One of the most offensive crimes that anyone could commit or be arrested for is a sex crime. Based on the circumstances surrounding an arrest, sometimes courts may let the accused out on bail until their initial hearings and final judgment.
If an acquaintance in Arlington was recently arrested for a possible sex crime, here’s all you need to know about the law in Texas, and whether or not you should expect a late-night call to help pay for an Arlington bail bond.
What is a Sex Crime in Texas?
In Texas, a sex crime is defined as non-consensual penetration, sexual touching, or cases involving prostitution.
Some of the most common sex crimes offenders are charged with include:
- Aggravated assault which covers rape/Unwanted sexual intercourse
- Aggravated assault that includes the use of weapons and death threats to commit an unwanted sex act
- Sending or receiving sexually explicit images
- Sex offenses where children or other protected individuals are involved
How Much is Bail for a Sex Crime?
When it is granted, bail for a sex crime comes with a steep price tag in Texas. Bonds can be set within the $500,000 dollar range or higher depending on the crime. Everything revolves around the actual crime that an offender is accused of, so if you are eligible for a bail bond, make sure to work with a licensed bondsman that truly understands local court rulings.
What Does a Judge Consider When Debating Bond on a Sexual Assault Case?
Sometimes an offender’s situation may make bail a possibility. However, the state of Texas takes sex crimes seriously, and judges will typically consider all of the options at hand before granting bail.
Some of the key points a judge considers during the decision process include the following:
Is the Accused a Flight Risk?
If a person has a dishonest past or has a history of running from their legal woes, a judge will usually deem them a flight risk and not grant bail.
However, in the case of a bail bond, a flight risk is always a risk, so when a sexual crime is a crime in question, judges may increase bail to astronomical amounts just to ensure the accused stays in their possession.
Do They Have a Criminal History?
Like other Arlington bail opportunities, if the accused has a criminal history or a violent past the judge presiding over their case will likely not grant bail.
Is Immediate Harm a Risk?
While most may view this as the offender is at risk for continuing to commit sex crimes while free, the courts also take into account the risk of the accused being harmed.
If a family member threatened their life or they live in close contact with the sexual assault victim, the courts will most likely decide to reject the possibility of bail.
Need an Arlington Bail Bond? Trust Big Bubba for Fast Help!
If you’ve been arrested in Arlington, the bondsmen at Big Bubba’s Bail Bonds will uphold our oath to help get an offender out of jail and back home until their first hearing.
We are open 24/7 and can match any bail amount set for the accused. Contact us today to get the bail bond application process started.
