Bail is often difficult for people to afford. The most common question asked by individuals is, “Do you get bail money back?”. Whether one is paying the full amount of bail or only a small percentage, many are concerned with if it is returned. The total bail can be expensive, and most individuals do not have thousands of dollars to pay the bail bond premium.

If someone cannot afford a bail premium, they can seek a bail agent and acquire a surety bail which only requires a percentage of the bail premium compared to paying the full amount of cash bail. The majority of people do not have to deal with bail regularly, so, understandably, there is confusion about how bail works, the paying and the returning of a bail bond.

According to AboutBail, you won’t always get your money returned. Receiving money back is dependent on how you posted bail and if the defendant shows up to their required court dates. This article goes over the basics of bail and how to ensure that you receive your bail bond money back upon a defendant’s release or sentencing in court if they were found guilty.

Summary:

• Do You Get Bail Money Back?

• Emphasis on How to Get Bail Money Back

• Purpose of Bail Money

• Refund Procedures

Do You Get Bail Money Back? 

Many factors play a role in receiving the bail bond money back. Bail acts as a security deposit to ensure the defendant will show up for their court appearances. Whether the defendant is proven guilty or not, they are still a suspect and therefore must follow all court procedures.

After being arrested, if bail is granted, conditions are applied to the bail implementation. These conditions are not universal and are contingent on what the defendant was arrested for, their criminal history, etc. Depending on what type of bail was posted, it can be refunded if the defendant follows all release conditions.

One receives bail money back if:

• Cash bail was placed to the court. You’d receive the full deposit back unless there were fines or fees charged by the judge.
• If you utilize a bail agent’s services, the bail bond premium is not refunded. For example, if you used an agent to obtain a surety bond, you won’t get your money back. 
• The money will be returned if the defendant shows up on all the required court appearances. 
  • If the defendant does not show up, you lose all your money. 
• They are being found not guilty on the charge resulting in the full bail amount returned.
• If a defendant pleads guilty, the discharge of bail will occur at the hearing.

Emphasis on How to Get Bail Money Back

Moreover, the type of bail posted affects the likelihood of receiving any refund. If you enlisted a bail bondsman to write a surety bond for the defendant, it is cheaper because you will only have to pay the bail agent a percentage of the total bail amount, usually 10%. However, the premium is non-refundable. The small percentage is usually considered a fee for the bail agent’s services.

Suppose you paid the court cash bail, as in you paid the total amount to the court. That bail money will be returned if the defendant makes all court appearances, pays all court fees and fulfills any court date. If the defendant does not show up in court or follow conditions, that money is forfeited. Furthermore, the defendant will also be arrested. On the condition that a defendant is found not guilty, the bond is discharged. If the defendant pleads guilty, the bond is discharged at sentencing.

If you secured a property bond, a property bond means you offered the actual value of your property to the court in exchange for the defendant’s release. When it comes to returned value, property bonds are similar to cash bail in that the court will legally seize the property if conditions, court dates, and court appearances are not met.

Purpose of Bail Money

Understanding what bail is and what a bond is are very important to understanding the purpose of bail money. Bail is the money paid into the court system to obtain the release of someone from jail who has been arrested. Bond is posted on the defendant’s behalf, usually by a bail bond agent, to secure his or her release. The purpose of bail is to make sure that a defendant attends all future proceedings for their case. Being out of bail is a contract with the court system. If the defendant keeps all scheduled court dates, the court releases/returns bail at the end of the case to the person who posted or paid it.

Refund Procedures

A refundable bail amount cannot just be released at your convenience. There is a process to receive money after paying bail. The process can take three to four weeks. First, you need to wait until the case is over or the defendant is being released, proven guilty, or proven not guilty. A defendant release can be:

• Discharged- the defendant was arrested, but District Attorney decides not to file charges–discharges are better than a dismissal
• Dismissed- the defendant was arrested, but for some reason, the District Attorney is no longer proceeding with the case
• Acquitted- a verdict of not guilty was found in the case against the defendant
• Convicted- a verdict of guilty was found in the case against the defendant, and there will be sentencing

To claim your money back, you will need to bring your bailor with you or let them attend your last court session for you. Typically, refunds will be returned by check even if you deposited bail to the court by cash. 

David Gallagher Bail Bonds’ office is open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Our bail agents can assist in getting the defendant to required court appearances, obtaining surety bonds, and court procedures.

David Gallagher Bail Bonds
4500 Airport Freeway
Fort Worth, Texas 76117
817-831-8880

According to a legal service blog using a bail bondsman has many benefits such as: 

1. Get you out of jail quickly
   • A bail bondsman knows who to speak to to expedite jail release, along with helping get all the paperwork together and filed.
2. Lower the bail fee
   • When you hire a bail bondsman, you are only required to pay 10% of the bail amount, which can save the bank account.
3. Offer legal expertise
   • A bail agent is familiar with bail procedures, the court process, and local legal counsel who could represent you or offer advice regarding your case.

