Posted on

Understanding Cash Bail Bonds: A Comprehensive Guide

A wooden gavel on top of cash and next to handcuffs in El Paso.

The criminal justice system is a complex web of procedures and regulations, and one aspect that often confuses individuals is the concept of bail bonds. There are seven different types of bail bonds. However, a common type is cash bonds.

At Freedom Bail Bonds, we understand the urgency required when you or a loved one has been arrested. Since 1985, we have been providing dependable and reliable bail bond services across El Paso. Contact us online or call (915) 887-9293 to learn more.

History of a Cash Bail

To understand the significance of cash bonds, we have to go back to where it began. The concept of bail itself dates back to medieval England, where individuals could provide property or money as collateral to ensure their appearance in court. Over time, this practice evolved, and in the United States, the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution explicitly addressed the issue of excessive bail, prohibiting it.

What is a Cash Bail Bond?

Cash bonds in El Paso is a financial arrangement in which the accused or representative deposits the entire bail amount in cash with the court to secure the release of the defendant. Nowadays, some courts accept payment via check or credit card, but not all. Unlike other types of bail minds, such as surety or property bonds, which involve third-party entities, cash bonds operate on a straightforward premise—pay the full amount of stay in custody.

How is Bail Set?

The determination of bail is a critical aspect of the legal process, and various factors influence this decision. Courts consider the severity of the alleged crime, the defendant’s criminal history, ties to the community, and whether or not they may be a flight risk. The goal is to set an amount significant enough to ensure the defendant’s appearance in court while respecting the principle that bail should not be excessive.

How Do Cash Bonds Work?

Once the cash bond is paid, the defendant is released from custody and expected to adhere to all court-imposed conditions, including attending scheduled hearings and refraining from illegal activities.

 

If the defendant complies with these conditions, the court returns the full cash amount at the conclusion of the case, regardless of the verdict. However, failure to meet the court’s requirements can result in the forfeiture of the cash bond, leaving the defendant in a precarious legal situation.

Reliable Bail Bond Services in El Paso

If you or a loved one is in need of dependant and convenient bail bond services, look no further than Freedom Bail Bonds. We have locations all across the Sun City, and we operate all day and night. Call (915) 887-9293 to learn more.

Posted on

24-Hour Bail Bonds: Supporting Your Loved Ones in Times of Need

A person’s hands in handcuffs in El Paso.

When a loved one finds themselves under arrest, it can be a distressing, disheartening, and urgent situation. It’s not uncommon for friends or family to feel helpless or unsure of how to support their loved ones during times of need. That’s where 24-hour bail bond agencies can help.

Freedom Bail Bonds is here to support individuals and their families by providing around-the-clock bail bond assistance in El Paso. Contact us online or call (915) 877-9293 to learn more.

Immediate Assistance During Times of Need

Arrests often don’t adhere to regular business hours, happening at any time of day or night. That’s why it’s crucial for individuals to have support from 24-hour bail bond services to help alleviate stress and return loved ones to their familiar and safe environments. These services are just one phone call away and available to anyone around the clock all year long. 

Peace of Mind

Facing an arrest can be a traumatic experience for both the defendant and their family. Having access to 24-hour bail bond services in El Paso can provide families and friends with much-needed peace of mind while dealing with the nature of the arrest. Knowing that there is a reliable and readily available option for getting their loved one out of jail can reduce the emotional toll of the situation.

Streamlined Legal Processes

Whether an individual has faced legal troubles in the past or for the first time, navigating the legal system can be complex and overwhelming. Fortunately, bail bond agencies are experienced professionals well-versed in the bail process. With their expertise, they can comprehensively guide individuals through the necessary steps to ensure the individual’s release process is as smooth as possible.

Employment and Daily Life Security

Arrests can disrupt an individual’s life in many ways, including jeopardizing their employment and daily routines. For many, being released on bail is crucial for maintaining stability in their lives. With 24-hour bail bond services, individuals are able to return to their jobs, families, and additional responsibilities promptly, as well as make appropriate accommodations, if necessary, to help minimize the negative impacts of an arrest.

