Jail Release for Austin, Texas
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How to make bail to get out of the Blackwell Thurman Criminal Justice Center Jail in Travis County, Texas.
How Bail is Set
After booking the defendant, the arresting officer files a probable cause affidavit with the court. This is basically the police officer’s short version of what the allegations against the defendant are. The judge reads this report, and checks the defendant’s criminal history. At that point, the judge sets a bail amount. The seriousness of the allegations and the length of the defendant’s prior arrest history are probably the 2 most important factors in determining the amount of bail set by the judge.
For misdemeanors in Travis County, bail is often set as low as $500 for hot check cases, and as high as $10,000 or more for family violence assaults. Most first time DWI bail amounts will be between $1500 and $3000, if the defendant has no prior arrests. There is no set schedule for this though; so the amount may be higher depending on the judge that initially reviews the case.
In Travis County , judges are available to set the bail amount between approximately 7 A.M. and 1:00 A.M. People who are arrested after 1:00 A.M. (like most DWIs) will not have a bail amount set until sometime in the morning – or even the next afternoon.
Once a bond amount has been set, there are four ways to be released from jail. These are Lawyer Assisted Bonds, Personal Bonds, Cash Bonds and Surety Bonds.
For misdemeanors in Travis County, bail is often set as low as $500 for hot check cases, and as high as $10,000 or more for family violence assaults. Most first time DWI bail amounts will be between $1500 and $3000, if the defendant has no prior arrests. There is no set schedule for this though; so the amount may be higher depending on the judge that initially reviews the case.
In Travis County , judges are available to set the bail amount between approximately 7 A.M. and 1:00 A.M. People who are arrested after 1:00 A.M. (like most DWIs) will not have a bail amount set until sometime in the morning – or even the next afternoon.
Once a bond amount has been set, there are four ways to be released from jail. These are Lawyer Assisted Bonds, Personal Bonds, Cash Bonds and Surety Bonds.
Lawyer Assisted Bonds
There are several ways that a lawyer can help you get out of jail.
Often an attorney is able to speed up the Personal Bond Process. Even if PreTrial Services wouldn’t have turned in a bond until sometime in the afternoon, an attorney usually is able to speed that process up and get it turned in earlier which will allow the person to get out of jail sooner.
Second, if the client was not going to qualify for a personal bond, an attorney can often get a percentage cash deposit bond approved. In most cases, this money can be applied towards the attorney fees charged to represent the person in court.
Third, if the person is arrested and booked, but has not seen the judge to have a bond amount set, in Travis County, only a lawyer can get him out in the middle of the night. This is called a HOBBY RELEASE. There are several conditions that must be met for a person to be eligible for a Travis County hobby release.
Call 1-888-DISMISS (347-6477) or 512-474-4444 24 hours a day to speak with an attorney who can help you with getting someone out of jail.
Often an attorney is able to speed up the Personal Bond Process. Even if PreTrial Services wouldn’t have turned in a bond until sometime in the afternoon, an attorney usually is able to speed that process up and get it turned in earlier which will allow the person to get out of jail sooner.
Second, if the client was not going to qualify for a personal bond, an attorney can often get a percentage cash deposit bond approved. In most cases, this money can be applied towards the attorney fees charged to represent the person in court.
Third, if the person is arrested and booked, but has not seen the judge to have a bond amount set, in Travis County, only a lawyer can get him out in the middle of the night. This is called a HOBBY RELEASE. There are several conditions that must be met for a person to be eligible for a Travis County hobby release.
Call 1-888-DISMISS (347-6477) or 512-474-4444 24 hours a day to speak with an attorney who can help you with getting someone out of jail.
Personal Bonds
Sometime after the arrest, the Travis County PreTrial Services Office will interview an arrestee, to see whether they qualify for a personal bond. If they do qualify, the person will only be required to pay a $20 PR Bond fee to the office.
This is the cheapest way to get out of jail. However, it too is often not the best option for the recently arrested person.
If a person is arrested in the middle of the night, the judge will not set a bond until around noon or afternoon. Depending on the number of people arrested that night, it can take the PreTrial Services Office more than 12 hours to approve a bond. PreTrial Services has a very strict criteria to determine if a person is eligible for a personal bond. Very often, a person will not be approved for a Personal Bond unless an attorney is retained.
This is the cheapest way to get out of jail. However, it too is often not the best option for the recently arrested person.
If a person is arrested in the middle of the night, the judge will not set a bond until around noon or afternoon. Depending on the number of people arrested that night, it can take the PreTrial Services Office more than 12 hours to approve a bond. PreTrial Services has a very strict criteria to determine if a person is eligible for a personal bond. Very often, a person will not be approved for a Personal Bond unless an attorney is retained.
Cash Bonds
This is simply a matter of depositing with the jail the full amount of the bond. Travis County Jail will only accept cashier’s checks or money orders in the amount of the bail.
Surety or Bail Bonds
Some cases it is necessary for someone to hire a bail bond company to guarantee the amount of the bond. Bail bond companies typically charge at least 15-20% of the bond amount to get someone out of jail. In some cases it is more.
The money used to pay a bondsman can never be applied to the attorney’s fees in a case.
As you can see, there are a number of ways we can help you secure the release from jail of your friend or love one. My phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are not sure if we can help you, please call us and explain the situation.
The money used to pay a bondsman can never be applied to the attorney’s fees in a case.
As you can see, there are a number of ways we can help you secure the release from jail of your friend or love one. My phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are not sure if we can help you, please call us and explain the situation.