Whether you committed the crime or not, being in jail can be scary for the defendant and for the loved ones of the person accused. Contact David Gallagher Bail Bonds if you were recently arrested for assistance from a bail agent. We are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, to help in the process of quick jail release.

Summary:

• Bail Bondsmen Near Me

• How is the bail amount determined?

• Can a family member cosign?

• David Gallagher Bail Services

Bail Bondsmen Near Me 

First, to find a bondsman near you, one must understand the bail bond process. Bail is the sum of money that must be deposited by the accused to obtain temporary release from jail while awaiting a court date. The bail amount is set by the judge or the county jail scale called a schedule. Bail is designed to ensure that the defendant will return to the court hearings that are scheduled at a later date. As previously stated, many defendants cannot post the entire amount on their own or with help from loved ones and must turn to a bail company to help them post bail. In short, the bail bondsman is investing in the defendant by posting bail for them.

The easiest way to find a bail agent is by searching online. One can do this by searching in the local area or utilizing an online database. Once you find a few local bail bondsmen, it is ideal to screen them through credentials, background, and local reputation. If you have already obtained legal counsel, you could also ask them for a referral to a bail company they recommend. Your lawyer will be familiar with your case and can suggest a bail agent who has had success in cases similar to yours.

We recommend you save the hassle and simply save our number. David Gallagher Bail Bonds is the top bail bondsman in Tarrant County and have been successfully helping our clients for years!

How is the bail amount determined?

Bail is generally set at an arraignment where the defendant may enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. At that time, the judge sets the bond amount according to several factors: the crime’s seriousness, the defendant’s criminal history, or the local bail schedule. The purpose of bail is not to punish the defendant. It is against the Eighth Amendment to post the bond amount at an excessive rate. The jail will use a bail schedule to determine bail when it comes to common crimes. If it is affordable to the defendant, the defendant can walk out of the police station after paying the scheduled amount. This means the defendant does not have to wait for arraignment. 

If the amount is unaffordable for the defendant, it is a disadvantage for bail to be determined by a schedule. Some accused will find it more beneficial to wait for arraignment where their legal counsel could argue for a lower amount that a judge may set compared to the predetermined local jail bail schedule.

Can a family member cosign?

A co-signer can be anyone who knows the defendant. The stronger the relationship, the more likely the individual will be approved as a co-signer. Family members, spouses, co-workers, or long time friends are usually acceptable. By becoming a cosigner, one can assist their loved ones during the court process and get them out of jail as soon as possible.

There are responsibilities as a co-signer. A co-signer is responsible for the defendant and the bail premium due at the time of signing the contract. Being a co-signer means you are the liable party for the defendant. As co-signer, it is their responsibility in getting your loved one to court at scheduled times. If they fail to show up, the courts or bail company will seek the full payment from you.

David Gallagher Bail Services

Services offered by David Gallaghers are, but are not limited to:

• 24 hour per day service
• All Traffic Tickets
• City, County, State Bonded
• DWI
• Felonies
• Free Bail Information
• Misdemeanors
• Quick Jail Release
• Walk-In Service
• Walk-Through Bond
• Warrant Information
• Warrants

We go above just providing a bail bonds. We find it essential to get a loved one released and home while waiting for their trial. We believe it is a person’s constitutional right to be in the comfort of their home and with loved ones during these stressful times despite the trouble they may be in. 

David Gallagher Bail Bonds’ office is open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. We offer bail services that can assist in releasing a loved one from custody after committing a crime. Once the initial payment to David Gallagher’s Bail Bonds is paid, it is our responsibility to get your loved one home.

David Gallagher Bail Bonds
4500 Airport Freeway
Fort Worth, Texas 76117
817-831-8880

In the court system, cases can take months to years for the next court date. To post bail is the ideal situation to wait for the scheduled court dates. However, posting bail comes with conditions of release. The judge sets these conditions. They include, but are not limited to:

• When the accused needs to appear in court
• Who the accused can contact and who may be related to the case
• Court Dates
• Where the defendant may travel and times he or she may be away from home?
• Alcohol or drug testing requirements

If the defendant violates any of the set conditions when released on bail before they appear in court, this could result in bail revocation. Do you wonder “What does ‘Bail Revoked’ mean?” It means the individual can be taken back into custody to await their next court date. 

To avoid bail revocation and an arrest warrant, Bail Agent Network, along with David Gallagher Bail Bonds, suggest you adhere to conditions set, show up to the scheduled date for court, and do not commit any illegal activity while waiting for the court appearance. 

