11 Jun

June 11, 2020June 11, 2020Mark Monroe Bail Bonds Dallas, Dallas Bail Bonds No Comments

What Types of Bail Bonds Are Available in Texas?

If you’ve been arrested for the first time, you might be surprised to learn there are multiple types of bail. Texas law includes four types of bail bonds, and the one you’re faced with depends on the court, the severity of your offense, and how you decide to pay. This can be a confusing concept for anyone dealing with the legal process for the first time, so we’ve made a list of the different kinds of bail bonds available to you.

Personal Recognizance

If you’re a first-time offender of a non-violent crime, the court might release you simply on your promise to show up for all court hearings. This might be combined with other pre-trial diversion programs to help you get back on track and reduce the chances that you’ll offend again. This kind of bail is only granted after the court confirms this is your first offense, and that you have connections in the area, such as a family or job.

Cash Bond

Cash bonds are the least expensive bail bond available, usually costing $1,000 or less. These bonds are reserved for misdemeanors with no aggravating causes, and they can usually be paid in full by the defendant or with the help of a co-signer. It’s still recommended that you hire a bail bond agency to pay low bonds for added security. The defendant or co-signer can usually get most or all of their money back once the defendant shows up to their hearings.

Security Bond

When the defendant can’t afford to pay their bail, even with the help of a co-signer, their best option is to hire a bail bond agency. The biggest advantage of paying with the help of a bail bondsman is the defendant usually only has to pay ten percent of the bail to the agency, and a co-signer can help with the cost. This method comes with the risk of the defendant not appearing in court, which will result in a bail forfeiture and a warrant for their arrest. If the bail forfeiture goes through, the defendant and co-signer will be responsible for paying the entire bail amount to their agent.

Property Bond

Property bonds aren’t as common as cash and security bonds, but they give defendants with high bail amounts the option to still receive bail. The defendant or a co-signer must give the title to a property to the court or a bail bondsman, which they will get back once the defendant appears in court. The property must be located within the state, and it must be of equal or greater value than the bail amount. Popular properties include houses, vehicles, bank accounts, or valuable items like electronics and jewelry.

Get Out of Jail Fast With Delta Bail Bonds

If you or your loved one is facing jail time after an arrest, Delta Bail Bonds can help. Our bail bondsmen are available 24/7 to post bail anywhere in the country, and we’ll be able to help you through every step of the legal process. Call or visit our website to get in touch with a talented bail bondsman today!

08 Jun

June 8, 2020June 11, 2020Mark Monroe Bail Bonds Dallas, Dallas Bail Bonds, Tips and Advice No Comments

What Not To Do During Your Court Hearing

In the days leading up to your court hearing, you’re probably wondering what you can and can’t do in the courtroom. If you have no previous experience in court, the thought of attending your hearing can be intimidating. At Delta Bail Bonds, we do everything we can to educate our clients about the legal process and courtroom etiquette, so we’ve put together a guide to what you shouldn’t do in court.

Bring Your Children

It’s important for children to understand what’s going on with their parents, but bringing them to court isn’t productive. Most courtrooms don’t allow children once the session has started, and the courtroom staff isn’t responsible for taking care of your kids. Children bring unnecessary noise and disorder to the court, and most judges won’t be happy if you bring them to your hearing. It’s best to hire a babysitter or get help from friends or family, but we strongly advise against bringing anyone under 18 to the courtroom with you.

Wear Casual Clothes

Judges and juries expect the defendant to show respect to the courtroom, which includes the way you dress. Don’t wear your casual clothes to court. This will reflect poorly on you, and it doesn’t make a good impression on anyone in the room. If you’re awaiting your trial in jail, ask a friend or family member to drop a formal outfit off at the jail or with your defense attorney, or else you’ll have to appear in the same clothes you were arrested in.

Prop Your Feet on the Table or Take a Nap

Judges are very protective of their courtrooms, so it’s important to show respect to the courtroom as well as the judge. This means no propping your feet up, napping in the courtroom, or leaning your chair back. You’ll probably be in the courtroom for a long time, but that doesn’t give you an excuse to treat it like your living room. Stay seated and quiet in your chair, only standing when you’re expected to.

Speak Directly to the Judge Without Permission

When you’re in court, there’s a list of rules about how you can interact with the judge. You need to stand when the judge enters the room, introduce yourself only if prompted, and refrain from speaking to the judge directly or approaching the bench unless you get permission. If you have any questions for or about the judge, consult your defense attorney first. Some judges will also have a specific set of rules for their courtroom, which will be announced at the beginning of the session. Listen closely to these rules and commit them to memory.

Get Bailed Out Fast With Delta Bail Bonds

If you’re facing jail time while awaiting your day in court, call Delta Bail Bonds immediately. Our bail bondsmen can post bail for you or your loved one anywhere in the country, 24/7. Don’t miss out on work, school, bills, or important family time by staying in jail. Call us or visit our website to get in touch with an experienced bail bondsman today!

01 Jun

June 1, 2020May 27, 2025Mark Monroe Bail Bonds Dallas, Dallas Bail Bonds, Tips and Advice No Comments

Can I Leave Texas While Out On Bond?

If you’re out on bail, it’s always best to await your trial at home and use your free time to connect with your family and meet with your attorney. Unfortunately, some travel plans can’t be rescheduled or canceled just because you’re on bail. If you have a mandatory work trip or family obligations that can’t wait, you’re probably wondering about the rules of traveling while out on bond. We’ve put together a list of everything you need to know about traveling while bonded out so you can navigate the legal system better.

Why Bondsmen Discourage Out-of-State Travel

Even if you’re allowed to travel out-of-state while out on bond, your bail bondsman will probably discourage you from doing so. If a client leaves the state on a trip and becomes a fugitive, it can reflect poorly on the bondsman and make it harder for them to find jobs in the future. For this reason, it’s quite taboo for defendants to travel while bonded out and you’ll most likely be advised to stay home while you’re out on bail.

Talk to Your Bail Bondsman

Before getting in your car or on a plane, discuss your travel plans with your bondsman. Keeping your bail bondsman informed on your plans will help them trust you, and it’ll give them a chance to remind you of the things you can’t do while bonded out. If you aren’t allowed to travel due to the type of bail you’re on, consulting your bondsman means you’ll find out early on whether or not you can travel. Your bondsman might ask you to call or text them every day, and you should follow this rule while travelling. Staying in touch while you’re out of state will give your bondsman some peace of mind, and it’ll help them to keep tabs on you while you’re away.

Circumstances That Prohibit Travel

If you’re on a felony bond, you’ll be restricted from travelling outside of a specific area. Your judge will most likely suspend your passport and set the boundaries of your bail during a felony bail hearing.

If you’ve missed court dates or skipped bail in the past, or if the court has any other reason to deem you a flight risk, you won’t be able to travel. You’ll have to stay inside your state while you wait for your trial.

If neither of these apply to you, you’ll probably be allowed to travel while bonded out. Just remember to speak with your bail bondsman in advance and adhere to the terms of your bail, even while you’re travelling.

Facing Jail Time? Delta Bail Bonds Can Help

If you or a loved one has been arrested, Delta Bail Bonds can help. Our bail bondsmen are available 24/7 to post bail anywhere in the country, and we accept collateral and payment plans for anyone who can’t afford their entire bail. For more information, or to get in touch with an experienced bail bondsman, call or visit our website today!