Brazoria County Detention Center

Brazoria County Detention Center

Physical Address

3602 County Road 45
Angleton, TX 77515

Jail Phone Number

979-864-2336

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Brazoria County

How do you find someone who is in jail in Brazoria County?

Search for information about an inmate in the Brazoria County Detention Center and view their jail mugshot:

You can look up inmates two different was: The county jail recods, and using an independent inmate lookup service.

  • Review the Jail Roster
  • Look up the offender's criminal charges
  • Find out their bond, and
  • View their public mugshot in the roster.

If you cannot find the mugshot of the offender that has been arrested, it is because Brazoria County or the state of Texas has recently changed their policy regarding publicly posting them in the jail roster. However, you can write the jail at the following address and request a copy of an inmate's mugshot be mailed or sent by email to you. Make sure to include your email address in all correspondence.

Mail to:

Brazoria County Detention Center
3602 County Road 45
Angleton, TX 77515
Attention: Media Relations - Inmate Mugshot Request

Mail, click on the link below, or call the facility at 979-864-2336 for the information you are looking for. 

Brazoria County Detention Center Inmate Search

For inmate services and facility information such as:

  • Directions
  • Visiting an Inmate
  • Sending Money
  • Mailing
  • Emailing or Texting
  • Receiving phone calls
  • Sending Commissary
  • Bail Bond Information

Click the link below.

Texas bail and release

Brazoria County Bail and Release

An arrest in Pearland, Lake Jackson or rural Sweeny leads to the same place for adults: the Brazoria County Detention Center, 3602 County Road 45, Angleton, TX 77515. The Sheriff's Office runs it. Some people wait a few hours first in a city lockup, like the Pearland City Jail or the jails at the Alvin and Clute police stations. The sections below explain the magistrate hearing, each bond choice, paying at the jail, and holds that keep people in.

First make sure the booking went through. The county's online jail records search works by name. Our Recent Arrests page focuses on custody: the current jail population, people booked in the last day or two, open warrants, what each charge means, mugshots, getting a lawyer assigned and collecting belongings.

Then phone the jail at 979-864-2336. Ask whether a magistrate has already seen your person, what bond each charge carries, and if any outside agency placed a hold. After release, our Brazoria court process page follows the case, and our overview of Texas bail law covers state rules.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Brazoria County

1. Which official sets bond after a Brazoria County arrest?

A magistrate decides. Officers get no more than 48 hours to bring the person before one (CCP 15.17(a)). In that same stretch, the magistrate must also rule on bail, looking at this one person and not just the charge (CCP 17.028).

In this county, the justices of the peace serve as magistrates. There are eight of them, two per precinct across four precincts. A 2021 look at local hearings by the Texas Indigent Defense Commission found that nearly everyone (99.5%) went before a magistrate inside two days. Roughly one in three had the hearing on the day of arrest. Most others had it the morning after.

During that short hearing, the person learns the charge and their rights, including silence and a lawyer. They can ask for an appointed lawyer, and the magistrate must help with that paperwork. On anything Class B or more serious, a public safety report listing past arrests and convictions must be read before bail is set (CCP 17.022).

The jail's inmate information line, 979-864-2240, can tell you if the hearing has happened.

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2. Personal bond, surety or cash: what are the choices?

Texas law (CCP 17.01) recognizes a bail bond and a personal bond. In practice, families in Brazoria County run into three setups:

  • Cash deposit. You pay the whole amount. If the person shows up for court each time, it comes back minus allowed fees after the case is done (CCP 17.02).
  • Bondsman. A licensed surety company guarantees the total in exchange for a fee you pay. You never see that fee again.
  • Personal bond. No cash changes hands. The accused signs and promises to show up (CCP 17.03). The county may charge a personal bond fee of $20 or 3% of the bail amount, the larger one, though it can be waived (CCP 17.42).

The law tells magistrates to go no further than needed to keep others safe and make sure the person returns (CCP 17.028). Common add-ons: stay away from the alleged victim, random drug or alcohol tests, a GPS ankle unit. Certain DWI-type cases, including a second DWI and intoxication assault, need an ignition interlock in the car (CCP 17.441).

For certain offenses a personal bond is off the table, including many violent ones and gun possession by a felon (CCP 17.03). Our Texas bail rules page lists them.

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3. How is a Brazoria County bail figure worked out?

No statewide chart says what a charge costs. Local schedules exist in some places, but the 2021 Damon Allen Act still demands a person-by-person decision (CCP 17.028). Two people booked for the same thing can get very different numbers.

Under CCP 17.15(a), the magistrate thinks about:

  • a figure high enough to make the person come back, yet not used to oppress;
  • the type of crime and the facts around it;
  • what the accused can truly afford;
  • whether the alleged victim, police or the community would be at risk;
  • the record shown in the public safety report;
  • immigration or citizenship status.

There are also caps when probable cause isn't decided on time after an arrest made without a warrant. A misdemeanor arrest means release by the 24th hour on bail of $5,000 or less. A felony means release by the 48th hour on $10,000 or less. A person too poor for either goes out on a personal bond (CCP 17.033).

The bond desk at 979-864-2336 can give you the actual figure once it is set.

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4. Paying bail in person at the County Road 45 lockup: what to expect

The jail can accept bail in most cases. A jailer can't pick the amount in a violent case, though (CCP 17.22). Here is a simple plan:

  1. Dial 979-864-2336 and ask to be put through to whoever handles bonds.
  2. Spell the person's legal name, share their birth date, and jot down every charge and the bond beside it.
  3. Check that the magistrate already set the bail. Nothing can be posted until then.
  4. Ask which forms of payment are taken today and what hours the window keeps.
  5. Ask whether any hold from probation, parole, another county or ICE is on file.
  6. Drive to 3602 County Road 45, Angleton, TX 77515 with a photo ID and the payment. Hold on to the receipt.

