What Happens If I Jump Bail?

After a Texas arrest, you may have the option of posting bail. The money you are handing over is not a fine for your offense, it is a sort of agreement. There are specific terms that need to be followed if you agree to a pretrial release, the main one being that you will return on your court date. If you jump bail and fail to appear, a warrant for your arrest will be issued and you will lose all of the bail money posted.

If you have questions about bail, whether it is an option for you or particular questions about the terms, connect with an experienced Houston criminal lawyer. When you are out on bail, you need an attorney working on your defense. Hiring a criminal lawyer means you will get the guidance you need now and a professional will be working to protect your future.

Communication and Criminal Activities

When you are released on bail, the terms of your release will be shared with you. While there can be particular components that apply to your circumstance, most bail term include the following:

• No criminal activity during your pretrial release.
• Communication with the alleged victim or others involved is to be avoided.
• Additional stipulations adhered to.

Failing to comply will result in more problems, including revocation of the bail funds and going back to jail to await your court date where additional charges may be added to your original offenses.

It is common for people to interchangeably use the terms bond and bail, but they are not the same. Bail is the financial figure you are required to post to access your pretrial release, the amount will depend on the details of your case.

Bondmen are individuals who offer bail bonds, a more expensive choice for people who do not have enough money to post bail on their own. When you make an agreement with a surety agent, or bondsman, you are paying them 10% of the bail amount to provide you with the bail money. Then, if you jump bail and lose access to those funds, you owe the bondsman for the bail amount. That debt is not forgiven until it is paid in full.

When You Are Scared, Talk to an Attorney

Jumping bail is a short-sided decision that leads to long-term problems. If you are scared about facing the criminal justice system, talk to a Houston criminal lawyer about steps to protect yourself and build your defense. Running away will not help.

What about bail do you not understand? A skilled Texas criminal defense attorney can inform you of all your options after an arrest and will aggressively fight for your rights. It is possible there will be unique terms to your pretrial release. Before you or a loved one post bail or decide to work with a bail bondsman, talk to the talented legal team at Ayson Law Firm. When you connect with our attorneys early in the process, we can get started right away on the task of protecting your future. Contact us for a free consultation.