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Misdemeanor Bonds vs Felony Bonds: The Basics 

Bail bond concept. Gavel and dollar banknotes.

Bail bond concept. Gavel and dollar banknotes.

As you may already know, the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony is crucial in determining the severity of your punishments. When most people think of the difference, they think of the jail/prison time they may accrue. However, the other element to the difference is the amount of bond and fines that can be ordered as well. In this article, we’ll discuss the way misdemeanors and felonies differ in Texas. 

Misdemeanor Fines and Penalties

In Texas, as with the rest of the country, a misdemeanor is much more preferable to a felony. A misdemeanor encompasses any crime that carries a penalty of less than a year in jail and a fine that does not exceed $4,000. Misdemeanors are split into three categories, Class A, B, and C. Class C is the most benign of the three, and encompasses petty offenses like public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Class A and B are more serious, addressing crimes like DWI and unlawful carrying of a weapon. 

You won’t get any jail time from a Class C misdemeanor, but Class B and A can come with some. Generally, the fines and bond work the same way. Class C is usually very affordable, with a Class A misdemeanor being the only way to have bond be set at $4000. 

Felony Fines and Penalties

A felony in Texas is much more serious than a misdemeanor, and that fact is reflected in the fines and penalties associated with those crimes. Just like with misdemeanors, the severity of the penalty depends on the classification of the crime. For example, a second-degree felony (like selling 30lbs of marijuana) may come with a $10,000 bond amount, while capital murder may be $500,000 or even a million dollars. A felony should be avoided at all costs, which is why strong legal counsel is a must. 

Freedom Bail Bonds Is There For You

If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime and need bail, Freedom Bail Bonds is the best in the business. We’ve helped hundreds of clients get back to their loved ones, and we can do the same for you. Contact us today to secure your freedom!

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How The U.S Bail Bond System May Change In The Future

A gavel, money, and handcuffs all sit on a table

If you read our previous blog, you’ll know that the current U.S bail bonds system is hundreds of years in the making. Ever since the 1400s (and perhaps long before that), bail bonds have been used to guarantee freedom for an individual based on the cash that they have. While we love the work that we’ve done for our community and our clients, we admit that the system is inherently flawed. Many people seem to agree, and change seems to be in the air for the bail bonds system. Here’s how the system may change in the future. 

Algorithm-based Risk Assessment

If the name sounds a bit crazy, we don’t blame you. When you hear the word algorithm, you probably associate it with a computer program or social media. But now algorithms can be used in the justice system, too. In California, the cash bail bonds system is being overhauled in favor of this new assessment, which uses various factors in your case to determine if you are likely to show up for court. This sounds good initially until you learn that judges have total discretion, so the biases against minority groups are made even worse in this system. A judge can simply claim that someone is a risk, and can hold them indefinitely. While the intent of this change is good, the implementation is very poor.

Non-Profit Support

Some non-profit groups are simply agreeing to pay bail for clients, and will work with them to make sure they go to court. This includes calling and texting clients for reminders, as well as providing transportation for those who can’t make their court date. Often, people plead guilty regardless of their actual guilt because they cannot afford bail. These non-profit organizations give individuals a chance to fight for their case, but it remains to be seen how this will expand to a national level. They have seen tremendous success though, with only 4% of people missing their court date in these types of programs. 

Best Bail Bonds in El Paso

We understand how the system can feel as though it is stacked against you. If you or a loved one is in need of assistance, Freedom Bail Bonds is there to help. Contact us today so we can get you out! 

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A Quick History Of The U.S Bond System

Vintage shackles rest on an old wooden table

For some countries, the U.S system of bail bonds may seem pretty odd. But you may be surprised to know that the system we know today got its start over a millennium ago. 

Crime in England

The practice of posting money in exchange for temporary release started in England around 1066 A.D, providing a way for people to not sit in jail while they awaited trial. Unfortunately, this practice meant that the rich had a significant advantage, since middle class and poor individuals didn’t have the capital to secure their release. Out of this need came bail bondsmen, who agreed to accept a percentage of bail and post the remainder in the charged party’s stead. Since then, bail bonds have been a way to even out the abilities of the rich and the poor/middle class to obtain temporary release. 

Bail Bonds in the U.S

Bail bonds in the U.S were a fixture of life as soon as the first English settlers arrived on the mainland. Since then, several laws were passed on the state and federal level to ensure that the disparity between different economic groups was further minimized. The world of bail bonds has undergone a number of changes, and will likely continue to change drastically in the coming years. 

