The quickest check is the Menard County Inmate Search.

Arrests here go to the county jail. Call the Menard County Sheriff's Office, 208 Tipton St, Menard, TX 76859 (325-396-4705).

When you call:

• Give their full legal name.
• Give their date of birth.
• Ask whether bail is set.

Charge details may not be shared.

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The District Clerk mailing address is P.O. Box 1038, Menard, TX 76859 (325-396-4682). District courts hear felony cases (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.05).

Felony bond papers are filed there.

Call about hours and payment types.

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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).

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Paid sureties, including bail bond companies, can write bonds 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.

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The arrested person goes before a magistrate within 48 hours (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).

Ask the magistrate for an appointed lawyer if needed (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17).

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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). 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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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).

Some charges rule it out:

• 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).

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

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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: 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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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).

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). Capital cases with evident proof are the long-standing exception (Tex. Const. art. I, §11).

Other no-bail cases include:

• 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).
• 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).

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Proposition 3 passed in November 2025 (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d). It reaches murder, aggravated sexual assault, and related 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).

The person has a right to counsel at that hearing (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d).

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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).

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A warrantless arrest needs a probable cause finding (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)).

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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).
• 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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Magistrates may add safety conditions (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.40). Options include home curfew and ankle monitors (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).

Breaking a term can mean a hearing and revocation (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.40).

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A magistrate may issue an emergency protective order (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.292). It is mandatory with serious injury or a weapon (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)).

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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. Show what the family can pay (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). Then a judgment nisi forfeits the bond (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.

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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). If the person returns, a remittitur is possible (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.16).

A surety may also surrender the person (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.16).

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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.

Collateral comes back within 30 days of a written request (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.301).

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

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A child goes to a juvenile office or is released (Tex. Fam. Code §52.02). Many are released to a parent (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).

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Menard County is in the Northern District, San Angelo Division (28 U.S.C. §124). Release is set by a federal magistrate judge (18 U.S.C. §3142).

Court sits at San Angelo.

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Hours, fees, and payment types can change.

A quick call first saves a trip.

• Carry photo ID.
• Have the case number ready.
• Ask how payment can be made.

Laws change. A lawyer can confirm details.

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