Paperwork after a bond often takes a few hours. Family violence cases can carry a 4-hour wait after bond is posted (CCP 17.291(b)).

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5. Can a Pearland or Alvin lockup, or the clerk, take bond money?

Sometimes. Call ahead each time.

  • Pearland City Jail, run by the Pearland Police Jail Division, 2555 Cullen Parkway, Pearland, TX 77581, 281-997-5830. Ask if your person is still held there and whether a bond can be posted at that window, or only after transfer to the county jail.
  • Alvin police jail, inside the Alvin Police Department, 1500 S. Gordon, Alvin, TX 77511, 281-585-7130 (jail staff). Ask the same two things.
  • Clute police jail, at the Clute Police Department, 104 E. Main St., Clute, TX 77531, 979-265-6194. Ask where the person is headed next.
  • District Clerk, Criminal Department, 237 E. Locust Street, Suite 206, Angleton, TX 77515, 979-864-1189. Weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., lobby until 4:45 p.m. On a felony, ask if a cash bond can be made here.

City jails keep people only briefly. After the move to County Road 45, bond is handled at the county jail.

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6. Cash, card or money order at the bond desk?

What the window accepts can change. Call the bond desk at 979-864-2336 before you head out, and ask:

  • Do they accept cash, and can they break large bills?
  • Is a cashier's check or money order allowed, and who is the payee?
  • Are cards accepted, and is there a processing fee?
  • Is there a phone or web way to pay? Get the exact address from staff.

Two warnings. Never mail cash. And treat any caller who demands bail by gift card or wire transfer as a scam, even if they say they work for the Sheriff. Also know that money on a jail account is a separate thing from a bond. It buys snacks and phone time, as our inmate deposits page explains.

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7. How does the Brazoria County Bail Bond Board work?

State law makes every county of 110,000 or more set up a board to license bondsmen (OC 1704.051). Here, the Brazoria County Bail Bond Board grants, denies and renews licenses, writes the local rules and hears complaints. Its office is at 111 East Locust St., Suite 301, Angleton, TX 77515, 979-864-1574 for central and western areas. North county callers can use 281-756-1574, and the Brazosport side 979-388-1574. Ask staff for the newest list of licensed sureties, or start from the board's page.

  • Texas does not cap bondsman fees, so get the quote on paper first.
  • Get a receipt for every payment. Bondsmen are barred from soliciting customers in the jail.
  • Put up collateral, like a truck title? Ask for it back in writing when the case ends. The law gives the company 30 days to hand it over (OC 1704.301).
  • A bondsman who wants to give up the bond has to notify the defense lawyer first (CCP 17.19).
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8. Why might someone stay on County Road 45 after bonding out?

One bond covers one case. Other holds can still apply:

  • Another county's warrant. Under CCP 15.18, a magistrate here can take bail on an out-of-county warrant and forward the bond to the issuing county. Or that county may come to collect the person.
  • A parole blue warrant. State parole can keep the person jailed until a violation hearing.
  • ICE. Texas jails must honor immigration detainers (CCP 2A.060).
  • Family violence. Article 17.291(b) adds a 4-hour hold after bond when violence may continue. A signed order from the magistrate can add as many as 48 hours more.
  • Mental health. Jail staff who suspect a mental illness must tell the magistrate within 12 hours. An evaluation may follow (CCP 16.22).
  • More than one case. A Pearland city charge and a district court felony, for example, are bonded separately.

Ask jail staff at 979-864-2336 to check for holds before you spend a dollar.

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9. Can bail be refused outright under the Texas Constitution?

Most people have a constitutional right to bail in Texas. Sections 11 through 11c of article I list the older, narrow exceptions: capital cases with strong proof, certain repeat felonies, and breaking bond terms or a protective order.

Texans voted in November 2025 to add §11d through Proposition 3. It covers a short list of grave charges. Murder and capital murder are on it. So are two sex crimes: indecency with a child, and aggravated sexual assault. The list also names aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping and trafficking, plus aggravated assault that hurt someone badly or involved a weapon. The request for a no-bail hearing can come only from the prosecutor. To win on flight risk, the state needs a preponderance of evidence. To win on danger, it needs clear and convincing proof. If it wins either, bail is denied. Should the judge set bail anyway, written findings explaining that choice are required.

Senate Bill 9 (2025) adds two more prosecutor options. For felonies, a district judge can be asked to review the bail (CCP 17.029). For certain violent charges, prosecutors may appeal a bail they call too low, and the defendant stays jailed until the higher court decides (CCP 44.01). The county District Attorney's Office makes these requests. The county switchboard at 979-849-5711 can connect you.

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10. How do you ask a Brazoria County judge for lower bail?

To lower bail, the defense lawyer files a written request and the court sets a hearing. Helpful steps:

  1. Gather proof of work and housing, such as recent pay stubs or a lease, plus letters from family nearby.
  2. Be honest about what can be paid. A person who can't afford bail on a Class B or higher charge may file a sworn statement and is owed a prompt review (CCP 17.028).
  3. Suggest safeguards, like a GPS unit or alcohol checks, that answer the judge's concern.

Texas also puts the state on a clock (CCP 17.151). When prosecutors are not ready for trial by the deadline, release must follow on a personal bond or on reduced bail. Deadlines by charge:

  • felony: 90 days in jail;
  • misdemeanor that can bring more than 180 days: 30 days;
  • smaller jailable misdemeanor: 15 days;
  • fine-only charge: 5 days.

