Smith County Low Risk Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds

Start with the Smith County Inmate Search.

Most people go first to the Smith County Jail, 206 E. Elm St., Tyler, TX 75702 (903-590-2800).

When you call:

• Give their full legal name.
• Add a birth date, if known.
• Ask whether bail is set.

Staff may not discuss the charges.

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The District Clerk is at 100 N Broadway, Rm 204, Tyler, TX 75702 (903-590-1660). District courts hear felony cases (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.05).

Felony bond papers are filed 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). Justice courts take fine-only cases (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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Smith County must have one, since counties of 110,000 or more need a board (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).

The board keeps a list of licensees.

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In Smith County, the first hearing usually happens at the county jail.

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).

Before felony release, the person must see a magistrate (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.21(b)).

Ask the jail about cash, cards, and hours.

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Start with the arresting city:

• Tyler police arrests: Smith County Jail, 206 E. Elm St., Tyler, TX 75702 (903-590-2800). Tyler police book adults into the county jail, not a separate city lockup.

City police may not take felony bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.21).

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Ask the jail whether Smith County has a personal bond office.

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). There can be a fee for the bond (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). 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).

Alcohol monitoring is a common added term (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.44).

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Schedules cannot replace a real bail decision (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028(d)). Each case gets individual review (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028). If held on a schedule amount, the person still gets warnings (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028(e)).

Ask the jail for the set amount once known.

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A surety may surrender the person (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.16). If the person sits in another jail, an affidavit can work (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.16). A new bond can then be posted (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.16).

Read the bond contract closely.

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A magistrate sees the person within 48 hours of arrest (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). Many hearings run by video from the 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 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).

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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).

Personal bonds are barred for:

• 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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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: a surety swears to owning enough property (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).
• Risk to the victim and the public (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
• Criminal history, including the report (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
• Citizenship status (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). Capital cases with evident proof are the long-standing exception (Tex. Const. art. I, §11).

Denial is also possible when:

• The accused has two prior felonies (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 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).

Flight risk needs 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).

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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)).

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)).

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)).

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Release is due if the State is not ready within:

• Felony: 90 days (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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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). 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).

A violation can end the bond after a hearing (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). Conditions may include GPS monitoring and staying away (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.49).

A violation may lead to denial of 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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Bail can be changed 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).

Ask the Smith County District Clerk where to file.

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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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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).

Sureties can return the person to jail (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). Fees and costs may be taken out (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 held child sees a judge within two working days (Tex. Fam. Code §54.01).

There is no money bail in juvenile court (Tex. Fam. Code §54.01).

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Federal cases from Smith County go to the Tyler Division of the Eastern District (28 U.S.C. §124). Release is set by a federal magistrate judge (18 U.S.C. §3142).

Court sits at Tyler.

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Hours, fees, and payment types can change.

A quick call first saves a trip.

• Carry photo ID.
• Bring the booking or case number.
• Ask how payment can be made.

This is general help, not legal advice.

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