Felony Bond Conditions in Texas — Pre-Trial Release Requirements
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
Category 1: Financial conditions (the money)
| Type | How it works | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cash bond | Pay full amount; refunded at case end minus fees | $1,000-$100,000+ |
| Surety bond | Through bondsman; pay 10% non-refundable | 10% of cash equivalent |
| Personal recognizance (PR) | No payment; release on promise to appear | $0 down |
| Cash deposit bond | Deposit portion (10%) with court directly | 10% of total amount |
Bond amount factors under Code of Criminal Procedure art. 17.15:
- Nature of offense and circumstances
- Defendant's ability to pay
- Defendant's record
- Defendant's ties to community
- Aggravating factors
Category 2: Monitoring conditions
- GPS ankle monitor — electronic location tracking 24/7. Common for serious cases, DV cases, sex offenses.
- SCRAM (alcohol monitor) — continuous alcohol monitoring; used in DWI cases, alcohol-related violations.
- Drug testing — random urinalysis; cost typically borne by defendant.
- In-person reporting — regular check-ins with pretrial services or probation department.
- Phone monitoring — automated check-in calls.
- House arrest — confined to residence except for approved activities.
- Curfew — restricted hours, typically 10 PM-6 AM.
Category 3: Restrictions
- No firearms — surrender any firearms; cannot purchase or possess
- No-contact orders — with victims, witnesses, co-defendants
- No alcohol or drugs — depending on offense
- No prescription substances without approval
- No new criminal violations
- No association with specific persons
- No going to certain places — schools, bars, areas where victim lives/works
- No internet usage in some cases (computer crime cases)
- No driving — if driving was instrument of offense
Category 4: Location requirements
- Residency in specific county or state
- Travel restrictions — cannot leave county/state without permission
- Surrender of passport — international travel concerns
- Approved residence — cannot live with certain persons or in certain areas
- Address verification — pretrial services may verify residence
- Notification of address change — required within 24-72 hours
Defense work can modify bond conditions through motion under Code of Criminal Procedure art. 17.40. Common modification requests: GPS removal, drug test reduction, travel permission for work, no-contact modification.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will my felony bond be?
Depends substantially on offense and circumstances. State jail felony: $1,000-$10,000 typical. Third-degree: $5,000-$25,000. Second-degree: $25,000-$100,000+. First-degree: $100,000+. Cases with aggravating factors (prior history, violent offense, family violence) command higher amounts.
Can I get a PR bond on a felony?
Sometimes, depending on offense and circumstances. PR bonds (no money down) are typically granted for first-time defendants with strong community ties, low-level offenses, and no aggravating factors. State jail felony and lower-tier third-degree cases more often receive PR bonds than higher felonies.
What happens if I miss a court date?
Bond is forfeited; warrant issued. Failure to appear becomes additional offense under Penal Code §38.10. Bond company can pursue defendant for full amount. Defense counsel can sometimes recall warrants and reinstate bond.
Can my family post bond for me?
Yes. Bond can be posted by family member, friend, or third party. Cash bonds refund to the person who posted (if defendant complies with conditions). Surety bonds (through bondsman) are non-refundable regardless of who paid.
How do I get my bond conditions changed?
Motion to Modify Bond filed by defense counsel. Court hearing typically required. Strong arguments: changed circumstances, hardship from current conditions, ongoing compliance, employment requirements. Most reasonable modification requests succeed when properly presented.
