Getting the call that someone you love has been arrested is frightening. You may not know where they are, how to get them out, or what to say. Take a breath. Here is what you can do, step by step.
Finding someone in Tarrant County custody
- Search the county jail online. The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office has an inmate search. You'll usually need the person's full name.
- They may be at a city jail first. People arrested by a city police department, such as Fort Worth or Arlington, are sometimes held at that city's jail before being moved to the county jail. If you can't find them in the county search, check again later or call the arresting police department.
- Federal arrests are different. Someone arrested by federal agents may be held in a different facility. See Federal Criminal Defense or call us.
- Write down what you learn: the booking or ID number, the charges listed, and any bond amount.
Bond basics, in plain words
Bond (also called bail) is a promise, usually backed by money, that the person will come back to court, so they can be released while the case goes on. A judge called a magistrate sets it, usually soon after the arrest.
- Cash bond: the full amount is paid to the county. It may be returned at the end of the case, minus fees, if every court date is kept.
- Surety bond (through a bondsman): a bond company posts the bond for a fee. The fee is usually not returned.
- Personal bond: the person is released on their promise to return, with no money up front. Not everyone is eligible.
The Sheriff's Office explains how to post bond on its bond information page. Bond often comes with conditions, such as no contact with a certain person. Your loved one must follow them exactly.
How we can help
- Our attorneys can help with bond, including asking the court to lower a bond or change its conditions.
- An attorney can visit your loved one at the jail, so they can speak privately with a lawyer.
Do's and don'ts
- Don't discuss the case on jail calls, video visits or messages. They are recorded and can be used as evidence. Talk about how they're doing, not what happened.
- Don't post about the arrest on social media, and ask others not to.
- Don't contact the person they're accused of harming, especially if there is a no-contact condition.
- Do keep every piece of paper: bond papers, receipts and court notices.
- Do make sure they know every court date, and that they go.
- Do call an attorney early. Talking with a lawyer before the first court date can make a difference.
Hiring an attorney for someone else
You can contact us and arrange a consultation for your loved one. Because what a client tells their attorney is private, we may not be able to share every detail with family, but with the client's permission we can explain what's happening and what comes next.
To understand the usual steps after an arrest, see Facing Charges: What Happens Next?
This page is general information, not legal advice. Jail and bond procedures can change; check the Sheriff's Office pages for current details.