Check the Marion County Inmate Search first.

The jail is run by the Marion County Sheriff's Office, P.O. Box 547, Jefferson, TX 75657 (903-665-7201).

Tips for the call:

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

Staff may not discuss the charges.

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The District Clerk mailing address is P.O. Box 628, Jefferson, TX 75657 (903-665-2441). 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.

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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). Fine-only Class C cases go to justice court (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.11). City tickets go to municipal court (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.14).

Justices of the peace also serve as magistrates (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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The arrested person goes before a magistrate within 48 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). This can happen by video from the Marion 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).

Ask the magistrate for an appointed lawyer if needed (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). 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).

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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).
• Unlawful gun possession by a felon (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03).
• Breaking a bond or protective order (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03).

Delay rules can still require release later (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).

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Texas bail takes a few forms:

• 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 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).

A surety must be worth double the bond (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.11).

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State law lists these factors:

• 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).
• 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).

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).

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).

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).

For flight risk, the bar is a preponderance (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d). A safety finding 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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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).

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After a warrantless arrest, a magistrate must find probable cause (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). The State may ask to extend to 72 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033(c)).

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The State must be 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).
• 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). Some people, such as those held for safety violations, are excluded (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).

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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).

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).

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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).

Officers cannot set the amount on violent charges (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). A lawyer usually files a motion in the trial court. Bring proof of income and ties (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).

Felony filings go to the District Clerk.

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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).

• On a felony, it is a third-degree felony (Tex. Penal Code §38.10).
• On a misdemeanor, it is a Class A misdemeanor (Tex. Penal Code §38.10).
• On a fine-only case, it is a Class C misdemeanor (Tex. Penal Code §38.10).

Contact the court clerk quickly.

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The court sends a citation to each surety (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).

Sureties can return the person to jail (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).

Ask for a written receipt (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.305).

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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).

The juvenile judge sets release terms instead (Tex. Fam. Code §54.01).

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

That division holds court at Marshall.

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Office hours and payment rules can change.

A quick call first saves a trip.

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

This is general help, not legal advice.

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