Texas started using a point system September 1st 2003, the Texas Drivers Responsibility Act and Traffic Tickets convictions now add points to a persons driving record, resulting in fines and surcharges.
Points are assessed for moving violations and remain on a person’s driver’s record for three years.
Points are assessed if a driver is convicted of the following:
Moving violations speeding, failure to stop at a stop sign, illegal u turn or mechanical violations: 2 points
(Speeding 10% under the posted limit shall not result in points unless in a school zone)Children Seat Belt and Car Seat Violations: 2 points
Moving violation that resulted in an accident: 3 points
Six points in a three year period shall result in fines to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
This point system is a consideration for anyone entering a guilty plea.
This information and much more is available in many places on the internet and really doesn’t have anything to do with bail bonds but is still valuable information to know.
A bail bond is an option if a person fails to appear in court and a warrant of arrest is issued.
If a person fails to appear in court at the City of Houston Municipal Court and chooses to post a bail bond an automatic plea of not guilty is established and the case is reset for a trial by judge or a trial by jury waiving the arraignment hearing.
Many cases are dismissed for various reasons at trial hearings prior to the actual trial however posting a bail bond has nothing to do with the outcome of a criminal case.
A bail bond guarantees the court appearance of the defendant each and every time the person is required to appear until the case is finally disposed and that is all a bail bond does. If a person fails to appear after posting a bail bond then the warrant of arrest will be re-issued if the person does not do anything to resolve the missed court date.