What Happens When Arrested?

When a prisoner is brought into the facility, they will need to be processed (booked). This includes being searched, having the arrest report completed, and being fingerprinted and photographed. How long this takes depends on how many prisoners are being processed at that time, and how cooperative the prisoner is. Uncooperative or intoxicated prisoners will be processed as soon as the booking officer is able to do so. Prisoners are processed in the order that they are brought in. After processing, prisoners are then placed into a holding cell pending magistration (times vary and depends on the Judge's schedule). Magistration is the procedure where a prisoner charged with an offense and is brought before a Magistrate (Judge) and the Magistrate informs the prisoner of his/her Constitutional Rights and of the charge/charges that have been brought against him/her and sets the Bail amount.

"Bail" is the security given by the accused that he will appear and answer before the proper court the accusation brought against him, and includes a bail bond or a personal bond.

What is a bail bond?

A "Cash Bond" is a contractual agreement between the accused and the Court having jurisdiction over the offense, ensuring that the defendant will appear in court. The defendant posts the dollar amount of the Bond, which will be returned to him upon his appearance in court. (Verify with District or County Clerk for clarification of actual procedures) Guadalupe County District Clerk - 830-303-4188 ext. 1518, Guadalupe County Clerk - 830-303-4188 ext. 1515.

"Surety Bond" is a contractual agreement between the accused, a Bail Bondsman and the Court having jurisdiction over the offense, ensuring that the defendant will appear in court. The defendant pays a fee to the Bail Bondsman, who in turn posts the dollar amount of the Bond, which will be returned to the Bail Bondsman upon appearance of the defendant in court.

A "Personal Bond" is a contractual agreement between the accused and the Court having jurisdiction over the offense, ensuring that the defendant will appear in court. The defendant is not required to post the dollar amount of the Bond, rather is released on his own recognizance. However, if the defendant fails to appear in court, the defendant is then indebted to the court for the amount of the Personal Bond.

What is bail punishment?

"Bail" is not a punitive measure, rather a guarantee that the person charged will return for court. The Magistrate will examine many factors including, State and County of residence, employment, marital status, dependents, prior failures to appear, seriousness of offense, etc.. The greater the risk that the person will not return for his trial, the higher the amount the bail that is set.

How do I contact a bail bondsman?

Most bail bond company's are available 24 hours a day. Guadalupe County is a Bail Bond Board County which means bonding companies must be licensed in order to post bonds. An approved list of bonding companies is available at the Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff's Office employees may not contact a Bail Bondsman for you, nor can they recommend one, you must make the arrangements yourself.

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