If an arrest interrupts your life, you can quickly get out of jail by posting your bail immediately after your first arraignment. You cannot go to work, attend school, or spend time with your family after an arrest. You cannot even hang out with friends when you are behind bars. However, the good news is that you can pay bail to obtain a release pending your trial and the determination of your case. If you cannot afford cash bail, a reliable bonds company can help you post a surety bond with the court to obtain a much quicker release.
At Riverside Bail Bonds, we offer affordable bail bonds for all defendants and crimes. We also assist Beaumont defendants through the bail process to reduce their worry and the time they remain incarcerated. You can contact us immediately after your arrest to start the process.
What to Expect After a Beaumont Arrest
Arrests in Beaumont happen to anyone at any time. If the police suspect you of committing a crime or have a warrant for your arrest, they will look for and arrest you from wherever you could be. Some people are arrested in the streets, and others in their homes or places of work. It can be the most upsetting time, especially if you are in the middle of something. The police do not allow you to plan anything. However, you are allowed to make a call after the booking process. Then, you can call a family member or an attorney to inform them of your arrest and seek their assistance.
The booking process follows an arrest. This is when the arresting officer notes your details, including your name, date of birth, and address. They also enter that information into a police database. The officer also takes your mugshots and fingerprints for processing. After that, you are put in jail to await further instruction by the judge. Your first arraignment should occur within hours of your arrest. This is when you hear your charges and evidence against you. The judge also allows you to make a plea.
You can find out about the bail release after the booking process. However, the judge decides when, how much, and how you will post bail after entering a ‘no contest’ or ‘not guilty’ plea. Thus, the information the police gave you then was only to prepare you for what you could pay if the judge granted your bail request. You will receive complete details about bail during your first hearing. This is after the judge determines your suitability for a bail release. If you do not qualify for bail release, you will spend the entire time beyond bars until the judge issues a final verdict in your case.
What to Expect During the Initial Hearing
Initial hearings occur within hours of a defendant’s arrest. The law prohibits the police from keeping defendants in jail for long before a judge determines them guilty of a crime. Thus, the arresting officer must quickly hand over your case to the prosecutor after the booking process. The prosecutor will file charges against you in court. If the police do not have evidence against you, the prosecutor can order your release as the police investigate the matter. However, if the evidence is overwhelming, the judge will set a hearing almost immediately.
The initial hearing mainly involves understanding your charges, reviewing evidence, and entering a plea. The judge conducts the hearing in the shortest time possible. Thus, you should know the gravity of your charges and possible sentence after that hearing. When allowed to enter a plea, you can enter a ‘guilty,’ ‘not guilty, or ‘no contest’ plea. ‘Not guilty’ and ‘no contest’ pleas trigger a jury hearing. This means you will remain in police custody until the final verdict. However, you could be eligible for bail. That will be the next matter the judge will discuss during the initial hearing.
The bail matter is necessary, as you could be allowed to return home and continue working and caring for your loved ones before the final verdict in your case. A bail release is what you need if your arrest significantly interrupts your life. You can return to work, continue running your business or attending school, and do everything you enjoy as you attend hearings regarding your case. Thus, you should fight for a bail release, even if the evidence against you is overwhelming or the circumstances of your case make you ineligible for bail. A skilled defense attorney can help you compel the judge to grant you bail.
Reasons The Judge Can Deny You Bail
Not all defendants qualify for bail. The judge determines your suitability for a bail release before allowing you to post it. Some factors could make you ineligible for bail, including the following:
Your Flight Risk
The judge determines how likely you are to flee from the state or country if released on bail. They will not allow you to post bail if you do not make all court appearances regarding your case. To determine your flight risk, the judge considers the strength of your ties to the community. They consider what you have that could keep you in the community, like a permanent job, a business, or a family. If you do not have any of these, you are considered a flight risk, which could disqualify you for bail.
