Harris County - The 711 Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Check the Harris County Inmate Search first.

Most people go first to the Harris County Joint Processing Center, 700 N. San Jacinto St., Houston, TX 77002 (713-755-5300).

The county also uses:

• Harris County Jail (Baker Street), 1200 Baker St., Houston, TX 77002 (346-286-2211)

Staff can say which building.

On the phone:

• 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 Harris County District Clerk is at 201 Caroline, 4th Fl, Houston, TX 77002 (832-927-5770). Felonies are tried in district court (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.05).

Bond filings for felonies land 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). Justice courts take fine-only cases (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).

Back to questions ↑

A board is required here. Counties over 110,000 people must have one (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.051). Each bondsman must be licensed by the board (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.151).

Bondsmen may not solicit at the jail (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.304). Officials may not recommend a bondsman (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.304).

Ask the board for its license list.

Back to questions ↑

Bail hearings for Harris County arrests are held at the Joint Processing Center on San Jacinto Street.

Hearings often run by video (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). The bail decision is due within 48 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).

Back to questions ↑

Jail staff can accept misdemeanor bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.20). Felony bail is paid in the amount set (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.21).

Before felony release, the person must see a magistrate (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.21(b)).

Call ahead about accepted payments.

Back to questions ↑

City arrests can start here:

• Pasadena City Jail: 713-475-7870.
• Houston police arrests: Harris County Joint Processing Center, 700 N. San Jacinto St., Houston, TX 77002 (713-837-0311). Houston police bring arrests to the county processing center, where a city bonding window is open around the clock.
• Sugar Land Police Detention: 1200 Highway 6 South, Sugar Land, TX 77478 (281-275-2600).

Short city holds usually end in transfer to the county. For felonies, city police cannot take bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.21).

Back to questions ↑

Harris County Pretrial Services is at 1201 Franklin St., 13th Floor, Houston, TX 77002 (832-927-3530).

Counties may set up personal bond offices (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.42). Staff interview arrestees for the court (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.42). There can be a fee for the bond (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.42).

Back to questions ↑

For a repeat DWI, expect an ignition interlock (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.441). Intoxication assault and manslaughter trigger it too (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.441). The magistrate can excuse it in the interest of justice (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.441).

Alcohol monitoring is a common added term (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.44).

Back to questions ↑

Schedules cannot replace a real bail decision (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028(d)). The magistrate looks at the person, not a chart (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028). Anyone held on a schedule amount must be warned (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028(e)).

Ask the jail for the set amount once known.

Back to questions ↑

A surety can return the person to custody (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.16). The surety may also file an affidavit if the person is jailed elsewhere (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.16). A new bond can then be posted (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.16).

Read the bond contract closely.

Back to questions ↑

A magistrate sees the person within 48 hours of arrest (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). Many hearings run by video from the Harris County 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).

Back to questions ↑

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).

Back to questions ↑

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).

Some charges rule it out:

• 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).
• 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 ↑

Common types include:

• 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: 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).

Back to questions ↑

Key factors include:

• 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).
• 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).

A person who cannot pay may file an affidavit (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).

Back to questions ↑

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).

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).
• Someone breaks a safety condition of release (Tex. Const. art. I, §11b).
• Someone violates a protective order in a family case (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). 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). A safety finding 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 ↑

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).

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)).

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)).

Back to questions ↑

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).
• 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 ↑

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). 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).

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). Conditions may include GPS monitoring and staying away (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)).

Back to questions ↑

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).

Ask the district clerk's office where to file.

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). 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).

Back to questions ↑

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). 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).

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 ↑

Federal cases from Harris County go to the Houston Division of the Southern District (28 U.S.C. §124). A U.S. magistrate judge decides release (18 U.S.C. §3142).

That division holds court at Houston and College Station.

Back to questions ↑

Hours, fees, and payment types can change.

A quick call first saves a trip.

• Bring a photo ID.
• Have the case number ready.
• Ask which payment forms are taken.

Laws change. A lawyer can confirm details.

Back to questions ↑