San Antonio Jail Release

How Does Bail Work in Bexar County?

When someone is arrested in Bexar County, a magistrate judge at the Central Magistrate facility decides if they can be released before trial and what amount of bail to set. This money, or written promise, is called bail. Bail is not meant to punish anyone. It is supposed to make sure the person comes back to court and to help protect the community.

The bail amount in Bexar County depends on things like:

• How serious the charge is (misdemeanor or felony)
• The person’s past criminal record, if any
• Whether the person has missed court in the past
• How strong the evidence looks so far
• Whether the person is a danger to a victim or the public
• The person’s ties to Bexar County, such as job, family, and home
• The person’s real ability to pay, not just what a bond schedule says

In Bexar County, you can pay bail by cash, use a licensed bail bond company, or in some cases ask for a personal bond. In a smaller number of cases, judges may deny bail completely.

2025 Bail Snapshot for Bexar County (Office of Court Administration)

The Texas Office of Court Administration’s Public Safety Report System tracks bail decisions across the state. For Bexar County in 2025, that official dashboard shows:

• 56,646 total offenses with a bail decision in Bexar County for 2025.
• About 48,283 cases used a cash or surety bond – roughly 85% of all bail decisions.
• About 4,510 cases used a personal bond – around 8% of bail decisions.
• Judges denied bail in about 3,853 cases – just under 7% of the total.
• For cash/surety bonds in 2025, judges set about $699,855,567 in bail. That is about 97.4% of all bail dollars set on bonds that year.
• For personal bonds in 2025, judges set about $18,469,155 in bail, or roughly 2.6% of the bail dollar amount.
• The average cash or surety bail in 2025 was about $14,495 per case.
• The average personal bond bail amount in 2025 was about $4,095 per case.

Looking at the full period from 2023 through 2025, OCA data shows about 167,760 bail bonds in Bexar County. Around 153,044 of those were cash or surety bonds (about 91%), and about 14,716 were personal bonds (about 9%).

Types of Cases Getting Bail in Bexar County

The Office of Court Administration also tracks what types of charges are tied to bail decisions. In 2025, Bexar County cases with bail decisions broke down roughly as follows:

• Misdemeanor A charges: about 15,170 cases, around 27% of all 2025 bail decisions.
• Misdemeanor B charges: about 11,804 cases, around 21%.
• State jail felonies: about 10,020 cases, roughly 18%.
• Felony 3 charges: about 11,846 cases, also around 21%.
• Felony 2 charges: around 5,534 cases, close to 10%.
• Felony 1 charges: about 2,252 cases, roughly 4%.
• Capital felonies and Class C misdemeanors together made up far less than 1% of 2025 bail decisions.

Some of the most common charges connected to bail in 2025 include family-violence assault, driving while intoxicated, criminal trespass, and low-level drug possession. This information comes directly from the Texas Office of Court Administration’s Public Safety Report System for Bexar County.

Paying Bail in Bexar County – Your Options

Families in Bexar County usually see three main types of bail:

Cash Bond in Bexar County

With a cash bond, someone pays the full bail amount set by the judge. If the defendant goes to every court date, the court usually refunds the money at the end of the case, minus any court costs or fees. Many families cannot afford to pay thousands of dollars at once, so they look at other choices.

Surety Bond in Bexar County (Bail Bond)

With a surety bond, you work with a licensed bail bond company. The bondsman promises the full bail amount to the court. In return, you pay the bondsman a fee, often around 10–20% of the bail. Most people in Bexar County use this option because it is easier than paying the full amount in cash.

The fee you pay the bondsman is not refunded, even if the case is dismissed or the defendant is found not guilty. If your loved one misses court, the bondsman may owe the full bail to the court and can come after the defendant or co-signer for that money or any property used as collateral.

Personal Bond in Bexar County

A personal bond is a written promise to come back to court instead of paying money up front. In Bexar County, judges use personal bonds far less often than cash or surety bonds, but they still appear in about 8% of 2025 cases based on OCA data.

To get a personal bond, the magistrate looks at the person’s history, ties to the community, and risk factors. Pretrial services and defense lawyers can request this type of release. If the defendant misses court, the judge can issue a warrant and order the person to pay the full bond amount.

Where and How Bail Is Set in Bexar County

In most Bexar County cases, the first bail decision happens at the Central Magistrate facility in San Antonio. After arrest, the accused is brought before a magistrate judge who:

• Explains the charges
• Reviews any public safety report and criminal history
• Decides whether to set bail, grant a personal bond, or deny bail
• Sets any release conditions, such as no-contact orders, ignition interlocks, or reporting rules

Once bail is set, families may work with a bondsman or lawyer to post the bond and start the release process. Paperwork, jail staffing, and the time of day all affect how long release will take.