In some cases, bail can be reinstated in spite of the violation when working with a bail bond agent. The bail bondsman would have to convince the judge that you misunderstood the conditions of your release or there were extenuating circumstances for your failure to appear in court. Working with a professional, qualified bail bond agent is the difference between an arrest warrant and being released.

Summary

• The Bail Process
• What is Bail Revocation?
• Reasons a Court May Revoke Your Bail
• Why Contact David Gallagher if the Courts Revoke Bail?

The Bail Process

Bail bonds are not common in other places around the world. Only the United States and the Philippines offer this assistance. Bail bond occurs when an individual is accused of an offense and is arrested. After the arrest and processing are completed, bail is set for the defendant, depending on the nature of the offense. Bail is set based on the crime itself and the severity of the crime, among other things.

Most people cannot afford to post bail. Therefore, they contact a bail bondsman who puts forward the money needed for a defendant to be released to agree that the defendant will follow bond conditions. To receive bail bonds, one must do three things:

1. Fill out all proper paperwork for the bail bond
2. Pay a percentage of the total bond amount
3. Provide collateral for the bail bond to the company 

A bail bond can be costly. Ten percent of a bond can still cost someone up to $10,000, and with collateral, people are putting their homes on the line. It is important to trust someone whose bond you will be helping with–some families have lost their homes due to the accused individual jumping bail. 

What is Bail Revocation?

A bail bond revocation is a legal proceeding when a person is charged with a crime and returns to jail after being released on a bond. This can occur for numerous reasons and requires probable cause to arrest the individual. The reasons are a defendant may face bond revocation are but not limited to:

• The defendant violated the conditions of bail
• The defendant was in possession of drugs or a firearm
• The defendant was arrested for another crime
• The defendant jumps bail

According to attorney Janet Portman, “both federal and state courts have procedures for revoking bail. In federal court, the Bail Reform Act of 1984 controls the process. Suppose the defendant commits a crime while out on bail, there’s a presumption that no conditions of release can keep the community. The defendant is given an opportunity to rebut or overcome the presumption but doesn’t get a full-blown trial.” 

At that time, it is up to the judge to decide whether to revoke the bond or restate conditions of release. In addition to violating release conditions, the defendant may face fines, additional prison or jail time, and complete bond forfeiture.

Reasons a Court May Revoke Your Bail

Posting bail is one of the many practices that help the accused individual get out of jail for a period of time. Conditions of bail are set to ensure a defendant behaves appropriately when out, awaiting trial. When all conditions are met, the bail money is returned to the individual. It is not a fine. It is collateral that the defendant will adhere to all conditions of bail. If any of the conditions is not met, the refund is forfeited. Judges do not play with the bail conditions and all conditions must be strictly adhered to or the accused individual may end up back in jail without a refund of bail.  Action on the behalf of the defendant can result in a revocation of bail money, so when signing for another’s bail bond, be sure you trust the individual you plan to bail out.

Bail is often removed for several reasons, most often relating to a defendant’s behavior. A judge could order bail to be suspended depending upon the defendant’s actions such as the defendant being arrested or in trouble when already out on bail. When it comes to a revoked bail, you need knowledge of how to potentially fight to achieve the best outcome possible. David Gallagher will help you in any way possible, if and when bail has been revoked.

Our team will always do our best to help you!

Why contact David Gallagher if the courts revoke bail?

Once a defendant has executed an action against bail conditions that result in bond revocation, the bond paid is forfeited, and the defendant returns to jail. If the defendant jumped bail and cannot be located, the courts will be legally obligated to issue an active arrest warrant until the defendant shows up or is arrested. If the defendant turns themselves in, a judge tends to be more understanding than if they were to continue avoiding the criminal case. With the assistance of an attorney and bondsman, the defendant will return to court, where they will have the opportunity to have the bail bond reinstated through remission. This will require permission from the bond agent. Due to previous actions on the defendant’s part, the fees will be higher. Nevertheless, it will still be cheaper than if an individual bought the bond outright. 

Ideally, the defendant should contact a bail agent in advance and speak honestly under the protection of an attorney-client relationship on why they committed their actions. At David Gallagher Bail Bonds, we will be more willing to reinstate a bond if the client is honest and not actively trying to manipulate the situation. Bail bond agents are genuinely concerned about their clients jumping bail because it is more costly and a more significant burden to the bond company and the individual. 

Contact David Gallagher Bail Bonds for assistance if your bail has been revoked. It’s better to never have to worry about reinstating a revoked bail. That is why our team works with our clients to ensure all conditions of bail are met and there is no confusion. Contact David Gallagher Bail Bonds today!