What is bail? How do I get out of jail?

Bail is an insurance policy, which guarantees your presence in court when requested. Bail is usually available in the form of a bond. A bond is the commitment a bonding company makes with the county, which obligates the company for the amount of the bail bond. In other words, to get out of jail, you must contact a bail bondsman and “bond out”.

If you know that a warrant has been issued for your arrest, you may qualify for a “no arrest bond”, which helps decrease the amount of time you spend in jail. Most bond companies charge between 10% and 15% of the bond.

Once you have a bond, you must adhere to the terms and conditions of the bond, including your attendance in court and staying inside the county. If you fail to show up at court on a scheduled setting, the bondsman will be on the hook for the full amount of the bond, and the court will often forfeit your bond. Under these circumstances, you will usually be arrested and your bond will be increased. The court may also deny a new bond depending on the facts of your case.

If you have questions about your case or getting a bond, please contact our office at (281) 888-5581.