When a person is arrested, they are booked and placed in jail until their bond hearing. At this hearing, the judge decides how much the bail amount will be based on a bail schedule. Once the amount has been set, the defendant can post the money or hire a bail bondsman in Tarrant County. When hiring a bondsman, there are several responsibilities a defendant will have to ensure they do not break the stipulations of their bond agreement.
These responsibilities are held by the defendant.
- The defendant, or the one hiring the bondsman, will be required to pay the fee for services. This fee is determined by the state and is normally around 10% of the full bail amount. This fee must be paid upfront and cannot be refunded regardless of the outcome of the trial. It is imperative a person checks the fee schedule of the bondsman before they hire them.
- Once a defendant has been released from jail, they must attend all scheduled court dates. Should a person fail to appear, the judge will often issue a bench warrant for their arrest. Not only does this cause problems with their trial, but it can also cause an increase in fees if the bondsman must hire a recovery agent to help them find the defendant and bring them in to stand trial.
- There may be stipulations put in place by the judge before releasing the defendant. A defendant may have a no contact order or be required to get a job or hold down the one they have. Any stipulations set by the judge must be followed, or the defendant could be placed back in custody.
Before a person becomes the signer or Indemnitor for another person, it benefits them to consider their decision carefully. A person needs to be certain the one they are signing for will not miss court before hiring a bail bondsman in Tarrant County. Should the defendant refuse to show up for court and cannot be recovered, the Indemnitor may be required to pay the full bail amount or surrender property that was put up for fees.
If you are in need of the services of a bail bondsman and would like to learn further information, visit our website. They will be happy to guide you through the process.