Get the Help You Deserve

An arrest can turn you or a loved one’s life upside-down. If you’re in need of a bail bond, call Freedom Bail Bonds today. We understand bail bonds and can get you out quickly and back to your life. 

 

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Tips On Dealing With An Arrest

Life is complicated. Situations get out of control. Emotions often cloud judgment. These are all realities that all adults content with at some point or another. A lot of times, it is complex situations that involve a heightened emotional and stress that lead people to do less-than-rational things that might end up in an arrest. Sometimes, it may be simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time, as has occurred to some that have found themselves facing false accusations or unjust charges. Whatever the case may be, an arrest is never clear cut and will often be quite complicated, so here are a few tips to keep in mind in case you ever find yourself in that situation. 

 

  1. Stay Calm. If you find yourself facing arrest, it’s best to stay calm, even when you feel or know that there are unjust or confusing circumstances. Law enforcement will be watching your behavior and erratic or defiant behavior can certainly count against you in a court of law. Maintain your composure and be polite and firm. 
  2. Be polite. This goes hand-in-hand with the one above. Even if you feel the arrest or detention is unjust, you want to be polite and respectful to all law enforcement and comply with their requests and allow them to do their job. It is only their job to apprehend you, they do not determine your guilt or innocence per se, so the speech you have prepared will not work. Whatever you need to communicate to the officers, ensure that it is in a clear and polite manner. 
  3. Do not resist. Regardless of circumstances, resisting arrest or running away from police will not only look bad in court but can actually get you into more trouble, including dangerous situations. 
  4. Don’t say anything that you don’t have to. If you’re being taken into custody, the police are likely not interested in having a conversation with you. They have a job to do and their job is to take you in. Proving your innocence or making your case comes later. So if you don’t have to say anything to police, it’s best to save it until you have a lawyer present. 
  5. Ask for a lawyer. It is important to let the police know that you would like to call a lawyer. Asking for an attorney will deter the police from interrogating you until that request is met. 
  6. Consider bail. Depending on the circumstances and the nature of the accusations, the case, and your criminal background, a judge may decide that you are able to post bail. You may need to find a bail bonds place to help you come up with the cash. It’s important to post bail in order to avoid spending unnecessary time in jail and jeopardizing your job, careers, relationships, etc. 

 

Stay Calm and Call Someone You Trust 

Freedom Bail Bonds is there to help you get out of jail and await your trail. It is not necessary to spend time in jail and have your whole life turned upside down when you have not even been convicted of a crime. A month or two in a detention facility can really change a lot of circumstances in people’s lives.

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Five Facts About Bail Bonds You May Not Know

bailIf you find yourself in a position of needing to bail out yourself or a loved one, you know just how tricky and convoluted the process can be. It’s never as simple as they make it out to be on TV. If you need to bail out a loved one, knowing these five facts about bail bonds can help you better prepare for the situation ahead. At Freedom Bail Bonds, not only can we help with bail bonds, but we also want to be sure that all of our clients are well-educated on the topic at hand. Check out these five facts about bail bonds to learn more and to see how these facts may affect your case.

Fact #1: Paying the Bond Yourself Isn’t Always the Best Route

Many people think they’ll just pay the bond and be done with it, but it doesn’t always work that way. Paying the bond may require you to pay in increments for one large fee or different fees at different times. On top of that, it can be rather costly, leaving a large dent in your finances. Your best bet is to go through a bail bonds company.

Fact #2: Collateral May be Different Things

Collateral may be a number of different things, including items you may not think about. Keep this in mind if you know you will be required to put up collateral for a loved one.

Fact #3: It Doesn’t Always End With the Court Dates

People tend to think they’ll pay bail and then show up to their court date and everything will be peachy. However, what they may not know is that they may also be required to take education and training courses, appear at numerous court dates, and do other things that they might not think about.

Fact #4: Bail Isn’t Always Necessary

In some cases, bail isn’t always necessary! Surprising, but true. However, if you do need to pay bail, we’re always here to help.

Fact #5: A Bail Bonds Company Can Help You

Sometimes, when you need to bail yourself or a loved one out of jail, you might not have the funds or the collateral to. A bail bonds company, like ourselves, can help you bail a loved one or yourself out of jail. If you’re in need of this kind of assistance, Freedom Bail Bonds is here to help. We understand how stressful this kind of situation can be. Give us a call today so we can get started helping you!