Some exceptions apply. The District Clerk's criminal office takes felony filings at 979-864-1189.

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11. Can the county appoint a defense lawyer for free?

Yes. Appointed lawyers here come through a rotation, not a public defender office. The county's Office of Indigent Defense screens each request. Then the next lawyer on the felony, misdemeanor or juvenile list gets the case, according to the state review. The Indigent Defense Department answers at 979-864-1683.

  • In custody: say "I want a lawyer" to the magistrate and complete the affidavit of indigence, which is a sworn list of income and bills. Staff email it to Indigent Defense.
  • Out on bond: phone the office and book an interview well before the first court date.
  • The court weighs income, debts and dependents. The fact that bail was posted can't by itself rule someone out (CCP 26.04).
  • Once named, an appointed lawyer has one working day to make a real try at contacting the client (CCP 26.04(j)(1)).

A 2022 review noted that people found partly able to pay could owe $250 on a felony and $100 on a misdemeanor. Read the local plan on the state plan site.

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12. Which Angleton courts handle felony and misdemeanor bonds?

Felony files are kept by the District Clerk's Criminal Department, at the Brazoria County Courthouse, 237 E. Locust Street, Suite 206, Angleton, TX 77515, 979-864-1189. That office lists five district courts:

Misdemeanors that carry possible jail time (Class A and B) go before the county's misdemeanor courts, and the County Clerk keeps those records. Fine-only Class C tickets land in one of the eight justice courts or a city municipal court. The county operator at 979-849-5711 can steer you to the right one.

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13. How is a cash bond refunded, or lost after a missed date?

Article 17.02 sends cash bail back to the name on the receipt once its conditions are satisfied. Should the case end with deferred adjudication or a conviction, the clerk can keep 5%, up to $50. The court may also take unpaid fines and court costs out of the deposit (CCP 17.53). Guard that receipt.

A no-show puts the bond at risk. The court enters a judgment nisi, the first step toward keeping the money (CCP 22.02). The bondsman is released if the accused returns to custody inside 180 days on a misdemeanor case, or 270 days when the charge is a felony (CCP 22.13). Bail jumping, meaning skipping court on purpose, is its own crime (PC 38.10).

On felony refunds, call the District Clerk at 979-864-1189. Whatever you paid a bondsman as a fee stays with that company.

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14. How are a wallet, phone and leftover balance returned?

Property bagged at booking and money left on the jail account are released at the jail, 3602 County Road 45, Angleton, TX 77515, 979-864-2336. Raise these points with staff:

  • How is a leftover balance returned when someone walks out?
  • Can a family member pick up clothes or keys for someone still inside, and what signed permission is needed?
  • Which hours does property pickup run?

Bring ID. More on balances is on our jail account money page.

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15. Where do Brazoria County federal defendants get a release hearing?

Federal charges from here go to the Southern District of Texas, Galveston Division. Its clerk works at the United States Post Office and Courthouse, 601 Rosenberg, Room 411, Galveston, TX 77550, 409-766-3530.

  • A federal magistrate judge holds the first hearing and rules on release or detention. A short delay, usually no more than a few days, can be granted when a side asks (18 U.S.C. 3142).
  • Federal court does not use bondsmen. The judge sets conditions.
  • The U.S. Marshals Service keeps pretrial federal prisoners. Its Galveston office is at 601 Rosenberg Street, Suite 502, Galveston, TX 77550, 409-766-3771. Ask which jail is holding the person.
  • Once sentenced, people show up in the Federal Bureau of Prisons locator.
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16. Is an immigration detainer lifted when bond is paid?

No. ICE holds follow their own rules, apart from any state bond:

  1. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodges a Form I-247A request at the jail on County Road 45.
  2. The jail can keep the person up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released (8 CFR 287.7(d)).
  3. Texas jails must comply with detainers under the 2017 law known as Senate Bill 4 (CCP 2A.060; GC 752.053). In 2025, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 8, which pushes every Texas county with a jail to apply for a 287(g) agreement before the December 1, 2026 cutoff. The Sheriff's Office at 979-864-2200 can speak to its own status.
  4. ICE then takes custody. Its Houston Field Office covers southeast Texas: 126 Northpoint Drive, Houston, TX 77060, 281-774-4816.
  5. Look the person up on the ICE Online Detainee Locator, using their name, birth country and either a birth date or an A-number.
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17. Where would a TDCJ sentence be served?

A state jail felony sentence runs anywhere from 180 days to two years (PC 12.35), served in a state jail rather than prison. Longer terms for third-degree felonies and above are spent in a state prison unit. People often stay at County Road 45 for a while after sentencing until the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) picks them up for intake, where they are sorted into a fitting unit.

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18. Are kids under 17 jailed with adults here?

Texas juvenile court hears cases against kids who were somewhere from 10 to 16 years old when the alleged offense took place (FC 51.02). A 17-year-old goes through adult court. Police must tell a parent promptly (FC 52.02).

A child who isn't released may stay at the Brazoria County Juvenile Detention Center. State inspectors list its capacity at 78. Within two working days a judge reviews whether the child stays locked up, and a lawyer is named first (FC 54.01). Adult bail rules don't apply the same way.

Reach the Juvenile Justice Department, 20875 County Road 171, Angleton, TX 77515, at 979-864-1210. From the northern part of the county, try 281-756-1210.

