Bail and bond basics for Coleman County
This guide covers bail and bond in Coleman County, Texas. Arrests are booked at the county jail, run by the sheriff. Inmate search: Coleman County Inmate Search.
After a Coleman County arrest, where is someone held?
Check the Coleman County Inmate Search first.
The Coleman County Sheriff's Office, 965 N US Hwy 283, Coleman, TX 76834 (325-625-3506) runs the Coleman County jail.
Tips for the call:
- Share the person's legal name.
- Give their date of birth.
- Ask whether bail is set.
Charge details may not be shared.
Which Coleman County office keeps felony records?
The District Clerk is at 100 Liveoak St, Ste 201, Coleman, TX 76834 (325-625-2568). Felonies are tried in district court (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.05).
Felony bond papers are filed there.
Call about hours and payment types.
Who handles Class C tickets in Coleman County?
Class A and B cases go to county court (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).
How are bail bondsmen approved in Coleman County?
Bondsmen and other paid sureties may post bail here. A board is optional below 110,000 people (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.052). With no board, paid sureties need bail law training (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.10(b)). The officer taking bail checks the surety's worth (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.11).
People with felony convictions cannot be paid sureties (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.10(c)).
Ask the sheriff which sureties are accepted.
After an arrest in Coleman County, who sets bail?
The arrested person goes before a magistrate within 48 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). Many hearings run by video from the jail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). The 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).
The magistrate also explains the right to a lawyer (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17).
Why does a Coleman County magistrate check a report?
A public safety report is ordered for Class B or higher (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.022). It sums up criminal history and bond eligibility (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.021). The report should arrive within 48 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.022).
The magistrate must read it first, then set bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.022).
Can someone in Coleman County get out without paying?
Often, yes. A personal bond needs no cash up front (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03). The law asks for the least restrictive terms needed (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).
Some charges rule it out:
- 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).
Delay rules can still require release later (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).
Which bond types might Coleman County set?
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 bondsman or other surety guarantees it (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.11).
- Property bond: the surety states what property backs it (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.13).
A surety must be worth double the bond (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.11).
How does a Coleman County magistrate pick a bail amount?
The magistrate weighs these:
- Enough to assure appearance, but not oppressive (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
- The nature of the offense, including any violence (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
- The person's ability to pay (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
- Safety of the victim and community (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
- Criminal history, including the report (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
- Whether the person is a citizen (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
A person who cannot pay may file an affidavit (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).
When might Coleman County hold someone without bail?
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).
Bail may also be refused when:
- The accused has two prior felonies (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).
- A felony happens while on felony bail (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).
A district judge holds a hearing first (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).
What changed in 2025 for Coleman County bail?
Proposition 3 passed in November 2025 (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d). It reaches murder, aggravated sexual assault, and related charges (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d). The State can win denial of bail with enough proof (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d).
For flight risk, the bar is a preponderance (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d). A safety finding needs clear and convincing proof (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d).
A lawyer may appear for the accused (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d).
Can bail on a repeat Coleman County felony be reviewed?
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).
With no probable cause finding, can Coleman County keep someone?
A warrantless arrest needs a probable cause finding (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)).
Those who cannot pay get a personal bond (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033). The State may ask to extend to 72 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033(c)).
What if the Coleman County case drags on?
Release is due if the State is not ready within:
- Felony: 90 days (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).
What conditions might Coleman County add to bail?
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). Some must pass drug tests (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.44).
Repeat DWI often brings an ignition interlock (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.441).
Breaking a term can mean a hearing and revocation (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.40).
What if the Coleman County charge is domestic violence?
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). Conditions may include GPS monitoring and staying away (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.49).
A violation may lead to denial of bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.152).
For violent charges, a magistrate sets bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.20(d)).
How do we change bail in Coleman County?
A court may raise or lower bail for good cause (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.09). A lawyer usually files a motion in the trial court. Bring proof of income and ties (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
Felony filings go to the District Clerk.
What if someone misses court in Coleman County?
The name is called at the courthouse door (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.02). The court enters a judgment nisi (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.02).
- 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.
How does forfeiture work in Coleman County?
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). 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).
Do we get Coleman County bond money back?
The person on the cash receipt gets the refund (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.02). Court costs can be deducted first (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.02). A bondsman's premium is not refunded.
Ask in writing; collateral is due within 30 days (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.301).
Keep the receipt (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.305).
Do minors get bail in Coleman County?
Children go to juvenile processing, not adult bail court (Tex. Fam. Code §52.02). Release to a parent is common (Tex. Fam. Code §52.02). A held child sees a judge within two working days (Tex. Fam. Code §54.01).
The juvenile judge sets release terms instead (Tex. Fam. Code §54.01).
Where do Coleman County federal cases go?
Coleman County is in the Northern District, San Angelo Division (28 U.S.C. §124). A U.S. magistrate judge decides release (18 U.S.C. §3142).
That division holds court at San Angelo.
What should I confirm with Coleman County offices first?
Office hours and payment rules can change.
Call before you go.
- Carry photo ID.
- Have the case number ready.
- Ask how payment can be made.
This is general help, not legal advice.
Coleman County bail contacts
- Sheriff
- Coleman County Sheriff's Office, 965 N US Hwy 283, Coleman, TX 76834, 325-625-3506
- District Clerk
- 100 Liveoak St, Ste 201, Coleman, TX 76834, 325-625-2568
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court, Northern District, San Angelo Division (San Angelo)
- Bail bond board
- Not required; ask the sheriff about approved sureties
- Inmate search
- Coleman County Inmate Search
Judges and magistrates set release terms case by case. Nothing here is legal advice.