Tarrant County Jail Release

 Posted on May 01, 2020 in Uncategorized

Tarrant County Jail Release can be a confusing process especially for someone who does not have prior experience getting someone out of jail. The first step in the process is for a bond to be set by a Tarrant County Magistrate. Once the bond amount is set then the bond can be post for the individual to be released.

How Are Bail Bond Amounts Determined?

After arrest, an individual will be taken to a Tarrant County Magistrate where bond will be set. The Magistrate is located at the Tarrant County Jail. If a person is arrested and taken to a city jail, the arrestee must be taken to the Tarrant County Jail to have the bond set. The Magistrate takes into account certain criteria when setting the bond amount. Criteria include but not limited to:

• Alleged facts of the case
• Risk of arrestee to re-offend
• Financial assessment (ability to pay)
• Prior criminal history and history of appearing at court
• Community safety

Three Ways To Post a Bail Bond In Tarrant County

1. Personal Bond

There is no cost to the individual who receives a Personal Bond. A Personal Bond is a sworn agreement by the defendant and Tarrant County that the individual will return to court as ordered. The agreement requires the individual to comply with the Personal Bond Conditions. The conditions of the Personal Bond will require the individual to appear at court dates. The conditions also may require the individual take random drug tests and checking in with the Personal Bond Office. If an arrestee breaks a condition of the Personal Bond agreement, they may end up back in jail.

2. Cash Bond

If an individual does not qualify for a Personal Bond, a Cash Bond may be posted at the Tarrant County Sheriff's Department Bond Desk. A Cash Bond is the exact amount of money the individual must pay before being released from jail. The full amount of the bond must be paid in cash. The advantage of a Cash Bond is that once the criminal case has been resolved, the Cash Bond amount is returned to the person who paid the Cash Bond minus an administrative fee. If the arrestee fails to appear for court, the cash bond may be forfeited. The Tarrant County website states:

To request the redemption of your cash bond, come to our office at 401 West Belknap Street in downtown Fort Worth with your driver's license or other photo identification. Cash bonds are redeemed between 8 a.m. and noon and between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

You may mail us a notarized request to have your cash bond mailed to you. Be sure to include your case number and your current address. Our address is County Clerk, Justice Center, 401 West Belknap, Fort Worth, Texas, 76196. For more information about cash bonds, call 817-884-2848.

3. Bail Bonds

If an individual does not qualify for a Personal Bond and/or cannot afford to pay the full amount of the bond, they can secure their release by using a Bail Bondsman. A nonrefundable fee is paid to the Bondsman to release an individual from jail. Typically the fee can be anywhere from 10%-20% of the bond amount set by the Judge but could be higher depending on the charge. The bondsman will have conditions you must follow such as checking in one time a week either in person or by phone. If you violate the agreement with the Bondsman you may end up back in jail.

How To Locate a Person in the Tarrant County Jail

Tarrant County Jail Release information can be found on the Tarrant County Sheriff's website. The Inmate Search website can be found here.

Please contact The Dameron Law Firm if you need assistance with an individual in jail. The Dameron Law Firm has experience with Tarrant County Jail Release. Services include Tarrant County Bond reductions, lifting holds placed on bonds, and Tarrant County Probation Revocation Bonds. Call now for a free consultation 817-222-0624.