Your Criminal Record
Judges also consider the number and nature of your previous crimes. They are usually more lenient on first-time offenders and could grant them a release on their personal recognizance. However, the judge could deny you bail if you are a habitual offender or have a history of serious crimes. The judge will not release you on bail if you are likely to reoffend.
Public Safety
Judges also consider the safety of your community when considering your eligibility for bail. If you threaten the safety of one or more people, the police will keep you detained until your case ends. You are also ineligible for bail if you will likely interfere with a police investigation.
The Gravity of Your Charges
Courts set and issue bail according to a defendant’s underlying charges. While all defendants are generally eligible for bail, judges can deny bail to those facing grave or violent felonies like rape and murder. Judges also set the bail amount according to your charges. You will likely pay less bail for a misdemeanor than for a felony.
Your History of Court Appearances
If this is not your first bail application, the judge will consider how you performed during your previous bail release. If you made all court appearances without fail, the judge can grant your bail request. However, skipping bail reduces your chances of obtaining a bail release.
Paying Bail After a Beaumont Arrest
If you are eligible for bail and the judge grants it, they will give you payment options. You can post cash bail if you have enough money in your person or account to cover the entire bail. You can also ask a friend or relative to post the bail on your behalf since you cannot access your account while behind bars.
However, if the bail is expensive and you do not have enough money to make a cash bail, a reliable Beaumont bail bondsman can assist. Bail bondsmen exist to ensure eligible defendants can post bail, regardless of their financial status or how expensive their bail is. They offer financial assistance to defendants or families seeking help to obtain a quick release from detention. You do not have to wait until the end of your first hearing to contact a bondsman for assistance. You can start the process immediately after the arrest. This way, the bondsman will be prepared to post your bail after your first appearance. This reduces your stay in jail.
Bail bondsmen are preferable because they are affordable. Although you will pay a fee for their service, you must only raise a small percentage of your bail to start the bail process. Typically, bail bondsmen ask for an upfront premium of 10% of your bail. That also serves as the fee for the service, meaning that you are not charged anything else. While you could face difficulties raising the bail, 10% of that amount could be easier to raise.
Many defendants also prefer working with bail bondsmen to avoid the complex bail process. The bail process is usually complex and challenging to navigate alone. You need assistance to know when and how to pay bail to reduce your stay in jail. However, Beaumont bail bondsmen handle everything on your behalf. You do not have to worry about anything because your bail bondsman will process your release without your involvement. They will only need you to read and agree to their service terms and provide your details. The bondsman will remain by your side throughout the bail period to ensure you make all court appearances without fail.
The Process of Obtaining Beaumont Bail Bonds
Once the police arrest you, you will not be able to do anything for yourself. You need someone else’s assistance to post bail. You can contact a criminal defense attorney or a relative to help with the bail process. They can start by contacting a reliable bail bondsman who is ready and willing to help you post bail. Once the court decides on your bail, the bondsman will process your release quickly, reducing your stay in police custody.
Even though bail bondsmen are usually ready and willing to help, they have terms and conditions for their services to which you must agree before starting the bail process. You need a reliable person handling the matter with the bondsman on your behalf to avoid delays that could disrupt your life more. The person can also act as your co-signer for the bail bonds. Bail bondsmen need co-signers to assure them you will make all court appearances. The co-signer will also agree to reimburse the bondsman the bail in case of bail forfeiture.
Additionally, your bail bondsman could ask for collateral for the bonds service. In case of bail forfeiture, the bondsman will accept anything valuable they can sell. The money obtained through such a sale will cover the bondsman’s losses after paying your full bail to the court. Your co-signer will ensure the bail bondsman has the collateral in time to process your bail. They will read and sign the contract with the bondsman on your behalf.
Once the agreement is signed, the bail bondsman will start the bail process. They will jive a surety bond to the court on your behalf, promising to pay your full bail if you fail to appear. The bondsman will also sign all your release documents. It can be done within minutes, thereby reducing your stay in jail.
