Brewster County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

A magistrate does. Texas gives that title to judges at every level, from a Marathon or Terlingua JP up to a district judge (Code of Criminal Procedure art. 2A.151). Your person must go before one no later than 48 hours after arrest. Video from the jail is allowed (arts. 14.06, 15.17).

Expect a brief session. The magistrate:

• tells the person what the charge is;
• covers silence, lawyers and the other warnings Texas requires;
• offers a free lawyer if money is short, and helps with the paperwork;
• picks the bail and any release rules.

Texas wants this bail choice made inside that same 48-hour window, tailored to each person, using the least strict terms that work (art. 17.028). With a Class B or higher charge, a public safety report listing past cases goes to the magistrate first. That report carries no score and no dollar advice (arts. 17.021, 17.022). Brewster jailers who see signs of mental illness must pass that word on within 12 hours (art. 16.22), so the magistrate knows.

To learn the hearing time, ask jail staff at 432-837-6200.

Texas bail comes in two legal flavors, the bail bond and the personal bond (Code of Criminal Procedure arts. 17.01 to 17.03). Families around Alpine usually run into four versions:

• Personal bond. The accused signs, swearing to return. Nothing is paid that day.
• Cash bond. The full sum is left with the court. It is refunded later if all goes well.
• Surety bond. A bondsman, or another surety, backs the whole sum. Families in Brewster pay the bondsman a fee that never comes back.
• Ticket release. For fine-only Class C offenses, a Brewster magistrate can release someone bond-free with a written date to come back (art. 15.17(b)).

No personal bond is allowed for violent crimes on the state list. Felons caught armed, people accused of a serious terroristic threat and some protective order violators are also shut out. Then there is a special group, including burglary and organized crime plus some drug felonies, where only the trial judge (never a jail magistrate) may okay a personal bond (art. 17.03).

Bonds may carry rules. Bond on a repeat DWI, or on a DWI where a minor rode along, comes with an ignition interlock device (art. 17.441). See our statewide bail page for more.

No Texas chart prices bail by charge. The magistrate weighs each case alone. Under art. 17.15(a), the amount has to:

• be enough to get the person to court;
• stay short of oppression;
• match how serious the offense is;
• consider what the person can pay;
• keep the victim, officers and neighbors safe;
• reflect any record, and citizenship status.

Texas law names very few dollar limits. One covers warrantless arrests where nobody rules on probable cause quickly. Misdemeanor cases then require the jail to free the person by hour 24, on a bond of $5,000 or under. Felony cases require it by hour 48, on $10,000 or under. A Brewster defendant who can't raise that gets a personal bond. The DA or County Attorney may push the deadline to 72 hours (art. 17.033).

Jail staff can read you the exact figures at 432-837-6200.

Brewster's jail stands at 307 W. Sul Ross Ave., Alpine, TX 79830, next door to the city police station. Work through this list:

1. Dial 432-837-6200 and say you need the jail.
2. Give the Brewster jailer the legal name and birth date. Next, get the bond on each count, then any holds.
3. Ask where the bond is accepted, the jail or a clerk's window.
4. Ask what payment works today. For a money order, ask jail staff how to make it out.
5. On a family violence case, expect a wait of 4 hours or longer once bond is in, if harm could continue (art. 17.291).
6. Show up with photo ID. Keep all paperwork the jail gives you.

Whoever takes the bond at a jail checks the person's criminal history first. On violent charges, that officer can't choose the dollar figure; a magistrate fixes it (arts. 17.20, 17.22).

Sometimes. That depends on the court in charge of the case, so call first. County offices answer through one courthouse switchboard, 432-837-6200; name the office you want.

• District Clerk, for felonies: 203 N. 7th St., Alpine, TX 79830. Weekdays 8:30 a.m. to noon, then 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• County Clerk, handling the County Court's misdemeanors: the switchboard can say where to bring payment.
• Precinct 1 justice court: 107 W. Avenue E, Suite 9, Alpine, TX 79830. Phone access there is limited, so stop by or write to JP1Clerk@co.brewster.tx.us.
• Precinct 2 justice court, south county: mail to P.O. Box 445, Terlingua, TX 79852.
• Precinct 3 justice court: 100 NE 3rd Street, Marathon, TX 79842.
• Alpine Municipal Court, city cases: 100 N 13th St., Alpine, TX 79830, 432-837-0808. Weekdays 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For Class C cases in Terlingua, Marathon or the city court, personal bonds are the standard (art. 45A.107).

Precinct 1's justice court lists cashier's checks, money orders, debit cards and major credit cards for court payments. A jail bond may differ, so confirm with jail staff before the drive.

Some courts take ticket and fine payments from home:

• Justice courts: the county Pay Traffic Citations page
• Precinct 2, by phone: 855-499-2202
• Precinct 3: its online payment portal
• Alpine Municipal Court: AlpineCourtPayments.com or 844-507-3651. The court asks you to call and confirm the total first.

