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Trusted Attorneys Serving Kaufman County, Texas
Guest & Gray proudly serves individuals and families across Kaufman County with strategic legal representation in family law, criminal defense, personal injury, probate, and business matters. With offices nearby and deep roots in the local courts, we help you navigate difficult situations with clarity, confidence, and proven experience.
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Our firm has earned top ratings, hundreds of five-star reviews, and recognition throughout Kaufman County for strong advocacy and results-driven representation.
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AVVO Clients’ Choice – Criminal Defense
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AV Preeminent Rating
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Super Lawyers Recognition
When prosecutors charge a person with a crime, that person may have to wait in law enforcement custody for their trial. However, courts sometimes allow defendants to leave custody and await trial in the community, subject to various conditions on their release. Courts may impose bail as a condition of a defendant’s pretrial release in a criminal case in Forney. After you get arrested and charged with a crime, understanding how bail works can help you secure your release from custody as you await trial in your case.
Understanding Bail
In Texas, courts may impose bail as a condition of pretrial release in a criminal case to provide a financial incentive for a defendant to appear in court for trial and all pretrial hearings. The court can also impose other conditions for pretrial release. When a defendant observes all conditions of their pretrial release and appears for all scheduled court hearings and trial, the court will release the posted bail. Defendants may have several options for posting bail in a criminal case, including using their assets to pay bail or working with a bail bondsman service to post bail.
The Bail Process in Forney, TX
Following an arrest and the filing of criminal charges, a defendant will appear in court for an initial appearance or arraignment. During this hearing, a magistrate will read the charges against the defendant, take the defendant’s initial plea, and decide whether to release the defendant from custody pending trial. Courts consider various factors in determining whether to grant a defendant a pretrial release, including the nature and severity of the defendant’s offense, the defendant’s criminal history, the defendant’s community ties (e.g., family, employment), and the risk of the defendant fleeing the jurisdiction or failing to appear in court. The court will also consider whether to impose bail as a condition of pretrial release.
Options for Posting Bail
Defendants can post bail in a criminal case through various means. Some of the most common options for posting bail include:
- Cash bail: A defendant or their family can pay the full amount of the bail to the court.
- Property bond: A defendant or their family may use real estate as collateral for the defendant’s bail condition; a defendant who violates bail may put the property at risk of foreclosure.
- Bail bondsman (surety bond): In most cases, defendants will hire a bail bondsman company to post the required bail, with the defendant paying the company a percentage of the bail amount as a fee for the company’s service.
Under certain circumstances, a court may release a defendant pretrial based on the defendant’s promise to return to court for all hearings and trial, without requiring the defendant to post any financial security.
Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney Today
After getting arrested and charged with a crime in Forney, the court may require you to pay bail to secure your release pending trial in your case. Contact Guest & Gray today for a free, confidential consultation with a criminal defense attorney to learn more about the bail process when you face criminal prosecution in Forney.
Related Criminal Defense Resources in Forney
How Bail Works in Forney, TX
Best Forney Bail Bond Attorneys
Arrested in Forney or Kaufman County — What Happens Next
Bond Conditions in Kaufman County
Kaufman County Misdemeanor vs Felony Guide
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Criminal cases move fast in Forney courts. The sooner you contact a defense attorney, the more options you have. We provide clear guidance, rapid intervention, and a strategy designed around your goals.
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The United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) serves a critical function: establishing and maintaining the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. These guidelines dictate the range of sentences federal courts may impose. Each year, the Commission sets an agenda to review and revise these rules, and the priorities for the upcoming 2025-2026 amendment cycle signal major areas of focus…
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Whether you’re facing a family law issue, criminal charge, injury claim, or business dispute, our attorneys are here to guide you with clear advice and proven local experience. Reach out today to discuss your situation and learn your options.