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Brazoria County Detention Center Inmate Visitation Schedule

3602 County Road 45
Angleton, TX 77515
979-864-2336

  • First, you must register to visit an inmate with NCIC for Remote Visits.
  • You must also have completed a Visitation Form to visit an inmate at the Brazoria County Detention Center.
  • Only 2 adults and 1 child or, 1 adult and 2 children are allowed in the visitation area at a time..
  • Visitors must be registered 15 minutes before the end of visitation. 
  • All visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. 
  • All children must be under supervision at all times.
  • Any person incarcerated within the last 6 weeks can not visit. 
  • You must have a valid government issued photo ID.

ON SITE INMATE VISITATION SCHEDULE

DAY TIMES
MONDAY 8:00AM - 1:00PM
TUESDAY 8:00AM - 1:00PM
WEDNESDAY 8:00AM - 1:00PM
THURSDAY 8:00AM - 1:00PM
FRIDAY 8:00AM - 1:00PM
SATURDAY 8:00AM - 1:00PM
SUNDAY 8:00AM - 1:00PM


Brazoria County Detention Center Remote Visitation Schedule

DAY TIMES
MONDAY 8:00AM - 9:00PM
TUESDAY 8:00AM - 9:00PM
WEDNESDAY 8:00AM - 9:00PM
THURSDAY 8:00AM - 9:00PM
FRIDAY 8:00AM - 9:00PM
SATURDAY 8:00AM - 9:00PM
SUNDAY 8:00AM - 9:00PM

 

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Brazoria County

NCIC Remote Video Visitation

Provider: NCIC Inmate Communications

NCIC Video Visitation provides a secure online platform that enables families and loved ones to conduct scheduled face-to-face video visits with incarcerated individuals from home. Using an internet-connected smartphone, tablet, or personal computer equipped with a webcam, visitors can connect directly without traveling to the facility.

Important: Advance Registration and Visitor Clearance Required

Detention centers do not permit unscheduled or unverified video sessions. Correctional facilities require prospective visitors to submit government-issued photo identification and receive administrative clearance before booking an appointment, an approval process that can take up to 48 hours depending on facility staffing. You should verify your visitor approval status with the facility prior to scheduling. If you do not register well in advance, you will miss your loved one's scheduled visiting window for the week.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Schedule a Video Visit

  • Visit account.ncic.com and sign into your account.
  • Register your visitor profile and upload a clear photograph of your government-issued ID (driver's license or passport) for facility background review.
  • Wait for email notification confirming facility visitor approval.
  • Select Video Visitation, choose the detention facility, and select the inmate.
  • Browse the available schedule calendar, select an open time slot, and pay the visitation fee using a credit or debit card.
  • Log into the website or mobile app 10 minutes prior to the start time on a device with a functioning camera, microphone, and reliable high-speed internet connection.

What the Inmate Needs to Do

The inmate receives a visitation notification on their housing unit video kiosk or terminal. At the appointed time, they log in with their PIN and sit before the terminal. Inmates and visitors must strictly observe jail dress and conduct rules; sessions are monitored by staff and will terminate immediately upon any violation.

Official Provider: NCIC Official Website

Customer Service Telephone: 1-800-943-2189

Support Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

Supported Languages: English and Spanish

Other Services Provided by NCIC Inmate Communications

In addition to Remote Video Visitation, NCIC provides calling and digital messaging services at participating facilities:

  • Prepaid Phone Calling Accounts: Prepay for phone calling credits so your loved one can call your telephone directly.
    • Learn more on our website: Prepaid Calling Accounts Guide  |  • Visit official vendor page: NCIC Prepaid Calling
  • Inmate Messaging Services: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's housing unit terminal.
    • Learn more on our website: Inmate Messaging Guide  |  • Visit official vendor page: NCIC Messaging

Texas criminal court

Brazoria County Criminal Court Guide

Adults who stay locked up while their case moves ahead are held at the Brazoria County Detention Center, 3602 County Road 45, Angleton, TX 77515. City police in Pearland, Alvin and Clute keep small jails for the first hours after an arrest. This guide explains the court for each kind of charge, the steps of a case and where to find hearing dates.

Search the county's jail inmate records to confirm a booking. For the custody side of an arrest, use our Inmates in Custody lookup. It ranges from finding a person in a cell and checking the latest bookings to warrants, charge details, mugshots, appointed counsel and getting a phone or wallet back.

Felony court dates and resets come from the district court administrator at 979-864-1263. Give the defendant's name, plus the cause number if you have it, then write down the courtroom and start time. Is the person still behind bars? Our getting released on bond page is your next stop.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Brazoria County

1. In Brazoria County, which judge hears a felony versus a misdemeanor?

Local courts are split into three tiers by the most punishment a charge can carry.

  • Felonies are filed in a district court, and the District Clerk holds the records. Punishment runs from a state jail term up to life in prison or death.
  • Class A and B misdemeanors are county court cases, with files at the County Clerk. A Class B may bring as much as 180 days behind bars and a $2,000 fine. For Class A, the top end is a year and $4,000 (PC 12.21, 12.22).
  • Class C misdemeanors carry only a fine of up to $500, never jail (PC 12.23). Tickets like these are handled by justice courts and city municipal courts.

Austin is home to the Court of Criminal Appeals, where criminal appeals finally end. To find out which local court has a case, call the county operator at 979-849-5711.

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2. Where do Angleton's criminal courts and clerks sit?

The District Clerk's Criminal Department is at the Brazoria County Courthouse, 237 E. Locust Street, Suite 206, Angleton, TX 77515, 979-864-1189. The office runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and its lobby shuts at 4:45 p.m. These are the district courts it serves, each with its own office line:

Before a hearing, phone the court's office to learn the courtroom. Class A and B files are kept by the County Clerk's office. Justice courts sit in eight places spread across four precincts. The county switchboard, 979-849-5711, can transfer you to the County Clerk or the right justice of the peace.

