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What Happens If You Miss a Court Date After Posting Bail?

A brown and gold gavel in El Paso.

Have you or someone you know missed a court date after posting bail? Are you unsure of the consequences of your lack of appearance? Here, we will discuss what happens after you miss your court date following a bail bond.

At Freedom Bail Bonds, located in El Paso, TX, we are considered one of the top bail bonds companies in the southwest. If you need a reliable team following an arrest, you can count on us. Call us at (915) 877-9293 or contact us online to speak with a representative. 

Taking Immediate Action

Life can take an unexpected turn, and sometimes, those turns require you to miss a scheduled court date following bail bonds. Though the idea of missing the court date can be stressful, so long as you take immediate and appropriate actions, you won’t be penalized. Read below for those actions. 

  • Contact Your Bail Bond Attorney- Once you realize that you either might be late or could miss a court date, the first thing you must do is contact your attorney. The earlier you inform them of the conflict, the more rescheduling options will be available; waiting too long can result in limited assistance. Our legal professionals understand the court system and can confidently get you a different court date. 
  • Provide a Legitimate Reason- If the reason is traffic delays, medical emergencies, or any other significant issues, your attorney needs to be informed immediately. Your attorney can present these issues in court, which can possibly show leniency in your case. Whether you have bail bonds in El Paso or not, the court requires a probable reason for absence. 
  • Submit Supporting Documentation- For example, when attending court cases, providing supporting documentation regarding your absence or delay will help you avoid getting in trouble. This could include travel itineraries, medical records, official notices, or anything that can confirm your reason for absence. Presenting this evidence can show your commitment to complying with court requirements associated with bail bonds. 

Your attorney may give you specific instructions to follow regarding missing a court date. Be sure to listen carefully, as it may just affect how your case proceeds. 

Bail Bonds in El Paso

At Freedom Bail Bonds, located in El Paso, TX, we offer different bail bond services for you to take advantage of. If you or someone you know wants to get out of spending the night in jail, these services will benefit you. Call (915) 877-9293 today for more information.

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Navigating Bail Bonds for First-Time Offenders

A person holding wooden blocks that read “BAIL” in El Paso.

Whether you or a loved one has experienced a first arrest, it can be daunting, especially when faced with the complexities of bail bonds. For individuals experiencing their first encounter with the legal system, understanding bail bonds is crucial to maintaining your life and freedom.

Fortunately, Freedom Bail Bond in El Paso is here to help clients get out of jail as soon as possible. We offer around-the-clock bail bond assistance all year long. Contact us online or call (915) 877-9293 to learn more.

What are Bail Bonds?

Bails financially guarantees that defendants appear for their scheduled court hearings and proceedings. When arrested, they may be granted the opportunity to secure temporary release by posting bail. However, the amount of bail the court sets can vary depending on the severity of the offense, the defendant’s criminal history, and flight risk.

Bail bonds in El Paso provide an alternative option for individuals who cannot pay the full bail amount out of pocket. They become a contract between the defendant, a bail bond agent, and the court, where the agent agrees to pay the full bail in exchange for a non-refundable fee from the client. This fee is typically a percentage of the total bail.

Offense Types

The type of offense committed plays a significant role in determining the bail amount and eligibility for bail bonds. At Freedom Bail Bond, we assist El Paso residents with the following:

Class A Misdemeanors

This class type is one of the most serious misdemeanors, which is punishable by up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $6,250, or both, depending on the crime. Common examples include assault causing bodily harm, possession of 2 ounces of marijuana, and theft of property worth up to $1,500.

Class B Misdemeanors

Class B misdemeanors can result in up to 180 days in jail, a $2,500 fine, or both. Examples include driving under the influence (DUI), prostitution, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Class C Misdemeanors

One of the “least serious” misdemeanors, class C is punishable by up to 30 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,250, or both. This includes crimes like traffic violations, disorderly conduct, or public intoxication.

First-Degree Felonies

These are the most serious felonies, with penalties of 5 to 99 years in prison and fines up to $20,000. This includes murder, aggravated sexual assault, and trafficking large amounts of drugs.

Second-Degree Felonies

These felonies carry penalties of 2 to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. Common examples include burglary of a habitation, manslaughter, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Third-Degree Felonies

Third-degree crimes can result in 2 to 10 years in prison with fines up to $5,000. This includes a third offense of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), indecent exposure to a child, or theft of property worth $20,000 to $100,000.

State Felonies 

These are felonies designated by state law, with penalties varying by jurisdiction. This includes aggravated assault, robbery, and money laundering.

Bail Bonds in El Paso with Freedom Bail Bonds

If you need help, look no further than our team of agents at Freedom Bail Bond. For immediate assistance, call (915) 877-9293.

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How to Navigate the Bail System for Different Types of Crimes

A graphic of a silhouette of a man in a jail cell in El Paso.

Sometimes, certain decisions don’t always result in how we expect them to, and in some scenarios, that decision may result in an arrest. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a path forward. 

Fortunately, with the help of El Paso bail bond companies like Freedom Bail Bonds, we help individuals navigate the complex legal system by offering bail bonds for varying types of crime. Contact us online or call (915) 887-9293 to learn more.

State Jail Felonies

State Jail Felonies are serious offenses with bail amounts set accordingly. This includes aggravated assault, check forgery, child custody interference, burglary, and more. Individuals charged with this crime may face higher bail requirements, resulting in them referring to bail bond companies in El Paso that can offer cash or surety bonds for their safe return home.

Second and First-Degree Felonies

Felonies are categorized into different degrees based on severity. For instance, Second-Degree Felonies include robbery, manslaughter, stalking, human trafficking, and aggravated assault, too. Whereas for First-Degree Felonies, some examples include murder, arson, aggravated robbery, and aggravated kidnapping. When bail amounts are set high, El Paso bail bond companies may recommend property or secured bonds, which use collateral such as real estate to secure a defendant’s release.

Third-Degree Felonies

While Third-Degree Felonies are less severe, they still carry significant consequences. Common Third-Degree arrests include stalking, theft of trade secrets, assault, tampering with evidence, and drug possession.

Misdemeanors (Class A, B, C)

A misdemeanor refers to minor wrongdoings, making these crimes less serious than the ladder, but they still warrant the attention of the legal system. Class A misdemeanors typically have higher bail amounts than their counterparts and include crimes such as resisting arrest, theft, indecent exposure, and alcohol offenses. 

Class B includes criminal trespass, intentionally lying to the police, failure to pay child support, and prostitution.

Class C includes disorderly conduct, criminal trespassing, petty theft, passing bad checks, and public intoxication.

Bail bond companies may recommend unsecured bonds, where no collateral is required, and citation release, allowing individuals to be released without posting bail but with a promise to appear in court.

El Paso’s Highly Rated Bail Bond Company

If you or a loved one is facing arrest, Freedom Bail Bonds can help. Call (915) 887-9293 for further assistance.

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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.

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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.