Affordable 24-Hour Bail Bonds in El Paso

With over 30 years of experience, Freedom Bail Bonds is here to provide support to individuals facing arrest and their families. We accept many payment methods and offer payment plans upon approved applications to get El Paso families back on track. Call (915) 877-9293 for assistance today.

Posted on

Understanding Bail Bond Fees: What to Expect

When individuals find themselves in legal trouble and are unable to afford the full bail amount set by the court, bail bond agencies like ours can provide helpful solutions.

At Freedom Bail Bonds in El Paso, we understand how overwhelming the process of bail bonds can be, especially when you’re dealing with the emotional turmoil of you or a loved one potentially facing jail time. That’s why our team works to provide helpful solutions to get you the assistance you need. Visit us online or call (915) 877-9293 to learn more today.

Bail Amount vs. Charges

A bail amount set by the court depends on several factors, such as the crime’s severity, the defendant’s history, and their perceived flight risk. The more serious the offense, the higher the bail amount is likely to be. For instance, felony charges generally result in higher bail amounts than misdemeanor charges broken down into three separate class (A, B, C) categories. The bail amount is an important part of understanding your fees since your bail amount determines fees.

Role of a Bail Bond Agency

If you’ve ever seen a court show, you may have seen a judge bang on their gavel shouting, “Bail set to $60,000!” A bail bond agency plays a critical role in this scenario, as more often than not, a defendant or their family and friends aren’t likely to have $60,000 ready to hand over. In this case, a bail bond agency is where an individual can go to cover the difference. An agency will typically require collateral, such as property or assets, on top of a fee to secure a bond. Once the collateral is provided, the agency issues a bail bond to the court, guaranteeing the defendant’s appearance at all scheduled court proceedings.

Bail Bond Agency Fees

To compensate for the risk and services provided, a bail bond agency charges a fee for their assistance. The fee, typically a percentage of the total bail amount, is non-refundable and serves as the agency’s profit. The fee can vary from state to state and agency to agency; however, in Texas, the amount is typically around 10 to 15% of the total bail amount. Let’s use the previous example if bail is set at $60,000, the bail agency at 10% would be around $6,000 or $9,000 at a 15% rate.

Bail Bonds vs. Fees

It’s important to understand the distinction between a bail bond and the fees associated with it. The bail bond itself is the document provided by the bail bond agency to the court, ensuring the defendant’s release. It acts as a guarantee that the defendant will appear for all court proceedings. On the other hand, the fees paid to the bail bond agency are non-refundable charges for their service. The collateral, for example, that you or a loved one signed over, is returned to the individual—so long as the defendant showed up to all of their court dates.

24/7 Affordable Bail Bond Fees in El Paso

Arrests can happen at any time. That’s why Freedom Bail is available 24/7 to provide you or a loved one with affordable, reliable bail bond services. Contact us online or call (915) 877-9293 to get one step closer to freedom.

Posted on

What You Need to Secure a Bail Bond

Hands holding on to jail bars in El Paso.

An arrest can be overwhelming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the process. With the help of a bail bond agency, you and your loved ones can rest easy knowing that prior to the agreed-upon court date, the defendant can return to the safety and security of their own home.

Freedom Bail has served the El Paso and West Texas regions for over 30 years by providing our communities with 24/7 bail bond assistance. Contact us online or call (915) 877-9293 to get started on the right path to freedom.

Proof of Identity

To begin the process of securing a bond, the defendant must provide proof of identity. This can include common forms of documentation such as a government-issued ID or a passport. However, if neither of these options are available, other acceptable documents can also include the individual’s bank or credit card statements. In some cases, a bail bonds agency may request the defendant’s credit report history to ensure their past or current debts have either been met or are currently met.

A Bail Bond Agency

More often than not, people are unable to raise the funds to post bail. In this case, securing a bail bond from a bail bond agency is a feasible alternative option. A bail bond works like a loan where the person applying will only pay a percentage of the total bail amount. While percentages vary from company to company, they’re typically set between 5% to 15%. In the case of an individual whose bail is set to $100, the person applying will only have to pay $1,500 for an agency that requires 15%. A much more manageable amount compared to the latter.

