What Are the Most Common Charges That Result in Bail in Texas?

 Posted on February 15, 2023 in Bail Bonds

The state of Texas has some of the toughest criminal laws in the nation. People who are arrested and charged with crimes will need to determine their options for defense, but in many cases, their first priority will be to get released from custody as quickly as possible so they can return to their daily lives and avoid financial or personal problems. They can do so by paying a certain amount of money set by the court, which is known as bail. In many cases, it can be difficult to come up with these funds on short notice, but bail bonds can provide a solution, allowing for a speedy release. Courts may set bail in a variety of different types of criminal cases, but there are some offenses that are charged more often than others.

Texas Offenses That Most Often Require Defendants to Pay Bail

On April 1, 2022, the state of Texas implemented a Public Safety Report System (PSRS) that requires court clerks to report on the number of defendants for each category of offense where bail is set, as well as the number of bonds issued. The PSRS report for the fiscal year 2022 listed the top 10 offenses in which defendants were required to pay bail:

1. Possession of less than one gram of controlled substances in Penalty Group 1 - These offenses involved possession of less than one gram of drugs such as heroin or cocaine, which is a state jail felony.

2. Domestic assault - These included cases in which a person was accused of committing assault against a family member that resulted in bodily injury. This offense is usually charged as a Class A misdemeanor, although a person who had previously been convicted of domestic assault or other related offenses may be charged with a third-degree felony.

3. DWI - Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is usually charged as a Class B misdemeanor for a first offense. A second DWI will usually be charged as a Class A misdemeanor, and felony charges will typically apply for any subsequent DWI convictions.

4. Trespassing - The offense of criminal trespass may apply in situations where a person enters or remains on someone else's property without permission, and it is usually charged as a Class B misdemeanor.

5. Marijuana possession - In most cases, people will face Class B misdemeanor charges for possessing less than two ounces of marijuana.

6. Possession of one to four grams of controlled substances in Penalty Group 1 - Possession of larger amounts of these drugs will typically result in third-degree felony charges.

7. Unlawful carrying of weapons - People who are not permitted to carry handguns because of felony convictions or others who violate the laws related to carrying dangerous weapons such as knives may face Class A misdemeanor charges.

8. Theft - The most common charge involves the theft of property valued at $100 to $750, which is charged as a Class B misdemeanor.

9. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon - A person who is accused of committing assault while using or displaying a firearm or another dangerous weapon may face second-degree felony charges. If a person used a deadly weapon and inflicted serious bodily injury on the victim, they may be charged with a first-degree felony.

10. Assault resulting in bodily injury - A person who intentionally or recklessly injured someone else may face Class A misdemeanor charges.

Contact Our McKinney Bail Agents

If you have been arrested for one of the offenses listed above, or if you are facing any other criminal charges, you will need to determine how to pay bail and get released. With the assistance of a bail bondsman, you will be able to return to your daily life while awaiting trial, and you can avoid being stuck in jail until your case is resolved. To learn more about how Doc's Bail Bonds can help you get out of jail quickly and affordably, contact a Denton County bail bondsman today at 214-747-4110 so we can get started helping you right away.

Source:

https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1455371/2022_bail-report.pdf