Check the Tarrant County Inmate Search first.

Adults are booked at the Tarrant County Corrections Center, 100 N. Lamar St., Fort Worth, TX 76196 (817-884-3116).

Other county jail sites:

• Lon Evans Corrections Center, 600 W. Weatherford St., Fort Worth, TX 76196 (817-884-3116)
• Green Bay Jail, 2500 Urban Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76106 (817-884-3116)

Ask which building holds the person.

On the phone:

• Give their full 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 Tarrant County District Clerk at 100 N Calhoun, 2nd Fl, Fort Worth, TX 76196 (817-884-1574). Felonies are tried in district court (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.05).

Ask whether criminal filings go there or to the county clerk.

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).

Justices of the peace also serve as magistrates (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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Tarrant County runs central magistration for people booked into the county jail.

Hearings often run by video (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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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.

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City arrests can start here:

• Fort Worth police arrests: Tarrant County Corrections Center, 100 N. Lamar St., Fort Worth, TX 76196 (817-884-3116). Fort Worth police use a short-term holding site, then book people into the county jail.
• Arlington City Jail: 620 W. Division St., Arlington, TX 76011 (817-459-5648).
• Mansfield Law Enforcement Center: 1601 Heritage Pkwy., Mansfield, TX 76063 (817-804-5724).

Short city holds usually end in transfer to the county. For felonies, city police cannot take bail (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.21).

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Contact the Tarrant County Pretrial Release (817-884-1465).

Counties may set up personal bond 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). 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). Anyone held on a schedule amount must be warned (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028(e)).

Call the jail after magistration for the amount.

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A surety can return the person to custody (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). 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). Many hearings run by video from the Tarrant 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).

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

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For Class B and above, a public safety report is required (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).

Some charges rule it out:

• 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).
• 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).

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Common types include:

• 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 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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The magistrate weighs these:

• 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).
• 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).

A person who cannot pay may file an affidavit (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).

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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).

Denial is also possible when:

• A felony follows two prior felony convictions (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).
• The person was already on bail for a felony (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 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). 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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A new felony while on felony bail goes to the first court (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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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)).

Those who cannot pay get 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).
• 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).

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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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).

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). Bond can add no-contact and GPS terms (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.49).

A violation may lead to denial of 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). 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 where to file.

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The name is called at the courthouse door (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 22.02). Then a judgment nisi forfeits the bond (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).

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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Children go to juvenile processing, not adult bail court (Tex. Fam. Code §52.02). Release to a parent is common (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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Federal cases from Tarrant County go to the Fort Worth Division of the Northern District (28 U.S.C. §124). Release is set by a federal magistrate judge (18 U.S.C. §3142).

Court sits at Fort Worth.

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Office hours and payment rules can change.

Call before you go.

• 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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