Can a Lawyer Get You Out of Jail? 

Being charged with a crime, arrested, and booked in jail in Texas is one of the most stressful experiences and can cause a lot of anxiety and fear. You have a life to get back to. One of the biggest concerns anyone in jail has is getting out as quickly as possible. 

There are a series of steps you can take to get out of jail quickly. The first thing anyone booked in jail should do is contact a defense attorney, like those at Chris Lewis & Associates P.C. as soon as they’re booked. They can start working right away to help you get out of jail. 

Posting Bail

In most cases, the process of being released from jail is relatively simple. Experienced defense attorneys generally know the process and what to expect with bail when their clients are charged. 

A judge typically sets the bail twenty-four hours after your arrest at the initial hearing. Bail is the cash the defendant can pay to the court to be released from jail. Those who cannot pay the entire amount of bail can choose to use a bond. 

Your defense attorney or loved ones can work with a bondsman to secure the bail bond you need for your release. If you return to court as expected of you, the court refunds the bail amount, less any fees. If you do not return, you forfeit the bail and the court keeps it.

However, if you do not return to court, a new warrant for your arrest can be issued by the judge. A defense attorney can work with the judge to reduce the amount of bail the defendant needs to be released from jail.

Negotiation of Your Release

Call an attorney to have them negotiate your release on personal recognizance. This is a written promise from the attorney that the defendant will show up in court at the promised time without needing bail to get out of jail when you’re charged with a crime. 

There are no payments involved in this negotiation. However, some charges can preclude you from this type of negotiation. For example, if you’ve been convicted of a violent crime, you may be unable to be released on a bond or otherwise. Your attorney can advise you on your best option.

Surety Bonds

If you do not have the option to be released on recognizance, the attorney works to reduce the bail to a more reasonable amount. This can then be posted by using a surety bond. 

A surety bond secures the bond itself and the obligation to pay the court on your behalf. It’s a contract between the three parties involved: the principle, the surety, and the obligee. It is essentially a written agreement stating the individual will guarantee payment and compliance with the courts.

Seek Help From an Experienced Law Office

An experienced attorney is the quickest way to release. They can work on securing your release using one of the methods listed above. They work to do so in the most cost-effective way possible.

It is important to seek help as soon as you’re arrested in Texas. Our law office, Chris Lewis & Associates P.C., is here to provide the answers to your questions. Give us a call at 214-665-6930 to speak with our experienced attorneys.