Those tools exist for citations and fines. Bail for someone in a cell goes through the jail, at 432-837-6200.

Texas requires a county bail bond board, which grants bondsmen their licenses, once population hits 110,000. Smaller counties decide for themselves (Occupations Code 1704.051, 1704.052). Brewster jail staff can say if the Sheriff keeps a posted list of cleared sureties, which state law allows when no board exists (art. 17.141).

• No state law limits a bondsman's fee. Ask for the price on paper.
• Get a receipt from the bondsman each time money or property changes hands. Counties with a board make that a legal duty (1704.305).
• Where a board exists, bondsmen may not chase business inside a jail (1704.304).
• Where a board operates, collateral, say a pickup's title, comes back within 30 days. Ask in writing once the case or payment plan ends (1704.301).
• A Brewster defense lawyer already hired on the case may sign the bond without a bondsman license (1704.163).
• Before surrendering a client, the bondsman must first alert that client's lawyer, then swear out a court filing (art. 17.19).

Each bond covers a single case. Before you pay, have the Brewster jail name each hold on file. Frequent ones:

• Out-of-county warrant. A Brewster magistrate may take bail on it; the bond paperwork is then shipped to the county where the warrant began (art. 15.18). Ask which county.
• Parole violation. A so-called blue warrant can hold the person until a parole hearing.
• Family violence. The 4-hour post-bond wait is required when more abuse seems possible. With a written order, a Brewster magistrate can tack on up to 48 hours (art. 17.291).
• Stacked cases. A city citation, a County Court case and a felony each carry a separate bond.
• Immigration detainer. Covered in the ICE answer further down.
• Federal custody. Some beds here go to federal prisoners. Their release is up to a federal judge.

In a small set of cases. The Texas Constitution makes bail a right, with an exception for a capital charge when proof is evident (art. I, sec. 11). A district judge may also, once a hearing is held, keep certain repeat felons or someone accused of a felony while out on felony bond without bail (sec. 11a). Violating a safety condition, or certain protective orders, can cost bail as well (secs. 11b, 11c).

Texas voters added sec. 11d with Proposition 3 in November 2025. It targets the worst violent charges; murder and aggravated robbery are two. On those, bail "shall be denied" when the DA wins a hearing showing flight risk or danger. The defense can't start that hearing; the DA must. Any judge granting bail despite such a request owes written findings.

Who argues for the state:

• 83rd Judicial District Attorney, felonies: Alpine office in the Brewster County Courthouse, 201 W. Avenue E, Alpine, TX 79830, through the county switchboard, 432-837-6200. Its Fort Stockton office is at 400 South Nelson, Fort Stockton, TX 79735, 432-336-3322.
• County Attorney, misdemeanors: 107 West Ave E, Suite 7, Alpine, TX 79830, by the same switchboard.

Yes. A lawyer can file a motion asking the judge over the case for a lower figure. Relatives can back it up with:

• pay stubs or a school schedule;
• rent papers, a deed, or notes from local relatives;
• an honest note of what the household can afford.

There is a second route. When the state misses its deadline to be trial-ready, a jailed person is owed a reduced bail or a personal bond. In Brewster, as across Texas, time limits run 90 days on felonies; 30 days on misdemeanors punishable by over 180 days; 15 days on smaller misdemeanors; 5 days on fine-only cases. Exceptions apply (art. 17.151).

Prosecutors gained new options in 2025. The 83rd DA may now ask a district judge to re-examine felony bail (art. 17.029). The 83rd DA can even appeal a bail figure on certain violent charges (art. 44.01).

Felony motions go to the 394th District Court, 432-837-5831. On misdemeanors, call 432-837-6200 and ask for the County Clerk.

Yes, if the person qualifies. Ask the magistrate; staff there assist with the request. On felony cases, the local plan has the magistrate fill out the state's online form with the person. The district plan sets the clock at three working days, counted from when the Brewster paperwork reaches the judge who appoints (art. 1.051). Once named, the lawyer should try to reach the client in Brewster's jail by the next working day's close (art. 26.04).

In felonies, the regional public defender takes the case unless there is a solid reason to appoint someone else:

• Far West Texas Regional Public Defender, 203 North 7th St., Alpine, TX 79830, 432-837-4120

Misdemeanor requests also start at the magistrate hearing, or ask the County Clerk at 432-837-6200. The county's appointment plans sit on the Texas Indigent Defense Commission website.

Nearly all of them are in the county seat. Unless a different number appears, reach each one at 432-837-6200.

