What Are Bail Bonds and How Can They Help You in Texas?

 Posted on August 07, 2026 in Bail Bonds

A bail bond is a way to secure someone's release from jail by paying a percentage of the full bail amount through a licensed bondsman, rather than paying the entire amount yourself. This service can make the difference between staying behind bars for days or weeks and getting back to your job, family, and daily life while your case moves through the courts.

If you or a loved one has been arrested in 2026, our McKinney, TX bail bondsman can help you understand your options and move quickly to secure a release.

How Does the Bail Bond Process Work in Texas?

When someone is arrested in Texas, a judge sets a bail amount based on factors like the severity of the charge, the person's criminal history, and their ties to the community. Under Texas Occupations Code Section 1704, bail bondsmen in certain counties (including Denton County) must be licensed to operate. Licensed bondsmen agree to pay the full bail amount to the court if the defendant fails to appear for their scheduled court dates.

In exchange for taking on this risk, the bondsman charges a fee, typically a percentage of the total bail amount. This fee allows the defendant's family to secure release without needing to come up with the entire bail amount themselves, which can often be thousands of dollars or more.

What Percentage Do Bail Bond Companies Typically Charge?

Texas law generally allows bail bond companies to charge a fee of around 10 percent of the total bail amount, though this can vary depending on the specifics of the case. This fee is non-refundable, since it covers the risk the bondsman takes on and the service they provide in securing the release.

What Information Do You Need to Get a Bail Bond?

Moving quickly can make a real difference when a loved one is in jail, so having the right information ready can speed up the process. Helpful information to gather includes:

• The full name of the person in custody
• The county and facility where they're being held
• The booking number, if available
• The charges filed against them
• The set bail amount

Having this information ready when you contact a bondsman can help get the process moving as quickly as possible.

What Happens if the Defendant Out on Bail Misses a Court Date?

If a defendant fails to appear in court after being released on a bail bond, the court can issue a warrant for their arrest. The bondsman becomes responsible for paying the full bail amount to the court. Because of this risk, bondsmen often require some form of collateral or a cosigner. The cosigner is someone who agrees to take financial responsibility if the defendant doesn't follow through on their court obligations.

What Is Collateral in a Bail Bond Agreement?

Collateral is property or assets pledged to secure the bond, such as a car, jewelry, or real estate. This gives the bondsman a way to recover their losses if the defendant fails to appear in court and the bond has to be paid. Not every bail bond requires collateral. This often depends on the size of the bail amount and the bondsman's assessment of the risk involved.

Can Bail Be Denied in Texas?

While most defendants are entitled to some form of bail, Texas law allows bail to be denied in certain cases. This can include capital offenses and certain serious violent or sexual offenses when the legal requirements for denying bail are met, including circumstances involving a risk of nonappearance or danger to the community.

What Should You Do if a Loved One Is Arrested in Texas?

If you've never dealt with the bail process before, that’s not a problem. We can help you through it. Act quickly to help move things along smoothly. Start by confirming where the person is being held and what the bail amount is set at, then contact our licensed bail bondsman who can walk you through the paperwork and payment process.

Time often matters in these situations, since every hour spent in jail can affect a person's job, family responsibilities, and peace of mind.

Contact Our Denton County, TX Bail Bondsman Today

Before starting his bail bonds company, Doc served as a general manager for a professional baseball team. He’s had years of practice building a strong team and understanding how to play by the rules of the game, skills he now brings to helping families navigate the bail process with speed and reliability.

Contact Doc's Bail Bonds at 214-747-4110 to talk to our McKinney, TX bail bondsman today.