Learn About Violent Crime Bail
Anywhere in this country, crime isn’t taken lightly, and here in Texas, violent crimes are a high priority for law enforcement. The purpose of establishing a high cost for violent crime bail bonds, is to make it visible that “crime doesn’t pay”, but instead cost. The cost can be considered financially and physically with time in jail.
What is considered a violent crime in Texas?
A violent crime is a serious offense in The Lone Star State and involves a direct confrontation between an alleged offender and a victim. Violent crime bail bonds may be approved by a judge for any of the following arrests:
- Aggravated assault: When one person attacks another person while displaying or using a weapon or engaging in physical contact that resulted in severe bodily injury including broken bones, internal injuries, and/or loss of consciousness.
- Robbery: This crime may be granted violent crime bail bonds would include a person attempting or actually taking another person’s property while in their possession. Using force or violent action can cause the victim to feel they could be harmed or worse.
- Sexual assault: Typically referred to as rape, a judge may or may not allow any posting of violent crime bail bonds. This offense includes the penetration by one person to another in the anus, vagina, or mouth by using body parts or other objects without consent.
- Murder: This is considered to be the most violent of all crimes and is less likely to be granted the opportunity to post violent crime bail bonds, especially if another crime was being committed at the same time.
How much is a bond for a felony in Texas?
The cost of posting violent crime bail bonds is usually 10% of the bail amount the judge has set. In some cases, depending on the seriousness of the crime, the bail bond agent could require 20% of the bail amount to post violent crime bail bonds. A partial list of felony degrees and their bail amount is as follows:
- State Jail Felony is an offense like an arrest for a DWI or DUI with a child passenger; the theft of property with a value between $2,500 to $30,000; check forgery.
- Third-Degree Felony is an offense like indecent exposure with a child, stalking, a 3rd DWI offense, intoxication assault, or being accused of deadly conduct with a firearm.
- Second Degree Felony is an offense that includes aggravated assault, intoxication manslaughter, robbery, sexual assault, or possession of marijuana between 50 pounds and 2,000 pounds.
- First Degree Felony is an offense that can include aggravated robbery, attempted murder, sexual assault against a child, or arson of a residential building resulting in death.
How much is the bond for manslaughter in Texas?
In Texas, for a person to be charged with manslaughter, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the death that occurred was caused by the recklessness of the accused. The law does not require that intent was considered by the accused as it does with murder charges.
For manslaughter or murder, the reigning judge has the right to automatically decline the possibility of posting violent crime bail bonds.
What is the most common felony charge in Texas?
On the top of felony charge lists in Texas, drug-related offenses are the most common. This includes certain drugs being illegal to manufacture, distribute, sell, possess, or use such as the following:
- Controlled Prescription Drugs
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Fentanyl
- Any synthetic opioids
- Heroin
- Methamphetamines
How long do you stay in jail if you can’t make bail in Texas?
If a person arrested on any crime in Texas can’t make bail, including violent crime bail bonds, they will remain in custody until their court date. Whether they are released will depend on the judge and/or jury’s finding during the court appearance.
There is the possibility of being released on their own recognizance. This will be a judge’s decision using facts like the arrested person’s standing in the community, their employment and financial security, family life, previous criminal history, and most importantly, the type of crime they were arrested for and the surrounding circumstances.
How long do violent crime arrests stay on a person’s record?
Any type of conviction, misdemeanor, or felony will remain on a person’s history forever unless expunging the record is granted by the judge. However, the ‘arrest’ will stay on the record, visible only by law enforcement agencies, but not seen by any background check by an employer or landlord.
In Conclusion
Any time a person is arrested, it is in their best interest to hire a defense attorney. The attorney can guide them through the legal process, including posting violent crime bail bonds and the following process of court dates and pleads. An experienced defense attorney will have the knowledge that can have the charges lowered or even dropped.
For assistance with violent crimes bail in Austin, TX, turn to ATX Bail Bonds. You can reach us at 512.834.2245 today!