Blog

When you have been released from jail on bail, it is mandatory that the defendant shows up to court on their specific court date. However, there are instances when individuals decide to jump bail and not show up to court. If this happens, there tend to be three things that will happen if you or a loved one jumps bail.

Warrant of Arrest

If you or a loved one jump bail, the first thing to happen will be a warrant for your arrest. If you or your family member/friend is caught and brought back to jail, it is very unlikely that they will be able to post bail again.

Forfeit Bail

When you or someone posts bail, you or the bail bondsmen typically have to pay 10% of the bond amount. When you jump bail, you essential forfeit your bail, meaning you lose that 10% you put down and have to pay the full amount. If a family member or friend paid the amount of the bail, they are now responsible for paying it in full.

More Charges Are Added

If you jump bail in the state of Texas, it is considered a crime. Depending on what type of crime you were originally booked for, they will add on fees and jail/prison time. If you were charged with a C misdemeanor, your fee will be $500 and a Class C misdemeanor. If you jumped bail for a Class A or B misdemeanor, you can land yourself in jail for a year. For jumping bail when you have a felony charge, that can lead to 10 years in prison.

If you or someone you know needs bail bond services in Austin, TX, call ATX Bail Bonds at 512.834.2245 today.

Whether you love Valentine’s day or loathe it, you have to admit it can encourage some pretty crazy behavior. No matter how you choose to celebrate Valentine’s Day, try not to end your day of romance under arrest like the lovers below.

Get Her a Gift!

A woman in Cincinnati, OH was arrested for trying to kill her boyfriend who didn’t buy her a Valentine’s Day present. The couple got into a domestic altercation and the woman began hitting and scratching him. She chased him into a bathroom, where he was able to hide, but only temporarily as she got a knife from the kitchen and tried to break through the door to stab him while making threats against his life. There was no word on whether the couple was still together, or if she had been released on bail after her arrest.

Don’t Forget the Flowers!

In Dublin, Ireland a man was arrested for shoplifting roses for his (then) girlfriend the day before Valentine’s Day. The man also stole a cashmere throw and a backpack during the same incident. The would-be Romeo’s barrister argued that he was intoxicated, and asked the judge to consider the upcoming holiday when considering her client’s offense. “They were flowers for his girlfriend at the time.” she said.

Make Time for Romance?

Romance is always a good idea, until it isn’t. In Portland, Oregon a couple spent their Valentine’s Day in jail after indulging in a role-playing fantasy that went too far. The couple was in trouble after Police showed up and found the woman tied up in the back of a vehicle with duct tape over her mouth. Once she confirmed that it was all just an elaborate fantasy the couple was playing out, they were both arrested for disorderly conduct.

If you or a loved one are arrested contact ATX Bail Bonds at 512.834.2245 .

Do you know what to do when a friend gets arrested? Whether you’re with them at the time of arrest of they call you from jail, here’s some tips to help you navigate a stressful situation.

Do: Stay Calm

It is most important that you try to keep your friend calm. Don’t panic or yell. If you’re with your friend as they are getting arrested, do not verbally or physically assault the arresting officer. This could results in your own arrest, and can quickly escalate the situation. Your friend is likely stressed, angry, or afraid, and it is up to you to keep them as calm as possible.

Do: Get Information

If you’re going to help bail your friend out of jail, then you’ll need some information. Of course, their full name is essential. Other important facts to collect include the location of arrest or jail, charges, and date and time. If you cannot find this information on your own, call the county jail or contact a bail bondsman. There are many online resources to help you find what you need at no cost.

Do: Contact a Bail Bondsman

Depending on the charges your friend is facing, bail could cost anywhere from $100 to $100,000 and more. This is often a lot of money to come up with on short notice. Your friend will be stuck in jail until bail is paid, or until their court date.

However, by choosing a bail bond, your friend can get out of jail for only a small fraction of the cost. In this scenario, a bail bondsman agrees to put up the majority of the cash bail amount (set by a judge). In exchange, your friend must follow certain legally binding rules, the most important being that they show up for their court date. If your friend breaks the agreement, the bond is forfeit and your friend will be liable for the full cost of bail.

Want more information about the benefits of using bail bonds in Austin, TX? Here’s what to do when a friend gets arrested: Call ATX Bail Bonds today at 512.834.2245!

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 41 people died in 31 fatal crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday in 2015. Many people choose to celebrate this holiday by drinking. Although it’s a fun way to relax with friends and family, alcohol can be deadly if you get behind the wheel. Getting a Thanksgiving DWI is easier than you may think. We have a few tips to keep you out of jail and safe this year in order to reduce these statistics.

Elect a Trustworthy Designated Driver

Whether someone in your family doesn’t enjoy drinking or simply wants those participating to be safe, elect them the designated driver who won’t drink at all. This will give any drunken passengers a safe ride home. It will also keep anyone with alcohol in their system off the road (and out of jail).

