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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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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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Types of Misdemeanors and Their Penalties

hands in handcuff behind backBeing arrested for a misdemeanor, while may not be as serious as other charges, can still come with heavy consequences. If a loved one is in jail for any reason, you probably want to get them out as quick as possible. The circumstance does not change, even with smaller charges. While the charges and penalties are smaller, you will still want to seek out bail bond assistance to avoid jail time.

What are the Penalties for Misdemeanors?

As you may already know, there are different levels, known as classes, of misdemeanor crimes.

Class A – These are the most serious types of misdemeanors. A conviction of a Class A is punishable with the most severe consequences. This can include up to $4,000 in penalties and up to one year in jail. Resisting arrest, a second DWI or assault with bodily injury are a few examples of this kind of crime.

Class B –  These are the second class and less severe than Class A. Class B are punishable with up to 180  days in jail and fines up to $2,000. A first DWI, criminal trespassing, and vandalism are just a few examples.

Class C – Class C are not punishable by jail time. A person can still be arrested for a class C crime and fines can be up to $500. Sometimes a judge may order community service time.

What Can Be Done

If your loved one has been arrested for misdemeanor crimes, you can seek out the help of a bail bond agency to get them out of jail. While the bond, fees and jail time might be less severe, it is always good to have the peace of mind that bonds can offer.  It is as simple as contacting the right bail bond agency and getting the process started. While you may not have the full amount required that is set by the judge for bond, you can still get your family member help. A bail bond agency will pay the bond while you put up collateral in the form of property. The fee you pay is only a portion of the actual bond.

Contact Us Today

At Freedom Bail Bonds we offer 24/7 help. If you have found yourself in an emergency situation, are bondsman can help you get your loved one out of jail. We know all too well emergencies never happen at a opportune hour.  Be sure to contact us for more information.

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Don’t Take Misdemeanors Lightly

Misdemeanors in El Paso are crimes that are less severe than felonies. They are broken down into Class A, Class B, and Class C, Class A being the most severe. By definition in Texas, they are crimes with a penalty of less than one year and a fine of less than $4,000. If your loved one has been arrested for a misdemeanor it should not be taken lightly. While they are less serious than a felony, jail time is still a possibility. At Freedom Bail Bonds we take every single case seriously. We treat every single arrest urgently and offer the same service.

More About Misdemeanors

As mentioned before, misdemeanor crimes are broken into classes. Class A is the most severe and can result in consequences of up to a year of jail time and up to $4,000 dollars in fines. Some cases of crimes can include a second DWI offense, theft, unlawfully carrying a weapon, and carrying between two to four ounces of marijuana. Jail time is actually only a possibility for Class A and B crimes. There is also a statute of limitations that states defendants must be charged within two years.

Class B and C are less severe. Class B crimes can include a first time DWI offense, carrying small amounts of marijuana, and small time theft. Class C can include disorderly conduct, public intoxication, traffic tickets, or simple assault. While all of these crimes are much less severe than felonies they all go on a record. After multiple offenses the consequences and bail costs become more severe. They should be taken seriously.

Bail for Misdemeanors

If your loved one has been charged with a misdemeanor they are much more likely to get the option for bail. However, it is still best to take the charges seriously and respect the process. Taking the system lightly or brushing it off can result in unfavorable outcomes. Defendants are actually given the same right to trial if they so choose. While the charges are much less severe, bail amounts are normally much more affordable for these crimes as well.

Contact Us Right Away

If you need help with a bail bond for your loved one contact us at Freedom Bail Bonds right away. We take every single case seriously and process your bond just as we would for more extensive crimes. We also offer 24 hour service for all of our clients. Don’t treat these charges lightly. Call us today for more info.

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Common Questions About Affordable Bail Bonds

Using a bail bond agency to get your loved one out of jail is useless if it is not affordable. Affordable bail bonds are the best way to make sure your loved one doesn’t spend the night in jail. However, if you have never been through the process you may have plenty of questions about bail. It is normal to feel anxious or confused during this time. We have a few questions listed that we get asked on a regular basis.

What Info Do I Need to Provide?

In order to get started with affordable bail bonds there is a bit of information you will need to provide. You will need to tell the bailsman where your loved one is in custody including the city, state, and name of the jail. It is also necessary to provide the proper name and booking number. If you cannot get a hold of this number the agency may be able to help. Finally, it necessary to know exactly how much the bail is set for. The agency will let you know how much it will cost to post bond and what is required to get your loved one out of jail.

Will I Get My Money Back?

An affordable bail bond is also known as a surety bond. This entails paying the bail premium which is only a percentage of what the whole bail comes out to. The percentage depends on the state’s statutes and regulations. This premium is the not refundable. It is the fee you pay for the bail agent to handle the client and ensure they show up to court dates.

What if the Defendant Doesn’t Show Up to Court?

When you post bail you have to use collateral to enter into the affordable bail bonds agreement. If your loved one does not show up to the assigned court appearance it is important to call the bail agent right away. They will discuss options with you. The last thing you want is to lose the colateral you placed on the agreement. Some examples of collateral include real estate, cars, stocks, bonds, your own credit, and more.

Contact Us for Affordable Bail Bonds Today

If you or a loved one has been arrested it is very possible to skip the night in jail. Contact our experts at Freedom Bail Bonds right away. We can provide the help you are looking for.