The bail process can be stressful. After all, it’s not something we plan ahead for. It often comes in the form of a phone call out of the blue from a friend or loved one arrested for probable cause of having committed a criminal offense and is being held in a detention facility. Here’s a guide to help you post bail in San Antonio.
Understanding Bail
Bail is the conditional release from jail through a bail bond, a monetary deposit, or some form of property, with the promise to appear in court when required. Failure to appear results in revocation of the bond, forfeiture of any monetary deposit or property. Bail is returned after any legal proceedings have concluded. The judge or magistrate decides the amount required. Many factors are weighed like the defendant’s criminal history, flight risk, type of crime (violent or non-violent) alleged, and the safety of the community.
How to Post Bail in San Antonio
If the judge or magistrate has approved bail and the terms have been set, the release process can begin. Bond amounts can be set high, and most people are financially unable to post bail by themselves. This is where a bail bondsman comes in. They typically require 10% of the bond amount to be paid upfront. The rest is secured in the form of collateral (property deed, vehicle title, stocks, etc.).
Important Information Needed to Get the Process Started
The process goes more smoothly when you have all the information about the bail gathered before you contact a bail bondsman. Here’s a list of things necessary to know to complete the process:
The type of bond that was set:
- Money Payment — The dollar amount that has been set for release.
- Signature Bond — The defendant signs a document stating they will appear before the court when required.
- Property Bond — The defendant, friend, or family member uses a property deed owned by them as security.
The bond terms: The amount of the bond to be paid, who it’s paid to, and the ramifications if the defendant fails to appear for court dates.
Who’s responsible: Decide who will be responsible for the money and collateral if the defendant fails to appear for a court date. If you’re using a bondsman, they will usually agree to take responsibility. It’s important to know that if the defendant fails to appear, the bondsman has to pay the court the full amount of the bond.
Be Aware of the Consequences
Posting bail for another person is a huge responsibility. When you post bail for a defendant, you’re guaranteeing that they will show up to court when required. That’s why it’s important you completely trust them. There’s always a chance they will fail to appear for their court case. Being charged with a crime is stressful and could cause someone to do something entirely out of character, like jump bond.
As the responsible party, you could be sued for additional costs if a bounty hunter has to be obtained to search for the defendant to return them to custody, even if you didn’t know they failed to appear.
If you’ve been arrested in Texas and are looking for a reliable, professional bail bond company in the San Antonio area, River City Bail Bonds is here for you. Our experienced, family-owned, and operated bondsmen are here to answer your questions, address concerns, and walk you through the bail and release process. Find an office in your area and give us a call.
