Bail and bond basics for Delta County
Families can start here for Delta County, Texas. The Delta County Sheriff's Office runs the county jail. Inmate search: Delta County Inmate Search.
After a Delta County arrest, where is someone held?
Check the Delta County Inmate Search first.
The county jail is run by the Delta County Sheriff's Office, 200 W Bonham Ave, Cooper, TX 75432 (903-395-2146).
Tips for the call:
- Share the person's legal name.
- Add a birth date, if known.
- Ask whether bail is set.
Staff may not discuss the charges.
Where is the Delta County District Clerk?
The Delta County District Clerk is at 200 W Dallas Ave, Cooper, TX 75432 (903-395-9302). District courts hear felony cases (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.05).
Bond filings for felonies land there.
Ask which payment forms they take.
Who handles Class C tickets in Delta County?
Class A and B cases go to county court (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).
How are bail bondsmen approved in Delta County?
Bondsmen and other paid sureties may post bail 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).
People with felony convictions cannot be paid sureties (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.10(c)).
The sheriff can say who is approved.
Who sets bail after a Delta County arrest?
A magistrate sees the person within 48 hours of arrest (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). Many hearings run by video from the jail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). The magistrate makes the bail decision in that window (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).
Why does a Delta 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). It is due within 48 hours of arrest (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.022).
Bail is set only after the report is considered (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.022).
Can someone in Delta County get out without paying?
Sometimes. A personal bond is a signed promise to appear (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).
- 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).
What bond options exist in Delta County?
The main options are:
- Personal bond: release on a signed promise (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03).
- Cash bond: cash deposited for the whole bond (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).
Each surety needs assets of twice the amount (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.11).
What counts when bail is set in Delta County?
State law lists these factors:
- 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).
- Whether the person can afford it (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).
An inability-to-pay affidavit is allowed (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).
Can bail be denied in Delta County?
The Texas Constitution guarantees bail for most (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:
- A felony follows two prior felony convictions (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).
- Someone violates a protective order in a family case (Tex. Const. art. I, §11c).
These steps need a hearing before a judge (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).
Did Proposition 3 change bail in Delta County?
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).
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).
Who sets bail if a new Delta County felony happens on bond?
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).
Review comes by the next business day (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.029).
Must Delta County release someone if no judge acts?
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)).
No money? It becomes 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)).
Can delay lead to release in Delta County?
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).
What rules come with a Delta County bond?
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). 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 Delta County charge is domestic violence?
A magistrate may issue an emergency protective 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).
Officers cannot set the amount on violent charges (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.20(d)).
How do we change bail in Delta County?
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. 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 Delta County?
First, the court calls the name at the door (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.02). The court enters a judgment nisi (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.
Will a Delta County bond be forfeited?
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).
Do we get Delta County bond money back?
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). A bondsman's premium is not refunded.
Collateral comes back within 30 days of a written request (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.301).
Ask for a written receipt (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.305).
What if a teen is arrested in Delta 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).
There is no money bail in juvenile court (Tex. Fam. Code §54.01).
How are federal arrests in Delta County handled?
Delta County is in the Eastern District, Sherman Division (28 U.S.C. §124). A U.S. magistrate judge decides release (18 U.S.C. §3142).
That division holds court at Sherman and Plano.
Before going to a Delta County office, what should I confirm?
Hours, fees, and payment types can change.
Call before you go.
- Bring a photo ID.
- Have the case number ready.
- Ask which payment forms are taken.
This is general help, not legal advice.
Delta County bail contacts
- Sheriff
- Delta County Sheriff's Office, 200 W Bonham Ave, Cooper, TX 75432, 903-395-2146
- District Clerk
- 200 W Dallas Ave, Cooper, TX 75432, 903-395-9302
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District, Sherman Division (Sherman and Plano)
- Bail bond board
- Not required; ask the sheriff about approved sureties
- Inmate search
- Delta County Inmate Search
Judges and magistrates set release terms case by case. Nothing here is legal advice.