What Happens After Release on Bail in Bexar County

After your loved one is released from the Bexar County jail, they must follow all court rules and bond conditions. These may include:

• Staying away from certain people or places
• Not drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs
• Wearing a GPS, alcohol, or ankle monitor if ordered
• Checking in with a bondsman or pretrial services

The most important rule is to appear at every court date. If the defendant misses court:

• The judge can issue a warrant for arrest
• The court can revoke the bond and raise the bail
• The cash bond or collateral may be at risk

If a cash bond was used and all court dates are met, the cash is usually returned at the end of the case, minus court fees. If a bondsman was used, the fee you paid to the bail bond company is not returned.

Bail Reductions and Bond Reductions in Bexar County, Texas

If your loved one is sitting in the Bexar County jail on a bail amount you cannot afford, you are not alone. Dunham & Jones helps families across Bexar County ask judges for bail reductions or bond reductions so their family member has a fair chance to fight the case from home instead of from a jail cell.

The OCA numbers show how high bail amounts can be in Bexar County. In 2025 alone, judges set more than $718 million in bail on cash, surety, and personal bonds, and about 97% of that total was tied to cash or surety bonds, not personal bonds. When bail is this high, a reduction hearing can make the difference between staying in jail and going home.

What Is a Bail or Bond Reduction in Bexar County?

A bail or bond reduction is a request to the judge to lower the bail amount that was first set at the Central Magistrate or in a district or county court. The goal is to make bail reasonable based on the person’s income, ties to the community, and risk level.

Under Texas law, judges in Bexar County should consider many factors when deciding bail:

• The type of charge (misdemeanor, state jail felony, or higher felony)
• Any claim of violence, use of weapons, or threat to a victim
• The person’s criminal history and past failures to appear
• Any open cases in Bexar County or other counties
• The person’s job, family, and ties to the San Antonio area
• Physical and mental health needs
• The person’s real ability to pay a bond

A bail amount may be too high when it keeps a low-risk person in jail only because their family does not have enough money. In those situations, a judge may agree to lower bail, change the type of bond, or adjust release conditions.

When Can You Ask for a Bail Reduction in Bexar County?

In most Bexar County cases, a lawyer can ask for a bail reduction after the first bail decision at Central Magistrate. A reduction may make sense when:

• The original bail is far higher than what the family can afford, even with a bondsman
• The charge was filed as a serious felony but later looks weaker than first claimed
• The accused has strong ties to Bexar County and a record of showing up to court
• The person has medical needs that are hard to treat in jail
• The public safety report used at the start contains errors or missing information

How a Bail Reduction Hearing Works in Bexar County

A bail reduction hearing is a short court hearing in front of a Bexar County judge. Your lawyer files a written motion asking the judge to lower bail or change the type of bond. At the hearing, your lawyer may:

• Explain why the current bail is too high based on income and family needs
• Show pay stubs, rent or mortgage records, and other proof of hardship
• Present letters or testimony from employers, family members, or community leaders
• Point out any mistakes in the original bond or in the public safety report
• Offer stricter conditions, like GPS or alcohol monitoring, in place of a very high cash bond

The prosecutor can argue against the change. The judge then decides whether to lower the bail amount, keep it the same, switch to a personal bond, or change the release conditions.

How Bexar County Judges Use Public Safety Reports

Texas law requires judges in many Class B misdemeanor and higher cases to review a Public Safety Report before setting bail. This report, produced through the Texas Office of Court Administration, includes information about:

• Past arrests and convictions
• Any history of missing court
• Current charges and risk factors

A skilled Bexar County bail reduction lawyer knows how to read these reports, find errors, and highlight information that shows your loved one is not a high risk. Correcting even small mistakes can change the judge’s view of what a fair bail amount should be.

Examples of Facts That May Support a Bail Reduction

Every case is different, but in Bexar County, judges may be more open to lowering bail when they see facts such as:

• The person has lived in Bexar County or the San Antonio area for many years
• The person has a steady job, is in school, or supports children or elderly parents
• There is little or no past criminal history and no pattern of missing court
• The original bail amount was based on wrong information or a misunderstanding
• The alleged victim does not ask for a very high bail, when that is safe and appropriate
• The person has serious health needs that are hard to manage in jail
• The family has already done all they can but still cannot afford the current bond

Questions Families Often Ask About Bexar County Bail Reductions

Can every bail amount be reduced?

No. In some very serious cases, especially violent or repeat offenses, judges may refuse to lower bail or may deny bail completely. But many people in Bexar County sit in jail on bail amounts that are much higher than their families can pay. These are the cases where a reduction request can make a real difference.

How long does a bail reduction take?

The timing depends on the court, the judge’s schedule, and how complex the case is. Some hearings can be set quickly; others take more time. The sooner a lawyer starts the process, the sooner your loved one can have a hearing on the bail issue.

If bail is lowered, will my loved one be released right away?

If the judge agrees to lower bail and you can work with a bondsman or pay the new amount, release usually happens after the paperwork is processed by the jail. This can still take several hours. Your lawyer and the bondsman can guide you through each step.

Do we still need a bondsman if bail is reduced?