Stay the Night

Which is worse: Missing out on work or other commitments or winding up in jail? If you’ve had too much to drink, ask to crash at the host’s home rather than driving. A good host will appreciate that you didn’t get behind the wheel, even if it feels like you’re imposing.

Call a Ride-Sharing Service

If you find yourself impaired while you’re out in public, call a trusted friend or ride-sharing service to get you home safely. Uber and Lyft are convenient apps you can get on your phone. Some towing companies even offer complimentary lifts during the holidays in order to discourage people from driving drunk.

A Thanksgiving DWI will not only put a damper on the festivities, but it could also take a life to drink and drive. ATX Bail Bonds wants everyone to stay safe this year. Call our trusted Austin, TX bondsmen at 512-834-2245 for Thanksgiving DWI bail bonds if you or a relative winds up in jail this holiday weekend.

Do you know the process after an arrest has been made? Understanding the booking and bail process will make the situation easier if you find yourself in jail or get a call from a loved one who has been arrested.

After someone has been arrested and brought to jail, they’ll go through the booking process in order to collect the arrestee’s personal information, mugshot, and fingerprints. The arrestee will be allowed to make a phone call in order to contact a family member or anyone else they choose.

A judge will determine whether the person is eligible to be released on bail or, if the person is considered a flight risk or a danger to the public, must remain in jail until their trial. The amount of bail will be decided by the judge, or in some cases a bail schedule will be used to determine the bail amount based on the crime committed.

Once bail is set, it is up to the arrestee whether they will stay in jail until their court date, pay the bail amount in full to be released, or contact a bail bondsman if they cannot afford the full amount and want to be released as soon as possible. A bail bondsman will pay the full amount of bail while charging the arrestee a small percentage of the total as a fee.

If you need assistance with bail in Austin, TX, contact the bail bondsmen at ATX Bail Bonds today at  512.834.2245 . We are available 24/7 to take calls and get your or a loved one released from jail as quickly as possible.

Do you have a warrant out for your arrest in Travis County, Texas? Don’t live in fear of getting arrested any longer. Call ATX Bail Bonds at 512.834.2245 and a bail bondsman can help you clear an arrest warrant quickly with a walk-through.

Find Out If You Have An Outstanding Warrant

If you’re unsure if you have an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you can use our Warrant Search Tool. Simply enter your information and the database will search for an active warrant in Travis County. If you need help, or are not sure what county the warrant originated from, call ATX Bail Bonds for help. Our bail bondsmen are happy to help you find the information you need.

What Is A Walk Through?

A walk-through is a fairly quick, easy way to get rid of an arrest warrant without getting arrested and spending time in jail. Reach out to a trusted bail bondsman, and he will accompany you to the jail for a self-surrender. By bringing a bail agent, you will not have to spend time waiting in jail.

When you arrive at the jail, your bail bond agent will accompany you to the bonding desk where an officer will search databases for active warrants. Once it is located, you will be taken into custody. An officer will verify your personal information, fingerprint you, and take booking photos. The jail will then accept our bond, clearing your warrant. You will receive a copy of the bond. It is important that you keep all this information and bring it on your court date.

What Are The Benefits?

There are many benefits to having a walk-through. Most importantly, you avoid the apprehension and inconvenience of an arrest. By turning yourself in to the police, you avoid the embarrassment and stress of getting arrested. You also show the court that you were cooperative with law enforcement, which can be beneficial when it’s time for your hearing.

A walk-through is a good option for people who have an outstanding arrest warrant. It saves time, hassle, and can potentially save you money. By using a bail bondsman, you don’t have to pay the full amount of bail. Depending on what charges you are facing, this could be a significant amount of money.

For help with a walk-through or other bail services in Austin, TX, call 512.834.2245. ATX Bail Bonds is here to bail you out!

Many people will have to use bail bond services at some point in time…even celebrities! Yes, they are people too who are not above the law. Take a look at some of these stars that have had to use bail bond services, even more than once.

Katt Williams

This stand up comedian and actor has had his run ins with the law several times. In 2009, Williams was charged for burglary in Georgia. He was arrested and his bail was set at $40,000, which his bail bondsman paid it and he was then released. But he was later picked up for a second time for failure to make payments on that bond. In the end, Williams was forced to pay his own bond of $10,000 to avoid serving jail time before his hearing.

Lindsay Lohan

This actress is not only well known for her acting, but also for her scrapes with the law and time in rehab. Lohan found herself having to utilize bail bond services during her earlier arrests. Her bail bondsman ended up staying on board because of her repeated law violations. After violating probation numerous times, in 2010,  she was required to post additional bail or a period f time. Fortunately, she was able to keep her freedom with the help of her trusty bail bondsman.

