Cooke County Juvenile Offenders Are Held in Grayson County Inmate Bail & Bonds

Start with the Cooke County Inmate Search.

The jail is run by the Cooke County Sheriff's Office, 300 County Road 451, Gainesville, TX 76240 (940-665-3471).

Tips for the call:

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

Charge details may not be shared.

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Reach the district clerk's office at 101 S Dixon St, Rm 207, Gainesville, TX 76240 (940-668-5450). District courts hear felony cases (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.05).

Felony bond papers are filed 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). Justice courts take fine-only cases (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.11). City tickets go to municipal court (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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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)). 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)).

The sheriff can say who is approved.

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A magistrate sees the person within 48 hours of arrest (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). Many hearings run by video from the Cooke County jail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). The bail decision must come by then too (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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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).

It is not allowed for:

• Charges on the violent offense list (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03).
• Felon in possession of a firearm (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03).
• Breaking a bond or 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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The main options are:

• 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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Key factors include:

• 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).
• 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). The first exception is a capital charge with strong proof (Tex. Const. art. I, §11).

Other no-bail cases include:

• A felony follows two prior felony convictions (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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Proposition 3 passed in November 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).

A lawyer may appear for the accused (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d).

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A new felony while on felony bail goes to the first court (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.027). The old bond can be revoked or modified (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.027(a-1)).

Under SB 9, the State can request a district judge review (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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Release is due if the State is not ready within:

• 90 days for a felony (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).
• Class A misdemeanor: 30 days (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).
• Class B misdemeanor: 15 days (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).
• 5 days for a fine-only case (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).

The fix is a lower bond or personal bond (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).

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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Expect a magistrate's emergency protection order (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.292). It is mandatory with serious injury or a weapon (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).

For violent charges, a magistrate sets bail (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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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).

• Felony case: third-degree felony (Tex. Penal Code §38.10).
• Misdemeanor case: Class A misdemeanor (Tex. Penal Code §38.10).
• Fine-only case: Class C (Tex. Penal Code §38.10).

Contact the court clerk quickly.

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Sureties get a citation to answer (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.03). Death or serious illness can be a defense (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). Court costs can be deducted first (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).

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

That division holds court at Sherman and Plano.

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Office hours and payment rules can change.

Call before you go.

• Carry photo ID.
• Bring the booking or case number.
• Ask how payment can be made.

This is general help, not legal advice.

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