Find licensed Texas bail bondsmen in all 254 counties. Learn how the bail bond process works, what it costs, and how to get someone released from a Texas county jail quickly 24/7.
ⓘ Calls may be answered by a licensed bail bond agent.In Texas, after arrest, a magistrate must set bail within 48 hours. Once bail is set, a licensed bail bondsman can post the full bail amount in exchange for a 10% premium getting your loved one out of jail while their case proceeds.
Within 48 hours of arrest, a Texas magistrate sets bail under Article 15.17. This is the earliest point a bondsman can act. Bail amounts vary by charge, criminal history, and county.
You pay the bondsman approximately 10% of the total bail amount as a non-refundable fee. For a $20,000 bail, the fee is $2,000. This is regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance.
The bondsman posts a surety bond with the jail or court guaranteeing the full bail amount. The jail then begins the release process, which takes 2 to 8 hours depending on the county.
The defendant must appear at all scheduled court dates. Missing any court date causes the bond to be forfeited and a capias (bench warrant) issued for re-arrest.
Texas does not have a statewide bail schedule magistrates set bail on a case-by-case basis, but most counties publish suggested bail schedules for common offenses. Here are typical ranges:
ⓘ These are typical ranges only. Actual bail is set by the magistrate based on offense, criminal history, and county. Actual bail may be higher or lower.
Not every release from a Texas county jail requires a bail bondsman. Depending on the charge, the defendant's history, and the magistrate's assessment, there are four ways a person can be released while their case is pending.
A cash bond means paying the full bail amount in cash directly to the court or county jail. If the defendant appears at every court date and the case concludes, the full amount is returned minus a small administrative fee, typically 3 to 5 percent. Cash bonds are common for smaller misdemeanor bail amounts where paying outright is cheaper than a bondsman's 10 percent premium. For a $2,000 misdemeanor bail, paying cash means you get most of it back. For a $50,000 felony bail, coming up with that cash is rarely practical, which is where a bondsman comes in.
A surety bond is the most common type in Texas. A licensed bail bondsman charges a non-refundable premium, legally set at approximately 10 percent of the total bail amount, and posts the full bail with the court. The bondsman is backed by a surety insurance company, which guarantees payment to the court if the defendant fails to appear. If that happens, the bondsman has 180 days under Texas law to locate and surrender the defendant before the surety company has to pay the forfeiture. The cosigner is also on the hook for the full amount if the defendant absconds.
A personal recognizance bond, sometimes called a PR bond or signature bond, releases the defendant on their own word that they will appear in court. No money changes hands upfront. PR bonds are granted by magistrates for first-time offenders charged with non-violent misdemeanors who have strong community ties, stable employment, family in the area, no prior failures to appear. Some Texas counties, including Travis County (Austin), have adopted expanded PR bond policies for lower-level offenses. PR bonds often come with conditions like check-ins with a pretrial supervision officer, drug testing, or travel restrictions.
A property bond uses real estate as collateral in place of cash. The property must be located in Texas and have equity equal to at least the full bail amount. Property bonds are rarely used because the process is slow, the county must verify the property's value and clear title before accepting it, which can take days or weeks. Most families find a surety bondsman faster and more practical. Property bonds are most common when very high bail amounts are involved and the defendant's family has significant real estate equity but limited liquid cash.
The magistrate who sets bail at the Article 15.17 hearing has broad discretion, but Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 17.15 lists specific factors they must weigh. Understanding these factors is important because they also guide what your attorney will argue if you file a motion to reduce bail.
Capital murder, aggravated sexual assault, and first-degree felonies almost always carry high bail. Magistrates in Harris, Dallas, and Tarrant counties may set felony bail in the six figures for violent offenses.
Multiple prior convictions, prior failures to appear, or prior bonds being revoked are major red flags. A repeat offender faces dramatically higher bail than a first-time defendant charged with the same crime.
Even a single old FTA on your record can cause a magistrate to double the suggested bail schedule amount. Courts view FTA history as the single strongest predictor of flight risk.
If the defendant has active warrants in other counties or states, many magistrates refuse bail entirely until those are resolved or substantially raise bail to reflect the risk.
Violent crimes, offenses involving weapons, and drug trafficking charges trigger much higher bail than property crimes or non-violent drug possession. Domestic violence charges often carry mandatory hold periods before bail can be set.
Family in the area, years of residence in the same county, homeownership, and local employment all signal low flight risk. An attorney presenting this evidence at the magistration hearing can make a substantial difference.
