Martin County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Bail and bond basics for Martin County
Here is how bail works in Martin County, Texas. Arrests are booked at the county jail, run by the sheriff. Inmate search: Martin County Inmate Search.
After a Martin County arrest, where is someone held?
The quickest check is the Martin County Inmate Search.
The Martin County Sheriff's Office, 3522 Interstate 20, Stanton, TX 79782 (432-756-3336) runs the county jail.
On the phone:
- Share the person's legal name.
- Give their date of birth.
- Ask whether bail is set.
Charge details may not be shared.
Which Martin County office keeps felony records?
Reach the Martin County District Clerk at P.O. Box 906, Stanton, TX 79782 (432-756-3412). District courts hear felony cases (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.05).
Bond filings for felonies land there.
Call about hours and payment types.
Who handles Class C tickets in Martin County?
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). 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).
How are bail bondsmen approved in Martin County?
Paid sureties, including bail bond companies, can write bonds 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).
People with felony convictions cannot be paid sureties (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.10(c)).
The sheriff can say who is approved.
After an arrest in Martin County, who sets bail?
The arrested person goes before a magistrate within 48 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). This can happen by video from the Martin County 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).
Ask the magistrate for an appointed lawyer if needed (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17).
Why does a Martin County magistrate check a report?
A public safety report is ordered for Class B or higher (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.022). It lists past cases, warrants, and missed court dates (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.021). It is due within 48 hours of arrest (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.022).
The magistrate must read it first, then set bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.022).
Does Martin County grant release without money?
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).
- 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 Martin 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: 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 Martin County?
Key factors include:
- 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).
- 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).
An inability-to-pay affidavit is allowed (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).
Is anyone held without bail in Martin 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).
Bail may also be refused 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).
These steps need a hearing before a judge (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).
What changed in 2025 for Martin 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). 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).
Can bail on a repeat Martin County felony be reviewed?
A new felony while on felony bail goes to the first court (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)).
Since 2025, prosecutors may ask a district judge to review felony bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.029).
Review comes by the next business day (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.029).
Must Martin County release someone if no judge acts?
A warrantless arrest needs a probable cause finding (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)).
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)).
How long can Martin County jail someone before trial?
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).
- 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).
What rules come with a Martin 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). 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).
Are family violence bonds different in Martin County?
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).
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)).
How do we change bail in Martin County?
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).
Ask the district clerk's office where to file.
What happens after a missed Martin County court date?
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).
Call the court or a lawyer right away.
Will a Martin County bond be forfeited?
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).
When is a Martin County cash bond refunded?
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). A bondsman's premium is not refunded.
Ask in writing; collateral is due within 30 days (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.301).
Ask for a written receipt (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.305).
Do minors get bail in Martin 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 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).
What about federal charges from Martin County?
Federal cases from Martin County go to the Midland-Odessa Division of the Western District (28 U.S.C. §124). A U.S. magistrate judge decides release (18 U.S.C. §3142).
Court sits at Midland.
Before visiting Martin 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.
Martin County bail contacts
- Sheriff
- Martin County Sheriff's Office, 3522 Interstate 20, Stanton, TX 79782, 432-756-3336
- District Clerk
- P.O. Box 906, Stanton, TX 79782, 432-756-3412
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court, Western District, Midland-Odessa Division (Midland)
- Bail bond board
- Not required; ask the sheriff about approved sureties
- Inmate search
- Martin County Inmate Search
Judges and magistrates set release terms case by case. Nothing here is legal advice.
Martin County Jail
Address:
3522 Interstate 20 Frontage Rd.
Stanton, TX 79782
Phone:
432-756-3336