Types of Bail Bonds Used in Texas

 Posted on November 29, 2023 in Bail Bonds

Texas allows four main types of bail bonds to help defendants get released from jail before their court date. A Texas bail bond agent, also known as a bondsmen, can provide these different bonds with the goal of ensuring defendants appear in court.

Cash Bonds

Cash bonds require defendants or their family and friends to provide the entire bail amount set by the court in cash. Once the case concludes, as long as the defendants attend all court dates, the cash goes back to whoever paid it. Cash bonds allow defendants to get released from custody immediately without needing a bail bond agent. However, paying the full bail amount upfront can present a financial challenge.

Surety Bonds

With surety bonds, bail bond companies provide a written guarantee to the court that they will pay the full bail amount if the defendant fails to appear. Defendants pay bail bond agents a nonrefundable fee, usually 10%-15% of the bail amount. If defendants miss court, bond agents are incentivized to locate and surrender them to avoid owing the court more money. Surety bonds provide the ability to get out of jail without putting up the entire bail amount themselves. These are the most common types of bonds in Texas.

Personal Recognizance Bonds

Judges can grant personal recognizance bonds when they determine defendants have community ties, making them unlikely to flee before trial. Defendants do not pay anything upfront but promise to show up to future court proceedings. Judges can revoke the bond if they fail to appear and send officers to arrest defendants. Personal recognizance bonds rely heavily on a defendant’s trustworthiness.

Immigration Bonds

Immigration bonds apply specifically to defendants detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). An immigration judge—not a criminal court judge—sets the bond amount for non-citizens charged with immigration violations or facing deportation. Defendants pay immigration bail bond agents who post a surety bond securing their release from ICE custody. If defendants miss immigration court dates, ICE can take them back into custody to face additional consequences.

The four bond types have different costs, requirements, and risks for Texas defendants and bondsmen. Understanding these key differences allows for informed bond and agent selection.

Contact a Dallas, TX Bail Bondsman

If you need help with bail, a McKinney, TX bail bond professional can help. You may qualify for bail or bond, depending on your specific situation. Call 214-747-4110 to start the process and see the next step you can take.