How COVID-19 Changed Bail Bond Procedures

If you or a loved one has had to post bail recently, you may have noticed that the process looks a little different from how it used to be. That’s not your imagination. COVID-19 changed bail bond procedures across the country, and those changes are still affecting families here in Tulsa and beyond.

At Doyle Davis Bail Bonds, we’ve helped hundreds of clients navigate these new procedures since the early days of the pandemic. In this blog, we’ll walk you through exactly how things have shifted, what it means for you today, and how we’ve adapted our services to make sure your bail experience remains smooth, safe, and fast.

Understanding How COVID-19 Changed Bail Bond Procedures

When COVID-19 swept through the U.S. court and jail systems, the bail process was one of the first areas to feel the impact. Suddenly, in-person hearings were delayed, jails were overcrowded with limited health protocols, and families were unsure whether they could even enter court buildings to post bail.

To adapt, many local and state systems, including some here in Oklahoma, implemented emergency reforms to limit jail populations and reduce face-to-face contact. Here’s how COVID-19 changed bail bond procedures in ways that still affect the system today.

Court Hearings Moved Online

One of the biggest shifts was the move from in-person arraignments and hearings to video or phone-based alternatives. This change helped reduce health risks but also introduced some confusion.

In some cases, court hearings were delayed, which meant a longer wait before bail could even be considered. Other times, the virtual format created barriers for defendants who didn’t have reliable internet or devices. Today, while many courts have resumed in-person operations, some online procedures remain in place, especially for first appearances.

At Doyle Davis Bail Bonds, we made it our mission to keep our clients updated on these changes in real-time, ensuring you’d never miss a virtual court date or paperwork deadline.

Increase in Own Recognizance (ROR) Releases

Another major change? A rise in Own Recognizance (ROR) releases. During the height of the pandemic, many lower-level offenders were released without having to post bail, simply by promising to return to court. This helped reduce jail crowding, but it also left some families unsure about the process and whether they needed a bail bondsman.

Even today, some courts are more likely to offer ROR in misdemeanor cases. However, if bail is still required, and it often is for felony or repeat offenses, you’ll still need a licensed bail bondsman to post it quickly and correctly.

We’re always available to help you determine whether you need to post bail or qualify for ROR release, saving you time and stress in the middle of a legal crisis.

Contactless Bail Bond Options Became the Norm

Perhaps one of the most practical ways COVID-19 changed bail bond procedures was by pushing the industry to adopt remote and contactless options. We introduced phone-based applications, email contracts, and even mobile notary services to ensure you could complete the bail process from the safety of your home.

While some companies are moving back to in-person-only models, we’ve kept these convenient, remote options in place, because let’s face it, not everyone wants to drive across town in the middle of the night or while under emotional stress.

Jail Protocols Slowed Down the Release Process

During the pandemic, jails introduced new safety protocols, like health screenings and quarantine procedures, that often slowed down how quickly someone could be released after bail was posted. While those delays have lessened in most counties, some facilities still have layered procedures that can affect the timeline.

Knowing how a specific Tulsa-area jail is operating helps us guide your expectations. We stay in contact with local facilities in Tulsa, Creek, Rogers, and Osage counties to give you the most up-to-date info on release times.

What to Expect Now (And How We’re Still Helping)

Even though we’re no longer in lockdown, the effects of how COVID-19 changed bail bond procedures are still being felt. Some jails are more cautious about intake and release. Courts may continue hybrid scheduling. And the need for flexibility, empathy, and fast communication is more critical than ever.

We’ve embraced these changes as opportunities to serve you better. Whether you need help understanding a virtual court date or want to complete everything remotely, we’re here 24/7, just like we were during the toughest days of the pandemic.

Final Note

If there’s one thing we learned over the past few years, it’s that being adaptable makes all the difference. COVID-19 changed bail bond procedures in more ways than one, but our core promise to you hasn’t changed at all: to help you bring your loved one home fast, safely, and with compassion.

So if you’re facing a confusing bail situation, know that we’re here to walk you through it, step by step, just like we’ve done for Tulsa families for over 30 years.