It’s common knowledge that most businesses have set hours that keep them closed for certain time periods. The Dallas courts are no different. In fact, during the 2020 pandemic, courthouses across the country found their doors locked for an indefinite period. Many people wondered if these closures would impact bail bonds, arrests, and the general flow of court duties.
No one can predict the unprecedented. However, we can always prepare for these moments, and that’s what the courts did! Let’s take a closer look at how closed courts and backlogged cases may impact the bail bond process.
Impact of Pandemic on State and Local Courts
The pandemic was a learning experience for everyone, even the courts. Confusion abounded when the courts temporarily closed, and the judicial system quickly realized they needed new protocols in place if the unprecedented happened again.
So, what did the courts learn from this experience? Like most of us, they adapted and created new strategies that could help keep operations moving if another shutdown occurs.
Remote Proceedings
If some or all participate cannot make court dates in person, this new strategy gives no excuse to miss a hearing, whether the courts are open or not. Remote proceedings allow participants to appear by video call or phone.
Technology in Court Rooms
Adopting further technological practices became essential. Where courts used to have people submit paperwork and appear in person, they have resorted to practices like remote proceedings and electronic filing of important documents.
Both remote proceedings and further reliance on technology in the courts help promote overall safety measures that keep people at a distance from each other if physical safety issues are involved.
Can You Still Get Bail Even If the Courts Close?
So, if the court isn’t in session, do you still have bail options or are you stuck waiting in a Dallas County jail cell?
In Texas, the answer is yes, you can still get bail if the courts aren’t in session. If the court can’t approve a bail bond, a peace officer or sheriff can accept it and push it through the proper processes.
Even if the courts haven’t assigned you bail and they’re closed, an officer can decide your bail amount based on what they deem reasonable.
Why is There a Backlog of Court Cases in Texas?
Since the 2020 pandemic, Texas’s judicial system has grappled with a mounting backlog of court cases. This problem is rooted in antiquated and inadequate data collection practices that fail to capture the nuances of individual proceedings.
Unfortunately, the courts across Texas counties don’t display the true drivers of delays, particularly within the “other felonies” category, representing a substantial portion of the backlog.
Without granular data, there isn’t a clear understanding of case ages and individual court workloads, impeding effective case management.
House Bill 841 proposes implementing a comprehensive case-level data collection system in response to these challenges. This initiative aims to enable detailed analysis of court proceedings, ultimately fostering greater transparency and accountability within Texas’s judicial framework.
How Long Between Release from Jail Until Court Appearance?
If you’re arrested in Dallas, you can rest easy knowing that the justice system is fairly swift once released on bail. You can expect your first post-release court appearance within a few weeks.
If you’ve been released on a Dallas bail bond, make sure you get to your court appearance, or else you’ll forfeit the bond and could be sent back behind bars.
Standard Dallas County Court Hours of Operation
600 Commerce St.
Dallas, TX 75202
M-F: 8 AM – 4:30 PM (Closed on the weekend)
Get Bailed out of Jail in Dallas
Getting arrested in Dallas is only made a more harrowing experience when you realize the courts aren’t in session. Fortunately, whether the courts are closed or backlogged, you still have the opportunity to apply for a bail bond and get back home!
1st Call Bail Bonds in Dallas, Texas, is ready to help you out day or night. We can cover any bail amount and are open 24/7, even when the courts aren’t.
Contact us today to start the bail bond application process.