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3. Do Pearland, Alvin and other towns handle their own tickets?

Yes. Texas cities have municipal courts that share Class C cases with the justice courts. A ticket written by a city officer inside city limits usually goes to that city's court. The citation itself lists the court's address and the date to appear.

Misplaced the citation? The police department whose officer wrote it can point you to the right court:

  • Pearland Police Department, 2555 Cullen Parkway, Pearland, TX 77581, 281-997-4100
  • Alvin Police Department, 1500 S. Gordon, Alvin, TX 77511, 281-388-4370
  • Lake Jackson Police Department, 5 Oak Drive, Lake Jackson, TX 77566, 979-415-2700
  • Freeport Police Department, 430 N. Brazosport Blvd., Freeport, TX 77541, 979-239-1211
  • Clute Police Department, 104 E. Main St., Clute, TX 77531, 979-265-6194
  • Sweeny Police Department, 123 N. Oak Street, Sweeny, TX 77480, 979-548-3112
  • Iowa Colony Police Department, 3144 Meridiana Parkway, Rosharon, TX 77583, 281-369-3444

For a ticket from Angleton, Manvel, West Columbia or another town, ask the Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at 979-864-2200 where to turn. Ignoring a Class C ticket can lead to a warrant and a hold on renewing a driver's license.

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4. What happens at the magistrate's 48-hour hearing?

The first stop in court is a short meeting with a magistrate, often a justice of the peace here. Texas requires it within 48 hours of the arrest, either face to face or by video (CCP 14.06, 15.17). When the state's indigent defense agency watched these hearings in 2021, magistrates read the warnings to groups of people at once, and almost every hearing happened by the second day.

The magistrate goes over several things:

  • What the person is accused of, along with any sworn complaint.
  • Their rights, such as staying silent, getting a lawyer, having that lawyer there during any questioning, and stopping an interview at any time.
  • How to request appointed counsel if money is short. The magistrate must help with the forms.
  • Bail, which has to be settled no later than hour 48 (CCP 17.028).

In a felony, the accused can request an examining trial before indictment. A judge listens to the evidence and decides whether there is probable cause to continue (CCP 16.01). When the magistrate sees no probable cause, written findings must follow within a day (CCP 15.17(h)).

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5. What path do DWI, shoplifting and assault misdemeanors take?

Misdemeanors that could mean jail, like many DWI, theft and assault cases, are filed in a county-level court with a charging paper called an information. No grand jury is needed.

  1. Arraignment. The court confirms the defendant's identity and hears the plea (CCP 26.01).
  2. Pretrial settings. Lawyers swap evidence and may work out a deal.
  3. Plea or trial. When a plea deal is on the table, the judge must announce whether it will be honored. A rejected deal means the defendant may pull back the plea (CCP 26.13).

Outcomes vary. With deferred adjudication, the person serves up to two years of supervision with no conviction on record, and the charge is then dropped (CCP 42A.103, 42A.111). Regular probation on a misdemeanor also tops out at two years (CCP 42A.053). If convicted, Class B carries a maximum of 180 days and Class A a maximum of one year.

The County Clerk's office keeps the misdemeanor file. Reach it through the county operator at 979-849-5711.

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6. What stages does a Brazoria County felony pass through?

Felonies run through the district courts and take longer than misdemeanors.

  1. Magistrate hearing within 48 hours, with bail set.
  2. Examining trial, if asked for, to test the evidence before indictment (CCP 16.01).
  3. Grand jury. An indictment needs a yes vote from nine or more of the grand jurors (CCP 20A.301).
  4. Arraignment in the district court assigned to the case.
  5. Pretrial hearings on evidence and motions.
  6. Plea or trial, then sentencing.

How much time each felony level can bring (Penal Code chapter 12):

  • State jail felony: six months to two years, spent in a state jail.
  • A third-degree conviction can send someone to prison for two years, ten at the most.
  • Second degree raises the top end to twenty years.
  • At first degree, the floor is five years and the ceiling is 99 years or life.
  • Any felony level can also include a fine up to $10,000, and a prior record can raise the level (PC 12.42).

On a felony, a deferred adjudication term may stretch as long as a decade (CCP 42A.103). Treatment courts for drug use, veterans and mental illness operate in many Texas counties, so look for local ones on the state's specialty court registry.

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7. Are release rules stricter for violent felonies?

A violent charge makes release harder from the start. Many violent offenses can't get a personal bond (CCP 17.03). A 2025 amendment to the Texas Constitution goes further. Under that change, people charged with murder, aggravated robbery or aggravated sexual assault, among others, must be denied bail if the prosecutor wins a hearing on danger or flight (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d).

  • Capital murder: an adult convicted faces death or life in prison without parole (PC 12.31).
  • Family violence: if violence may continue, jailers must hold the person for 4 hours after bond (CCP 17.291). At the first appearance, a magistrate can also sign an emergency protective order. It lasts 61 to 91 days in most cases. In cases where an assault was done with a deadly weapon, it is 91 to 121 days instead (CCP 17.292).
  • Prosecutor appeals. In certain violent cases, the state can now challenge a bail it considers too low (CCP 44.01).

The district courts here also list a Domestic Violence Court Program. A defense lawyer can say if a case fits.

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8. Who prosecutes in Angleton, and who gets appointed counsel?

The county District Attorney's Office files criminal charges and handles pretrial diversion agreements, which can end some cases without a conviction. The county operator at 979-849-5711 can connect you to that office.

