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Felony Bonds vs. Misdemeanor Bonds: What You Need to Know

handcuffsWhen you are charged with a crime, it’s usually classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony. What you are charged with will determine the penalties, punishments, bail amount, and whether or not you are eligible for bail. When you’re in need of bail money, a bail bonds place can help. At Freedom Bail Bonds, we offer both misdemeanor and felony bonds. Here are some of the things you need to know about felony and misdemeanor bonds.

The Differences Between a Misdemeanor and Felony

The biggest difference between a misdemeanor and a felony is that people are usually charged with felonies for bigger crimes. Some common felonies include:

  • Murder
  • Rape
  • Aggravated assault
  • Possession of a controlled substance (over a certain amount since this can also qualify as a misdemeanor under a certain amount)
  • Burglary over a certain amount
  • Kidnapping
  • Arson

These crimes are seen as “elevated” crimes. Misdemeanor crimes are usually to a lesser degree. Some common misdemeanor crimes include:

  • Petty theft
  • Vandalism
  • Trespassing
  • Reckless driving

The punishments for each crime depend on whether it’s a felony or misdemeanor, the amount in question (if applicable), and whether you have any past convictions or not. For misdemeanors, penalties include fines, probation, jail time of up to a year, and community services. Typically, jail time is spent in a county jail, rather than a prison, and some sentences can be completed on the weekends only. Felonies, on the other hand, result in higher fines, longer jail times (in actual prisons), and other punishments.

Bail for Felonies vs. Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors tend to result in bail of a lesser amount than bail money needed for a felony. In addition, some people who are charged with felonies are never granted bail. This is usually reserved for high crimes such as murder and rape. While bail amount for misdemeanors can be in the thousands alone, bail amounts for felonies can reach the millions. Even though you only have to pay ten percent, this can still be a huge chunk of cash. This is where bonds come in. Bonds from bail bonds agency bail you out at the time, so you can stay at your home and have more time to prep for the trial. Felony bonds are typically greater in price and come with more paperwork (since there is a greater risk involved) than misdemeanor bonds. Luckily, at Freedom Bail Bonds, we offer both. If you or a loved one is in need of a bail bonds agency, call us today!

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What Can Impede a Quick Jail Release After an Arrest?

an empty jail cell signifying quick jail releaseIt’s everyone’s worst nightmare: you are arrested and find yourself facing the prospect of spending the night in jail. There are many reasons you may get arrested, from simple misdemeanor or bench warrants to more serious crimes. After your arrest, there is a process that is followed which can arrange for you to get quick jail release: posting bail. However, there could be a number of things that can actually prevent you from either qualifying for quick jail release or from being able to post bail. At Freedom Bail Bonds, we’re here to give you a little more information on these processes.

How Do I Post Bail?

When you are initially arrested, you are read your rights, processed through the police system, and given a phone call. The best use of this phone call is to your family, your lawyer, or a close trusted friend. Depending on your crime, there are two ways you will be able to post bond:

  • For most common and minor crimes, there is a list of pre-set bail amounts. This makes the process simple, since all you have to do is find a bail bondsman, pay the amount, and get out of jail. Quick jail release is pretty standard and simple in those cases.
  • For more serious crimes, you will have to be put in front of a judge. Unfortunately, in these cases it can take some time for you to be able to see one. In fact, there are cases where the police may even decide to arrest you on a Friday, therefore impeding your ability to see a judge until the following Monday. In these cases, the term “quick jail release” should be viewed in terms of days instead of hours.

How is Bail Decided?

As we mentioned, for more common crimes, there is a set bail amount that you can usually pay and get a quick jail release. For more serious crimes, a judge will decide what a fair amount for bail is. For serious drug crimes, murder, and other violent crimes where flight is a very real possibility, the judge will be within their rights to set a high bail amount.

In What Circumstances Can Bail be Denied?

In the cases of serious crimes, the judge can decide that bail can be denied. This is usually the case if the crime in question is murder, violent assaults, and other similar crimes. In cases the accused is deemed a continuing danger to the community or an especially determined flight risk, bail is also usually denied.

There are times that bail can be denied for different reasons, usually called “red flags”. These can include:

  • The suspect is not a US citizen, therefore a serious flight risk.
  • The suspect shows no regard or respect towards the court.
  • The judge is told by a credible source that the suspect will not show up to court if released.
  • The suspect has a history of missing court dates.
  • There is a confirmed mental impairment and there is no one to supervise the suspect if released.

Contact Freedom Bail Bonds for Quick Jail Release

Whether or not you fall into the categories above, you have every right to fight for quick jail release after you are arrested. Freedom Bail Bonds provides fair and reliable bail bonds in El Paso, and can help you get out of jail quickly. Let us help you post bond- contact us today!