• Brewster County Courthouse, 201 West Avenue E, Alpine, TX 79830. Felony trials happen here in the 394th District Court, 432-837-5831, a court shared with Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties.
• District Clerk, 203 N. 7th St., Alpine, TX 79830. Mailing address P.O. Box 1024, Alpine, TX 79831.
• County Court, hearing jailable misdemeanors. The switchboard connects you to the County Clerk.
• Three JP courts: Precinct 1, 107 W. Avenue E, Suite 9, Alpine, TX 79830; Precinct 2, P.O. Box 445, Terlingua, TX 79852; Precinct 3, 100 NE 3rd Street, Marathon, TX 79842.
• Alpine Municipal Court, 100 N 13th St., Alpine, TX 79830, 432-837-0808. Its hearings meet in the Council Chambers, 803 West Holland Ave., Alpine, TX 79830.
• U.S. District Court, 2450 State Hwy. 118, Alpine, TX 79830, 432-837-7323.

Whoever's name sits on the Brewster cash receipt gets the money back after the case closes, if every bond term was kept. A fee may come out first (art. 17.02). Store the Brewster receipt somewhere safe.

• A Brewster clerk may withhold 5%, capped at $50, if the case ended in a conviction or in deferred adjudication. An acquittal or dismissal means no fee (Local Government Code 117.055).
• Money left on a cash bond can first cover any fines and costs the Brewster court imposes (art. 17.53); only the balance comes back.
• When the case closes, Brewster clerks hand out the refund motion form free.
• A bondsman's fee is never refunded.

A skipped hearing puts the money at risk. First the judge signs a judgment nisi, which starts forfeiture (arts. 22.01, 22.02). A bondsman can escape that judgment if Brewster or another county jails the person again in time. Brewster sureties have 180 days of cushion on misdemeanors and 270 on felonies (art. 22.13). Separately, Texas makes a no-show a crime of its own, even out here. A missed ticket date is Class C; skip a felony date and it is a felony (Penal Code 38.10).

Refund questions in Brewster: felony cases go to the District Clerk; misdemeanors, the County Clerk. Both answer at 432-837-6200.

Settle this before release, not after. Call the jail at 432-837-6200 to ask how unused account money is paid out and when stored clothes, phones or keys can be collected at 307 W. Sul Ross Ave., Alpine, TX 79830.

Have ID ready. Gathering things for a cousin or friend? Ask Brewster jailers if that person must sign off first. Our inmate account deposits page covers how jail money usually works.

Release on federal charges is a federal judge's call. Brewster cases fall in the Western District of Texas, Pecos Division, with court held in Alpine and in Pecos.

• Federal courthouse: 2450 State Hwy. 118, Alpine, TX 79830, clerk 432-837-7323.
• The federal detention hearing usually comes at the first court date, though a lawyer may seek a short delay (18 U.S.C. 3142).
• U.S. Marshals Service, 2450 North Highway 118, Alpine, TX 79830, 432-837-7295. The Marshals hold federal defendants until trial, often in county jails under contract.
• Federal Public Defender, 108 N. 10th Street, Alpine, TX 79830, 432-837-5598.

Once a prison sentence begins, search the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

No. Posting bond on the state case leaves an ICE detainer in place. What happens next in Brewster:

1. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement files Form I-247A with the Brewster jail.
2. That hold can last up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released (8 CFR 287.7(d)).
3. Texas jails, Brewster's included, must follow the detainer and inform the person they are held under it. It falls away once the person shows a document proving U.S. citizenship or lawful presence (Code of Criminal Procedure art. 2A.060).
4. State law since 2017 keeps Brewster and every other local government from curbing immigration enforcement (Government Code 752.053). Then in 2025 lawmakers added a duty: each county jail operator, Brewster included, must seek a 287(g) pact with ICE and enter into one. Brewster's date is December 1, 2026.
5. Next, ICE officers come for the person and carry them to an immigration facility. The locator below shows which one.
6. Look them up on the ICE Online Detainee Locator using name and birth country.

Also, an appointed magistrate may not release on bail anyone carrying an ICE detainer (art. 17.027).

Brewster defendants sentenced on a state jail felony go to a Texas state jail. Second-, third- and first-degree felony terms, and capital ones, are served in TDCJ prisons (Texas Department of Criminal Justice). People normally wait in the county jail after sentencing, then ride to a state intake unit. Staff there pick the unit, which can be in any part of Texas.

• Look a person up in the TDCJ inmate search, using a surname or a TDCJ number. New data posts only on working days.
• Browse our Texas state prisons page for each prison.

Brewster youths land in juvenile court when they were 10 through 16 at the moment of the alleged offense. From 17 on, Texas treats the person as an adult and books them at the Sul Ross Avenue jail (Family Code 51.02).

• A deputy or officer who takes a child in must promptly alert a parent (Family Code 52.02).
• A detained teen gets a hearing by the second working day, unless locked up on a Friday or Saturday; then it is the first working day. The juvenile court assigns the teen a lawyer for it (Family Code 54.01).
• The county runs no youth detention center, so a detained teen is taken to one in another county.

Juvenile Probation keeps an office at 107 W. Ave E, Suite 12, Alpine, TX 79830. Call 432-837-6200 and ask that office which center has your child and what day the hearing falls on.