Why You Should Absolutely Remain Silent After Your Arrest
“You have the right to remain silent” is one of the very few statements from Supreme Court law that Americans know by heart, and for a good reason. According to attorneys, the best thing anyone can do after an arrest is to remain absolutely silent. Not only is it the...
Can Police Search Your Cell Phone Without a Warrant?
Think back to your high school history class. Can you remember the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution? If it’s not on the tip of your tongue, you’re not alone. Most Americans are woefully unaware of their constitutional rights. But the contents of that amendment are...
A Guide to Harris County’s Landmark Bail Reform
The push towards bail reform is a natural consequence of mass incarceration in the United States. The condition is widespread: Americans who can’t afford bail can’t get out of jail, and it’s costing the government over $1 billion per year. Thousands of people today are locked up even if presumed innocent because they can’t pay. But with recent changes to Harris County’s court system, things are moving along at a rapid rate for bail reform.
All About Appolition: The Bail Money App
Did you know: Every year, millions of Americans are incarcerated without being able to escape because they can’t afford to pay their bail? What’s known as the “cash bail system” has inadvertently led both the unconvicted and sometimes the innocent to stay behind bars...
Where Does My Bail Money Go?
When an individual is sentenced to prison, their sentence includes the possibility of parole. Prisoners who commit particularly heinous or brutal crimes are often left to serve out their sentence without the possibility of parole. Many of us are familiar with these terms because we watch the news or crime dramas on television, but what does parole entail, exactly? Who decides to reward a prisoner with parole, and what goes into that decision?
Everything You Need to Know About Parole
When an individual is sentenced to prison, their sentence includes the possibility of parole. Prisoners who commit particularly heinous or brutal crimes are often left to serve out their sentence without the possibility of parole. Many of us are familiar with these terms because we watch the news or crime dramas on television, but what does parole entail, exactly? Who decides to reward a prisoner with parole, and what goes into that decision?
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Getting a Bail Bond
If you or a loved one has run afoul of the law, any mistakes you make could slow down or jeopardize the bail bond process. The longer you stay in jail, the more likely it is that something will go wrong. From illegal interrogations to physical assault by other...
The Deep Criminal History of the Man Who Murdered Sandeep Dhaliwal
On September 27, Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal, 42, was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop by repeat offender Robert Solis. He was the first observant Sikh to become a sheriff's deputy in Harris County. The fatal traffic stop took place at...
Hurricanes and Inmate Overpopulation: The Impact on Harris County Jail Staff and Inmates
Ever since Hurricane Harvey demolished the Harris County Criminal Justice Center in downtown Houston in 2017, the justice system has been facing a backlog of mounting cases. This has been increasing the pressure put on the Harris County Jail—including its growing...
How to Find Any Inmate Arrested in Texas
We know how frustrating it can be to locate someone who’s been arrested. Sometimes, searching for an inmate is easy and simple—other times, it can be seemingly impossible. Unfortunately, many websites on the internet show expired inmate lists or lists that aren’t...
When Harris County Bail Bond Companies Fought Back
Despite the request of three bail bond companies to delay the start of proposed revisions on new bail rules, a Harris County judge sided with lawyers for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and a list of new Democratic judges trying to loosen misdemeanor bail rules...
Bailing Someone Out of Jail? Read This First
Bailing someone out of jail? Before you sign any contracts, know what you’re dealing with first. There are many elements and key outlines that go into working with a bail bond company and cosigning to get someone out of jail. ABC Bail Bonds has been serving the...
These Are The Qualities of a Good Bail Bondsman
If you know someone in jail or recently arrested, the best thing to do is get them out fast. Typically, bail bonds are the cheapest and quickest option available to release any inmate from jail. While it’s easy to find just any bail bondsman, it’s important to choose...
Scientists Disprove the FBI’s Photo Analysis Techniques—That They Still Use
The FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, contains about 6 or 7 technicians who analyze pictures—down to the pixel—to determine potential matches to suspects. The images of the suspects are collected by investigators with cameras at various crime scenes. This unit...
Surety Bonds: The Breakdown
Surety bonds are an insurance-like contract between three parties: the principal (you), the surety (us), and the obligee (the entity needing the bond). A surety bond financially guarantees the principal will act in compliance with any bond terms or laws. In other...
Do Non-Citizens Have Constitutional Rights?
Do non-citizens of the United States have constitutional rights? Although there are certain exceptions, the short answer is yes. Non-citizens are protected under the US Constitution. Within the US Constitution, only certain provisions refer to “citizens” while most...
How Bounty Hunting Works
In the Wild West, outlaws were quite difficult to capture. Local sheriffs didn’t have the resources or manpower to find and subdue these dangerous criminals, so they’d often let other people capture outlaws for a reward. Of course, this motivated many to act...
5 Huge Reasons to Use a Bail Bondsman
No one likes going to jail, and bail bonds companies know that. That’s why their whole operation consists of bailing people out of jail as soon as they possibly can, allowing inmates to return home. When it comes to going to jail, the choices you make determine how...
