FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Bail Bonds
What do I need to do to secure the release of a person from jail?
- Full Name of the Person In Jail
- Driver's License or ID
- Date of Birth
What is Bail?
Bail is the cash amount of bond, set by the court or magistrate, that is needed to secure ones release from custody, pending trial and adjudication of the offense charged.
What Is a Bail Bond and Why Should I Use a Bail Bond Company?
A bail bond is an agreement made between a bail bond agency and a defendant or someone party to the defendant. In a bail bond, the bail bondsman will post the full bail amount set by the court in exchange for a fee. This allows the defendant to come up with the funds needed for bail even if they do not have the cash on hand.
A professional bail bondsman will also make the bail process smoother and simpler for you. Allied Bonding Agency will guide you through the process from beginning to end and ensure that your loved one is free from jail as soon as possible.
How long does it take from the time a person is arrested before they are able to be bonded?
It depends on the jurisdiction. A person can technically and legally be held for up to 72 hours for investigative purposes, but charges in Harris County are usually filed within 8-12 hours from time of arrest. It could be longer in complex cases. Once the officer books the defendant, they prepare their report and send it to the district attorney for review. Once the district attorney decides to accept criminal charges and does a criminal background check, a clerk will assign a case number and a bond amount, which will then be put in the computer and sent back to the arresting agency. This is a time-consuming process and you have to be patient.
How long does it take for someone to be released from jail?
If you take action quickly enough, you may be able to secure the defendant's release before they are transferred to the Harris County Jail. You can usually secure a person's release from the Houston City Jail or surrounding municipality jails much faster than if they are moved to the county jail. Release from these jails can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours, but release from the Harris County Jail can take anywhere from 4-24 hours, depending on various factors. You need to contact a professional bondsman to facilitate the release in an expedient manner.
When will the defendant have to appear in court once they have been released from custody?
It generally depends on the jurisdiction and what the charges are. In the smaller counties around Harris County, the first scheduled court appearance will usually be within 30 days or more. Harris County is unique, as all charges are on a direct filing system with a scheduled court appearance to take place usually within 24-72 hours for felony charges and usually within seven days for misdemeanor charges.
Do we need a lawyer for the first court appearance?
Even though it may be advisable or preferable to have a lawyer with you on your first court appearance, it is not required. Most courts understand the impracticality and difficulty in securing representation on such short notice and know that you may be financially unable to secure counsel after having incurred jail release and auto impoundment expenses. After the first court date, the case will usually be reset about 3-4 weeks to give you time to obtain legal representation.
Can you refer a lawyer to help us?
By state statute, a bonding company is prohibited from referring a particular lawyer, and to do so would constitute a criminal offense as well as grounds for bail bond license suspension. We suggest you contact the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (713-227-2404) if you are in Houston, or contact the local bar associations if you are in the surrounding counties.
Do I really need a lawyer?
Yes, you do! The judge is a lawyer, the district attorney is a lawyer and you are not a lawyer (at least not usually). Even if you are a lawyer, it has generally been said that a fool is the lawyer who has himself for a client. You really do need a lawyer to protect your constitutional rights. In some limited instances or circumstances, the court may allow you to represent yourself, but the court will warn you in no uncertain terms that anything you work out with the district attorney will often not be in your best interest and may result in a final conviction on your record, which could come back to haunt you later in life.
I have someone who was arrested in another city or in another state. Can you help me?
In all likelihood, yes. Allied Bonding Agency is licensed through a major insurance company that is qualified in most states. Contact us so that we can check to see if there is an agent available in the particular locality.
I need to secure secure the release of someone with a federal charge. Can you help me?
Probably. Our insurance company is on the federal register and we are authorized to post federal bonds. The federal district courts in the Southern District of Texas determine the terms and conditions of release and utilize the Pretrial Services Division by allowing a 10 percent deposit with them, but in some instances, they require a surety bond. If they do, we can help you.
I have someone in jail who has already been convicted. Can I post bond on them?
If they have filed a notice of appeal and the court has set an appeal bond, then we can post an appeal bond while they are challenging their conviction in the appellate courts.
I have a fine to pay. Can I post bond on the fine?
No. The purpose of bail is to secure one appearance in court. Once you have gone to court, entered a plea of guilty or no contest, and received either a payment plan or extension to pay the same, the case is over and cannot be bonded unless you filed a notice of appeal within the time frame allowed by law.