Check the Ward County Inmate Search first.

Arrests here go to the county jail. Call the Ward County Sheriff's Office, 300 E 4th St, Monahans, TX 79756 (432-943-6703).

On the phone:

• Share the person's legal name.
• Give their date of birth.
• Ask whether bail is set.

Charge details may not be shared.

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Reach the district clerk's office at P.O. Box 440, Monahans, TX 79756 (432-943-2751). Felonies are tried in district court (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.05).

Bond filings for felonies land there.

Call about hours and payment types.

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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). 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).

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Bondsmen and other paid sureties may post bail here. A board is optional below 110,000 people (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.052). With no board, paid sureties need bail law training (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.10(b)). The officer taking bail checks the surety's worth (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.11).

People with felony convictions cannot be paid sureties (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.10(c)).

The sheriff can say who is approved.

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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 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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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).

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). Magistrates must use the least restrictive terms that work (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.028).

Some charges rule it out:

• Charges on the violent offense list (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).

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Common types include:

• Personal bond: a written promise, no deposit (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: a surety swears to owning enough property (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.13).

Each surety needs assets of twice the amount (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.11).

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State law lists these factors:

• Bail must secure appearance without being a tool of oppression (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).
• 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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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).

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).

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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). 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). 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)).

Those who cannot pay get 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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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).
• 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). It does not cover safety-condition violations (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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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).

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)).

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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).

Felony filings go to the District Clerk.

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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).

• 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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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). 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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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.

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 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).

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Ward County is in the Western District, Pecos Division (28 U.S.C. §124). A U.S. magistrate judge decides release (18 U.S.C. §3142).

That division holds court at Pecos and Alpine.

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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 how payment can be made.

Laws change. A lawyer can confirm details.

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