What to Expect When Getting Arrested
Getting arrested is a long and dreary process, and knowing what to expect when getting arrested will help immensely when facing legal issues with law enforcement or the court system. Anyone can get arrested, with or without a charge for a crime. Simply being present...
The Do’s and Don’ts When Getting Arrested
Many things may happen when getting arrested. A lot of times, this depends entirely upon your actions. When getting arrested, it’s extremely important to remain safe and intact. First and foremost, remain calm and be mindful of your actions. We at ABC Bail Bonds of...
5 Easy Ways to Stay Calm Around the Police
Whether a short encounter or a formal arrest, we understand it may be difficult to remain calm around the police. This is especially true if the environment is hostile, or if the officer is having a bad day. However, it’s extremely important to remain calm when being...
5 Crucial Tips For First Time Inmates
Going to jail is never easy, and it’s even harder for first time inmates. While there isn’t much you can do about going to jail, knowledge of important information and basic preparation will help you immensely. We at ABC Bail Bonds compiled this list of the five most...
A Brief Glossary of Bail Bond Terms
The process of being arrested and booked into a county jail isn’t fun. Not only is it stressful, but it can be confusing. Legal jargon can sometimes be staggering, and important information may take longer to process because of it. This only results in more stress and...
A Grim Look Into Prison Life in Harris County
Recently, several publications throughout Houston have been shedding light on concerns surrounding Harris County jails and the Houston Police Department (HPD). One of these major publications is the Houston Chronicle, who recently published several remarkable articles...
Turning Yourself In? What You Need to Know
Sometimes your entire day can be flipped upside down in a matter of moments. This is especially true for those going through legal troubles. Whether you missed court dates, violated your probation or didn’t pay your fines, an arrest warrant means you must turn...
Top 3 Crimes in Harris County
With a great population comes great crime, and Harris County definitely has a great population. In fact, it’s the most populous county in Texas, and third most populous in the entire country. Within its borders are Houston, Spring, Cypress, Humble, La Porte, and...
Will You Get Your Bail Money Back?
Those who have experienced going to jail and being convicted of a crime have often wondered: where does the bail money go? For parents, friends or colleagues who have bailed a loved one out of jail, the curious sentiment remains: “will I get my bail money back?” While...
When Can Courts Deny Bail?
Before we get started, let’s explain bail. Bail is a trade—of either property or money—with a court for releasing a defendant from jail in exchange for their return to court for trial. If the defendant doesn’t appear on the scheduled court date, the bail will then be...
10 Ways to Have a Safe Police Encounter
Being stopped by the police is a frightening experience. While it’s true that everyone has a different experience when encountering the police, there are definitive ways to increase your chances of having a safe police encounter. When being stopped or pulled over by...
Have an Active Warrant? Here’s How to Avoid Jail
Receiving that letter about a warrant is scary, we know. We deal with active warrants on a daily basis, and sit through many consultations with both individuals and families dealing with warrants. While it may seem scary thinking about law enforcement technically...
How to Tell Your Boss About an Arrest… and Keep Your Job
Whether you’re preparing to go to jail or you just got out, your job may be a looming thought on your mind. If you were arrested unexpectedly, did you get a chance to call your employer first? If you’re planning to turn yourself in, did you let your employer know?...
How to Use Credit to Your Advantage With a Bail Bond
If you’ve ever had to spend the night in jail or know someone who’s been arrested, you know that dealing with the legal system—in jail, no less—can evoke feelings of loss and hopelessness. This is especially true when the judge sets a high bail bond that's seemingly...
A Friend’s in Jail… What Can You Do?
In the state of Texas, committing a crime doesn’t earn you a slap on the wrist—no, Texas makes sure criminals feel the full force of the justice system at work. In fact, according to a survey reported by The Nation publication, around 70% of people currently in US...
The Damon Allen Act: What it is, and Why it Matters
In August of last year, Texas Governor Greg Abbott proposed the Damon Allen Act. This bill is a set of proposals aimed at protecting police officers and communities after a repeat-criminal gunned down a Texas trooper last Thanksgiving. In fact, there are two sets of...
How Bail Reform Will Cost Texans
For hundreds of years, bail bondsmen helped people get out of jail early. They made sure people could live their lives freely while waiting for their court date. Bail bondsmen have positively influenced people's experiences with the law. Our resources ease their...
5 Harmful Effects of Bail Reform
Violent Arrest? No Release When a person gets arrested for assault, or even during a scuffle, they're usually charged with a violent crime. Many times, people arrested for violent crimes are not violent by nature. Their criminal history confirms this. When defendants...
Why You Need a Bail Bond ASAP (Don’t Sit in Jail!)
Here's Why You Need a Bail Bond We're familiar with bail bonds for the most part, and recognize how they work. We see and read about them in the news when big names get arrested; this usually comes with a (quite hefty) bond amount. But have we ever stopped and asked...