Somervell County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Bail and bond basics for Somervell County
Here is how bail works in Somervell County, Texas. The Somervell County Sheriff's Office runs the county jail. Inmate search: Somervell County Inmate Search.
After a Somervell County arrest, where is someone held?
Check the Somervell County Inmate Search first.
Arrests here go to the county jail. Call the Somervell County Sheriff's Office, 750 E Gibbs, Glen Rose, TX 76043 (254-897-2242).
Tips for the call:
- Give their full legal name.
- Add a birth date, if known.
- Ask whether bail is set.
Charge details may not be shared.
Which Somervell County office keeps felony records?
The District Clerk mailing address is P.O. Box 1309, Glen Rose, TX 76043 (254-898-3974). District courts hear felony cases (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.05).
Bond filings for felonies land there.
Call about hours and payment types.
Where do Somervell County misdemeanor cases go?
The county court or a county court at law hears Class A and B cases (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).
How are bail bondsmen approved in Somervell County?
Paid sureties, including bail bond companies, can write bonds here. Smaller counties may create a board (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).
A convicted felon may not write bonds for pay (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.10(c)).
The sheriff can say who is approved.
Who decides bail in Somervell County?
A magistrate sees the person within 48 hours of arrest (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17). Many hearings run by video from the Somervell 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).
Ask the magistrate for an appointed lawyer if needed (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.17).
Why does a Somervell County magistrate check a report?
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). 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).
Does Somervell 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).
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).
- Breaking a bond or 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 Somervell County?
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).
A surety must be worth double the bond (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.11).
How does a Somervell County magistrate pick a bail amount?
Key factors include:
- 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).
- Whether the person can afford it (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
- Safety of the victim and community (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
- Criminal history, including the report (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).
When might Somervell County hold someone without bail?
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).
- A felony happens while on felony bail (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).
Did Proposition 3 change bail in Somervell County?
Voters approved Proposition 3 on Nov. 4, 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).
A lawyer may appear for the accused (Tex. Const. art. I, §11d).
What if a Somervell County arrest happens while on felony bond?
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).
The judge acts by the next business day (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.029).
With no probable cause finding, can Somervell County keep someone?
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). The State may ask to extend to 72 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033(c)).
What if the Somervell County case drags on?
If the State is not ready, release comes after:
- Felony: 90 days (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).
- Class A misdemeanor: 30 days (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151).
- Class B misdemeanor: 15 days (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).
What rules come with a Somervell County bond?
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). 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).
A violation can end the bond after a hearing (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.40).
Are family violence bonds different in Somervell County?
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).
For violent charges, a magistrate sets bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.20(d)).
Can a Somervell County bond be lowered?
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. Bring proof of income and ties (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.15).
Ask the district clerk's office where to file.
Is missing court in Somervell County a crime?
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.
What happens to a Somervell County surety after a no-show?
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). 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 Somervell County cash bond refunded?
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). 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).
How are Somervell County juveniles held?
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 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).
What about federal charges from Somervell County?
Somervell County is in the Western District, Waco Division (28 U.S.C. §124). A U.S. magistrate judge decides release (18 U.S.C. §3142).
Court sits at Waco.
Before visiting Somervell County offices, what should I confirm?
Hours, fees, and payment types can change.
A quick call first saves a trip.
- Bring a photo ID.
- Have the case number ready.
- Ask which payment forms are taken.
Laws change. A lawyer can confirm details.
Somervell County bail contacts
- Sheriff
- Somervell County Sheriff's Office, 750 E Gibbs, Glen Rose, TX 76043, 254-897-2242
- District Clerk
- P.O. Box 1309, Glen Rose, TX 76043, 254-898-3974
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court, Western District, Waco Division (Waco)
- Bail bond board
- Not required; ask the sheriff about approved sureties
- Inmate search
- Somervell County Inmate Search
Judges and magistrates set release terms case by case. Nothing here is legal advice.
Somervell County Jail
Address:
750 E. Gibbs Blvd.
Glen Rose, TX 76043
Phone:
254-897-2242