The county uses appointed private lawyers rather than a public defender office. Its Office of Indigent Defense decides who qualifies, and lawyers take cases in turn from separate felony, misdemeanor and juvenile lists. Call the Indigent Defense Department at 979-864-1683.

  • From jail, the request form goes to Indigent Defense by email after the magistrate hearing.
  • After release, the person sets up an interview with the office.
  • The appointment has to happen within a short window of working days once the request arrives (CCP 1.051(c)).
  • A 2022 state review listed a partial-pay fee of $250 for felonies and $100 for misdemeanors when a person can pay some costs.

You can read the county's appointment plan online through the Texas Indigent Defense Commission, 209 West 14th Street, Room 202, Austin, TX 78701, 512-936-6994.

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9. Where can I look up a Brazoria County case or hearing date?

Felony records can be searched free by name on the District Clerk's public case portal. A search by case number over the phone costs $5 at 979-864-1128.

  • Court dates and resets: the court administrator, 979-864-1263.
  • Clerk's counter: 237 E. Locust Street, Suite 206, Angleton, TX 77515, 979-864-1189. Staff there don't share case details by phone, so plan to use the portal or visit.
  • Misdemeanor or Class C cases: ask the county operator, 979-849-5711, for the County Clerk or the justice court.
  • Statewide: re:SearchTX, run by the Texas courts, shows filed papers and rulings once you set up a free account. Hearing dates come from the clerk.
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10. How can someone check on a Brazoria warrant and take care of it?

Warrants here are served by Sheriff's deputies, the county constables and each city's police. To ask whether one is on file, call the Sheriff's Office non-emergency line, 979-864-2200. For a felony, typing a defendant's name into the District Clerk's case portal shows filed cases. DPS posts its most-sought fugitives on the Texas 10 Most Wanted site.

Clearing a warrant is safer with a lawyer at your side. The lawyer can set up a walk-in surrender at the jail, 3602 County Road 45, Angleton, TX 77515, or contact the court that signed the warrant about a new hearing date. On felony warrants, contact the District Clerk, 237 E. Locust Street, Suite 206, Angleton, TX 77515, 979-864-1189.

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11. What if U.S. prosecutors charge a Brazoria County case?

Federal charges from here are heard in Galveston, in the Southern District of Texas. Its clerk can be reached at 601 Rosenberg, Room 411, Galveston, TX 77550, 409-766-3530, inside the old post office and courthouse.

  • Detention hearing: a federal magistrate judge decides early on if release with conditions is safe (18 U.S.C. 3142).
  • Custody: federal defendants who aren't released stay in U.S. Marshals Service custody. Galveston office: 601 Rosenberg Street, Suite 502, Galveston, TX 77550, 409-766-3771.
  • Prosecution: U.S. Attorney's Office, 1000 Louisiana, Suite 2300, Houston, TX 77002, 713-567-9000.
  • Defense: Federal Public Defender, 440 Louisiana Street, Room 1350, Houston, TX 77002, 713-718-4600.
  • After sentencing: look up the person by name or register number with the BOP inmate locator.
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12. Can an ICE hold keep someone jailed during the case?

ICE's hold and the state charge run side by side, and the hold can keep the person jailed after bond. Step by step:

  1. The agency files its hold request with the jail, called Form I-247A.
  2. From then on, the jail may keep the person up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released (8 CFR 287.7(d)).
  3. Since 2017, Texas law has required jails to honor these requests and has barred local policies that limit immigration enforcement (CCP 2A.060; GC 752.053). Under a 2025 statute, county sheriffs who run jails must apply to join ICE's 287(g) program, with the deadline set at December 1, 2026. The Sheriff's Office at 979-864-2200 can answer where this county stands.
  4. ICE's Houston Field Office, 126 Northpoint Drive, Houston, TX 77060, 281-774-4816, picks people up in southeast Texas. Some are taken to places like the Montgomery Processing Center, 806 Hilbig Road, Conroe, TX 77301, 936-521-4900.
  5. Track them on the ICE Online Detainee Locator.

Before any guilty or no-contest plea, a judge must warn a non-citizen that it could affect their immigration status, including deportation (CCP 26.13). Get the defense lawyer's advice first.

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13. Once sentenced to prison, how is a person moved and found?

When a judge orders prison time, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice collects the person from the county jail. They pass through an intake unit, where staff decide which prison fits them best. A state jail felony conviction leads to a state jail facility rather than a regular prison unit.

  • Find them with the TDCJ inmate search. Only people currently held by TDCJ show up, and records refresh on working days.
  • Every unit, with its address, appears in our Texas state prisons listing.
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14. How does juvenile court handle a Brazoria County teenager?

Children who were 10 to 16 at the time go to juvenile court. At 17 they are tried as adults (FC 51.02).

  • Officers must contact a parent without delay after taking a child into custody (FC 52.02).
  • A judge checks on the lockup inside two working days. If the child came in on a Friday or Saturday, it is one working day. The child's appointed lawyer is there for it (FC 54.01).
  • Some serious felony cases against youths aged 14 or 15 can be sent to adult court after a special hearing (FC 54.02).

When a youth isn't sent home, the county's juvenile lockup is the Brazoria County Juvenile Detention Center. The Juvenile Justice Department is at 20875 County Road 171, Angleton, TX 77515, 979-864-1210.

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15. What victim services and alerts are available locally?

A victim in Texas can ask that their safety count in the bail decision. They can also ask to be told about hearings, and they may give an impact statement in court (CCP 56A.051).

