Eastland County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Eastland County bail help for families
Families can start here for Eastland County, Texas. Arrests are booked at the county jail, run by the sheriff. Inmate search: Eastland County Inmate Search.
After an Eastland County arrest, where is someone held?
Start with the Eastland County Inmate Search.
The Eastland County Sheriff's Office, 201 W White St, Eastland, TX 76448 (254-629-1774) runs the Eastland County jail.
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 Eastland County District Clerk?
The district clerk's office is at 100 W Main, Ste 206, Eastland, TX 76448 (254-629-2664). District courts hear felony cases (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.05).
Felony bond papers are filed there.
Call about hours and payment types.
Which Eastland County courts hear misdemeanors?
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).
Justices of the peace also serve as magistrates (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 2A.151).
Does Eastland County have a bail bond board?
Bondsmen and other paid sureties may post bail here. A board is optional below 110,000 people (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.052). Without one, a paid surety needs 8 hours of 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 decides bail in Eastland County?
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 an Eastland County magistrate check a report?
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). 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).
Does Eastland County grant release without money?
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).
It is not allowed for:
- 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 Eastland County set?
Texas bail takes a few forms:
- Personal bond: a written promise, no deposit (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: a surety swears to owning enough property (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.13).
Each surety needs assets of twice the amount (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.11).
What factors shape bail in Eastland County?
The magistrate weighs these:
- Enough to assure appearance, but not oppressive (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
- What the charge involves, including violence (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
- The person's ability to pay (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
- Risk to the victim and the public (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
- The record and past failures to appear (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).
Is anyone held without bail in Eastland County?
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).
Denial is also possible when:
- A felony follows two prior felony convictions (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).
- A felony happens while on felony bail (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).
- Someone breaks a safety condition of release (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 Eastland County bail?
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).
For flight risk, the bar is 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).
What if an Eastland County arrest happens while on felony bond?
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)).
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).
With no probable cause finding, can Eastland County keep someone?
After a warrantless arrest, a magistrate must find probable cause (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). The State may ask to extend to 72 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033(c)).
What if the Eastland County case drags on?
The State must be ready within:
- 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).
- 15 days for a Class B (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).
What conditions might Eastland County add to bail?
Bond can carry conditions for safety (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).
A repeat DWI usually means an interlock device (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 Eastland 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).
Officers cannot set the amount on violent charges (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.20(d)).
Can an Eastland County bond be lowered?
Bail can be changed 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 Eastland County District Clerk where to file.
What happens after a missed Eastland County court date?
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).
- 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.
How does forfeiture work in Eastland 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). 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).
When is an Eastland County cash bond refunded?
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). The fee paid to a bondsman stays with them.
Collateral comes back within 30 days of a written request (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.301).
Keep the receipt (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.305).
What if a teen is arrested in Eastland County?
A child goes to a juvenile office or is released (Tex. Fam. Code §52.02). Release to a parent is common (Tex. Fam. Code §52.02). A detention hearing follows by the second working day (Tex. Fam. Code §54.01).
There is no money bail in juvenile court (Tex. Fam. Code §54.01).
What about federal charges from Eastland County?
Eastland County is in the Northern District, Abilene Division (28 U.S.C. §124). A U.S. magistrate judge decides release (18 U.S.C. §3142).
That division holds court at Abilene.
Before visiting Eastland County offices, what should I confirm?
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.
Eastland County bail contacts
- Sheriff
- Eastland County Sheriff's Office, 201 W White St, Eastland, TX 76448, 254-629-1774
- District Clerk
- 100 W Main, Ste 206, Eastland, TX 76448, 254-629-2664
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court, Northern District, Abilene Division (Abilene)
- Bail bond board
- Not required; ask the sheriff about approved sureties
- Inmate search
- Eastland County Inmate Search
Judges and magistrates set release terms case by case. Nothing here is legal advice.
How do Bail Bonds work at Eastland County Jail
Bonding Someone Out in Eastland County
Bondsmen must first file the Sheriff's bail bond application packet. For an amount and payment rules on one charge, ring the Sheriff's office at 254-629-1774; felony case files sit with District Clerk Wendy McDade (254-629-2664).
Eastland County Jail
Address:
201 W. White Street
Eastland, TX 76448
Phone:
254-629-3899