It is a bond that releases someone from jail (without having to pay a bail bondsman or put up cash). It is provided by Travis County and must be approved by a judge. There is a small fee (usually between $20 and $150) that must be paid within 7 days after the release. The amount of the fee will be notated on a yellow coupon that is included in the release paperwork.

Yes, a defense attorney can often convince a judge to reconsider a personal bond (by gathering more information about the situation). And an attorney can usually speed up the process (and get someone out of jail) much faster than they would without an attorney.

There is a lengthy and complicated calculation to determine who will qualify for a personal bond. The Judge will consider whether they live in Travis County, have a job, have any prior arrests, and whether their personal information can be verified.

There are quite a few and they can be complicated. Call us and we will let you know whether to expect a personal bond or not.

Yes. You can hire a bail bondsman for approximately 10% of the bond amount (+ co-signers). This money is never returned. You can also pay the entire bond amount in cash. If you pay the entire bond amount to the Travis County Sheriff, it will be returned, minus a fee, when the case is over.

Yes! An attorney can often convince a judge to minimize the bond conditions before release and also make the best arrangements for a future dismissal. A bail bondsman can’t negotiate with the judge.

No problem. Give us a call – (512) 472-1113 – we’re happy to answer any questions. Or you can e-mail us.