San Marcos Jail Release

How does Bail Work in Hays County?

When someone is arrested in Hays County, the court will decide if they can go free before their trial, and how much money is needed to make that happen. This is called bail.

“Bail” is the security given by the accused that they will come back to court and answer the charges against them. Bail can be a bail bond or a personal bond. Bail is not meant to punish the person. It is used to help make sure they return to court.

The bail amount depends on things like:

• How serious the charge is
• The person’s past criminal record, if any
• Whether the person is likely to show up for court
• Whether the person is a danger to the community
• Where the person lives, their job, family, and any past failures to appear

If you have a lengthy criminal history, you may be given a cash or surety bond, depending on your prior or pending cases. A personal bond is a written promise that you will appear in court as required.

Bonds are processed in the order they are received. The Sheriff’s Office cannot give a set time for when a bond will be processed or when an inmate will be released, because many different factors can affect the process.

2025 Average Bail Amounts in Hays County

According to the Texas Office of Court Administration’s Texas Bail Proceedings and Public Safety Report System, in 2025 Hays County had about 8,910 bail bonds with a total bail amount of about $110,716,619.

When you divide the total bail amount by the number of bail bonds, the average bail in Hays County in 2025 is about $12,426 per bond.

This is only an average. Some people, especially on lower level cases, have much smaller bail amounts. Others, especially on serious felonies, can have very high bail. The exact amount in any case still depends on the charge, the person’s record, and the judge’s decision.

Source, Texas Office of Court Administration, Texas Bail Proceedings and Public Safety Report System, filters set to Hays County, 2025, all offense levels.

Types of Bail Bonds in Hays County

Cash Bond in Hays County

A cash bond is a contract between the accused and the court in Hays County. The defendant, or someone on their behalf, pays the full dollar amount of the bond to the court. If the defendant appears in court as required, the money is usually returned at the end of the case. You should verify the exact refund process with the District Clerk or County Clerk:

• Hays County District Clerk, 512-393-7660
• Hays County Clerk, 512-393-7738

Many families cannot afford to pay the full amount of a cash bond, so they may need to look at other options.

Surety Bond in Hays County, Bail Bond

A surety bond is a contract between the accused, a licensed bail bondsman, and the court. The defendant pays a fee to the bail bondsman, usually a percentage of the bail amount. The bondsman then posts the bond with the court.

The fee paid to the bondsman is not returned, even if the case is dismissed or the defendant is found not guilty. If the defendant does not appear in court, the bondsman may owe the full amount of the bond and can seek repayment or collateral from the defendant or co signer.

Personal Bond in Hays County

A personal bond, sometimes called a PR bond, is a contract between the accused and the court. The defendant signs a written promise to come to court and follow any conditions of release. The defendant does not deposit the dollar amount of the bond at the time of release.

If the defendant fails to appear in court, they can be arrested again and will owe the court the full amount of the personal bond.

Is Bail a Punishment?

Bail is not meant to be punishment. It is used to help make sure the person charged will return to court. When setting bail, the magistrate will look at many things, including:

• What state and county the person lives in
• Employment and work history
• Marital status and dependents
• Any past failures to appear in court
• How serious the new charge is

The greater the risk that the person will not return for court, the higher the bail is likely to be.

How Long Does It Take to Release Someone After Bond Is Posted?

Processing a person for release in Hays County can depend on many factors, including staffing, number of people waiting, and court orders received that day. Releases are processed 24 hours a day.

You can use the jail information and inmate search tools for Hays County to see if information has been updated. Once a person no longer shows on the inmate search roster, they have been released from custody.

Bail Reductions and Bond Reductions in Hays County, Texas

If your loved one is stuck in a Hays County jail because bail is too high, you are not alone, and you are not powerless. Dunham & Jones is one of the largest criminal defense law firms in Texas, and we help families in Hays County ask for lower bail amounts, called bail reductions or bond reductions.

On this page, you will learn what a bail reduction is, when you can ask for one, how the hearing works, and how an experienced Hays County bail reduction lawyer can help you bring your family member home sooner.

What is a Bail or Bond Reduction in Hays County?

A bail or bond reduction is a request to the judge to lower the bail amount that was first set after an arrest. The goal is simple, to make bail reasonable, so the person can get out of jail while the case is still going on.

Bail is meant to do two things, make sure the person comes back to court, and help protect the community. It is not supposed to be punishment. Under Texas law, judges must think about many things when they set bail, including, the type of charge, the strength of the evidence, the person’s history, the safety of the victim and the community, and the person’s ability to pay.

When can you ask for a Bail Reduction in Hays County?

In most Hays County cases, you can ask for a bail reduction after the first bail amount is set. A bail reduction can be requested when:

• The original bail is too high for the family to afford, even with a bail bond
• New facts show the person is not a danger or a flight risk
• The charges are weaker than they first appeared
• The person has strong ties to Hays County, such as a steady job, family, and a long time at the same home
• The person has no or very little criminal history, and has always come to court in past cases

In some very serious cases, Texas law lets judges refuse bail completely. This may happen in certain violent or sexual offense cases. If bail is denied or set very high, it is even more important to have a strong Hays County bond reduction lawyer on your side. Dunham & Jones has lawyers that can help you with a bail reduction hearing. Call 800-853-5020 for more information on requesting a bail reduction hearing in Hays County, Texas.

