If you find yourself or a loved one arrested and charged with a crime, you will most likely want to know how to get out of jail as soon as possible. Nonetheless, depending on the crime you or your loved one is charged with, the procedures that will be followed when posting bail could be different. For a misdemeanor and low-level offense, bail is usually set at a smaller amount, and sometimes a person could be released on a personal bond. On the other hand, since felony charges are more serious, bail is set at higher amounts. Also, with a felony charge comes other restrictions placed upon a person before he or she is released. Luckily, you or your loved one can typically get a bail bond that will get you out of jail and back to your everyday life, no matter what the offense may be. Allowing you to get back to a normal life will help you and your lawyer determine how to defend against the charges you are being faced with.
Felony Offenses
In Texas, the Penal Code outlines many criminal offenses that are considered felonies. Since these are serious crimes, a conviction can have an outcome of a prison sentence of at least one year. Felonies are categorized into different “degrees”, with higher degree felonies carrying a more severe consequence. Due to this, if you or your loved one is charged with a felony, you will most likely be required to pay a higher price for bail in order to be released.
The following are examples of different degrees of felonies.
- State Jail Felonies: Crimes include DWI with a child passenger, theft of property assessed at $2,500 to $30,000, or check forgery. Bail amounts are typically between $500 to $1,500.
- Third Degree Felonies: Crimes include stalking, indecent exposure to a child, third DWI, deadly conduct with a firearm, or intoxication assault. Bail amounts are normally between $1,500 to $5,000.
- Second Degree Felonies: Crimes include intoxication manslaughter, aggravated assault, sexual assault, robbery, or possession of 50 to 2,000 pounds of marijuana. Bail amounts can be from $2,500 to $50,000.
- First Degree Felonies: Crimes include sexual assault against a child, aggravated robbery, attempted murder, or arson of a residential building and someone died. Bail amounts can be from $5,000 to $100,000.
- Capital Felonies: Crimes that normally involve premeditated murder; however, espionage or treason can also be charged as a capital felony. Bail amounts can be as much as $500,000 or more, or an individual can be denied bail altogether.
There are many other factors that can play a role in how much bail is for someone charged with a felony. These factors can include whether a person has a previous conviction, whether they are currently on probation or parole, whether being released would cause a danger to the public, or whether there is a possibility they might flee or fail to show up for criminal proceedings. A judge could also set conditions while on bail. For instance, a person might be required to submit to electronic monitoring or restricting them from going outside a geographical area.
If you or a loved one are arrested and charged with a felony, there is a possibility that you can get released on bond. However, a judge will look at many factors before determining the amount of bail. Not everyone can afford to pay bail on their own. If you find that you are one of those individuals, contact AAAA Discount Bail Bonds to discuss how you can get your loved one or yourself out of jail. Call us today at (936) 356-4444 to get us started working for you!