Tax preparers in California must post a $5,000 surety bond to get licensed. The bond acts as protection to clients of tax preparers, as the latter have access to sensitive information.
The decision to post bail for someone should not be taken lightly. Financially, you risk losing the bail amount or collateral if the defendant fails to appear in court. Legally, the defendant's absence can lead to arrest warrants and additional charges, complicating their legal situation further.
Travis County is one of the biggest counties in Texas that doesn't have a counsel at first appearance program. But it's not for lack of trying. In spring 2022, the county received a $500,000 grant from Texas A&M University to launch a counsel at first appearance pilot program.