How a Bail Reduction Hearing Works in Hays County

A bail reduction hearing is a short court hearing in front of a Hays County judge. Your lawyer files a written motion, which is a formal request that explains why bail should be lower. After that, the court sets a date for the hearing.

At the hearing:

• Your lawyer explains why the current bail is too high
• Your lawyer presents proof about your income, family, job, and health
• Your lawyer may call witnesses, such as family members, employers, or community leaders
• The prosecutor can ask questions and argue against lowering the bail
• The judge asks questions, then decides whether to lower the amount, keep it the same, or change the conditions of release

In some cases, the law requires that the prosecutor receive notice before the judge can reduce certain higher risk bail amounts, and either side can ask for a full hearing. This is one more reason you want a skilled Hays County bail reduction attorney who understands the rules and timelines.

What Judges look at in a Hays County Bail Reduction

Under Texas law, judges must look at many factors when deciding how high bail should be. In a bond reduction hearing in Hays County, the judge may consider:

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

Judges are supposed to set bail high enough to make sure the person comes back to court, but not so high that it becomes unfair or oppressive. A well prepared bail reduction hearing gives the judge a clear picture of your life, not just a number on a bond sheet.

How a Hays County Bail Reduction Lawyer Helps

A strong bail reduction case does not happen by accident. Our Hays County bond reduction lawyers take several important steps, including:

• Reviewing the arrest, the charges, and the probable cause affidavit
• Gathering pay stubs, rent or mortgage records, and other proof of financial hardship
• Collecting school records, medical records, or treatment records when they are helpful
• Preparing letters from employers, pastors, teachers, and family members who can speak about character and stability
• Checking for any legal errors in how bail was set in the first place
• Advising the family on the pros and cons of cash bonds, surety bonds, personal bonds, and any release conditions

We then present all of this clearly to the judge, in language that focuses on safety, fairness, and your right to a reasonable bail. Judges in Hays County see our firm in their courtrooms often, and they know we come prepared.

Bail Reductions and Public Safety Reports in Texas

In Texas, courts use a public safety report system in many cases. This system provides information about a person’s record and risk level, and judges must review it when setting bail for most Class B misdemeanor and higher charges.

A skilled Hays County bail reduction attorney understands how these reports work, and can point out any errors, missing information, or parts of the report that show the person is not a high risk. Correcting mistakes in the report can make a real difference in the final bail amount. Dunham & Jones attorneys go through this information carefully before a bail reduction hearing, to help give their clients the best chance in a bond reduction hearing.

Examples of facts that may support a Bail Reduction

Every case is different, but some common facts that may help in a bond reduction in Hays County include:

• The person has lived in Hays County for many years, with strong family support
• The person has steady work, or is enrolled in school, or is the main provider for children or elderly parents
• The person has no or very limited criminal record, and no past failures to appear in court
• The original bail was based on incorrect information, such as wrong criminal history or wrong address
• The alleged victim is not asking for a high bail, or supports a more reasonable amount, when appropriate and safe
• The person has serious health conditions that cannot be managed well in jail
• The family has done everything they can, but still cannot afford the current bail or bond fee

Dunham & Jones’ job is to turn these facts into a clear story for the judge, showing that your loved one can be safely released on a lower bail, or with better conditions.

Common Questions about Bail Reductions in Hays County

Can every bail be reduced in Hays County?

No, not every bail amount in Hays County will be lowered. In some serious cases, judges may refuse to change the bail, or may even deny bail. But many people are sitting in Hays County jails on amounts that are far above what their families can pay. In those cases, a bail reduction request can be worth trying.

How long does a bail reduction take in Hays County?

The timeline can depend on the court, the charge, and the judge’s schedule. In some cases, hearings in Hays County can be set fairly quickly. In others, it may take more time. The sooner you hire a lawyer to start the bail reduction process in Hays County, the sooner your loved one can have their day in court on the bail issue.

If the judge lowers bail, will my loved one be released right away?

If the judge agrees to lower bail, and you can work with a bail bonds company in Hays County or pay the new amount, release usually happens after the paperwork is complete and processed by the jail. Your lawyer and the bondsman can guide you through each step. You can always call 800-853-5020 and speak to our Jail Release Department for more detailed information on how this process works.

Do I still need a bondsman if bail gets reduced in Hays County?

Many families still use a bondsman in Hays County even after bail is reduced, because paying the full amount in cash can be hard. In most cases, you pay the bondsman in Hays County a fee that is a percentage of the new bail amount, and that fee is not refunded. Lower bail usually means a lower fee, which can make the difference between staying in jail and going home.

Why choose Dunham & Jones as your Hays County Bail Reduction Lawyers?

As one of the largest criminal defense law firms in Texas, we have handled many Hays County cases, from misdemeanors to serious felonies. We understand the local judges, the prosecutors, and the bail bond system in the Hays County jail and courts.

When you work with Dunham & Jones on a bond reduction in Hays County, you get:

• A fast review of your loved one’s case and bail situation
• A clear plan for seeking a lower bail or better release conditions
• Direct help for the family in choosing and working with a licensed Hays County bondsman
• Ongoing updates, so you are not left in the dark
• A long term defense strategy, not just a quick hearing

Call 800-853-5020 for help with a Bail or Bond Reduction in Hays County

Every hour in jail matters. If your family member is being held in a Hays County jail on a bail amount you cannot afford, contact Dunham & Jones Hays County bail reduction lawyers today at 800-853-5020 for help. Dunham & Jones 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.