Experienced Beaumont bail bondsmen are familiar with all local jail and court processes. They are also familiar with the people within the criminal justice system. This is what makes it easy for them to process your release quickly. Thus, if you need a quick release after an arrest in Beaumont, choosing to work with a bail bondsman is an excellent idea.
Choosing The Right Beaumont Bail Bondsman
While working with a bail bondsman is a great idea, you have to select a reliable, affordable, and experienced one. You will enjoy a quick release from jail and endless support afterwards. Sadly, not all bail bondsmen are as good as they purport to be. Some are only interested in the money you pay for their service and will not deliver their end of the bargain. Others have hidden charges that result in excessive fees. You only learn about the extra fees after signing an agreement. You need to carefully choose a bail bondsman to avoid making a regrettable choice.
The first thing to consider is how long the bail bondsman has been operating. Experienced Beaumont bail bondsmen are more reliable than some new entrants in the industry. A professional bondsman who has built a good name in the industry will do their best to avoid damaging their reputation. They will deliver what they promise and will provide extra services so that you can give them a good review. These bail bondsmen rely on positive reviews to obtain clients. Thus, you must check a bail bondsman’s reviews to determine their reliability and professionalism.
Additionally, an experienced bail bondsman understands all court and jail processes and will process your release immediately after you sign an agreement with them. Remember how disruptive an arrest is? The last thing you need is to spend more time behind bars. You could lose your job, business, or the support of your loved ones. An experienced bail bondsman will quickly resolve the matter and process your release in minutes.
You also must consider a bail bondsman’s affordability. Although California's standard rate for bail bonds is 10%, some bail bondsmen are willing to give a lower rate. This will mean a substantial saving on your part. It will also be easy to raise the premium if the bondsman charges a lower amount.
The right bail bondsman must be available when you need their assistance. Fortunately, most Beaumont bail bondsmen operate around the clock. You should be able to find help even in the middle of the night or over the weekend.
What Happens When You Fail To Appear
When a court grants you a bail release, you must make all court appearances regarding your case without fail. Courts release defendants on bail, hoping their cases will continue with minimum interruptions. Failing to appear is a grave offense that could result in a re-arrest, additional criminal charges, and a likelihood of becoming ineligible for bail release.
When you fail to appear after a bail bondsman pays a surety bond to the court, the court will demand a full bail payment. The bail bondsman is forced to liquify any collateral you provided for the bail service to raise the required bail. That translates to a significant loss for you and your family. You will lose your property if you have provided your home’s or real estate property’s title.
Additionally, the judge will issue a warrant for your re-arrest. You will remain in jail until the conclusion of your case. Remember that you could face additional charges for failing to appear. This misdemeanor could result in a jail sentence and a court fine.
Jail Information
Jefferson County Correctional Facility,
5030 US-69, Beaumont,
TX 77705, United States
Jefferson Correctional,
5030 U.S. 69 Access Rd, Beaumont,
TX 77705, United States
Larry Gist State Jail,
3295 FM3514, Beaumont,
TX 77705, United States
Court Information
Jefferson County CourtHouse,
1149 Pearl St, Beaumont,
TX 77701, United States
Beaumont Municipal Court,
700 Orleans St, Beaumont,
TX 77704, United States
Jefferson County Court At Law,
1001 Pearl St, Beaumont,
TX 77701, United States
Find Reliable Bail Bonds Near Me
An arrest in Beaumont does not always mean the end of your freedom. You can post bail to obtain a pretrial release immediately after the arrest. The judge determines your eligibility, sets the amount, and instructs you how to pay. If you cannot afford bail, you can count on us at Riverside Bail Bonds.
Our bail bonds service is reliable, affordable, and timely. We will process your release quickly and remain by your side for guidance and support until your case ends. We do not have any hidden charges that could result in additional fees. Call us at 951-788-2663 to discuss your legal matter in detail.