Basics
What is the impact of Pretrial Services?
- Release on personal bond provides qualified defendants an opportunity to be released on bond
- Individuals released on personal bond are able to assist with their defense while awaiting trial
- Individuals released on personal bond are able to maintain their employment and meet financial obligations while awaiting disposition of their case.
- Individuals released on personal bond have the opportunity to access appropriate treatment resources
- Release on personal bond provides Travis County with a means to effectively and safely manage jail population
- Pretrial Services provides a cost savings to Travis County by reducing the number of defendants incarcerated while awaiting trial and reducing the cost of pre-trial detention
Someone I know was arrested and is in Travis County jail. What is Pretrial Services and how can they help me?
Do I need an attorney?
What do I do if my vehicle was towed?
What are our guiding principles?
Personal Bond
What is a personal bond and how does it work?
- A bond is the amount of money set by a judge for releasing a defendant from jail before his/her trial. There are three types of bonds: cash, surety, and personal. Click here for more information about the types of bonds.
- A personal bond is a sworn agreement by the defendant that he/she will return to Court as ordered and will comply with the conditions placed on his/her release. No money is required at the time of release, but the defendant is required to pay an administrative fee to Pretrial Services within 7 days of release. Click here for more information about personal bond fees.
- Travis County Pretrial Services interviews the majority of defendants booked on Travis County charges and considers them for release on personal bond. Individual defendants cannot post a personal bond themselves. Only Pretrial Services or an attorney may submit a personal bond to a judge. Only a judge can approve release on a personal bond. If you wish to inquire about the status of a defendant’s personal bond application, you should contact Travis County Pretrial Services at 512-854-9381.
- Once a bond amount is set by a judge, a defendant is eligible for release. Click here for possible release options. Once a release is approved, the jail release process can take several hours, depending on the demands and staffing at the jail.
Who is eligible to be interviewed for a personal bond?
What are the possible results of an interview with Pretrial Services?
What factors influence the recommendation for personal bond?
What are the common conditions of personal bond?
Can bond conditions be removed?
I have a personal bond. What happens next?
Ignition Interlock Devices (IID)
Why do I have to have an ignition interlock device?
In the state of Texas, if you’ve ever had a prior DWI conviction, you are required by law to have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle any time you are charged with a 2nd DWI or more. If you have no prior DWI conviction, the court may order an ignition interlock device.
I was ordered to install an ignition interlock device, but I don’t have a vehicle. What do I do?
I am unable to install the ignition interlock device within the deadline date. Can I get an extension?
Are there fees for the ignition interlock device?
How long do I have to have the ignition interlock device installed?
My device is not working properly. What do I do?
How can I get the ignition interlock device restriction removed from my driver’s license?
Fees
Can I make a payment over the phone?
No. Payments must be brought into one of our offices, mailed, or made online. For more information please read our fees page.
I paid an attorney to get me out. Why do I still owe money to Pretrial Services?
What if I am unable to pay my personal bond fee within 7 days of release?
I made a payment. Why do I still have a balance for my current charge?
Why was my payment returned to me?