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Have you ever familiarized yourself with all 10 Amendments in the Bill of Rights? They often appear to many people as cut and dry in regards to their meaning, but courts often have a hard time interpreting them. If you’d like to know just the general basics about the 8th Amendment, associated with bail, read on here.

About the 8th Amendment:

• This contents of the 8th Amendment: “Excessive bail shall not be required, no excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted”. 
• Each of these statements has had challenges reach the supreme court, where their interpretations change based on the decision.
• As a voter, you have a portion of the say on how these interpretations go. If you inform yourself about different areas of politics, you can elect people who share your views.

We here at ATX Bail Bonds will help ensure bail rights remain in effect. If you require bail services, you can speak with one of our licensed bond agents. To find out more about our services, just give us a call at (512) 834-2245.

You might have had the inclination at some point to get a little “weird” in Austin, TX. However, the city has much more than just a population of eccentrics. If you’ve thought of paying it a visit, we’ve listed some of the best attractions that you will want to see.

Hamilton Pool:

Do you like picnics? Well, pack one up and head to Hamilton pool. One day, a river dome collapsed and created this gorgeous setting of water falls and natural pools.

Congress Bridge:

What possible interest could a bridge hold for you? Well, at dusk, you can witness 1.5 million Mexican Free-Tailed Bats all fly out at once.

Barton Springs:

One of Austin’s greatest attractions, Barton Springs gets fed 70 degree water year round. Another great place for a picnic – or you can just chill with the family.

Longhorn Caverns:

Do you want to feel like you’ve gone to a different planet for an evening? Take a trip to the Longhorn Caverns, created after thousands of years of water running over limestone.

With all these attractions, why stay away? Just remember to keep out of trouble. If you do find yourself in need of bail bond services, ATX Bail Bonds can help. To find out more, give us a call at (512) 834-2245.

If you get arrested and want to get out of jail before your court date, 3 different types of bail bonds exist: surety bonds, cash bonds, and recognizance bonds. If you’ve never heard of that last one, don’t worry, plenty of people haven’t. To help you understand recognizance bonds a little bit better, we’ve put together a quick overview of what they involve:

How do they work?

The advantage to getting a recognizance bond, or getting released on recognizance (OR), has to do with the fact that, unlike cash or surety bonds, you don’t have to make any initial payment. All you do involves signing a contract wherein you promise to pay your full bond amount should you miss your court date or fail to meet the court’s conditions. Unfortunately, these conditions tend to involve more restrictions than cash or surety bonds; they often reflect those of probation. Recognizance bonds only tend to get offered to those with a low flight risk and no past criminal history – usually for misdemeanors rather than felonies.

For most people, surety bonds prove the most efficient option. If you or a loved one finds themselves on the wrong end of a jail cell, ATX Bail Bonds can get them out; use the time to build your case. Talk to one of our licensed bondsman today: (512) 834-2245.

Sometimes our view on things tend to get a little distorted when they come from stories and T.V. shows. Murder just might be one of these things. If you’d like to know a few real facts relating to murder, we’ve compiled a few of them for you:

#1:

Who commits the most murders? Studies indicate that the vast majority of murders get carried out by males between the ages of 20 and 24. However, while males commit the most murders, they also most frequently end up as the murder victim, unlike common movie tropes would have us believe.

#2:

What weapon do you think gets used the most in murders? The answer, unsurprisingly, points to guns. Approximately 70% of murders reported get associated with gun violence.

#3:

Most murder victims end up getting murdered by people that they previously knew. For women victims, 38% get murdered by their significant other: spouse or boyfriend.

Did you find these interesting? While at ATX Bail Bonds, we don’t provide murder bail, we can help you out with any other bail services you might need. For more information, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (512) 834-2245.

America places a lot of importance on not wrongfully convicting people. That’s why the bail process is so important; you’re not supposed to be punished for a crime until you’re convicted. Did you know the history of bail dates back to the 13th century? Here’s a look back at the history of bail bonds:

England:

The beginning of bail bonds took place in 13th century England. Then, local sheriffs were able to use their discretion when jailing people, a power they were prone to abusing. The Statute of Westminster was implemented to discourage this abuse; it made certain crimes available for a bail out. The bail process remained basically the same for hundreds of years after this.