A verifiable job, especially one with a local employer who can confirm employment, argues strongly for lower bail or a PR bond. Courts are more likely to release someone who has a reason to stay in the area.
First-time offenders are statistically more likely to appear at future court dates. Magistrates in most Texas counties apply lower bail schedule amounts for defendants with no record.
If the defendant has been on bond before and appeared at every hearing, that history is powerful evidence that they will do so again. Prior compliance is one of the most persuasive arguments a defense attorney can make.
Being the primary caregiver for children, elderly parents, or disabled family members weighs in favor of lower bail. Courts recognize that a caregiver has strong incentive to remain in the community.
Families often call us not knowing what bail range to expect. While every case is different and magistrates have wide discretion, here is what bail typically looks like for the most common Texas arrests. These figures are drawn from published county bail schedules and real case outcomes across Texas courthouses.
Class B Misdemeanor. Most first-offense DWI bail falls in the $1,000 to $2,000 range across Texas, though counties with stricter DWI policies like Tarrant and Dallas often start higher. A breath test refusal or BAC above 0.15 can push bail toward $3,000 to $5,000 even on a first offense.
State Jail Felony. Driving while intoxicated with a passenger under 15 years old is a felony in Texas under Penal Code 49.045. Bail in this range reflects both the elevated charge and the harm to a minor involved.
Class A Misdemeanor. Repeat DWI offenders see higher bail because prior failure to comply with bond conditions or prior intoxication convictions increase flight risk scores. Some magistrates require ignition interlock as a bail condition.
Third Degree Felony. A third DWI conviction is a felony in Texas, and bail reflects the serious nature of the repeat conduct. Magistrates may also impose abstinence and regular check-in conditions.
Class A/B Misdemeanor for small amounts. Possession of marijuana under 2 ounces is a Class B misdemeanor with bail typically in the $500 to $2,000 range. Larger amounts or other controlled substances move into felony territory with bail of $3,000 to $15,000.
Second Degree Felony or higher. The difference between simple possession and delivery is the difference between misdemeanor bail and six-figure bail. Intent charges are often based on quantity, packaging, scales, or cash found with the drugs.
Class A Misdemeanor. Assault causing bodily injury with no prior history and no weapon typically falls in this range. Magistrates in domestic violence cases will often hold the defendant for up to 24 hours before bail can be posted.
Second Degree Felony or First Degree. A deadly weapon elevates simple assault to aggravated assault. Bail climbs steeply with the perceived danger level, cases involving strangers or gang activity often see bail in the six figures.
Class A or B Misdemeanor. Shoplifting and petty theft cases are generally low bail unless there are prior theft convictions, which trigger enhanced punishment ranges. Organized retail crime charges carry much higher bail.
Second or Third Degree Felony. Property crimes involving significant values, auto theft, theft by check schemes, or commercial burglary, carry felony charges and bail that reflects the financial harm to victims.
Second Degree Felony. Breaking into an occupied home is taken very seriously in Texas. Bail is typically high because of both the felony level and the potential danger to the homeowner. Burglaries in rural areas where the homeowner was present may see bail at the higher end of this range.
Class A Misdemeanor or higher. Texas law imposes mandatory waiting periods before bail can be set in family violence cases. Magistrates frequently impose no-contact orders as a bail condition. Repeat family violence offenses escalate to felony status under Texas Penal Code 22.01.
The bail amount at the magistration hearing is not always final. A defense attorney can file a motion to reduce bail at any time before the case concludes. In busy Texas counties, these motions are often heard within a week of filing. Getting an attorney involved quickly is the most reliable way to reduce the amount you need to pay a bondsman.
Getting out of jail on bond does not mean freedom from restrictions. Texas magistrates and judges have broad authority under Articles 17.40 through 17.49 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to impose conditions as part of any bond. Violating these conditions can result in immediate re-arrest, bond revocation, and higher bail the second time around.
In family violence, stalking, and harassment cases, the court almost always prohibits the defendant from contacting the alleged victim directly or indirectly. This means no texts, no calls, no emails, no third-party messages, and no appearing at the victim's home or workplace. Violations are taken extremely seriously, even a single text message can land someone back in jail.
Ankle monitors, GPS tracking devices, are increasingly common in Texas as an alternative to higher bail. The defendant pays a daily monitoring fee, typically $7 to $15 per day, and must stay within a defined geographic area. Travel outside approved zones triggers an alert to the monitoring agency and can result in immediate arrest.
In DWI cases, drug offenses, and any charge where substance use is relevant, the court may require random urinalysis or breathalyzer testing. Continuous alcohol monitoring (SCRAM) bracelets detect alcohol absorption through the skin 24 hours a day. A positive test while on bond is a separate violation that can result in bond revocation.
