Bail in Dallas County will depend on several factors, including the severity of the charges you face. However, statistics show that bail in the Dallas area averages $18,153.

This is a lot of money for most Dallas residents, and many defendants – of their families – struggle to come up with enough money to post bail. In Dallas County, about 70% of inmates can’t afford bail and have to remain in the Dallas County Jail until their case has been resolved, according to data from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.

Statistics: Average Bail Amounts in Dallas County

Note that these are the averages from the Office of Court Administration Public Safety Report System. Many defendants will be ordered to pay less, and some will be ordered to pay significantly more.

• Capital offense: $876,595.74
• First-degree felony: $121,152.60
• Second-degree felony: $47,570.75
• Third-degree felony: $22,795.75
• State jail felony: $13,359.89
• Class A misdemeanor: $2,603.82
• Class B misdemeanor: $1,491.71
• Class C misdemeanor: $638.29

Bail in Dallas County

Your bail amount will depend on the severity of the offense. It can be as low as $20 or as high as a million (or more) dollars.

How much you’ll pay out of pocket will depend not only on the total amount of bail, but on the type. If you can post the full amount in cash, you’ll pay more initially, but that money is refundable. Surety bonds require a lower initial investment, but that money is not refundable. 

Additionally, all forms of bail can be revoked if you fail to meet the requirements set by the judge. At that point, you could be taken into custody and held at the county jail until your case has been resolved.

Cost by Bail Type in Dallas County

As you can see, bail can get expensive. Luckily, there are a few different ways to come up with the money.

Cash Bail

Posting cash bail means paying the full bail amount in person. This is paid by cash, cashier’s check, or money order, and a local bank must issue checks and money orders. Credit and debit cards are not accepted. Cash bail (minus court costs) will be refunded to you when your case has been resolved.

Bail Bonds (Surety Bonds)

Not everyone can afford to pay cash or procure a money order for the full bail amount, particularly for felony-level offenses, where bail can easily average $20,000 or more. In this instance, you’ll need to contact a bail bond company. The bail bond company will make arrangements to post bail on your behalf. In exchange, they charge a fee of about 10% of the total bail amount. So, if your bail is $20,000, you’ll have to pay about $2,000 for the bail bond. That 10% is not refundable.

Statistics: Cash and Surety Bonds in Dallas County

In Dallas County, statistics show that cash/surety bonds account for more than 95% of bail set in the county. For third-degree felony offenses and higher, the average is 99% or higher.

Offense	Number of cash/surety bonds issued	% of defendants with cash bail set
Capital murder	93	98.9%
First-degree felony	4,118	99.5%
Second-degree felony	7852	99.2%
Third-degree felony	14,650	98.74%
State jail felony	17,089	97%
Class A misdemeanor	24,723	97.1%
Class B misdemeanor	17,302	92.4%
Class C misdemeanor	900	98.9%

It’s worth noting that if you co-sign the bail bond for a friend or family member, you could be required to pay the full bail amount if that person fails to appear in court. 

READ MORE: Bail vs bond

Personal Recognizance Bonds

If a judge believes that you aren’t a flight risk or threat to public safety, you may be released on what’s known as a Personal Recognizance bond. It is also commonly called a personal bond and can be referred to as ROR (released on recognizance). 

These are issued through the county’s Pretrial Services department. The program provides low-cost bonds to local residents for 3% of the total bail amount or $20, whichever is greater. So, if your bail is set at $1,000, you’d have to pay about $30.

However, eligible defendants must meet certain criteria. This includes:

• Completing an interview
• Passing a background check
• Verification of character, reliability, current charges, past charges, family ties, and community ties

In exchange, you must:

• Agree to appear for all court appearances
• Meet all conditions of the court
• Not be considered a flight risk

You may also be required to restrict travel, report to an officer, and be subject to protective orders. If you fail to comply, you’ll be rearrested and may be responsible for paying the total bond amount.

Pretrial Officers will manage cases to ensure defendants make all scheduled court appearances and meet all bond conditions.

Zach Redington, a senior trial attorney in Michael & Associates’ Dallas office, says whether someone qualifies for a county PR bond will depend on specific circumstances.

“It’s case by case,” he said. “Criminal history is important. Facts of case are important.”

However, Redington says that those accused of assault are ineligible for personal recognizance bonds. This is because Senate Bill 6 (SB 6), which became law in 2021, prohibits personal recognizance bonds for defendants who are accused of violent crimes in Texas.

READ MORE: Types of Bonds

Statistics: Personal Bonds in Dallas County

Technically, Dallas County issues more PR bonds than most other counties across the state. However, that’s primarily due to the high number of misdemeanor cases. Less than 1.5% of defendants facing third-degree felony charges or higher will be eligible for a personal bond. 

Offense	Number of personal bonds issued	% of defendants offered PR bonds
Capital murder	1	1.1%
First-degree felony	17	.5%
Second-degree felony	59	.74%
Third-degree felony	185	1.25%
State jail felony	562	3%
Class A misdemeanor	738	2.89%
Class B misdemeanor	1,403	7.5%
Class C misdemeanor	10	1.09%

READ MORE: Understanding personal bonds

Other Less Common Types of Bond

These two types of bonds are technically available in Dallas County but aren’t nearly as common as the first three options. 

Property bonds: These are often negotiated directly with a bail bond company. Some companies will allow you to use your home as collateral if you don’t have money to pay the bond fee. However, you must pay for a home appraisal, which in Texas has an average cost of $425 to $650. Additionally, homes must be appraised for at least 150% of the bond total, and a lien will be placed on your property.

Attorney bonds: Dallas County allows attorney bonds for misdemeanor charges. They are similar to surety bonds, but in this case, your attorney will collect the fee — often 10% — and the attorney will pay for their client’s release. At Michael & Associates, we don’t offer attorney bonds. We believe that when a lawyer is a client’s attorney and bondsman, there is an obvious conflict of interest. You need to be able to confide in your attorney.

READ MORE: Types of Bonds

How are Bail Amounts Set in Dallas County?

A magistrate judge typically sets bail within about 48 hours of your arrest. This process is called magistration.

Judges and magistrates have some guidelines they must follow, but there’s no way to say for sure exactly how much your bail will be. It will depend on the criminal charge, the judge, the jurisdiction, and whether you’re considered a flight risk. 

However, the U.S. Constitution prohibits “excessive” bail. If your bail seems unfair, if you cannot afford it, or if you need help navigating the bail process, contact us immediately to set up a free consultation. We can help you through the process and even try to request a reduction.

More Dallas County Resources

How to find an inmate

How to get someone out of jail

Dallas County warrant search: How to see if you have one

Dallas County booking: What happens after you’re arrested