Dallas Jail Release

How Does Bail Work in Dallas County?

When someone is arrested in Dallas County, a judge or magistrate decides if they can be released before trial, and what bail amount is needed. Bail is money or a written promise that the person will come back to court on every court date. It is not meant as punishment, it is a way to make sure the person returns to court and to help protect the community.

The judge must look at many things when setting bail, including:

• How serious the charge is, such as misdemeanor, state jail felony, or higher felony
• The person’s criminal record, if there is one
• Whether the person has missed court in the past
• Whether the person is a danger to the victim or the community
• The person’s ties to Dallas County, including job, family, school, and length of time in the area
• The person’s real ability to pay a reasonable bail amount

2025 Bail Amounts in Dallas County

The Texas Office of Court Administration tracks bail information through the Texas Bail Proceedings and Public Safety Report System at baildashboard.txcourts.gov. When that dashboard is filtered to Dallas County, all offense levels, and year 2025, it shows more than 80,000 offenses and over 68,000 completed bail forms for that year alone.

For 2025 Dallas County bail bonds, the Office of Court Administration data shows:

• Cash and surety bonds, about 72,598 bonds, which is roughly 98 percent of all bail bonds set in 2025. The average bail on these bonds is about $23,772, with a total cash and surety bail amount of about $1,725,783,287.
• Personal bonds, about 1,476 bonds, which is just under 2 percent of all bail bonds in 2025. The average bail listed on these personal bonds is about $69,976, with a total personal bond amount of about $103,284,061.

When you look at bail amounts in dollars instead of number of bonds, the picture is similar. Across 2023 through 2025, Dallas County judges set about $3,898,117,056 in cash and surety bail and about $108,222,636 in personal bond amounts. That means just over 97 percent of all bail dollars were in cash and surety bonds, and a little under 3 percent were in personal bonds.

Across all Dallas County bail bonds in 2025, when you average cash, surety, and personal bonds together, the overall average bail amount is roughly $25,000 per bond.

Source, Texas Office of Court Administration, Texas Bail Proceedings and Public Safety Report System, Dallas County, 2025.

How Often Is Bail Denied in Dallas County?

The same state dashboard shows that in 2025 there were about 80,373 total offenses in Dallas County. Out of those cases:

• About 72,598 cases had a cash or surety bond set, which is about 90.3 percent of all offenses.
• About 1,476 cases were given a personal bond, which is about 1.8 percent of all offenses.
• About 6,297 cases had bail denied, which is about 7.8 percent of all offenses.

This means that in roughly 8 out of every 100 Dallas County cases in 2025, the person was held without bail under Texas law, often because of the seriousness of the charge or concerns about safety or flight risk.

Most Common Charges in Dallas County in 2025

The Office of Court Administration also shows what kinds of charges are most common in Dallas County. In 2025 there were about 80,373 total offenses. The top charges and their share of the total include:

• Possession of a controlled substance PG 1 or 1 B under one gram, about 6,978 cases, which is roughly 8.7 percent of all Dallas County charges in 2025.
• Assault causing bodily injury to a family member, about 6,914 cases, around 8.6 percent of all charges.
• Driving while intoxicated, about 4,139 cases, a little over 5.1 percent of the total docket.
• Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, about 3,903 cases, close to 4.9 percent of all charges.
• Criminal trespass, about 2,512 cases, a little over 3.1 percent of the total.
• Unlawful carrying of a weapon, about 3,075 cases, roughly 3.8 percent of all cases.
• Theft between $100 and $750, about 2,731 cases, a little under 3.4 percent of the total.
• Possession of a controlled substance one to four grams, about 2,316 cases, close to 2.9 percent of all cases.
• Evading arrest or detention, about 2,015 cases, roughly 2.5 percent of the total.
• Failure to identify as a fugitive or giving false information, about 1,716 cases, about 2.1 percent of all charges.
• Possession of marijuana under two ounces, about 1,675 cases, about 2.1 percent of the Dallas County docket.

In simple terms, almost one out of every five Dallas County cases in 2025 involved either family violence assault or low level drug possession. Many other cases involved DWI, weapons, theft, or evading arrest. These are exactly the kinds of charges where families often face very high bail amounts.

Offense counts and percentages are based on 2025 Dallas County data from the Texas Office of Court Administration and are rounded for easier reading.