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Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Brazoria County

Arrested in Texas: criminal court process

Access Secure Deposits (Trust Money)

Provider: Access Corrections / Keefe Group

Access Secure Deposits (Smart Deposit) allows families and friends to securely transfer money directly into an incarcerated person's jail trust account using a debit or credit card. Deposited funds become immediately available for your loved one to purchase essential hygiene goods, over-the-counter medication, food items, and writing materials from the facility commissary.

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Important: Inmate Banking Policies Vary by Facility

Once a person is booked and moved to a cell, facilities do not always allow cash drop-offs or phone payments directly to the jail. Some might and you should confirm this by calling the facility and asking. But if you do not register online and fund your loved one's trust account immediately, they may be forced to wait days or weeks for standard paper processing, leaving them without essential soap, clean undergarments, basic medical sundries or snacks.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Access Service

  • Obtain the inmate's legal first and last name, date of birth, and official six- to ten-digit Booking or Inmate ID number.
  • Visit the official Access Corrections portal at www.accesscorrections.com or download the Access Corrections mobile app.
  • Select the state and the exact detention facility or county jail where the inmate is currently housed.
  • Add the inmate as a contact and confirm their identity from the facility roster.
  • Enter your debit or credit card billing information, choose your deposit amount, review the facility processing fee, and submit your payment.
  • Save and print your transaction confirmation number for verification.

What the Inmate Needs to Do

The inmate does not need internet access to receive your deposit. Once approved, the funds post directly to their facility account balance. The inmate can verify their balance at the dayroom kiosk or on their trust statement and start ordering items on the next designated commissary day.

Official Provider: Access Corrections / Keefe Group Official Website

Customer Service Telephone: 1-866-345-1884

Support Hours: 24/7/365

Supported Languages: English and Spanish

Other Services Provided by Access Corrections / Keefe Group

In addition to Access Secure Deposits (Trust Money), Access Corrections / Keefe Group provides several other communication, financial, and visitation services at participating correctional facilities:

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Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Brazoria County Detention Center

The Easiest and Securest Way of Depositing Money for an Inmate

There are several methods for depositing money on an inmate's account:

1. To send money online to an inmate in the Brazoria County Detention Center use Access Corrections.

2. If you prefer to use your credit or debit card and deposit money over the phone, you can call them at 866-345-1884.

3. Some jails have an Access Corrections kiosk for cash or card deposits. Call the Brazoria County Detention Center to ask whether it has one and where it is.

4. Access Corrections also has Kiosk machines that you can find in check cashing stores and retail outlets across the country.

5. The Brazoria County Detention Center may also allow you to *mail an inmate a money order or cashier’s check from a trusted source such as the Post Office, a local bank, or Western Union. Ask the jail who the money order should be made out to and what to write on it. To confirm this option call the facility at 979-864-2336.

*When mailing a money order or cashier’s check, send it an envelope by itself.  Never send it with a letter or photos for your inmate, unless the facility allows it. Never send personal checks or cash.

6. To ask whether the Brazoria County Detention Center takes deposits in person, and when, call 979-864-2336.

Since January 9, 2023, personal mail for the Brazoria County Detention Center on County Road 45 in Angleton is no longer handed out on paper. Letters go first to a mail-scanning service, and the person reads a digital copy. The originals are destroyed once they are processed and are never returned, so don't mail anything you can't replace. Many Texas jails switched to scanning because people were soaking letters in drugs such as meth, then drying them and mailing them in.

Personal letters and photos (scanned):
Inmate's Full Name & SO#
Brazoria County Detention Center
PO Box 591
Longview, TX 75606

Privileged legal mail and publications (to the jail):
Inmate's Full Name & SO#
Brazoria County Detention Center
3602 County Road 45
Angleton, TX 77515

  • Size and length: Nothing larger than 8.5 x 11 inches, no more than five pages in one envelope, and writing on one side of each page only.
  • Pictures: One photo per envelope.
  • Labeling the envelope: Put the inmate's full name and their SO number on the front. A letter missing your name and address in the top left corner will most likely be destroyed by the scanning service.
  • Legal mail: It counts as legal only when it comes from a court, a federal, state or local official, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, the Governor or the inmate's own lawyer. It must go to the Angleton jail address, because the scanning box takes no legal mail, and anything else marked legal is returned.
  • Books and magazines: New copies only, shipped straight from the publisher to the jail address.
  • Not allowed: Packages, crayon, felt markers, colored ink, lipstick, perfume, glitter and confetti. Angleton wants letters written in blue or black ink.
  • Putting money on the books: Use an online deposit or the kiosk in the Sheriff's Office lobby instead of mailing money.

Messages and photos can also be sent electronically through the jail's messaging service, for a small fee each.

NCIC Prepaid Phone Calling Accounts

Provider: NCIC Inmate Communications

NCIC Inmate Communications provides telecommunications services that allow incarcerated individuals to place outbound voice calls from dayroom telephones to family and friends. Because correctional facilities do not permit incoming phone calls, establishing an NCIC prepaid calling account connects calls directly to your cell phone or landline without being blocked by wireless carriers.

Important: Mobile Phones Automatically Block Inmate Calls

Cellular phone carriers automatically reject standard collect calls originating from jail phone systems. While some residential landlines might permit direct monthly billing, mobile devices and internet-based telephone lines require an active prepaid calling balance, which you can verify by checking with your provider. If you do not register online and fund an NCIC account right away, your loved one will receive an automated disconnect announcement when attempting to call your number.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Fund an Account

  • Visit account.ncic.com or call NCIC customer care at 1-800-943-2189.
  • Click Create Account and register using the primary 10-digit telephone number where you want to receive calls.
  • Select the state and correctional facility where your loved one is currently detained.
  • Search for and add the inmate using their full legal name or booking ID number.
  • Select your deposit dollar amount and enter your debit or credit card billing details.
  • Submit payment and ensure your mobile phone settings allow calls from automated or unfamiliar correctional numbers.

