Travis County Correctional Complex Inmate Bail & Bonds

The quickest check is the Travis County Inmate Search.

Most people go first to the Travis County Jail and Central Booking, 500 W. 10th St., Austin, TX 78701 (512-854-4180).

The county also uses:

• Travis County Correctional Complex, 3614 Bill Price Rd., Del Valle, TX 78617 (512-854-4180)

Staff can say which building.

On the phone:

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

Charge details may not be shared.

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The District Clerk mailing address is P.O. Box 679003, Austin, TX 78767 (512-854-9457). Felonies are tried in district court (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). 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).

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

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Travis County must have one, since counties of 110,000 or more need a board (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). Jail staff cannot steer you to one (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.304).

Ask the board for its license list.

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Travis County magistrates work at Central Booking on W. 10th Street.

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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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 police contacts:

• Austin police arrests: Travis County Central Booking, 500 W. 10th St., Austin, TX 78701 (512-854-4180). Austin 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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Contact the Travis County Pretrial Services, 509 W. 11th St., Room 2.100, Austin, TX 78701 (512-854-9381).

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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For a repeat DWI, expect an ignition interlock (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.441). It also applies to intoxication assault (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).

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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)).

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). 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).

Ask the bondsman about refund terms.

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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 Travis 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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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).

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

It is not allowed 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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Texas bail takes a few forms:

• Personal bond: release on a signed promise (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03).
• Cash bond: the full amount paid in money (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: 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).

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The magistrate weighs these:

• 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).
• 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).
• 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).

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The Texas Constitution guarantees bail for most (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).
• 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).

A district judge holds a hearing first (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).

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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).

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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)).

Under SB 9, the State can request a district judge review (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.029).

The judge acts 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). Prosecutors can seek up to 72 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033(c)).

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The State must be ready within:

• 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).

Release is by personal bond or lower bail (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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Magistrates may add safety conditions (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.40). These include curfew and electronic monitoring (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).

Breaking a term can mean a hearing and revocation (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). 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).

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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A court may raise or lower bail for good cause (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.09). A lawyer usually files a motion in 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.

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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).

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). 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).

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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). 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).

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A child goes to a juvenile office or is released (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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Travis County is in the Western District, Austin Division (28 U.S.C. §124). A U.S. magistrate judge decides release (18 U.S.C. §3142).

Court sits at Austin.

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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 which payment forms are taken.

This is general help, not legal advice.

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