Jail Bonding Vs. “Non-Arrest” Bonding
Most people charged with a crime are arrested and placed in jail. It normally takes 16hours for a defendant to be released to be from the Harris County jail on bond. 8 hour being looked at in hours being booked out. Some people are charged with a crime without out being arrested. When this happens a warrant for their arrest is also issued. This means that they can be arrested at any time or any place by any police officer. When there is a warrant for a person’s arrest can post what is called a “Non-Arrest” Bond. This way they don’t have to go to jail, but they still have to go to court to take care of the charges against them.
Types of Bail Bonds
Municipal Bonds
Municipalities are the different cities within Harris County. Houston, Pasadena, Humble, Katy, and Baytown are some of larges cities in the County. If a city’s Police Officer gives you a ticket, you’re required to appear at that city’s Municipal Court on a certain date. If you fail to appear in court or pay off the ticket, then a warrant for you arrest is issued for failure to appear and the original ticket(s). You can post a Non-Arrest bond or wait until you get arrested. These are Class C misdemeanors.
J.P Bonds
J.P stands for Justice of the Peace. There are 16 J.P courts in Harris County. Two judges in 8 precincts. Each precinct has its own Constable’s Office. The Deputy Constables write tickets just like a City Police Officer does. You have to appear in court or pay off the ticket by a certain date, or warrants will be issued for your arrest. All charges in a J.P. court are Class C misdemeanors and a Non-Arrest Bond can be posted or they can be arrested.
County Bonds more serious crimes like Class A&B Misdemeanors and Felonies are filed by law enforcement agencies in Harris County through the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. These cases are heard in a County Criminal Court at Law or a State District Court. Bonds can be posted when a person is arrested or a Non-Arrest Bond when there is an arrest warrant.
Appeal Bonds Sometimes a defendant may be convicted of a crime. In some cases there are grounds for an appeal. Generally, if the defendant receives less than a 10 year sentence, they will be eligible for an Appeal Bond will keep the defendant out of jail during the appeal process.
Out of County Bonds Sometimes a person could be wanted in another county, yet they get arrested in Harris County and take to the Harris County Jail on the criminal charges from the other County. Eventually, they will be transferred to the other County, but this usually takes a while. They can be bonded out of the Harris County Jail.
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Bonding Schedule
Classification |
General Bond Amt. |
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$100
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$500
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$1000
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- State Jail Felony (4th degree)
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$2000
|
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$5,000
|
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$10,000
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$20,000
|
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The bond amount is established by each individual court. The courts have discretion to raise or lower bond amount. The defendant does not have to pay the full bond amount, only a small percentage will be charged.
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