Houston Bonds
Posting Bonds > including No-Arrest Bonds, Zero Bonds, and Cash Bonds
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How do I post a non-arrest bond?
Will I get the money I pay to a bondsman back if I show up to court?
Will I get the money back that I pay for a cash bond?
What is a Personal Bond or a Pre-Trial Bond?
There is a warrant for my arrest but I have a “zero bond”. What should I do?
How do I post a non-arrest bond? You may post a cash bond or go through a professional bonding company. Will I get the money I pay to a bondsman back if I show up to court? No. The 10% of the bond amount that you pay is the price of your freedom during the pendency of your case. Some bonding companies will work with you on the percentage and on payment plans. The bonding company Haggard Law Firm uses takes good care of our clients. Will I get the money back that I pay for a cash bond? Yes, this money will be refunded to you in the form of a check directly from the Harris County Treasurer’s Office (no third party refunds are issued) several weeks after the conclusion of the case, provided you did not forfeit on your bond.
How do I bond someone out of jail?
How do I post a cash bond?
To post a cash bond go to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 49 San Jacinto, Houston, 77002. The only accepted forms of payment are cash, cashier’s check and money orders made payable to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. (No personal checks.) Bring a photo ID and if paying with a cashier’s check make sure the bank you got it from is open when you go to post your bond as it will be called for verification.
What is a Personal Bond or a Pre-Trial Bond?
Sometimes called a Personal Recognizance or PR bond, this is a bond requiring no security; the defendant is released based upon their own promise that they will appear in court. They do not have to go through a bondsman or pay any money to be released from jail. Generally, only those with perfectly clean background checks will receive a PR bond from the judge or magistrate. A Pre-Trial Bond is a Personal Bond with special conditions for the defendant to comply with while on bond which have been added to it by the judge.
There is a warrant for my arrest but I cannot afford to post the non-arrest bond; it’s too high. What should I do?
Borrow the money from relatives or obtain a loan for the amount you will need as quickly as possible. If you are nevertheless picked up on the warrant before you have the resources to post bond, you will be given a Court-appointed attorney until such time as you are able to bond out. If Mr. Haggard is retained he will file a Motion to Reduce Bond as soon as you are in custody and can be brought before the judge for a Bond Hearing.
There is a warrant for my arrest but I have a “zero bond”. What should I do?
Make an appointment with Houston Criminal Defense Attorney Carl Haggard first for a consultation, as this is a situation requiring some strategy. The best way to handle turning yourself in will vary, depending on your case or cases, your prior record, pending cases if any, and the judge, among other factors. Mr. Haggard knows all the judges and their varying procedures and preferences on handling zero bond cases. After consultation he will be able to determine the best strategy for you. He can also file a Motion to Set Bond in some cases which, if granted, may enable you to bond out.
Note: Occasionally the “zero bond” designation is an error. If this is the case, Mr. Haggard will be able to ascertain this and obtain a bond. Unfortunately however you will have to be in custody before the judge will set this bond. Once retained, Mr. Haggard will bring the case before the judge at the earliest possible time.
Why do I have a “zero bond”?
Reasons may include but are not limited to:
- Being on probation for another case
- Being out on bond for another case
- Being charged with a particularly violent or serious crime
- Prior criminal convictions
- A “flight risk” allegation by prosecutors
- The desire of prosecutors or the judge for conditions or restrictions to be put on a bond which will then be granted with those restrictions and conditions
I have no idea what this is all about and why there should be a warrant for my arrest. How can I get more information before turning myself in to post my non-arrest bond?
You or someone on your behalf may obtain a copy of the Complaint, which will have basic information on the incident, by going to the District Clerk’s Office of the county in which you are charged. The Houston District Clerk’s Office is at 1201 Franklin. Some counties, including Houston, allow for the faxing of a request for the Complaint with credit card payment information; these request forms can be obtained online from District Clerk’s Office of the county in which you are charged.
What if I have a high bond and must choose between either bonding out or retaining a good private attorney?
This is your decision but to spend all of your available resources to be released from custody, only to then have ask for a taxpayer-supported attorney, is frowned upon by most judges and many won’t appoint one after you bond out, reasoning that you do have resources. There are exceptions to this on a showing of indigency.
If you are convicted due to inferior or substandard representation you could be back in jail soon, whereas if you use your resources to hire a qualified attorney, you might thereby obtain your permanent release from jail.
Many families do make the decision to leave their loved one in jail to use their available funds to hire the best private attorney they can afford. They realize that they may jeopardize their chances of a successful defense of the case if they spend all of their available resources on a bond and then are unable to retain a successful trial lawyer.
Read about one of our client’s family’s experience in this regard:
AGGRAVATED ROBBERY DEADLY WEAPON,
FELON IN POSSESSION OF WEAPON
Case Nos. 1010622 and 1010623 – Paul D.
DISMISSED ON DAY OF JURY TRIAL
Our client had recently been released from TDC when he was accused of being involved with a robbery while driving in a vehicle with 4 others; all 5 were arrested. Mr. Haggard knew exactly how to exploit certain key weaknesses in the State’s cases and aggressively nailed home a Dismissal of both charges on the morning of trial. Needless to say, Paul’s family was ecstatic, since he had remained in jail throughout the pendency of the case on a high bond: Not being able to afford to both bond him out and hire a good attorney, Paul’s family had chosen to spend their available resources on a successful trial attorney.
Our client’s family was extremely pleased, since he had remained in jail throughout the pendency of the case on a very high bond. Not being able to afford to both bond him out and hire a superior trial attorney, Paul’s family had chosen to spend their available resources on retaining Mr. Haggard’s services.
If I retain Mr. Haggard for someone already in custody, will he be able to get a bond set or reduce a high bond?
Mr. Haggard will file a Motion to Set or Reduce Bond where applicable which, if granted, enables some of our clients to then bond out of jail.
How do I bond someone out of jail?
Contact a professional surety bonding company. You will be charged approximately 10% – 15% of the bond amount which will not be refunded to you. This is the price of your freedom during the pendency of your case.
If you have the cash and want to save the 10% -15% fee, you can post a cash bond directly without going through a bondsman. In Houston go to the bonding window at Pretrial Services at 49 San Jacinto. www.hcso.hctx.net/detention/faq.asp Your cash bond will be refunded to you in the form of a check 6 to 8 weeks after the conclusion of your case provided the defendant did not forfeit on the bond by failing to appear in court.
Note: Clients have given their permission for any testimonials presented here.