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Know the Law: Jail Time Limitations and Traveling While on Bail

A woman's arm with a handcuff in a white backgroundFacing arrest is a scary prospect. Our justice system, however, is predicated on the idea that one is innocent until proven guilty. So much of our justice process then follows this trajectory and ensures that every defendant gets a fair trial. Before a defendant can stand in front of a judge and jury, there is a long process that has to happen. There need to be changes made, attorneys called, and prosecution cases put together. The burden of proof is more often than not on the prosecutor and given how long it can take to put together a case, a person might be waiting months before they get things settled. So as a defendant or a loved one of the defendant’s, it is important to know the law and familiarize yourself with some rules. Every state is a little bit different on this, so let’s look at some Texas regulations. 

How Long Can I Legally Be Held in Jail While Awaiting Trial?

Many people that are arrested often have this question in mind. After all, one of the most stressful times is not knowing exactly the status of your trial. There is a statutory minimum for how long a defendant can be held in jail as they await their trial. In most instances, the time limitations depend on the severity of the charges. 

The state or prosecution does not have indefinite time to prepare the case while the defendant waits in jail. If the case is not ready by a certain time, the court is forced to release defendants on several conditions until they await their trial. 

The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 17.151 states several limitations. If the charges are Class A misdemeanor, the time limitation that someone can be held in jail is 30 days. If the charges are a Class B misdemeanor, then the limitation of time is 15 days from the day of detention and 5 days if the defendant faces Class C misdemeanor charges.  says that a person that is awaiting trial for a felony offense must be released on bond or by reducing the bail required if the state is not ready for trial within 90 days. 

So What Happens If the State is Not Ready For Trial 

If the court exceeds these time limitations and still has not started your trial, they will be forced to release you on bail or reduce your bail amount. Once that happens, if you still cannot afford your bail amount you have two options: you can hire a bail bondsman to help you cover the bail or you will have to agree to wait in jail until the trial date. For most people, waiting in jail for more than 30 days can be a very heavy blow. This causes people to lose jobs, strain relationships, and if the defendant has childcare responsibilities, it can make it even more complicated. 

What About Travel While I’m on Bail?

Every situation is different and while many people that have been arrested choose to stay put and work on their defense or work on their personal situation at home, not everyone is the same. Many times, people have to travel for a variety of reasons: maybe you had an important trip for work, need to see a family member, or have shared custody of a child in another city. Whatever the situation may be, if you have been arrested and are wondering whether you are allowed to travel, here’s some advice. 

It is mostly recommended that you stay put while out on bail. Part of the reason bail exists is to make sure that defendants see their day in court and do not try to flee. While it might not be in everybody’s plans to flee the country, it seems to make everybody quite jittery.  So if you cannot skip the trip, make sure you talk to your bail bondsman and ensure that you are legally allowed to do so. While you are out on your trip, you want to maintain regular contact with your bail bondsman as well, just to put them at ease that there is no intention to escape. You want to make sure they know the length of your trip, the destination, and where you are staying. 

There are two instances where travel is simply a no-no. If you have been accused of a federal crime, you should not leave your city. Federal bonds restrict defendants to a certain area and you don’t want to risk getting caught outside of it. If you have skipped bail before and have evaded court dates in the past, the judge will be much harsher and likely take away your passport to ensure there is not travel. 

Questions on Bail? Call a Trusted Bail Bondsman in El Paso, Texas

There are likely many questions you might have regarding a loved one that is facing arrest and possible bail. If you have any questions, feel free to call our office and we can help. We are here to facilitate the legal system and make it as easy as possible for defendants to continue their lives while they await their trial. 

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How Bail Bonds Work in El Paso

someone in jail gripping the barsNo one wants to spend time in jail, especially during the holiday season. If you or a loved one is in police custody, and you’ve been charged with an offense, then you don’t have to feel as if all your options have been extinguished. You have the ability of posting bail in order to get out of jail. The bail amount is determined by the judge. He or she will base the amount on a handful of factors, such as the crime’s severity or the probability of the defendant, committing other crimes upon release.

Basically, by posting bail, you would be able to get out of jail and live your life as you would normally. You will still be required to appear on your designated court date, however. Bail can range from low amounts to high amounts of thousands or even millions. But in most drunk driving cases, for instance, bail can range from $500 to $1,000 if it’s a misdemeanor offense or upwards of $50,000 for felony drunk driving. 

Helping You Post Bail

Posting bail may seem impossible, especially if it’s an amount you can’t simply procure, but this is where bail bond companies come into play. If you’re in the El Paso area and you need help posting bail, then Freedom Bail Bonds can help.

Now, you may be asking yourself how exactly do bail bond companies work? In general, bail amounts are simply too high by most people’s standards. A bail bond company, however, can basically post bail on your behalf so you’ll be able to walk free from jail. The way this works is quite simple. Bail bond companies charge a nonrefundable fee of 10 or 20 perfect the bail amount. So, let’s say your bail was set at $1,000 and the bail bond company you choose charges a 20% fee, you will only have to pay $200 out of your own pocket while the bail bond company pays the rest of the bail on your behalf. But that’s not the end of the story.

Now this second part is where it gets a bit tricky. After you pay your percentage, you’ll be required to sign a surety bond which basically makes you liable for the full bail amount if you fail to appear in court for your appointed court date. This is basically the collateral required for the bail bond company to do its part in helping you to get out of jail. So, as long as you appear on your appointed court date, you’ll have nothing to worry about in terms of bail. Sure, there’s still the whole issue about your alleged offense and the potential sentence you may or may not face, but that’s all further down the road. Our main goal is to get you out of jail upon your arrest.

If you’re spending time in jail, maybe a week or two, for driving under the influence and it’s your first offense, then the legal ramifications might be much more lenient than if this were a felony DUI charge. But those are the details you’ll go over with your lawyer at a future date. Freedom Bail Bonds is focused on helping you get out of jail so you’ll be able to live your life with your family, not in jail. 

Many people get pulled over for drunk driving, especially during the holiday season. New Year’s Eve is unabashedly known for its copious amounts of drinking. It’s also a night for celebration which means there are countless parties taking place all across the city. If you were invited to three parties and you had a few drinks at the first one, you might get pulled over while on your way to the next party. Or you might find yourself driving the same road where a DUI checkpoint is taking place. 

Freedom Bail Bonds is Ready to Help

Whatever your situation may be, it’s necessary for you to have the knowledge that Freedom Bail Bonds will be there to lend a helping hand. Paying whatever amount of bail out of your own pocket may not seem feasible but paying a small percentage for the same outcome is very much doable. If you or a loved one requires bail assistance, we can help. Contact Freedom Bail Bonds today. Or simply save our number in your phone book so you’ll be prepared if the moment ever arises.  

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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.