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How Much Can a Bail for Felony or Misdemeanor Cost?
Apr 29, 2020
How much does it cost to bail out of jail for a felony charge or misdemeanor charge in Austin TX?
Every state has its own set of bail laws along with the corresponding suggested amount for different crimes. In Texas, bail bond amounts could differ from county to county. Bails for counties with a population of more than 110,000 are regulated by each individual County Bail Bond Boards (CBBB) while for lesser populated counties with no CBBB’s, the sheriff or judge is tasked with such job.
So how much can a felony or misdemeanor charge set you back financially in Texas? First, let us differentiate the two.
Cost of Bail for a Felony Charge
Felony is a crime that typically involves violence and is usually deemed serious crimes by society. Misdemeanor on the other hand is a collective term for offenses less severe than a felony but more grave than infractions. Some crimes that can be categorized under felony are murder, kidnapping, arson rape, sale of illegal drugs and robbery. It can also include aggravated assault, burglary and sometimes driving while intoxicated (DWI). Crimes like simple assault and theft are what would normally constitute a misdemeanor.
Every crime can also differ from each other depending on the severity of the circumstances. A simple theft (misdemeanor) can be raised to burglary (felony) should the magistrate deem that the evidences presented will warrant such. As a general rule, crimes that are punishable with a year of jail time to a lifetime imprisonment are considered felony while those that could only warrant a punishment of less than a year in prison are under misdemeanor.
People found guilty of misdemeanor are usually put in county jails while a felony sentence can land someone in a state penitentiary. Someone will not lose any civil rights if they are convicted of the former. The latter can, however, make them lose their right to vote, carry a gun or get certain state occupational licenses.
In Texas, a felony charge is classified into degrees depending on the severity of the crime committed: capital, first-degree, second-degree, third degree and state jail. Misdemeanors, meanwhile, have three categories: Class A, B and C. These classifications usually determine the penalty and consequently affect the amount of bail bonds for each individual crime.
Cost of Bail for a Misdemeanor Charge?
Typical misdemeanor charges such as possession of controlled substances (first offense), battery against a peace officer and driving under influence on suspended license, violation of restraining orders or any protective order for that matter and public intoxication/indecency usually have lower bond amounts than felony charges. Second and third offenses of these crimes normally rack up a higher bail.
Grave felonies such as murder will commonly not qualify for a bond but should the magistrate allow it, the amount of bail usually depends on the level of threat the accused poses for the community. Kidnapping for extortion, robbery, carjacking, sexual assault on children below the age of 10, voluntary manslaughter, driving a vehicle with gross negligence, general kidnapping, first degree robbery, carjacking, rape and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor will more often than not fetch a bail higher than minor felony charges like hit and run, evading a police officer, illegal possession of firearms, burglary, stalking and arson.
The accused’s age, criminal history, prior record of not appearing in court and other current charges can also play a crucial role in determining the exact amount which is ultimately set by a judge. An experienced criminal lawyer may also plead for a lowering of bail or issue a personal bond which will get the accused out of jail at the least possible cost.
We can help you get a personal bond for your loved one and secure their release in as short as 24 hours. Talk to us to find out how.
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Seeing someone dear to you being put in handcuffs and carried off in a police vehicle can be really devastating. What more if that loved one is arrested without your knowledge and you barely even know which prison they’re carting off your dear one to? That would entail a complicated search process both online and offline. To make it easier for you, we are listing below ways on how you can find your loved one in a Texas prison. Read on to find out more.
In Texas, three types of bonds are allowed: personal, surety and cash bond. A personal bond, also known as recognizance bond, doesn’t require monetary deposit from the accused. This usually applies not just to the minor but to serious charges as well and can be posted by a Lawyer or Attorney in Austin. It’s usually the most popular way of getting someone out of jail in Austin, because it does not require a cosigner.
In Austin personal bonds are applicable for any type of offense and these are the type of bonds that a criminal defense attorney like the Law Office of Morales in Austin offers to those in need. That way the money you spend to secure the bond can go towards your lawyer fees that you are going to have to shell out anyway.
