Understanding Bail Bonds

To help make the bail process as easy as possible for clients, our Dallas bail bond agents work overtime to protect your interests. Our goal is to answer all your bail bond questions quickly while working to secure the release of your friend or loved one from jail.

A Way Out Bail Bonds takes pride in helping defendants understand every option available from our bail bond company. Here are some important terms to know as we walk you through the Dallas TX bail bond process.

A

Accused – The person who is arrested and/or accused of a crime.

Absconding Debtor – A person who purposefully leaves a jurisdiction (area where arrested) to avoid the legal process.

Action – The steps by which a party seeks to enforce any right in a court or all the steps of a criminal prosecution.

Arraign – Arraignment of an accused consists of calling upon him by name, reading the charges in the arrest documents, and demanding to hear a plea of innocence or guilt. This hearing may be combined with informing the accused of options regarding a defense attorney.

Arrest – To deprive a person of his liberty by legal authority.

B

Bail Bond – A written obligation (with or without collateral security) given to a court to guarantee that the accused will appear before the court. Court accepts this bond/guarantee in exchange for allowing a defendant (accused) to stay out of jail until the end of the case.

Bail Bondsman – Any person or representative of a person who is in business and paid to uphold surety (guarantee) on a bail bond.

Bail Forfeiture – When the court orders the surety (bail bond agent) to pay the amount of security (bail) pledged because an accused fails to comply with the requirements of a bond.

Bail Schedule – A bail schedule is a list of crimes and the bail amounts required to release the accused from custody. These bails vary from municipality to municipality. Judges can also change the amount of bail needed, depending on the facts of each case.

C

Citation Release – Instead of being booked into jail immediately after arrest, a defendant may be given a written citation (also known as a “Cite Out”) by the arresting officer. A “Cite Out” is generally used for very minor infractions.

Collateral – Any property or money pledged or given to guarantee bail, then returned to the person posting bail at the conclusion of the court case after everyone has appeared as promised.

Court Order – A command or mandatory order by a judge made during a case.

Criminal Defense Lawyer – A criminal defense lawyer is a legal professional who organizes a case and represents someone accused of a crime. Everyone in America, whether a citizen or not, is entitled to legal counsel before questioning can begin.

D

Defendant – A person required to answer any accusation in a legal action or lawsuit.

Detention Facility – Jail or holding cells.

F

Felony – A serious criminal offense.

I

Incarceration – Imprisonment; confinement in a jail or penitentiary.

Initial Appearance – The process by which an arrested defendant is promptly brought before a judicial officer who then advises the defendant of the charges against him, his right to counsel, official court date and sets conditions of pre-trial release. It also includes a “probable cause” ruling on a cases involving arrest without warrant and a preliminary hearing in felony cases.

L

Licensed Bail Agent – A licensed bail agent is a person or company authorized by a governmental regulatory agency to arrange bail for people accused of crimes. Licensing ensures that your bail agent engages is legitimate practices and can be held accountable for any wrongdoing.

Lien – A claim upon real property in exchange for paying off a debt.

M

Magistrate – Judge or officer of the court holding the power to set bail and determine conditions of release after a person is arrested.

Misdemeanor – A minor criminal offense.

P

Plaintiff – The person filing a complaint in a civil action.

Plea – An answer to a charge.

Posting Bail – Posting bail is the process by which the amount needed to release a person from custody is paid to the courts.

Public Defender – A public defender is a lawyer provided by the courts at no charge to represent someone accused of a crime.

S

Surety – When another person posts bond on the behalf of a defendant, the bail bond becomes a three-party contract between the defendant, the court, and the surety. The surety is the party who, at the request of a defendant, becomes responsible for securing the defendant’s appearance in court. People who may act as a surety for a criminal bond include licensed bond agents and friends and relatives of the defendant. As part of the contract, the defendant promises to appear at future proceedings. The surety promises to forfeit to the court the amount of the bond if the defendant fails to appear as required.

V

Verdict – The decision or finding of a court.

Warrant – A written order by a judicial officer commanding a peace officer to arrest the person named or to search for and seize property.

24 Hour Bail Company

For fast, dependable bail bonds in Dallas and surrounding communities in Texas, contact us online. Call a bail bond agent for confidential assistance at (214) 760-9978 in Dallas County and (817) 261-2828 in Tarrant County.