Nueces County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Start with the Nueces County Inmate Search.

Adults are booked at the Nueces County Jail, 901 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (361-887-2300).

On the phone:

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

Charge details may not be shared.

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Reach the Nueces County District Clerk at P.O. Box 2987, Corpus Christi, TX 78403 (361-888-0450). District courts hear felony cases (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.05).

Bond filings for felonies land there.

Ask which payment forms they take.

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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).

A justice of the peace can act as magistrate too (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 2A.151).

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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).

Jail solicitation is barred (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.304). Officials may not recommend a bondsman (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.304).

Ask the board for its license list.

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Corpus Christi's county jail, 901 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (361-887-2300), is where Nueces County arrestees are magistrated.

Many happen on camera from booking (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). The bail decision is due within 48 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).

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The sheriff or a licensed jailer may take misdemeanor bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.20). Felony bail is paid in the amount set (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.21).

No felony release happens before magistration (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.21(b)).

Call ahead about accepted payments.

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Start with the arresting city:

• Corpus Christi City Detention Center: 3312 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (361-826-2500).

City jails hold people briefly, then transfer them. City police may not take felony bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.21).

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Nueces County may run a personal bond office; ask the jail.

State law allows pretrial offices (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.42). They gather background facts for magistrates (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.42). A supervision fee may apply (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.42).

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A second DWI usually brings an interlock (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.441). It also applies to intoxication assault (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).

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A schedule may not skip the factors (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028(d)). Each case gets individual review (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028). Anyone held on a schedule amount must be warned (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028(e)).

Nueces County's jail at 901 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, TX 78401 answers 361-887-2300 and can report the bond a magistrate has just set.

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A surety may surrender the person (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). The person may make bail again (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.16).

Read the bond contract closely.

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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 Nueces 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).

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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).

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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).

Personal bonds are barred for:

• 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).
• Breaking a bond or 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: 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).

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State law lists these factors:

• Bail must secure appearance without being a tool of oppression (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).
• Risk to the victim and the public (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).

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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:

• 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).

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). The State can win denial of bail with enough proof (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d).

Flight risk needs a preponderance (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d). Safety risk 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). The old bond can be revoked or modified (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).

• 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).
• 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).

Release is by personal bond or lower bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151). It does not cover safety-condition violations (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). 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).

A violation can end the bond after a hearing (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). 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).

Officers cannot set the amount on violent charges (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.20(d)).

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Bail can be changed for good cause (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.09). A lawyer usually files a motion in the trial court. Show what the family can pay (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).

Felony filings go to the district clerk's office.

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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).

• 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).

Call the court or a lawyer right away.

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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). 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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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). 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).

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

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Nueces County is in the Southern District, Corpus Christi Division (28 U.S.C. §124). A U.S. magistrate judge decides release (18 U.S.C. §3142).

That division holds court at Corpus Christi.

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Hours, fees, and payment types can change.

Call before you go.

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

This is general help, not legal advice.

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