Felonies and Misdemeanors in Dallas County in 2025

The Public Safety Report System also shows how many cases fall into each offense level. In 2025, Dallas County had tens of thousands of misdemeanor cases and a very large number of felony cases as well. The chart for 2025 shows that:

• Class A misdemeanors made up more than twenty thousand cases, which is more than a quarter of all Dallas County offenses.
• Class B misdemeanors made up more than seventeen thousand cases, also more than a fifth of the total.
• State jail felonies and third degree felonies together made up well over a quarter of all cases, showing how many people in Dallas County face felony level charges and higher bail amounts.

This mix of many misdemeanors and many serious felony cases helps explain why the total bail amount in Dallas County reaches into the billions of dollars each year, and why the average bail can be so high compared to smaller Texas counties.

Types of Bonds in Dallas County

Cash Bond in Dallas County

With a cash bond, the full bail amount is paid to the court or jail. If the defendant goes to every court date and follows all rules, the money is usually returned at the end of the case, minus any court costs, fees, or fines. Because the average Dallas County bail is in the tens of thousands of dollars, many families cannot afford a full cash bond.

Surety Bond in Dallas County, Bail Bond

With a surety bond, you work with a licensed Dallas County bail bonds company. The bondsman promises the full bail amount to the court. You pay the bondsman a fee, often around ten to twenty percent of the bail amount. That fee is the bondsman’s payment and is not returned, even if the case is dismissed or the person is found not guilty.

Since about 98 percent of 2025 Dallas County bail bonds were cash and surety bonds, this is the most common way people bond out of the Dallas County jail system.

Personal Bond in Dallas County

A personal bond is a written promise to come back to court without paying the full bail amount up front. The judge may add rules, such as no contact with the alleged victim, travel limits, or check ins with pretrial services. If the person does not follow these rules or misses court, the judge can order them to pay the bond amount and can issue a warrant.

Because personal bonds made up only about 2 percent of Dallas County bail bonds in 2025, they are used much less often than cash or surety bonds. A lawyer can help explain when a personal bond may still be possible.

Property Bonds and Other Options

In some cases, property like a house or land can be used as collateral for bail. Property bonds often take longer and involve more paperwork. There is also a risk of losing the property if the person does not follow all court orders. A Dallas County criminal defense lawyer can explain if this is a smart choice in your situation.

Where and How to Post Bail in Dallas County

Bonds in Dallas County are usually posted at the Dallas County jail facilities and bond desks. The exact location can depend on which jail is holding your loved one and what type of bond you are using. A bail bondsman or criminal defense lawyer can help you confirm where to go and what to bring.

To speed things up, try to have this information ready when you call or visit:

• Defendant’s full legal name
• Date of birth
• Booking number or case number, if you have it
• Jail location and current charges

What Happens After Release From a Dallas County Jail?

Once bail is posted and the bond is accepted, jail staff must process the release. This can take several hours or longer, depending on how busy the jail is and whether there are any holds from other counties or agencies.

After release, the defendant must follow all court rules. These may include:

• Staying out of trouble with the law
• Not contacting the alleged victim or certain witnesses
• Following any curfew or travel limits
• Checking in with a bondsman, pretrial services, or supervision officer

The most important rule is simple, the person must show up to every court date. If they miss court:

• The judge can issue a warrant for arrest
• The court can revoke the bond and raise the bail amount
• The bondsman may owe the full bail amount and can seek payment from the defendant and co signer

What To Do First if Your Loved One Is in a Dallas County Jail

• Write down the person’s full name and date of birth
• Use the Dallas County jail inmate search to see where they are being held
• Call the jail or a bondsman to confirm the charges and current bail amount
• Contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible
• Ask about every option, including cash bonds, surety bonds, personal bonds, and bail reductions

Common Questions About Bail in Dallas County

Is bail punishment?

No. Bail is not meant to punish anyone. It is meant to make sure the person returns to court and to help protect the community.

Can bail be denied?

Yes. The Office of Court Administration data shows that in 2025, bail was denied in about 7.8 percent of Dallas County cases. This usually happens in very serious cases or where there is a clear risk that the person will not come back to court.

Will a cash bond be refunded?

In most cases, if every court date is attended and all rules are followed, a cash bond is refunded at the end of the case, minus any court costs or fines. Fees paid to a bondsman are never refunded because they are the bondsman’s payment for taking the risk on the bond.

