By Jeff Kennedy
What Is a Bail Bond, and How Does it Work?
When you’ve been charged with certain crimes in Texas, you could be arrested and jailed. Depending on the severity of the crime you’re accused of committing, you may not be released on personal recognizance (PR). Being released on PR allows you to get out of jail without putting up any money at all.
You are given a chance to stay in the community with a promise that you will appear at all court hearings. PR releases are usually only offered to those charged with minor offenses. If your charge is more serious, you will only be able to get out of jail by posting bond. But what is a bail bond, and how does it work?
Understanding How Bail Bonds Work
You probably don’t want to sit in jail for a long time pending trial. Most people would much rather be in the community while they wait for their trial date. In order to be released back to the community for some types of criminal charges, you may have to post bail.
A bail bond is an amount of money that must be paid to the court to secure your release. You can think of bail as a sort of collateral for letting you out. You are released and the court holds your bail. If you attend all of your court hearings as required, your bail amount can be returned to you. If you fail to attend court hearings, your bail will be forfeit.
If you can’t afford to pay bail on your own, you can make an arrangement with a bail bondsman. They can front you the money for your bail for a fee.
Speak to a Criminal Lawyer in Texas
Now you know what a bail bond is and how it works. A Fort Worth, Texas, criminal defense lawyer can help you post bail and can help you deal with criminal charges. Contact The Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy at 817-605-1010 or fill out the internet form below.