America:

The Bail Reform Act of 1966 is widely considered the most important advancement in bail rights; it allowed people to get out of jail “on their own recognizance” as long as they weren’t charged with a capital offense. The only time bail rights could be restricted is if the accused was considered a major flight risk.

The Bail Reform Act of 1984 served to restrict  bail rights in cases where the accused was considered to be a threat to community. This applies to both violent and drug crimes.

If you should find yourself in need of a bail bond, ATX Bail Bonds can help. For more information, just give us a call at (512) 834-2245.

Content crafted with bail seo team for original, unique, writing.

Is there a possibility you could be facing prison time? It’s a scary prospect, prison is an awful place. Even though horrible things happen there every day, it doesn’t mean you can’t get out with your sanity in tact. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to make your prison stay more bearable:

Act humble:

Prison is a place full of tough guys who are just looking to prove it. Make eye contact with the wrong person, and you may find yourself in the infirmary.

Keep to yourself:

Do not go into  someone’s cell without their permission. There’s precious little private space in a prison, invading someone else’s is a surefire way to incite violence.

Race matters:

Unfortunately, racial tensions run very high in prison. When things go down, people are going to stick with their own. Don’t get caught up on the wrong side.

Don’t take things lying down:

Weakness never leaves you in prison. Even though they’re “supposed” to be places of rehabilitation, it’s not unlikely that you will be forced to be violent or risk constant violence against yourself.

Stay out of debt:

Much like with many aspects of the outside world, you’ll never get out of a debt in prison. If you borrow something from someone and they say it’s a “twofer”, they’re saying it’s a two for one; in other words, you owe them.

Keep all of these things in mind and your prison stay should go a lot smoother. If you should find yourself facing a criminal charge, ATX Bail Bonds can help. For more information, just give us a call at (512) 834-2245.

When you’re charged with a crime and brought to court, often it’s your word against your arresting officer’s; the officer’s word always carries more weight. This is why video/audio evidence can be so important, freedom can be at stake. The laws on whether police interactions can be recorded are often murky. It’s important to know the rules in your state. Here’s a basic overview:

Texas Recording Laws:

Texas is a one party consent state. What this means is that, as long as you aren’t interfering with their work, you are allowed to record interactions with police. It’s still very likely that they will confiscate/search your camera and/or charge you with obstruction of justice, but you can’t be arrested specifically for recording them.

Always Inform Police They’re Being Recorded:

Ensure they’re aware you have a recording device; legalities get very murky here and there could be repercussions. NEVER record a conversation between police officers that you are not privy to without their knowledge.

Keep Sufficient Free Space On Your Recording Device:

About 500 MB of unused space on a phone will usually store approximately 5 minutes worth of video. Audio recordings don’t require nearly as much space. There are many apps available that instantly download your video to the internet, ensuring it doesn’t get deleted from your phone.

Keep Phone Password Protected:

There’s a good chance that officers will confiscate your phone and delete your recording, with or without a warrant. They cannot search through your phone, physically or legally, if it is password protected. 

There are instances where police recording can backfire; still, it’s the best defense against abuse of authority. Should you find yourself arrested while recording police in the line of duty, ATX Bail Bonds can help. For more information, please give us a call at (512) 834-2245.

Everybody cringes when they see the flashing blue lights; it doesn’t matter if you’ve done something or not. Fortunately, in America, we have rights set in place to help protect us from any potential abuse by the police. Knowing them is very important. Here are the basics of how to exercise your rights during a police stop:

Take precautions and exercise safety:

Pull over to a safe spot, as far away from traffic as possible. Turn on interior lights and keep your hands on the wheel. Police have their eye out for suspicious movement, they’re always on the lookout for potential violence. Remember, they’re the guys with the guns. You only have to roll down our window a little bit, enough to talk to them. 

Exercise your right to remain silent:

Just about everyone is aware that what you say to a police officer can and will be used against you in a court of law; it’s a wonder then why people don’t exercise their right to remain silent. If an officer starts interrogating you, reply “I am going to remain silent”.

NEVER consent to a police search:

Never let a police officer search your car. This doesn’t mean resist, but if they start a search without your permission just state calmly “I do not consent to this search”. The Fourth Amendment has taken enough damage in recent years. It’s up to citizens to reinforce it by asserting our rights.