What the Inmate Needs to Do

The inmate dials your 10-digit number from any dayroom telephone and keys in their assigned PIN. The automated system verifies that your phone number has an active prepaid balance and prompts you to press a digit to accept the call. All personal telephone conversations are recorded and monitored by facility staff.

Official Provider: NCIC Official Website

Customer Service Telephone: 1-800-943-2189

Support Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

Supported Languages: English and Spanish

Other Services Provided by NCIC Inmate Communications

In addition to Prepaid Phone Calling, NCIC provides several other digital communication and visitation services at participating facilities:

  • Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live face-to-face video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
    • Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide  |  • Visit official vendor page: NCIC Video Visits
  • Inmate Messaging Services: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's housing unit terminal.
    • Learn more on our website: Inmate Messaging Guide  |  • Visit official vendor page: NCIC Messaging

NCIC Inmate Messaging Services

Provider: NCIC Inmate Communications

NCIC Inmate Messaging allows friends and family members to exchange electronic text messages and digital photos directly with an incarcerated loved one. Messages are delivered electronically to housing unit terminals and tablets within hours, avoiding the lengthy transit times associated with physical postal mail.

Important: Electronic Messaging Screening Rules Differ

Inmates cannot receive incoming phone calls, and traditional postal mail rules differ across correctional agencies. While some facilities still allow regular handwritten letters, many jails have transitioned to digital-only mail scanning or restrict postal delivery, which you can verify by checking facility rules. If you do not register online and purchase messaging credits immediately, your loved one may face lengthy periods without direct written contact from family.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Send Messages

  • Go to account.ncic.com and sign in or create a user profile.
  • Select Messaging from your dashboard options.
  • Select your state and detention center, then search for the inmate using their full legal name or booking ID.
  • Purchase a messaging credit bundle using a debit or credit card.
  • Type your message in the composition window and attach approved JPEG photos if permitted by the facility.
  • Submit your message to the facility's screening queue.

What the Inmate Needs to Do

All electronic correspondence is screened by facility staff before delivery. Once approved, messages appear in the inmate's inbox on their housing unit terminal or tablet. The inmate opens the message, reads your note, and types an electronic reply using their available credits.

Official Provider: NCIC Official Website

Customer Service Telephone: 1-800-943-2189

Support Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

Supported Languages: English and Spanish

Other Services Provided by NCIC Inmate Communications

In addition to Inmate Messaging, NCIC provides calling and video visitation services at participating facilities:

NCIC Inmate Tablets & Digital Media

Provider: NCIC Inmate Communications

NCIC Inmate Communications deploys secure, corrections-grade handheld tablets to incarcerated individuals in county detention centers. Operating on a secure internal wireless network, these devices allow inmates to conduct remote video visits, make voice telephone calls, send electronic messages, stream music, read eBooks, and access self-help and educational resources directly from their housing pods.

Important: Tablet Hardware Deployment and Rental Rules Vary

Detention centers do not manage tablet distribution identically. While some agencies issue individual personal tablets to every detainee at booking, others utilize shared pod docking stations or restrict tablet use to specific dayroom hours, which you should confirm with the facility directly. Although core educational and legal resources are generally provided free of charge, sending messages, listening to music, or making phone calls from the tablet requires an active balance funded by outside contacts.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Support and Fund NCIC Tablets

  • Verify that NCIC handheld tablets are active at your loved one's specific detention facility.
  • Navigate to account.ncic.com on your computer or mobile device.
  • Sign into your verified user account and link the inmate's legal name and booking ID number.
  • Select Tablet Media / Messaging or Inmate PIN Debit to add funds to their available balance.
  • Specify your deposit dollar amount, review convenience fees, and enter your credit or debit card billing details.
  • Submit payment, save your confirmation receipt, and notify your loved one that their device balance is available.

What the Inmate Needs to Do

The inmate unlocks their assigned tablet using their PIN or biometric login. Their available balance appears on the screen, allowing them to download songs, read digital books, write messages, and communicate with approved family members. Devices are returned to charging carts during quiet hours and shift counts for overnight recharging.

Official Provider: NCIC Official Website

Customer Service Telephone: 1-800-943-2189

Support Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

Supported Languages: English and Spanish

Other Services Provided by NCIC Inmate Communications

In addition to Tablet Services, NCIC provides several other communication, financial, and visitation options:

  • Prepaid Phone Calling Accounts: Prepay for phone calling credits so your loved one can call your telephone directly.
    • Learn more on our website: Prepaid Calling Accounts Guide  |  • Visit official vendor page: NCIC Prepaid Calling
  • Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live face-to-face video visits from your computer or smartphone.
    • Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide  |  • Visit official vendor page: NCIC Video Visits
  • Inmate Messaging Services: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's terminal or tablet.
    • Learn more on our website: Inmate Messaging Guide  |  • Visit official vendor page: NCIC Messaging
  • Inmate Trust & Commissary Money Deposits: Send canteen funds directly into an incarcerated person's jail trust account.
    • Learn more on our website: Trust Deposits Guide  |  • Visit official vendor page: NCIC Trust Deposits

Brazoria County City Jails

Brazoria County Juvenile Facilities

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The Brazoria County Detention Center serves the following cities and towns of Brazoria County: Alvin, Angleton, Brazoria, Clute, Danbury, Freeport, Lake Jackson, Manvel, Oyster Creek, Pearland, Richwood, Sandy Point, Surfside Beach and Sweeny.

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