Potter County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds

Check the Potter County Inmate Search first.

Most people go first to the Potter County Detention Center, 13100 NE 29th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79111 (806-335-4100).

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 ↑

Reach the Potter County District Clerk at P.O. Box 9570, Amarillo, TX 79105 (806-379-2300). District courts hear felony cases (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.05).

Felony bond papers are filed there.

Ask which payment forms they take.

Back to questions ↑

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).

A justice of the peace can act as magistrate too (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). Bondsmen there need a county license (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).

The board keeps a list of licensees.

Back to questions ↑

Potter County arrestees usually see a magistrate at the jail: the Detention Center, 13100 NE 29th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79111 (806-379-2900), where magistration is held daily at 11:00 a.m. and can be watched from the reception area.

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).

Back to questions ↑

Jail staff can accept misdemeanor bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.20). For felonies, the jail takes the amount the court 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:

• Amarillo police arrests: Potter County Detention Center, 13100 NE 29th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79111 (806-335-4100). Amarillo police book adults into the county jail, not a separate city lockup.

For felonies, city police cannot take bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.21).

Back to questions ↑

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

State law allows pretrial offices (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.42). Staff interview arrestees for the court (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.42). A supervision fee may apply (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.42).

Back to questions ↑

A second DWI usually brings an interlock (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.441). Intoxication assault and manslaughter trigger it too (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.441). A magistrate may waive it for good reason (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.441).

Some get alcohol monitoring instead (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.44).

Back to questions ↑

A schedule may not skip the factors (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)).

Potter County's Detention Center, 13100 NE 29th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79111, holds the bond record after the daily magistration; the Sheriff's Office number is 806-379-2900.

Back to questions ↑

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.

Back to questions ↑

A magistrate sees the person within 48 hours of arrest (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). This can happen by video from the county 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).

The magistrate also explains the right to a lawyer (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17).

Back to questions ↑

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).

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). The law asks for the least restrictive terms needed (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).

Personal bonds are barred 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).
• 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 ↑

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 surety signs and backs the full amount (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).

Back to questions ↑

The magistrate weighs these:

• 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).
• 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).
• Citizenship status (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 ↑

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).

Other no-bail cases include:

• A felony follows two prior felony convictions (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).
• A felony happens while on felony bail (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).

These steps need a hearing before a judge (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).

Back to questions ↑

Voters approved Proposition 3 on Nov. 4, 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).

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). 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).

Back to questions ↑

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)).

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).
• 5 days for a fine-only case (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). 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).

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).

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 ↑

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.

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).

Amarillo has the Potter County clerks at separate downtown addresses. Felony bond: District Clerk, 350 SE 6th Ave., Suite 1B, Amarillo, TX 79101 (806-379-2300). Misdemeanor bond: County Clerk, 500 S. Fillmore St., Suite 201, Amarillo, TX 79101 (806-379-2275).

Back to questions ↑

The court sends a citation to each surety (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).

Sureties can return the person to jail (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). Fees and costs may be taken out (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.02). A bondsman's premium is not refunded.

Collateral comes back within 30 days of a written request (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). Many are released to a parent (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).

Back to questions ↑

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

Court sits at Amarillo.

Back to questions ↑

Office hours and payment rules 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.

Back to questions ↑