Know if you’re being detained:

At any time during a traffic stop, you may ask “am I free to go?”. After that, they will either inform you that you are being detained or tell you to move on. If you are being detained, stay cool and say “I am going to remain silent”.

Never, ever, antagonize a police officer. You’re the only one that’s going to get hurt. The best way to get out of a traffic stop is to know and assert your rights.

If you should ever find yourself on the wrong side of the law, give ATX Bail Bonds a call at (512) 834-2245.

Holiday fun is found all around this time of year. Your friends are hosting a dinner party with their homemade egg nog and warm buttered rum. Your family has their annual Christmas Party where uncle Mike wants you to throw knives in the backyard while drinking whiskey. There is the work party where Darla has spiked the punch. No matter where you go there is always a tasty drink to be had and you don’t want to be a stickler; so you too have a drink.

At the end of the night when all the festivities die down, and people head home, you realize that maybe this time you have had too much to drink, but you think you can drive home without getting in trouble. You pull out onto the street and all of a sudden there are the flashing lights and the loud sirens following you. Next thing you know you are sitting in jail next to a dirty Santa Claus who reeks of stale booze.

When you find yourself having been arrested a need a DWI bail in Austin, call ATX Bail Bonds for professional service. We work hard for you during this difficult time and will make sure you’re treated with respect and dignity. Give us a call if you know someone who has been involved with a DWI and needs bail fast!

“Keep Austin Weird” is a well-known saying in the State of Texas.  Austin is a town that loves a good time!

ATX Bail Bonds presents a quick look into The Drug Culture of Austin, TX.  What kinds of drugs are most prevalent?  How easily can they be obtained?  What is law enforcement doing about the problem?

IMPORTANT – This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered actual legal advice.  If you or someone you know has been arrested on drug-related charges, contact ATX Bail Bonds immediately and we can have the accused back home in no time!

The Tourism Industry – Drug Culture

In a town that’s considered an artistic and cultural center of the United States of America, it should come as no surprise that drug use is common and in many instances – accepted!  This is what we refer to when we say “the drug culture of Austin” – It is not unusual to see drug deals going on in public areas like night clubs, nor it is it unusual to see actual drug consumption indoors, outdoors, day and night.

The SXSW Music and Film Festivals attract thousands of tourists from all over the world every year.

There are a number of big events that happen in Austin, TX that draw tourists in from all over the country and all over the world such as:

• South by Southwest Film Festival
• South by Southwest Music Festival
• Texas Relays
• Chaos in Tejas
• Republic of Texas Biker Rally
• Austin City Limits Festival
• Austin Film Festival

With the spike in tourists comes a spike in drug consumption… and drug dealers in the Austin area are well aware of it.  The street value of many narcotics increases in the days leading up to the event, and they almost always sell out before the event is over.  The general consensus among party-goers is “As long as you don’t make a nuisance of yourself, nobody has a problem with it”,

Again, the perceived “Drug Culture” influencing the individual by obscuring the truth of the local law.

Where are the Police? – Drug Culture

It took a lot of resources away from law enforcement to facilitate the recent “Occupy Movement” protests in the capitol.

Does this mean that “all drugs are legal in Austin”?  Of course not.  Does it mean “the police aren’t really worried about making drug-related arrests”?  Don’t be silly!  Just last year in September 2013 The Austin Police Department made 33 arrests in a deliberate months-long sting operation in downtown Austin!

The fact is, Austin is a large city with a large population.  It takes time for police to respond to major disturbances when they are called upon in emergency scenarios… let alone to concerned citizen calls about suspicious activity.

It takes the collective calls of many in an area to have it gain the reputation of a “trouble spot” before law enforcement begins to regularly patrol the area and begin to make arrests when needed.  Even so, Austin is also a city where thefts, assaults and murders occur.  These other crimes also take away many resources from Austin Police.

Bail Bond Options for Drug Related Arrests – Drug Culture

ATX Bail Bonds is based in Austin, TX.  We employ licensed bail bondsmen who are familiar with the laws and can provide you with smooth service resulting in jail release from any Travis County Facility.  ATX Bail Bonds arranges the bond and all of the follow up check-ins or court-mandated stipulations while the accused waits for their trial.

If you happen to be one of Austin’s visiting tourists and you are arrested for any reason, ATX Bail Bonds can help YOU!