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.