Washington County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

The quickest check is the Washington County Inmate Search.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office, 1206 Old Independence Road, Brenham, TX 77833 (979-277-6251) runs the Washington County jail.

On the phone:

• Share the person's legal name.
• Add a birth date, if known.
• Ask if bail has been set.

Charge details may not be shared.

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Reach the District Clerk at 100 E Main, Ste 304, Brenham, TX 77833 (979-277-6200). Felonies are tried in district court (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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Paid sureties, including bail bond companies, can write bonds here. A board is optional below 110,000 people (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).

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

Ask the sheriff which sureties are accepted.

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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 Washington 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).

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).

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).

Personal bonds are barred for:

• Charges on the violent offense list (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03).
• Unlawful gun possession by a felon (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.03).
• Violating a 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 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).

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).
• The record and past failures to appear (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:

• The accused has two prior felonies (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).
• A felony happens while on felony bail (Tex. Const. art. I, §11a).
• A release condition tied to safety is broken (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). The State can win denial of bail with enough proof (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).

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). 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).

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After a warrantless arrest, a magistrate must find probable cause (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033).

• For a misdemeanor, release by hour 24, bond up to $5,000 (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.033(a)).
• For a felony, release by hour 48, bond up to $10,000 (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).
• 15 days for a Class B (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).

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

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Bail can be changed 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).

Felony filings go to the district clerk's office.

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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). A remittitur may return some money (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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A cash bond goes back to the receipt holder (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.

Ask in writing; collateral is due within 30 days (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.301).

Keep the receipt (Tex. Occ. Code §1704.305).

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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 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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Washington County is in the Western District, Austin Division (28 U.S.C. §124). Release is set by a federal magistrate judge (18 U.S.C. §3142).

Court sits at Austin.

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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 which payment forms are taken.

Laws change. A lawyer can confirm details.

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