Bosque County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Start with the Bosque County Inmate Search.

Arrests here go to the county jail. Call the Bosque County Sheriff's Office, 266 FM 2840, Meridian, TX 76665 (254-435-2362).

Tips for the call:

• Share the person's legal name.
• Add a birth date, if known.
• Ask if bail has been set.

Staff may not discuss the charges.

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The district clerk's office mailing address is P.O. Box 674, Meridian, TX 76665 (254-435-2334). District courts hear felony cases (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.05).

Felony bond papers are filed there.

Call about hours and payment types.

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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). City tickets go to municipal court (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.14).

Justices of the peace also serve as magistrates (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 2A.151).

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Paid sureties, including bail bond companies, can write bonds here. Smaller counties may create a board (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.052). With no board, paid sureties need bail law training (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.10(b)). Whoever takes the bond checks the surety (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.

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The arrested person goes before a magistrate within 48 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). This can happen by video from the Bosque County jail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). The bail decision must come by then too (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).

Release on jailable charges needs a magistrate with state training (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.023).

Ask the magistrate for an appointed lawyer if needed (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17).

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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). The report should arrive within 48 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.022).

Bail is set only after the report is considered (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.022).

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Often, yes. A personal bond needs no cash up front (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).
• Unlawful gun possession by a felon (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).

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Common types include:

• Personal bond: release on a signed promise (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03).
• Cash bond: the full amount paid in money (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: 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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State law lists these factors:

• 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).

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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).
• 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).

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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).

Flight risk needs 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). That court may revoke or change the old bond (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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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)).

Those who cannot pay get 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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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).
• Class B misdemeanor: 15 days (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). Some people, such as those held for safety violations, are excluded (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).

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Bond can carry conditions for safety (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.40). Options include home curfew and ankle monitors (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.43). Drug testing is another option (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.44).

Repeat DWI often brings an ignition interlock (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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A magistrate may issue an emergency protective 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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Bail can be changed 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 Bosque County District Clerk where to file.

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The name is called at the courthouse door (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.02). Then a judgment nisi forfeits the bond (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).

Call the court or a lawyer right away.

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Sureties get a citation to answer (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.03). Some reasons excuse the surety, like illness (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.13). If the person returns, a remittitur is possible (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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The person on the cash receipt gets the refund (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.

Ask in writing; collateral is due within 30 days (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.301).

Ask for a written receipt (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.305).

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Children go to juvenile processing, not adult bail court (Tex. Fam. Code §52.02). Many are released to a parent (Tex. Fam. Code §52.02). A detention hearing follows by the second working day (Tex. Fam. Code §54.01).

The juvenile judge sets release terms instead (Tex. Fam. Code §54.01).

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Bosque County is in the Western District, Waco Division (28 U.S.C. §124). Release is set by a federal magistrate judge (18 U.S.C. §3142).

That division holds court at Waco.

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Hours, fees, and payment types can change.

Call before you go.

• Carry photo ID.
• Bring the booking or case number.
• Ask which payment forms are taken.

Laws change. A lawyer can confirm details.

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