However, a bail bond agency may require additional paperwork such as:

Criminal History

If applicable, a bail bond agency will require access to the criminal history of the individual in order to gather insight as to why the bail amount is set to what it is. This is also important for the bonds agent, as they will also get a better understanding of whether or not the individual will be a flight risk.

Legal Filings

Before securing your bail, additional paperwork must be filled, including an indemnity agreement. An indemnity agreement is a contract that protects one party from any risks or liabilities created by the other. Essentially, one of the most important terms of a bail bond agreement is that the defendant must show up to all of their court hearings. If they don’t, any agreed-upon conditions will be collected, such as collateral, money, additional penalties, and the hiring of a bounty hunter to return the accused back to jail, all of which will be listed in the indemnity agreement.

Collateral

In addition to paying a percentage of the bail amount, for a bail bond agency to secure the rest of the funds (should the accused not show up to their court hearings), collateral will be required. Forms of collateral that can be used include real estate, jewelry, or stocks that are equal to or greater than the bail amount. The collateral will be listed and documented with collateral agreement documentation to secure a bail bond.

Take One Step Closer to Freedom with a Bail Bond Agency

If you or a loved one has found themselves needing financial assistance in El Paso, our team at Freedom Bail can help. Contact us online or call (915) 877-9293 to learn more about our services.

Posted on

What You Need to Know About Bail Bonds

A bail bond sign with an arrow in El Paso.

Occasionally, bad decisions can lead to an arrest. If you or a loved one has been placed in jail, you can rest easy knowing that prior to the agreed-upon court date, most incarcerated individuals can return home with the assistance of a bail bond.

If you require bail bond services in El Paso, Freedom Bail is here to help. Contact us online or call (915) 877-9293 to learn more about our services to help free yourself or your loved one today.

What is Bail?

If you’ve watched any crime show drama, it’s likely you’ve heard the word bail following some unimaginable amount of money. But what does it mean? A bail is an agreement between the court and the defendant where the accused agrees to appear at all of their scheduled court dates. 

But where does the money come into play you may ask? When bail is set to, let’s say, $50,000, it means the accused or their family has to pay that amount of money for the defendant to return home. If no one posts bail, they remain in jail until their court date and charges are determined. Most often, people don’t have $50,000 lying around, and that’s where a bail bond comes in.

How Does a Bail Bond Work?

A bail bond works as a loan between the person applying and the bonding company where you pay a percentage of the total amount of the bail. This can range anywhere between 10-15% depending on the company.

Contracts will be filled and list all of the agreements, expectations, costs and collateral to ensure the accused shows up to court. If the defendant does not show up to their court dates, a bonding company can hire a bounty hunter to track down the accused and return them to jail.

Once this is determined, the bonding company will need to know the booking number, charges, and location to bond the accused out.

Since arrests can happen at any time of day or night, at Freedom Bail, we offer 24-hour service 7 days a week to get you or your loved one out of jail as soon as possible. 

How is Bail Determined and Set?

At the bail hearing, which is the first appearance in the court following the arrest, a judge will sift through many factors to determine and set the bail amount. This can include, for example, the severity of the crime, whether violence was used, the accused’s character and history, and more.

What are the Different Types of Bail Bonds?

There are four types of bail bonds:

 

  • Surety Bail: When a bonding company, agent, or bondsman posts bail on the behalf of the accused for a fee.

 

  • Recognizance Bail: The accused signs a written agreement with the court to follow set conditions and appear in court when scheduled.
  • Cash Bail: When bail is paid to the court in cash by the accused or cosigner.
  • Property Bail: When the accused or cosigner uses property (real estate, jewelry, or stocks) that is equal to or greater than the bail amount.

 

 

By showing up, any money or collateral provided will be returned to you or your cosigner. However, failing to abide by agreed-upon conditions or neglecting court dates can result in negative consequences such as the loss of collateral, money, and additional penalties.

Get Bail Bonds in El Paso with Freedom Bail

Whether you or a loved one is facing misdemeanor or felony charges, help is available to you at Freedom Bail. Contact us online or call (915) 877-9293 to hear how we can help you with your El Paso bail bond needs.