What Are the Penalties for Bail Jumping in Texas?

 Posted on July 29, 2022 in Bail Bonds

Being arrested and charged with a crime can be a scary experience. If you are not familiar with the criminal justice system, you will probably be worried about what will happen to you, especially if police officers attempt to get you to confess or tell you that you will go to jail for a long time if you do not cooperate. As you face criminal charges, it can be easy to feel like you have no hope of success, and to avoid a long sentence, you may consider fleeing after being released on bail. However, doing so is a serious offense, and it could lead to additional consequences.

The Crime of Bail Jumping and its Potential Consequences

After being arrested, you will usually be able to be released from police custody by paying bail. The justice system recognizes that being held in custody for an extended period of time could result in significant difficulties for you and your family. As long as releasing you into the public would not put others at risk, you will usually be allowed to get out of jail relatively quickly after being arrested.

The amount of bail you will need to pay to be released is set by a judge, and the purpose of bail is to make sure you will return to court when required. The judge may place some conditions on bail, such as prohibiting you from committing further crimes or restricting you from going to certain places or associating with certain people. If you make all required appearances during your case and meet the conditions that were put in place, the bail that you posted will be returned to you.

In some cases, after posting bail and being released, people may attempt to flee because they do not think it will be possible to fight the charges, and they believe that if they return to court, they will be convicted and required to serve a prison sentence. They may leave the area in hopes of avoiding the local authorities, or they may simply fail to show up in court when required. Intentionally failing to appear in court when required is known as bail jumping. Any form of bail jumping is a criminal offense in Texas, and these charges may be added on to the original charges. 

If you skip bail, you will usually be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, and you could be sentenced to up to one year in prison along with any consequences that come with the conviction for your original charges. If your original offense was only punishable by a fine, bail jumping is a Class C misdemeanor, and a conviction may be punished by an additional fine of up to $500. However, if you were originally charged with a felony, bail jumping will be charged as a third degree felony, and you could be sentenced to up to 10 years in addition to the sentence for your original felony offense. 

Contact Our Collin County Bail Agents

Paying bail after being arrested can be difficult, and many people struggle to put together thousands of dollars so they can be released. At Doc's Bail Bonds, we can post a bail bond on your behalf, and we will offer affordable options for paying the required amount. We can also explain the consequences of skipping bail, and we will work with you to make sure you meet your requirements for future court appearances so you avoid any additional criminal charges. Contact a Plano bail bondsman today by calling 214-747-4110.

Sources:

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.38.htm

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.12.htm