When someone is arrested, their first thought is how and when they’ll get out of jail. Most people get out by posting bail. A bail can be property, a bond or cash that a defendant gives the court to ensure that they will appear in court as required. If the defendant fails to appear, the court retains the bail and an arrest warrant is issued.
Bail Setting
Only a judge can set bail. Most people want to get out of jail right away instead of waiting for a judge, and many jails have bail charts specifying set amounts for frequently-committed crimes. In some cases, a person can get out quickly by paying that amount. If a person wants to get bailbonds in Fort Worth but they can’t afford it, they can request that a judge lower the bail.
Conditions for Bail
A person who has been bailed out must follow certain rules, or conditions of release. If any of these rules are violated, bail may be revoked by the judge, and the suspect can be arrested and put back in jail. Some conditions are fairly common, such as a requirement to ‘obey all laws’. Other conditions are indicative of the crime committed (such as an order not to contact the victim in a domestic violence case).
Bail Payments
Bail can be paid in a variety of forms: by check or cash for the full amount, by property with a value equal to the bail amount, or by bond. Bail bonds are a guarantee for payment of the bail amount, and an assurance that the defendant will not flee. In limited circumstances, a waiver of payment can be made on the condition that the suspect will appear in court as required. This is commonly called ROR, or release on recognizance.
A bail bond of 10% of the total amount can seem like a substantial savings over posting the entire amount, but bonds can be expensive. If the full amount is paid, it’s refundable after the case is concluded. However, a bondsman’s fee is not refundable, and the bond agency may require a deposit of collateral.