Defendants are frequently restricted from leaving the county or state without written court permission. Surrendering a passport is sometimes required in federal cases or cases involving defendants with ties to other countries. Even short trips across county lines can constitute a violation if not pre-approved.
Some pretrial supervision programs require defendants to maintain employment or actively seek it. This condition is designed both to provide structure and to reduce flight risk by keeping the defendant financially grounded in the community.
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 17.40 explicitly authorizes courts to require mental health treatment, counseling, or substance abuse programs as bail conditions. In many cases, completing these programs voluntarily before the case resolves can positively influence plea negotiations.
Texas law does not guarantee bail for every arrest. Article I, Section 11 of the Texas Constitution allows denial of bail in capital cases where the proof of guilt is evident, typically capital murder charges. Beyond that, the 2021 Texas constitutional amendment (Proposition 6) created additional categories where bail can be denied or significantly restricted.
Under the amended Article I, Section 11b, a judge can deny bail to a defendant who is accused of a violent or sexual offense if they were already released on bond for a prior violent or sexual offense. This was a significant change in Texas law and applies to defendants who were on bond for one violent felony and are then charged with another. The practical effect is that repeat violent offenders now face the real possibility of no bail at all, not just high bail.
Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 17.291, a person arrested for family violence cannot be released on bond until 4 to 24 hours have passed from arrest, depending on the circumstances. This mandatory hold gives the alleged victim time to be notified and make safety arrangements before the defendant is released. Even with a bondsman ready and waiting, the hold cannot be bypassed.
The first call to a bondsman can feel overwhelming, especially at 2 in the morning when you have just learned someone you care about has been arrested. Knowing what information to have ready and what questions to ask will make the process faster and less stressful.
All Texas bail bondsmen must be licensed through the Texas Department of Insurance. Verify any bondsman at tdi.texas.gov before signing. Unlicensed bail bond writing is a felony in Texas under Occupations Code Chapter 1704.
Texas law regulates bail bond premiums through the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). The standard premium is 10 percent of the total bail amount. Texas allows some negotiation between the bondsman and the surety company, and rates may be slightly lower for large bail amounts negotiated with the surety company.
No. The premium paid to a Texas bail bondsman is non-refundable. This fee is earned by the bondsman for their service and risk in posting the bond. Even if the charges are later dropped, dismissed, or the person is found not guilty, the premium is not returned.
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 15.17 requires that every arrested person be brought before a magistrate within 48 hours of arrest. The magistrate informs the defendant of their charges, right to an attorney, and sets bail conditions. This hearing is the earliest point at which bail is formally set and a bondsman can act.
A personal recognizance (PR) bond allows a defendant to be released from jail without paying any money, based solely on their promise to appear at all court dates. Texas judges and magistrates may grant PR bonds for first-time, lower-risk offenders with strong community ties. Some counties have bail reform policies that expand PR bond eligibility.
Yes. A defense attorney can file a motion to reduce bail (called a writ of habeas corpus or a bond reduction motion depending on the court). Judges consider the defendant's criminal history, ties to the community, employment, family, and the nature of the offense. Bail reduction motions are most effective when filed shortly after the magistration hearing.
If a defendant fails to appear in court, the judge issues a capias (bench warrant) for their re-arrest and the bail bond is declared forfeited. The surety company (and cosigner) becomes liable for the full bail amount. The bondsman then has a period of time (typically 180 days) to locate the defendant and return them to custody before paying the full forfeiture.
Licensed Texas bail bondsmen can be verified at the Texas Department of Insurance website at tdi.texas.gov. You can also call our free 24/7 line at (346) 352-1115 and we will connect you with a licensed bondsman who serves your county immediately.
Collateral requirements vary by bondsman and bail amount. For smaller bonds, many bondsmen require only a cosigner who agrees to be financially responsible. For larger bonds, collateral such as real estate, vehicles, or jewelry may be required. Bondsmen set their own collateral requirements within the rules established by their surety company.
After a bail bond is posted and accepted by the jail, release processing typically takes 2 to 8 hours depending on the county jail's volume and staffing. Large county jails (Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar) may have shorter average processing times due to more dedicated release staff.
A cosigner (also called an indemnitor) agrees to be financially responsible if the defendant fails to appear in court. If the bond is forfeited, the cosigner is liable for the full bail amount, not just the premium. The bondsman may also pursue the cosigner for any expenses incurred in locating and returning the defendant.
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