The Harris County Sheriff's Office will accept cash or surety bonds at 700 N. San Jacinto Street, Houston, TX 77002.
The security given by the accused that he/she will appear before the proper court and answer to the accusation brought against him to include a bail bond or personal bond.
A written agreement, executed by the defendant or one or more sureties that the defendant designated in the instrument, will while at liberty as a result of an order fixing bail of the execution of a bail bond, appear in a designated criminal action or proceeding when his/her attendance is required. In the event he/she fails to do so, the signer of the bond will pay to the court the amount of money specified in the order.
A written agreement entered into by the individual and his sureties that will guarantee appearance of the individual before the court or magistrate. However, that the individual and his sureties upon execution of such bail bond shall deposit funds with the sheriff of the county, in which the prosecution is pending, in current money of the United States, in the amount of the bond.
A cash bond is an amount paid in full to bail someone out of jail. A cash bond can be posted using either the exact cash amount, cashier's check, or money order made payable to the "Harris County Sheriff's Office" or with a debit/credit card through AllPaid.com. AllPaid charges a fee, a percentage of the total bond amount they have identified on their website. The bond amount paid is refundable less a processing fee charged by the courts once the defendant resolves their case. Cash bond refunds are processed through the Harris County Auditor's Office.
To post a cash bond, the person paying the bond must provide a state-issued government identification. When presenting a cashier check, please note that they will be verified through the financial institution from where they were purchased. No personal checks are accepted to post a cash bond.
"Surety Bonds" are bonds posted through approved Harris County bonding companies that charge a fee for their services. Once bail is posted, the defendant will receive a future court date and be released from jail.
The defendant’s release is based on his/her own promise that he/she will show up for trial and no security is required. The defendant acknowledges personally without sureties, his/her obligation to appear in court at the next hearing or trial date. It is used when the judge or magistrate is satisfied that the defendant will appear without the need sureties or any other security. This is also known as a Personal Recognizance Bond.
Personal bond granted by the judge based on the information received from Pretrial Services. When the judge approves this bond, the District Clerk’s Office will send a court order to Central Records stating the bond has been approved and stating any special conditions of the bond.
Release on a pretrial bond means that the defendant is released from custody on his/her promise to appear in court on the scheduled date. A Pre-Trail bond can only be approved and granted by a judge.