When someone is arrested in Bexar County they are taken to jail and go through an intake process. This includes booking, fingerprinting/photographing, having paperwork processed, and being held to await magistration.
Meanwhile, a prosecutor reviews and confirms the charges. At the first available opportunity, the defendant goes before a magistrate, who sets bail cost and conditions.
The defendant may then be released on PR bond, bailed out by a bondsman, or transferred to the Bexar County Adult Detention Center for pre-trial detention.
Through all of this, family members wait at home, worried, trying to figure out what to do. The following steps to bail someone out of jail in San Antonio can help families with this challenging, emotionally trying process.
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1. Confirm That the Person Has Actually Been Arrested
In the heat of the moment, people hearing about a loved one’s arrest often get confusing, mixed messages. It’s important to stay calm and determine if a person is in custody, where, and what agency is holding them.
So you might ask yourself, how do I find out if someone was arrested in San Antonio?
Start by checking the Bexar County Inmate Search website. But be aware that inmate database searches might not turn up anything immediately because of the time it takes to process arrests.
Also, have the person’s full legal name, birthdate, approximate arrest time and arrest location (if known) on hand.
2. Find Out Where They Are Being Held
Determine which local facility a person is being held and processed in. It has implications for the timeline for bailing them out. People arrested in Bexar County undergo magistration at the Bexar County Justice Intake & Assessment Annex, and may then move to the Bexar County Adult Detention Center.
3. Find Out What Charges They Are Facing
When bailing someone out, confirm their exact charges. Don’t go in with a general idea or an imprecise, incomplete description, because bond may be treated differently for different charges.
Some severe charges are not bond-eligible or may carry very high bail amounts. Others, like domestic violence, may involve a no-contact order that affects where someone can legally be immediately after being bailed out.
4. Wait for the Bond Amount and Conditions to Be Set
During magistration a judge examines case details, defendant criminal history, and other factors to determine bail cost and conditions. Usually, magistration must occur (and the bail amount must be processed) before a defendant can bond out.
So how long does it take for bond to be set after an arrest in San Antonio?
There is no single answer. Administrative bottlenecks, the magistrate’s schedule, holidays, and weekends can lengthen timelines. Much as you want your loved one out, calling repeatedly will not speed things along; instead, depend on a reputable bail bondsman to handle the process expediently.
5. Understand the Available Bond Options
There are a few different bond types for securing pre-trial release. The type available depends on someone’s case and the judge’s decision. The main options are surety bonds (through a bail bonds company), cash bond, and personal recognizance (PR) bond.
They work as follows:
Surety Bond
A licensed bail bonds company handles the full bail, and the defendant/co-signer pay them a non-refundable fee (a percentage of the full cost).
Cash Bond
The defendant pays Bexar County the full bail cost up-front. The court holds it until the trial’s resolution, returning it (minus any fees) if the defendant attends all court dates and follows all bail conditions.
PR Bond
Sometimes with minor cases, especially first offenses, a defendant is released on “personal recognizance,” meaning they pay nothing and promise to attend their court hearings.
6. Contact a Licensed San Antonio Bail Bonds Company
If you need a surety bond, assemble the necessary information the bail bonds company will need, then call a reputable company like River City Bail Bonds.
Information the bail bonds company will need includes:
- Full name of the defendant;
- Date of birth of the defendant;
- Name of jail or processing location where they are;
- Charges (if you know them);
- Bond amount (if it has been set).
If you’re confused by the process or have questions, River City Bail Bonds can explain everything to you (call us, we’re available 24/7!).
7. Gather the Information and Documents Needed to Co-Sign
Co-signers also need to provide some personal information. This list will help you gather what you need while the defendant is being processed.
8. Do Not Make Decisions Based on Unverified Information
Unfortunately, scammers often take advantage of the vulnerability and uncertainty of people in your situation.
To stay safe:
- Verify you are dealing with a legitimate representative of the court/bail systems before giving sensitive information or sending money.
- If someone calls you unsolicited, do not give them information.
Scammers will often:
- Ask you to pay via unusual payment methods (Bitcoin, gift cards);
- Demand immediate payment to prevent arrest or additional charges.
Remember: The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office does not accept payment via cryptocurrency or gift cards, and does not accept money over the phone to prevent arrest or additional charges.
9. Make Sure the Defendant Understands Their Bond Conditions
When a person is bailed out, things don’t return to business as usual. Defendants must follow all release conditions to avoid re-arrest and possible further legal/financial repercussions.
People out on bail must attend all their scheduled court hearings.
Beyond that, common bail conditions include:
- Restricted travel (do not leave the county, etc.);
- No-contact orders;
- Restrictions on alcohol/drug use (possibly with testing);
- Electronic GPS monitoring;
- Other court-ordered conditions.
Violating any conditions can result in more legal problems and even bond revocation.
10. Keep All Bail and Court Information Organized
Being organized can save you stress and time. Before the defendant even arrives home, assemble a physical file containing:
- Bond-related paperwork;
- List of court dates;
- Important phone numbers/contact info (attorney, bondsman, etc.);
- Court information;
- Case information and any documents given to you or the defendant by the court;
- Payment receipts.
Also write court dates on a calendar you use regularly so you do not forget them.
When the defendant leaves court, their responsibility for complying with all court and bond requirements begins, ending only when the court tells them otherwise.
What Should You NOT Do After Someone Is Arrested?
Be careful to avoid the following common bail-related mistakes:
- DO NOT send money to a stranger claiming to be involved in your case.
- DO NOT make assumptions about case progress; confirm everything.
- DO NOT wait to compile information for the bail bondsman/court; gather it as soon as possible.
- DO NOT ignore bond conditions.
- DO NOT miss court dates.
- DO NOT discuss case details in public or on social media.
If you have any legal questions about the charges, speak with a qualified attorney about them.
How River City Bail Bonds Can Help After a San Antonio Arrest
Dealing with the Bexar County arrest process is complicated and can be confusing. River City Bail Bonds guides you through the bail process with no surprises, getting you set up to co-sign and letting you know your costs and responsibilities throughout the entire process.
We’re available 24/7, so if you know someone arrested in San Antonio or Bexar County, call us today at 210-271-7700 to discuss your options.
Frequently Asked Questions About What to Do After an Arrest in San Antonio
How can I find out if someone was arrested in San Antonio?
You can search for someone using Bexar County’s inmate lookup resources. Keep in mind that a recent arrest may not appear immediately while the person is being booked and processed. Having their full legal name, date of birth, approximate arrest time, and arrest location can make it easier to locate them.
How long does it take to bail someone out of jail in San Antonio?
There is no guaranteed timeline for getting someone released from jail. The defendant generally must be booked, processed, and magistrated before the bond can be posted. The time required can vary based on the charges, processing volume, magistrate availability, weekends, holidays, and other circumstances.
Can I contact a bail bondsman before the bond amount has been set?
Yes. You can contact a San Antonio bail bonds company while the defendant is still being processed. A bondsman can explain what information you will need, help you understand the next steps, and be prepared to begin the bonding process once the bond amount and conditions are available.
What information do I need to bail someone out of jail in Bexar County?
It helps to have the defendant’s full legal name, date of birth, location, charges, and bond amount if it has already been set. If you are co-signing a surety bond, the bail bonds company will also need information and documentation from you.
What happens after someone is released on bond in San Antonio?
After release, the defendant must attend required court appearances and comply with all conditions of their bond. Depending on the case, conditions may include travel restrictions, no-contact orders, drug or alcohol restrictions, testing, or electronic monitoring. Violating these requirements can result in additional consequences or revocation of the bond.
