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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.

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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.

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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.

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How to Choose the Best Bail Bond Company in El Paso

Scrabble tiles spelling out the words “BAIL BOND” on a desk in El Paso.

If a loved one has found themselves in jail, they have options, and with your help, they can be set free rather quickly. Those who have yet to face a judge have the opportunity for bail. Here are the best tips for finding the right company to get a bail bond in time for your loved one. 

If you require the services of a bail bond company in El Paso, Freedom Bail Bonds is here to help. Contact us online or call (915) 877-9293 to learn more about our services and how we can help today.

24-Hour Availability 

You never know what can happen, so choosing a bail bond company that is available 24/7 is the best decision to make. While you or a loved one can wait until a bail bond company opens for the day, a 24/7 business can help you get out of jail as quickly as possible. Always pick a company that has someone available to help you at all hours. 

Speak to a Lawyer 

There is no one better to run to than a lawyer, a professional who understands the ins and outs of legal matters. Everyone is entitled to a lawyer if they have been charged with a crime, so if you need help making bail, a lawyer is one of the first people you should try reaching out to. 

Look for Honesty and Transparency 

A bail bond company should be 100% honest about every way that their business works. You will have to pay money to access a bail bondsman, but you will most likely save money by going with a pro than handling everything yourself. Simultaneously, make sure you are aware of their fees and billing. 

Consider Experience and Licensing 

Like any other industry or business, your best choice is working with a bail bond company that has years of experience in this area of work. More importantly, a trustworthy bail bond company should be licensed. Always try to look at their track record to see what kinds of cases the company has handled before, including reviews and ratings.

Cheap Bonds Are Not Always The Best Bail Bonds 

While it may be tempting to go with the cheapest services you can find, that doesn’t always mean they are the best services. Cheap bonds are usually a sign of a corrupt company that is more after your money than actually helping you out. Any company that has lower than an 8% fee aligning with the state cap should raise suspicions. 

Willing to Negotiate 

There are some bail bond companies that would be willing to work with you. Most companies will accept collateral or property in exchange for a bond. But if you do decide to use property as collateral, have someone appraise it. You never want a company to underestimate the value of your assets. 

Quality Customer Service 

And most importantly, a bail bond company should be dedicated to helping you. Finding a helpful bail bond company isn’t easy to work. It requires research and careful consideration. But when you find a company that provides quality customer service, they are most likely worth your time and money.

Choose the Best Bail Bond Company in El Paso. Contact Freedom Bail Bonds, Today 

One of the most important things to keep in mind when choosing a bail bond company is using your best judgment. We guarantee that our services can help you or a loved one.  Contact us online or call (915) 877-9293 today to learn more. 

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How Are Bail Bonds Calculated in El Paso, Texas?

A gavel, handcuffs, and cash on a desk in El Paso.

Posting bail is one guaranteed way of a safe release after being arrested. If your loved one has never been arrested before, the bail acts as a surety that you will attend court hearings as required. No matter what bail bond services you use, many factors will determine how you will end up paying. Learn about these factors below. 

If you require bail bond or felony bond services in El Paso, Freedom Bail Bonds can help. Contact us online or call (915) 877-9293 today and see how we can help.

Factors That Influence Bail 

Nature and Severity of the Offense

Minor crimes are typically settled with a smaller bail, as you may already know. More severe offenses call for significantly higher bails. These bail amounts are set by state and federal laws and specific jail regulations. That said, misdemeanors call for lower bails than felonies, and so on. 

The Bail Bond Algorithm 

El Paso courts have used math and algorithms to make informed decisions regarding pretrial releases in recent years. Specific information about the defendant is entered into a program, which then releases a score or recommendation. The algorithm uses the following to assess bail: 

  • Age
  • Criminal history 
  • The risk that the defendant could commit another crime or probability of appearing in court 

Criminal Record or History 

On the risk of committing another crime, criminal records and history also play a significant role. If you do not have a criminal record, you will more than likely get a smaller bail than someone who is a repeat offender with a lengthy record. Defendants with outstanding warrants or are on parole may not even have the opportunity to make bail or will need a felony bond.

Employment Status 

A judge also looks at personal status. Believe it or not, factors such as employment and wealth play a major role. For example, if the judge sees you have a stable job and have dependents, you should have fewer reasons to miss court, and you should be able to make bail. 

Danger to the Public 

A judge has to look at criminal records and history for another major reason: determining whether or not the defendant poses a risk to the public. This is because if there were victims of the committed crime, a judge has to know whether or not the defendant could compromise their safety after making bail. 

Ties or Involvement in the Community 

While this may seem like an odd consideration, involvement in the city or community can say a lot about a person. Usually, those who are involved with their community, organizations, and their families pose little risk due to a good reputation and background. Therefore, a judge will issue a lower bail. 

Police Practices

El Paso police tend to arrest suspects for the most serious criminal charges that the facts of the crime can support. For example, while possession of marijuana could be charged as a misdemeanor in most states, police could charge a felony if the suspect possessed marijuana with the intent to sell. Although these kinds of charges are most often reduced to a misdemeanor after investigation, it may call for a higher bail bond. This is where Freedom Bail Bonds can help.

Bail Schedules 

In many cities, defendants can post bail with the police before they are even brought into a court hearing or an arraignment. This is because many jails have specified amounts for certain crimes. So, if a defendant is brought in for a crime that is posted on the jail’s bail schedule, they will be able to make bail before attending a hearing, if possible, all through a bail bond.

Work with the Fast and Knowledgable Services at Freedom Bail Bonds 

Here at Freedom Bail Bonds, you can trust that our services will help you navigate the legal system in no time. Learn more about how our services can help you with bail and felony bonds. Contact us online or call (915) 877-9293 today.