How to Get Someone Out of Bexar County Jail
When someone is arrested in Bexar County, the first question families ask is simple: how do we get them out of jail? The simple answer is call a bondsman or an Attorney who can post the bond.
But how does that work? A bond cannot be posted until a magistrate sets a bond amount. That process usually begins with booking and then a hearing called magistration, where a magistrate judge informs the person of the charges, explains their rights, and sets a bond amount.
Many people assume this hearing works like a courtroom trial, but it does not. At magistration the accused does not present evidence or argue the case. The purpose of the hearing is simply to inform the person of the charges and determine the bond that must be posted before they can be released.
Understanding this process can make a stressful situation easier to navigate and help families take the right steps toward toward getting someone out of Bexar County Jail.
What Happens After Someone Is Arrested in Bexar County?
1. Booking
After an arrest, the person is taken to the Bexar County Jail for booking. During booking, jail staff record personal information, photograph the person, take fingerprints, and enter the charges into the jail system. This step officially places the person in jail custody and begins the intake process.
Booking times can vary depending on how busy the jail is and the type of arrest. In some cases, the process may take several hours before the person moves to the next stage.
2. Magistration
After booking, the person appears before a magistrate judge in a hearing called magistration. During this hearing, the magistrate informs the person of the charges, explains their legal rights, and determines whether a bond will be set.
Magistration is not a trial. The accused does not present evidence or argue the case. The purpose of the hearing is simply to determine the bond amount required for release.
3. Bond Is Set
Once the magistrate sets the bond amount, the person becomes eligible for release if the bond can be posted. The bond amount depends on the charges, the person’s criminal history, and other factors considered by the judge.
At this point, families must decide how the bond will be posted, whether through a bail bondsman, a cash bond, or an attorney bond posted by a criminal defense lawyer.
4. Posting the Bond
After the bond is set, it must be posted with the jail before the release process can begin. Families often work with a bondsman or a lawyer to arrange this step.
Once the bond is accepted by the jail, staff begin the release processing procedure, which includes paperwork and verification that all conditions have been satisfied.
5. Release From Jail
After the bond is posted, the person is processed for release from the Bexar County Jail. Release times vary depending on jail workload and processing times. In many cases, release can take 6 to 48 hours after the bond is posted.
Sometimes release occurs late at night or early in the morning. When leaving the jail, there is usually a phone available so the person can call family or friends to arrange transportation.
How Do I Find Out if Someone Is in Bexar County Jail?
If someone has recently been arrested in Bexar County, you may be able to locate them through the Bexar County Central Magistrate search website, which often lists individuals shortly after they are booked into the system.
You can also contact the Bexar County Jail directly to ask whether a person is currently in custody.
For more information about locating someone in jail, including how to use the magistrate search system, see our guide to the Bexar County Jail Inmate Search and Recent Arrests
We Can Help With Bail Bonds!
If you are trying to get someone released from jail, you can learn how we can help at San Antonio Attorney Bonds or Call us now (210) 212-8888.