Many families in Bexar County still use a bondsman even after bail is lowered, because paying the full amount in cash is hard. A lower bail means a lower bondsman fee, which can turn an impossible bond into one the family can actually afford.

Setting up a Satellite Bond in Bexar County

If you or someone you know has a warrant in Bexar County, Texas, you might be able to take care of it through something called a satellite bond. This process lets you go through the Booking and Release Satellite Office instead of being taken to jail. It’s a faster and easier way to handle a warrant if your situation qualifies.

Do you need help with a Satellite Bond in Bexar County? Call 800-853-5020 for assistance with setting up a Satellite Bond in San Antonio. Our team can guide you through the steps, make sure your paperwork is right, and help you get a smooth jail release without unnecessary delays.

What is a Satellite Bond?

A satellite bond is a way to turn yourself in and take care of an active warrant—without having to spend hours or days in jail. Instead of being booked through the main jail, you go to the Booking and Release Satellite Office at the Bexar County Courthouse. Once your bond is posted and the paperwork is approved, you’re released right there.

This process is often used for non-violent cases where a judge has already set a bond amount. It’s designed to save you time, stress, and the full jail experience.

How the Satellite Bond Process Works

1. Check Your Warrant: Before anything else, you or your lawyer should confirm there’s an active warrant and that a bond amount has been set.
2. Prepare the Paperwork: A bail bondsman or attorney can help you fill out the bond forms and get them ready for the satellite office.
3. Bring the Payment: You’ll need a money order (usually $15 per bond) made out to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
4. Go to the Satellite Office: The office is located in the basement of the Bexar County Courthouse, and you’ll need to show up during their scheduled hours.
5. Booking and Release: You’ll be fingerprinted, your paperwork will be checked, and if everything looks good, you’ll be released the same day.

Why use the Satellite Bond Office?

The satellite bond process helps people avoid being fully booked into jail. It’s faster, cleaner, and less stressful. For many people, it’s the easiest way to handle a warrant and get a quick jail release in San Antonio.

If you’re not sure whether your case qualifies, we can help you find out. Some warrants—like violent crimes or out-of-county cases—aren’t eligible, but we can check for you and explain your options.

Frequently Asked Questions about Satellite Bonds in Bexar County

1. What is a satellite bond?

   A satellite bond is a way to take care of a warrant without going through the full jail booking process. Instead, you go to the Booking and Release Satellite Office at the Bexar County Courthouse, post your bond, and get released right there. It’s a faster way to get a jail release in San Antonio.

2. Can I use a satellite bond for any type of warrant?

   Not every case qualifies. You can usually use a satellite bond for non-violent charges where a judge has already set a bond amount. Cases involving violence, sexual offenses, or crimes against children aren’t eligible. Out-of-county or out-of-state warrants also can’t be handled this way.

3. How do I know if I have an active warrant in Bexar County?

   You or your lawyer can call the Bexar County Satellite Office to check if there’s an active warrant in your name. You can also verify online through the county’s official website. It’s best to confirm the warrant before going to the courthouse.

4. What should I bring to the satellite bond office?

   Bring a valid ID, your completed bond paperwork (your bondsman or lawyer can help with that), and a $15 money order made out to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. If something is missing or incorrect, you could be sent to the main jail instead, so it’s important to have everything ready.

5. How long does the satellite bond process take?

   If your paperwork is in order and your case qualifies, the process usually takes only a couple of hours. It’s much faster than going through the main jail. You’ll still be booked and fingerprinted, but you’ll typically walk out the same day.

6. Why should I use a lawyer or bondsman for a satellite bond?

   Having a lawyer or bondsman helps make sure everything is done right the first time. They know the system and can prevent mistakes that might cause delays or even land you in jail. It’s worth having someone experienced handle your jail release paperwork.

7. What if I miss my court date after being released?

   If you miss court, your bond can be forfeited, and another warrant will be issued for your arrest. Always keep track of your court dates, and talk with your lawyer if you have a scheduling problem.

Need help with a Jail Release in San Antonio?

If you or a loved one needs help with a satellite bond in Bexar County, call 800-853-5020 today. Our dedicated Jail Release Team is ready to help you with fast, professional jail release assistance so you can get back to your life as quickly as possible.

Get help with a Satellite Bond or Jail Release Today

Dealing with an active warrant can be stressful, but you don’t have to go through it alone. The satellite bond process in Bexar County can make things faster and easier, especially with the right help. Our dedicated jail release department knows exactly how to handle the paperwork, guide you through the Booking and Release Satellite Office, and get your jail release done as quickly as possible.

If you or someone you care about needs help with a satellite bond in San Antonio, call 800-853-5020 now. Our jail release team is ready to answer your questions, explain your options, and help you get this situation behind you.

Please don’t wait until it’s too late, let the Dunham & Jones Jail Release Team help you take care of your warrant today in Bexar County. Fast, respectful, and confidential help is only a phone call away. Call 800-853-5020 for jail release help in Bexar County, Texas.