to avoid a messy situation. If you or a loved one are in need of bail, contact Delta Bail Bonds.
