Being arrested can be scary and confusing. If it happens to you or someone you care about in Tarrant County, you probably have a lot of questions. This guide will walk you through what usually happens after someone is arrested here, focusing on going to jail and how bail works to get out. We at PCS Bail Bonds are local and here to help you through this tough time.
The Arrest and Initial Booking Process in Tarrant County
What Happens at the Scene of the Arrest?
Imagine the police or sheriff’s deputies stop and arrest someone. They’ll put handcuffs on them and take them to either a local police station in a city like Fort Worth, Arlington, or a smaller town, or directly to the Tarrant County Jail. It’s really important for the person being arrested to try and stay calm and not say too much. They have the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer, so it’s best to use those rights.
The Booking Process at the Tarrant County Jail
Once at the Tarrant County Jail (which is where most people end up after being arrested in the county), a process called “booking” happens. Tarrant County has multiple jail facilities. Here’s information for some of the main ones:
- Tarrant County Jail (Downtown): 100 N Lamar St, Fort Worth, TX 76196, Phone: +1 817-884-3000. This is one of the main facilities.
- Tarrant County Corrections Center: 100 N Lamar St, Fort Worth, TX 76196, Phone: +1 817-884-3000. It’s located at the same address as the Tarrant County Jail.
- Tarrant County Lon Evans Corrections Center: 600 W Weatherford St, Fort Worth, TX 76102, Phone: +1 817-248-6285.
- Tarrant County Jail (Cold Springs): 1815 Cold Springs Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76196, Phone: +1 817-884-3116.
- Tarrant County Green Bay Facility: 2500 Urban Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76106, Phone: +1 817-884-3116
The Booking Process Includes a Few Steps
-
- Fingerprinting and Mugshot: They’ll take fingerprints and a picture of the person’s face (that’s the mugshot you see sometimes).
- Property Check: They’ll take any personal belongings the person has (like wallet, phone, keys) and keep them safe until they are released.
- Health Check: They’ll ask some questions about the person’s health and if they have any medical conditions.
- Background Check: They’ll run checks to see if the person has any other warrants out for their arrest.
- Creating a Record: All this information gets put into the jail’s system to create an official record of the arrest.
Understanding the Charges and Initial Appearance
-
Formal Charges: After the arrest, the police will put together paperwork about why the person was arrested. This paperwork will list the specific crime they are accused of. These are the “charges.”
-
Initial Appearance (Arraignment): Pretty soon after being booked, the person will go before a judge. This is called the “initial appearance” or “arraignment.”
- What it is: It’s like a first meeting with the judge.
- Purpose: The judge will tell the person what charges they are facing, make sure they understand their rights (like the right to a lawyer), and ask if they understand the charges.
- Where and When: This usually happens at a local courthouse in Tarrant County. It often happens within a day or two of the arrest.
- The Judge’s Role: The judge will listen to some basic information about the case and might decide if the person can be released on bail at this point.
The Bail Setting Process in Tarrant County
-
What is Bail? Bail is like a promise and sometimes money that you give to the court to make sure you come back for all your court dates. If you don’t show up, you could lose the money, or the person who helped you get out (like a bail bonds company) could be in trouble.
-
Factors a Tarrant County Judge Considers When Setting Bail: When a judge in Tarrant County decides how much bail should be, they look at a few things:
- How serious is the crime? For more serious crimes, the bail is usually higher.
- Does the person have a criminal history? If they’ve been in trouble before, the bail might be higher.
- Are they likely to run away? The judge will think about if the person has strong ties to the community (like a job or family in Tarrant County).
- Are they a danger to the public? If the judge thinks the person might hurt someone if they are released, the bail could be higher or they might not get bail at all. Other things specific to Texas law and how things are usually done in Tarrant County courts.
Types of Bail in Tarrant County
-
- Cash Bail: This means you have to pay the entire bail amount in cash to the court to get out of jail. If you show up for all your court dates, you usually get this money back at the end of the case. But for most people, paying the full amount is hard.
- Surety Bond (Bail Bond): This is where a company like PCS Bail Bonds comes in. Instead of paying the full bail amount, you pay us a smaller fee (usually a percentage of the total bail, like 10-15%, as is common in Texas). We then promise the court that we will pay the full bail amount if you don’t show up for court. This fee you pay us is non-refundable.
- Personal Recognizance Bond (PR Bond): Sometimes, for less serious charges and if the person has strong ties to the community, the judge might release them on their “own recognizance.” This means they don’t have to pay bail but just promise to show up for court. This isn’t as common for more serious offenses.
- Other Release Conditions: The judge might also say that to get out, the person has to follow certain rules, like having a curfew, not being able to leave Tarrant County, or wearing an electronic monitor.
-
“No Bond” Holds: In some cases, especially for very serious crimes or if someone has violated their probation, the judge might say “no bond.” This means the person cannot be released from jail until their case is resolved or a judge changes the order.
How to Get Bail in Tarrant County
-
Paying Cash Bail: If you have the money, you can usually pay cash bail directly to the Tarrant County Jail or the court clerk’s office. They will give you a receipt.
-
Using a Bail Bondsman (PCS Bail Bonds):
- How to Contact Us: If you or someone you know needs a bail bond in Tarrant County or Fort Worth, you can call PCS Bail Bonds anytime, day or night. Our phone number will be 817-335-1655.
- Information Needed: When you call us, we’ll ask for some information about the person who was arrested, like their name, where they are being held (usually one of the Tarrant County Jails listed above), their booking number if you have it, and the amount of their bail.
- The Co-signer: Usually, someone else will need to sign the bail bond agreement with us. This person is responsible for making sure the person who was arrested shows up for all their court dates. We’ll need some information about the co-signer too.
- Our Fees: We’ll explain our fee, which is a percentage of the total bail amount. We’ll also discuss payment options.
- Why Choose Local: Because we are local to Tarrant County, we understand the local court system and how things work here. We can often get the process started quickly.
-
Applying for a Personal Recognizance Bond: The person who was arrested usually has to ask the judge for a PR bond during their initial appearance or through their lawyer. It’s up to the judge to decide if they will grant it.
After Posting Bail in Tarrant County
- Conditions of Release: It’s super important to follow any rules the judge set when releasing the person on bail. This could include things like staying in Tarrant County, not contacting certain people, or attending regular check-ins.
- Upcoming Court Dates: The person who was arrested must go to all their scheduled court dates. Missing court is a big deal and can lead to a warrant for their arrest and the bail being revoked (meaning the money or the bond is lost).
- Consequences of Missing Court Dates in Tarrant County: If someone misses court in Tarrant County, the judge will likely issue a “bench warrant” for their arrest. This means the police will actively look for them and bring them back to jail. If a bail bond was used, the co-signer could also be responsible for paying the full bail amount.
- The Importance of a Lawyer: Getting a lawyer as soon as possible after an arrest in Tarrant County is really important. A lawyer can explain the charges, help navigate the court process, and protect the person’s rights.
How PCS Bail Bonds Can Help in Tarrant County
At PCS Bail Bonds, we’re here to help people in Tarrant County get their loved ones out of jail quickly and smoothly. We:
- Are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Respond fast to get the process started.
- Have experienced local agents who understand the Tarrant County system.
- Will explain everything clearly and answer all your questions.
- Offer different payment options to make the process easier.
Being arrested in Tarrant County and dealing with jail and bail can be confusing, but understanding the process can help. Remember that PCS Bail Bonds is a local resource right here in the Fort Worth and Tarrant County area, ready to assist you in getting through this. If you need help with a bail bond, don’t hesitate to call us.
