Freestone County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Check the Freestone County Inmate Search first.

The Freestone County Sheriff's Office, 103 S Keechi St, Fairfield, TX 75840 (903-389-3236) runs the county jail.

Tips for the call:

• Share the person's legal name.
• Give their date of birth.
• Ask whether bail is set.

Staff may not discuss the charges.

Back to questions ↑

The district clerk's office mailing address is P.O. Box 722, Fairfield, TX 75840 (903-389-2534). District courts hear felony cases (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.05).

Felony bond papers are filed there.

Ask which payment forms they take.

Back to questions ↑

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).

Back to questions ↑

Paid sureties, including bail bond companies, can write bonds here. Smaller counties may create a board (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.052). Without one, a paid surety needs 8 hours of 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).

A convicted felon may not write bonds for pay (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.10(c)).

Ask the sheriff which sureties are accepted.

Back to questions ↑

The arrested person goes before a magistrate within 48 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). This can happen 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).

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).

Back to questions ↑

For Class B and above, a public safety report is required (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).

Back to questions ↑

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).

It is not allowed for:

• Offenses involving violence, as the statute lists them (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).

The delay rule is an exception (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).

Back to questions ↑

The main options are:

• Personal bond: a written promise, no deposit (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: 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).

Back to questions ↑

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).
• 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).
• 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).

Back to questions ↑

The Texas Constitution guarantees bail for most (Tex. Const. art. I, §11). The first exception is a capital charge with strong proof (Tex. Const. art. I, §11).

Denial is also possible when:

• The accused has two prior felonies (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).

A district judge holds a hearing first (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).

Back to questions ↑

Proposition 3 passed in November 2025 (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d). It covers murder, aggravated robbery, and similar 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). 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).

Back to questions ↑

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).

Back to questions ↑

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)).

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)).

Back to questions ↑

If the State is not ready, release comes after:

• Felony: 90 days (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).
• Fine-only charge: 5 days (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).

The fix is a lower bond or personal bond (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151). It does not cover safety-condition violations (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).

Back to questions ↑

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).

A repeat DWI usually means an interlock device (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.441).

A violation can end the bond after a hearing (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.40).

Back to questions ↑

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). 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)).

Back to questions ↑

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).

Felony filings go to the Freestone County District Clerk.

Back to questions ↑

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.

Back to questions ↑

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). A remittitur may return some money (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.16).

Sureties can return the person to jail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.16).

Back to questions ↑

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).

Back to questions ↑

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 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).

Back to questions ↑

Freestone County is in the Western District, Waco Division (28 U.S.C. §124). A U.S. magistrate judge decides release (18 U.S.C. §3142).

Court sits at Waco.

Back to questions ↑

Hours, fees, and payment types 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.

Back to questions ↑