Can You Travel on Bond in Texas?
Co-Founding Partners
Texas Bar verified. Reggie London (Texas Bar No. 24043514) and Njeri London (Texas Bar No. 24043266) are the co-founding partners of L and L Law Group, PLLC — based at 5899 Preston Rd, Suite 101 in Frisco, Texas (Collin County), with many 5-star Google reviews, and available 24/7 for criminal defense consultations.
Table of Contents
Rule 1: Within-county travel
Almost all bonds allow movement within the county where the case is pending. No special permission required.
Exceptions:
- House arrest conditions (rare; usually only for serious cases)
- Specific area restrictions (e.g., stay away from victim's neighborhood)
- Curfew conditions (limit time of day for movement)
Standard within-county travel for work, school, medical appointments, family activities is generally permitted without restriction.
Rule 2: Out-of-county travel within Texas
Many bonds restrict movement to specific counties. Standard wording: "remain within [X] County" or "remain within counties of residence and employment."
To travel out-of-county within Texas:
- Check your specific bond conditions
- If "remain within X County" wording, request travel permission
- If silent on out-of-county travel, generally permitted
- If restricted, request modification through court
Travel permission requests typically go through:
- Pretrial services (if assigned)
- Probation department (if assigned)
- Court motion (defense counsel files)
Common reasons granted: work travel, family obligations, medical appointments, school. Common reasons denied: vacation, leisure travel without specific purpose.
Rule 3: Out-of-state travel
Out-of-state travel almost always requires explicit court approval, even where Texas-wide travel is permitted.
Application process:
- Defense counsel files motion for travel permission
- Specifies dates, destination, purpose
- Provides accommodation information
- Provides return commitment
- Court hearing or written ruling
Strong reasons for approval:
- Work travel (employer letter)
- Medical treatment
- Family emergencies
- Court-required appearances elsewhere
- Pre-existing commitments (weddings, family events)
Weak reasons:
- Vacation
- Casual visits
- Recreational travel
Rule 4: International travel
International travel rarely granted on bond. Reasons:
- Risk of flight (especially countries without US extradition treaty)
- Court loses jurisdiction once defendant leaves country
- Bond cannot guarantee return
- Federal cases sometimes require passport surrender
When granted (rare):
- Extreme medical necessity not available in US
- Documented business obligations with extensive support
- Family emergencies in specific narrow contexts
- Strong defense ties to community + history of compliance
Many courts require passport surrender as condition of bond, eliminating possibility of international travel during case.
Rule 5: Specific case-type considerations
Different cases have different default travel restrictions:
DWI cases: Often allow Texas travel but restrict out-of-state (especially during ALR period when driver's license is suspended).
Family violence cases: Often restrict travel to victim's area; otherwise generally permissive.
Sex offense cases: Strict travel restrictions, often state-wide. Federal cases require Adam Walsh Act compliance.
Drug cases: Drug-trafficking cases (large quantities) often restrict travel to specific corridors. Personal-use cases more permissive.
Federal cases: Pretrial Services typically more strict than state. Specific approvals required for most travel.
Sex offender registration cases: Texas Code of Criminal Procedure ch. 62 imposes registration and travel notification requirements separately from bond.
How to request travel permission
Step-by-step:
- Review bond conditions: Find specific travel language
- Contact defense counsel: Discuss the trip and timing
- Defense counsel files motion: Specifies dates, destination, purpose, accommodation, return commitment
- Court hearing or written ruling: Typically 1-3 weeks lead time required
- If granted: Travel permit issued; comply with all conditions
- Documentation during trip: Maintain compliance documentation; check in if required
- Return on schedule: Don't extend without further approval
Cost: defense counsel filing typically $300-$1,000. Court costs minimal. Travel permission is usually granted for legitimate purposes; rarely denied for first-time requests with good cause.
Texas Marijuana Charges by Weight
| Weight | Offense | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2 oz | Class B misdemeanor | Up to 180 days + $2,000 |
| 2-4 oz | Class A misdemeanor | Up to 1 year + $4,000 |
| 4 oz - 5 lb | State jail felony | 180 days-2 years + $10K |
| 5-50 lb | 3rd degree felony | 2-10 years + $10K |
| 50-2,000 lb | 2nd degree felony | 2-20 years + $10K |
| 2,000+ lb | Enhanced 1st degree | 5-99 years/life + $50K |
| Hemp products with delta-9 THC ≤ 0.3% are legal under HB 1325 (2019) | ||
Have a Texas legal question?
Call L and L Law Group for a free, confidential consultation. We handle criminal defense across Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant counties.
Call (972) 370-5060In our practice defending Texas criminal cases, we have represented clients in Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant County criminal courts on the full Texas Penal Code and Health & Safety Code spectrum. Reggie's prosecutor background in Dallas County means we know the State's evidentiary playbook; Njeri's trial-trained motion practice anchors the suppression-driven defense work.
Key Legal Terms
- Penalty Group
- Texas Health & Safety Code § 481.102-481.105 classification of controlled substances by abuse potential and accepted medical use. Determines weight tiers and punishment ranges.
- Article 38.23
- Texas Code of Criminal Procedure exclusionary rule. Evidence obtained in violation of any federal or Texas constitutional or statutory provision is inadmissible against the accused.
- Aggregation
- Texas H&S § 481.002(5) rule that the total weight of any controlled substance, including adulterants and dilutants, counts toward the offense weight tier.
- 3g Offense
- CCP Article 42A.054 list of offenses ineligible for judicial probation and requiring 50% sentence served before parole eligibility (formerly Article 42.12 § 3g).
- Pretrial Diversion
- Pre-charge alternative under CCP Article 32.02 in which the prosecution agrees to dismiss charges upon successful completion of conditions (counseling, community service, restitution).
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I travel without permission?
Bond violation. Court can revoke bond and remand defendant to custody. New criminal charges possible (failure to appear, jumping bond). Best to request permission for any uncertain travel rather than assume permission.
Can I travel for a funeral?
Family emergency travel is typically granted with appropriate notice. Defense counsel files emergency motion; courts generally accommodate genuine family emergencies. Documentation (death notice, funeral information) supports approval.
What about driving for work?
Work-related travel is the most-granted travel category. Employer letter confirming necessity, dates, destinations supports approval. Standard work travel within Texas typically doesn't require formal approval if bond doesn't expressly prohibit it.
Can I cross state lines for medical care?
Yes, with proper documentation. Specialized medical centers in other states (MD Anderson in Houston, Mayo in Minnesota, etc.) routinely justify travel approval. Treating physician letter supports approval.
Will travel approval show up later?
Documented in court file. Doesn't affect long-term record beyond the case file. Travel permissions don't appear on background checks. The bond conditions and modifications are part of court record but not separately published.
