Bell County Loop Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

The quickest check is the Bell County Inmate Search.

Most people go first to the Bell County Central Jail, 111 W. Central Ave., Belton, TX 76513 (254-933-5401).

The county also uses:

• Bell County Loop Jail, 2405 S. Loop 121, Belton, TX 76513 (254-933-5408)

Staff can say which building.

Tips for the call:

• Share the person's legal name.
• Give their date of birth.
• Ask if bail has been set.

Staff may not discuss the charges.

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Reach the district clerk's office at P.O. Box 909, Belton, TX 76513 (254-933-5197). District courts hear felony cases (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.05).

Bond filings for felonies land there.

Ask which payment forms they take.

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The county court or a county court at law hears Class A and B cases (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.07). Fine-only Class C cases go to justice court (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).

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A board is required here. Counties over 110,000 people must have one (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.051). Each bondsman must be licensed by the board (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.151).

Bondsmen may not solicit at the jail (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.304). Jail staff cannot steer you to one (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.304).

Ask the board for its license list.

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In Bell County, the first hearing usually happens at the county jail.

Hearings often run by video (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). The 48-hour clock starts at arrest (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).

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Jail staff can accept misdemeanor bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.20). For felonies, the jail takes the amount the court set (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.21).

No felony release happens before magistration (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.21(b)).

Call ahead about accepted payments.

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Start with the arresting city:

• Killeen City Jail: 3304 Community Blvd., Killeen, TX 76542 (254-501-8830).
• Temple Police Department: 209 E. Avenue A, Temple, TX 76501 (254-298-5500).

Short city holds usually end in transfer to the county. City police may not take felony bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.21).

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Ask the jail whether Bell County has a personal bond office.

Counties may set up personal bond offices (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.42). Staff interview arrestees for the court (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.42). There can be a fee for the bond (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.42).

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For a repeat DWI, expect an ignition interlock (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.441). It also applies to intoxication assault (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.441). A magistrate may waive it for good reason (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.441).

Some get alcohol monitoring instead (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.44).

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A schedule may not skip the factors (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028(d)). Each case gets individual review (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028). If held on a schedule amount, the person still gets warnings (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028(e)).

Call the jail after magistration for the amount.

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A surety may surrender the person (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.16). If the person sits in another jail, an affidavit can work (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.16). A new bond can then be posted (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.16).

Ask the bondsman about refund terms.

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The arrested person goes before a magistrate within 48 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). Many hearings run by video from the Bell County jail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). The magistrate makes the bail decision in that window (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).

Only a trained magistrate may release on most jailable charges (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.023).

The magistrate also explains the right to a lawyer (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17).

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For Class B and above, a public safety report is required (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.022). It lists past cases, warrants, and missed court dates (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.021). It is due within 48 hours of arrest (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.022).

The magistrate must read it first, then set bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.022).

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Sometimes. A personal bond is a signed promise to appear (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03). The law asks for the least restrictive terms needed (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).

Personal bonds are barred for:

• Offenses involving violence, as the statute lists them (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03).
• Felon in possession of a firearm (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03).
• Violating a protective order (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03).

The delay rule is an exception (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).

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Common types include:

• 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 bondsman or other surety guarantees it (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.11).
• Property bond: a surety swears to owning enough property (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.13).

A surety must be worth double the bond (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.11).

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Key factors include:

• Bail must secure appearance without being a tool of oppression (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
• The nature of the offense, including any 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).
• The record and past failures to appear (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
• Citizenship status (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).

A person who cannot pay may file an affidavit (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).

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Most people have a right to bail (Tex. Const. art. I, §11). Capital cases with evident proof are the long-standing exception (Tex. Const. art. I, §11).

Other no-bail cases include:

• The accused has two prior felonies (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).
• The person was already on bail for a felony (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).
• A release condition tied to safety is broken (Tex. Const. art. I, §11b).
• A family violence order is violated (Tex. Const. art. I, §11c).

These steps need a hearing before a judge (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).

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Voters approved Proposition 3 on Nov. 4, 2025 (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d). It covers murder, aggravated robbery, and similar 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).

The person has a right to counsel at that hearing (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d).

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Only the earlier court, or its pick, may set bail (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).

The judge acts by the next business day (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.029).

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After a warrantless arrest, a magistrate must find probable cause (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033).

• For a misdemeanor, release by hour 24, bond up to $5,000 (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033(a)).
• For a felony, release by hour 48, bond up to $10,000 (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033(b)).

No money? It becomes a personal bond (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033). Prosecutors can seek up to 72 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033(c)).

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The State must be ready within:

• 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).
• 5 days for a fine-only case (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).

Release is by personal bond or lower bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151). Some people, such as those held for safety violations, are excluded (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).

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Magistrates may add safety conditions (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.40). These include curfew and electronic monitoring (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.43). Drug testing is another option (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.44).

A repeat DWI usually means an interlock device (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.441).

Breaking a term can mean a hearing and revocation (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.40).

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Expect a magistrate's emergency protection order (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.292). With a deadly weapon or serious injury, it is required (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)).

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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. Show what the family can pay (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).

Ask the District Clerk where to file.

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First, the court calls the name at the door (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.02). The court enters a judgment nisi (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.02).

• On a felony, it is a third-degree felony (Tex. Penal Code §38.10).
• On a misdemeanor, it is a Class A misdemeanor (Tex. Penal Code §38.10).
• On a fine-only case, it is a Class C misdemeanor (Tex. Penal Code §38.10).

Contact the court clerk quickly.

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The court sends a citation to each surety (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.03). Some reasons excuse the surety, like illness (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).

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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).

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A child goes to a juvenile office or is released (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).

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Federal cases from Bell County go to the Waco Division of the Western District (28 U.S.C. §124). A U.S. magistrate judge decides release (18 U.S.C. §3142).

That division holds court at Waco.

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Office hours and payment rules can change.

A quick call first saves a trip.

• Bring a photo ID.
• Have the case number ready.
• Ask which payment forms are taken.

Laws change. A lawyer can confirm details.

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