Q: How do I get someone out of jail?

A: Travis County has a personal bond system that allows many people to be released without hiring a bail bondsman or depositing a large sum of money with the county. Qualifying for personal bond depends on several factors such as the nature of the alleged offense, prior criminal history, personal references, and having a stable address. Sometimes the accused must hire a lawyer to qualify for personal bond.

You may be able to get information about a specific individual's eligibility for personal bond by calling Travis County Pretrial Services.

If personal bond is not an option, other options include posting a cash bond or hiring a bail bonding company to post a surety bond. The bonding company charges a non-refundable fee for this service, which is often around 10% of the bond.

An attorney can help you obtain personal bond or determine if it's necessary to hire a bail bondsman. Attorneys typically require payment of a retainer (a non-refundable deposit that applies toward the fee for representation on the underlying charge) to assist with jail release.