What if I cannot afford the Dallas County bail amount?

You may still have options. A lawyer can ask the judge to lower bail or to change the type of bond. A bondsman may offer a payment plan or accept collateral. The sooner you talk with a lawyer, the sooner you can find out what is possible in your case.

Final Thoughts on Dallas County Bail and Jail Release

Being arrested in Dallas County is stressful and confusing, but understanding how bail works can make the process a little easier. With real data from the Texas Office of Court Administration and an experienced Dallas County criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can move faster toward release and focus on defending the case instead of waiting in jail.

Bail Reductions and Bond Reductions in Dallas County, Texas

If your loved one is stuck in a Dallas County jail because the bail is too high, a bail reduction or bond reduction may be possible. Dunham & Jones helps families across Dallas County ask judges to lower bail to a reasonable level that still protects the community.

What Is a Bail or Bond Reduction in Dallas County?

A bail reduction is a request that asks the judge to lower the first bail amount that was set after arrest. The goal is simple, to make bail fair and reasonable, so your loved one can get out of jail while the case is still going on.

Under Texas law, judges must think about the type of charge, the strength of the evidence, the person’s criminal history, the safety of the victim and the community, and the person’s ability to pay. Bail should be high enough to encourage the person to return to court, but not so high that it becomes unfair or oppressive.

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

In most Dallas County cases, you can ask for a bail reduction after the first bail amount is set, especially when:

• The original bail is too high for the family to afford, even with a bondsman
• New facts show the person is not a danger or a flight risk
• The charges look weaker than they did at first, or the evidence has changed
• The person has strong ties to Dallas County, such as long term work, family, or school
• The person has little or no criminal history and has come to court in past cases

How a Bail Reduction Hearing Works in Dallas County

Your lawyer files a written motion that explains why the bail should be lower. The court then sets a hearing date. At the hearing:

• Your lawyer explains why the current bail is too high for your family
• Your lawyer presents proof about income, bills, health issues, and family responsibilities
• Your lawyer may call witnesses, like family members, employers, teachers, or pastors
• The prosecutor can ask questions and argue against lowering the bail
• The judge decides whether to lower the bail, keep it the same, or change release conditions

What Judges Look At in a Dallas County Bail Reduction

In a Dallas County bond reduction hearing, the judge may consider:

• The level of the charge, such as misdemeanor, state jail felony, or higher felony
• Whether the charge involves violence, weapons, or harm to a victim
• The strength of the evidence so far
• The person’s criminal record and past court appearances
• Any open cases in Dallas County or other counties
• The person’s work history, school, children, and other community ties
• The person’s physical and mental health needs
• The person’s real ability to pay, not just what a bail schedule chart says

How a Dallas County Bail Reduction Lawyer Helps

A strong bail reduction case takes planning and preparation. Our Dallas County bail reduction lawyers:

• Review the arrest, charges, and probable cause affidavit for legal problems
• Gather pay stubs, rental or mortgage records, and other proof of financial hardship
• Collect school records, treatment records, and other documents that show stability
• Prepare letters from employers, pastors, teachers, and family members who support the defendant
• Explain the pros and cons of cash bonds, surety bonds, personal bonds, and any other release options

Bail Reductions and Public Safety Reports in Dallas County

In Texas, courts use a public safety report system that gives judges information about a person’s record and risk level. Judges must review these reports for most Class B misdemeanor cases and above. A skilled Dallas County bail reduction lawyer understands how these reports are created and can point out mistakes, missing details, or parts that show the person is not high risk.

Why Choose Dunham & Jones for a Dallas County Bail Reduction?

Dunham & Jones is one of the largest criminal defense law firms in Texas. We have handled thousands of Dallas County cases, from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Our lawyers know the local courts, judges, and prosecutors, and we know how to tell your story in a way that focuses on fairness, safety, and your right to a reasonable bail.

Call 800-853-5020 for Help With a Bail or Bond Reduction in Dallas County

Every hour in jail matters. If your family member is being held in a Dallas County jail on a bail amount you cannot afford, contact Dunham & Jones today at 800-853-5020. We will review the case, explain your options, and fight for the most reasonable bail the law will allow, so your loved one can come home and help us prepare the strongest possible defense.