Nicholas Cage

This famous actor was charged with domestic violence, public indecency, along with a few others. To make matters worse, he even got into a physical altercation with the paparazzi. Cage ended up having to call his friend, Duane Chapman, better known as “Dog the Bounty Hunter”. Chapman was asked to post  $11,000  to help Cage stay out of jail.

So as you can see, EVERYONE needs bail bonds. If you or someone you know needs bail bond services in Austin, TX, call  ATX Bail Bonds at 512.834.2245.

Finding a good bail bondsman is important to make posting bail as simple as possible. You need to find a bail bondsman that is first and foremost a professional as well as someone you can trust. Here are some important qualities that you should look for when looking for a bail bonds service in Austin, TX.

Availability

It is important to find a bail bonds service that is very responsive and available 24/7. You need a professional that you can count on to help get you out of jail fast. Find bail bonds that are available 24/7, responds to calls immediately, and has no trouble answering your questions.

Experience

Look for bail bondsmen who have been in the business for a long time and have experience with the jurisdiction you are in. Dealing with someone who does not have experience with posting bail could just lead to more trouble for you later on so always go with a professional bail bond service.

License

Any bail bonds service you choose should have a valid license. The license number should be available for you to check online at the State Department of Insurance to make sure that the number is current. If the license number is not valid or does not exist, start looking for another service that you can be sure is reliable.

If you or a friend is in need of bail bonds in Austin, TX, contact ATX Bail Bonds today. You can count on our staff to help you through the bail process and get you out of jail fast. Call us at (512) 834-2245 if you have questions or need more information on bail bonds.

Bail bonds can vary in amount depending on the crime. In a majority of average cases, the amount of a bail bond can be set at $10,000 or higher. In higher profile cases, bail can reach $1 million or more. There are various cases where the bail prices have reached unimaginable amounts. The following people had the most expensive bail bonds in the world!

1. Michael Milken

   First up is from American business tycoon, Michael Milken. After being accused of  98 counts of racketeering and security fraud in the Wall Street Case in 1989, Milken had his bail set at $250 million. Later he was found guilty and although he was sentenced to ten years, he served less than two years in prison.

2. Julius Meinl

   The billionaire hailing from Britain, Meinl was suspected to be involved in secret buybacks of shares which were linked to his European Land Company. He was arrested in 2009 and his bail was set at a staggering amount of $133 million, which he later posted and was released.

3.  Kening Ma

   A southern California native who was accused of selling all-terrain vehicles without a smog certificate and after an extensive investigation, he was arrested, but able to post the bail that was set at $100 million.

4. Kening Ma’s Wife

   Mr. Ma had his partner along side helping him operating the fraudulent business. Mrs. Ma was also found guilty and had her bail set $75 million, which was paid. So between Mr. and Mrs. Kening Ma, they paid the astronomical amount of $175 million.

5. Bernie Madoff

   He became well-known after his name appeared as being involved with the $50 billion Ponzi scheme. His bail was set at $10 million. Although he may have had the available funds to pay that amount, he couldn’t find anyone to co-sign for the bond.

These amounts are unfathomable to most people, but it can happen depending on the severity of the time. So if you find yourself in need of bail bonding services, whether it’s for $10,000 or $100,000, be sure to contact ATX Bail Bonds at 512-834-2245.

We tend to ask questions when we are about to hire a professional or buy a product, so it makes sense to ask questions before you hire a bail bondsman. A quality bond agent will be happy to answer any questions you have. Here are five sample questions to get you started.

1. Do you have a current license?

A bail bondsman gives the court a promise, or surety, that they will pay your bail amount, in the event that you don’t show up for your court hearing. In order to do that, they must have a current license. Check your state’s Department of Insurance web site to look up a bail bondsman’s license number.

2. How long have you been in business?

You want to hire an experienced agent to work for you. If the bondsman has just gotten into the business, or if they seem to be trying to dodge this question, move on to someone who has been in the business longer.

3. Have you been sued by a client in the past year?

Online reviews and word of mouth are good indicators of a bondsman’s customer service quality. But take things a step farther and ask if the company has been sued in the past 12 months. If they have, that should raise a warning flag in your mind.

4. What is your Better Business Bureau rating?

Look for a company that is accredited and rated by the Better Business Bureau. Ideally, they will have an A+ rating. If they have a lower rating and a history of complaints, look at the BBB web site to learn the nature of those complaints and how they were resolved.

5. What are your repayment terms?

You need to know the terms of the binding contract before you sign it. Ask questions if there is a part you’re unclear on. A good agent will want to make sure you understand all of the terms and conditions. If an agent tries to rush you through the process, they might not be the best choice for you.

By asking the above questions, you will be able to weed out less than ideal bond agents. For bail bond services in or near Austin, TX, give us a call today!