Bee County bail help for families
This guide covers bail and bond in Bee County, Texas. Arrests are booked at the county jail, run by the sheriff. Inmate search: Bee County Inmate Search.
How do I find a Bee County inmate?
The quickest check is the Bee County Inmate Search.
Arrests here go to the jail. Call the Bee County Sheriff's Office, 1511 E Toledo St, Beeville, TX 78102 (361-362-3221).
On the phone:
- Share the person's legal name.
- Add a birth date, if known.
- Ask whether bail is set.
Charge details may not be shared.
Where do Bee County felony cases get filed?
Reach the District Clerk at 105 W Corpus Christi St, Beeville, TX 78102 (361-621-1562). District courts hear felony cases (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.05).
Felony bond papers are filed there.
Call about hours and payment types.
Where do Bee County misdemeanor cases go?
Class A and B cases go to county court (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.07). Justice courts take fine-only cases (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.11). Municipal courts handle city cases (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.14).
A justice of the peace can act as magistrate too (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 2A.151).
Can I use a bondsman in Bee County?
Paid sureties, including bail bond companies, can write bonds here. A board is optional below 110,000 people (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.052). Without one, a paid surety needs 8 hours of training (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.10(b)). The officer taking bail checks the surety's worth (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.11).
A convicted felon may not write bonds for pay (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.10(c)).
Ask the sheriff which sureties are accepted.
After an arrest in Bee County, who sets bail?
The arrested person goes before a magistrate within 48 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). Many hearings run by video from the jail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). The magistrate makes the bail decision in that window (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).
Release on jailable charges needs a magistrate with state training (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.023).
The magistrate also explains the right to a lawyer (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17).
Does Bee County use a public safety report?
A public safety report is ordered for Class B or higher (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.022). It sums up criminal history and bond eligibility (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.021). It is due within 48 hours of arrest (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.022).
Bail is set only after the report is considered (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.022).
Can someone in Bee County get out without paying?
Sometimes. A personal bond is a signed promise to appear (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03). Magistrates must use the least restrictive terms that work (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).
Personal bonds are barred for:
- Charges on the violent offense list (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03).
- Felon in possession of a firearm (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03).
- Breaking a bond or protective order (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03).
Delay rules can still require release later (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).
What kinds of bail are used in Bee County?
Texas bail takes a few forms:
- Personal bond: release on a signed promise (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03).
- Cash bond: cash deposited for the whole bond (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.02).
- Surety bond: a surety signs and backs the full amount (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.11).
- Property bond: the surety states what property backs it (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.13).
A surety must be worth double the bond (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.11).
What factors shape bail in Bee County?
The magistrate weighs these:
- Bail must secure appearance without being a tool of oppression (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
- What the charge involves, including violence (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
- Whether the person can afford it (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
- Risk to the victim and the public (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
- Criminal history, including the report (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
- Whether the person is a citizen (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
A person who cannot pay may file an affidavit (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).
When might Bee County hold someone without bail?
The Texas Constitution guarantees bail for most (Tex. Const. art. I, §11). The first exception is a capital charge with strong proof (Tex. Const. art. I, §11).
Other no-bail cases include:
- The accused has two prior felonies (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).
- A felony happens while on felony bail (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).
- Someone breaks a safety condition of release (Tex. Const. art. I, §11b).
- A family violence order is violated (Tex. Const. art. I, §11c).
A district judge holds a hearing first (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).
What changed in 2025 for Bee County bail?
Proposition 3 passed in November 2025 (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d). It reaches murder, aggravated sexual assault, and related charges (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d). Bail must be denied if the State proves the risk (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d).
For flight risk, the bar is a preponderance (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d). Safety risk needs clear and convincing proof (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d).
A lawyer may appear for the accused (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d).
Who sets bail if a new Bee County felony happens on bond?
A new felony while on felony bail goes to the first court (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.027). The old bond can be revoked or modified (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.027(a-1)).
Since 2025, prosecutors may ask a district judge to review felony bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.029).
Review comes by the next business day (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.029).
With no probable cause finding, can Bee County keep someone?
A warrantless arrest needs a probable cause finding (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033).
- Misdemeanor: bond of $5,000 or less by hour 24 (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033(a)).
- Felony: bond of $10,000 or less by hour 48 (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033(b)).
No money? It becomes a personal bond (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033). The State may ask to extend to 72 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033(c)).
What if the Bee County case drags on?
If the State is not ready, release comes after:
- 90 days for a felony (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).
- 30 days for a Class A misdemeanor (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).
- 15 days for a Class B (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).
- Fine-only charge: 5 days (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).
Release is by personal bond or lower bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151). It does not cover safety-condition violations (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).
What conditions might Bee County add to bail?
Bond can carry conditions for safety (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.40). These include curfew and electronic monitoring (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.43). Some must pass drug tests (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.44).
Repeat DWI often brings an ignition interlock (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.441).
A violation can end the bond after a hearing (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.40).
What if the Bee County charge is domestic violence?
A magistrate may issue an emergency protective order (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.292). It is mandatory with serious injury or a weapon (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.292). Bond can add no-contact and GPS terms (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.49).
Breaking those terms can mean no bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.152).
Officers cannot set the amount on violent charges (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.20(d)).
How do we change bail in Bee County?
A court may raise or lower bail for good cause (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.09). The usual step is a written motion to the trial court. Bring proof of income and ties (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
Ask the District Clerk where to file.
What if someone misses court in Bee County?
The name is called at the courthouse door (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.02). The court enters a judgment nisi (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.02).
- Felony case: third-degree felony (Tex. Penal Code §38.10).
- Misdemeanor case: Class A misdemeanor (Tex. Penal Code §38.10).
- Fine-only case: Class C (Tex. Penal Code §38.10).
Call the court or a lawyer right away.
Will a Bee County bond be forfeited?
Sureties get a citation to answer (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.03). Death or serious illness can be a defense (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.13). A remittitur may return some money (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.16).
A surety may also surrender the person (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.16).
Do we get Bee County bond money back?
A cash bond goes back to the receipt holder (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.02). Fees and costs may be taken out (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.02). The fee paid to a bondsman stays with them.
Collateral comes back within 30 days of a written request (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.301).
Keep the receipt (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.305).
How are Bee County juveniles held?
Children go to juvenile processing, not adult bail court (Tex. Fam. Code §52.02). Release to a parent is common (Tex. Fam. Code §52.02). A detention hearing follows by the second working day (Tex. Fam. Code §54.01).
There is no money bail in juvenile court (Tex. Fam. Code §54.01).
How are federal arrests in Bee County handled?
Federal cases from Bee County go to the Corpus Christi Division of the Southern District (28 U.S.C. §124). Release is set by a federal magistrate judge (18 U.S.C. §3142).
That division holds court at Corpus Christi.
Before visiting Bee County offices, what should I confirm?
Office hours and payment rules can change.
A quick call first saves a trip.
- Carry photo ID.
- Have the case number ready.
- Ask how payment can be made.
Laws change. A lawyer can confirm details.
Bee County bail contacts
- Sheriff
- Bee County Sheriff's Office, 1511 E Toledo St, Beeville, TX 78102, 361-362-3221
- District Clerk
- 105 W Corpus Christi St, Beeville, TX 78102, 361-621-1562
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court, Southern District, Corpus Christi Division (Corpus Christi)
- Bail bond board
- Not required; ask the sheriff about approved sureties
- Inmate search
- Bee County Inmate Search
Judges and magistrates set release terms case by case. Nothing here is legal advice.