BEXAR COUNTY JAIL GUIDE
Turning Yourself In on a Warrant in Bexar County
If you have an active warrant, how you surrender can affect how long you remain in custody. In Bexar County, there may be more than one way to handle the process. Planning ahead can help determine whether a regular jail surrender, an attorney-arranged surrender, or the courthouse Booking and Release Satellite Office is available.
BEFORE YOU SURRENDER
Don’t Just Walk In
Turning yourself in is not always as simple as showing up at the jail. Before surrendering, it is important to know whether the warrant is active, whether bond has already been set, whether the charge qualifies for the courthouse satellite process, and whether the court needs to take action before release is possible.
In some cases, an attorney can coordinate the surrender in advance with the court, the jail, or the Booking and Release Satellite Office. That preparation can reduce unnecessary delays and help make sure the bond process is ready to move once the defendant is in custody.
Three Ways to Turn Yourself In
The best surrender option depends on the charge, whether bond has been set, whether the case qualifies for the courthouse satellite process, and whether advance coordination is possible.
SIMPLEST / OFTEN SLOWEST
Regular Surrender at the Bexar County Jail
A person can report directly to the jail and surrender on an active warrant. This requires the least advance planning, but it can also mean entering the normal booking, magistration, bond, and release process from the beginning.
For that reason, an unannounced jail surrender is often the slowest route to release.
PLANNED / ATTORNEY COORDINATED
Attorney-Arranged Self-Surrender
In appropriate cases, an attorney can coordinate a planned surrender with the jail before the defendant reports.
This can be especially useful when the case is not eligible for the courthouse satellite process, including some violent offenses, or when the court may need to address bond after the defendant is taken into custody.
The goal is to coordinate the court, attorney, client, and jail process as much as possible before surrender.
FASTEST FOR QUALIFYING CASES
Booking and Release Satellite Office
For qualifying warrants, Bexar County operates a Booking and Release Satellite Office at the Bexar County Courthouse. Qualifying defendants may be able to complete the magistrate and bonding process there without going through the Adult Detention Center.
The satellite process is generally limited to qualifying nonviolent cases and requires the bond amount to already be set.
Learn About Satellite Surrender Requirements
BOND NOT SET YET?
What If Bond Has Not Been Set Yet?
Not every warrant comes with a bond amount already in place. In some cases, including certain motions to revoke probation, the court may wait until the defendant is in custody before considering bond.
That does not mean the defendant should simply surrender and hope the process works itself out.
An attorney can communicate with the court before surrender, advise the court that the defendant intends to report voluntarily, and be prepared to address bond once the defendant is in custody. On the day of surrender, the attorney can coordinate with the court, the client, and the appropriate booking or satellite office to help move the process forward as efficiently as possible.
When bond has not been set, advance coordination can be just as important as the surrender.
Why an Attorney Bond Can Matter
When the lawyer handling the criminal case also handles the bond, the surrender and release process can be coordinated as one strategy.
The attorney can work with the court when bond needs to be set, prepare the bond paperwork, coordinate the surrender time, and remain involved while the client is being processed.
Attorney Involvement
A defense attorney can communicate with the court, address bond issues, coordinate the surrender, and represent the client throughout the criminal case.
A Bondsman’s Role
A bondsman can provide a surety bond once the bond amount and necessary conditions are in place, but a bondsman does not represent the defendant before the court or ask the court to set or modify bond.
For a planned surrender, having the defense lawyer involved in both the case and the bond can make coordination much simpler.
BEFORE YOU REPORT
What to Bring for a Planned Surrender
The exact requirements can depend on the type of surrender, but arriving prepared can prevent avoidable delays.
Government-Issued ID
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID so the booking or satellite office can verify your identity.
Bond Paperwork
If bond has already been set and you are using an attorney bond or surety bond, have the required bond paperwork prepared before you arrive.
Required Payment
For the Booking and Release Satellite Office, Bexar County currently requires a $15 money order for each bond being processed.
Before a self-surrender, confirm the exact requirements with your attorney or the appropriate Bexar County office because procedures can vary depending on the warrant and type of surrender.
BOOKING & RELEASE SATELLITE OFFICE
A Faster Option for Qualifying Warrants
For qualifying warrants, Bexar County allows defendants to complete the magistration and bonding process at the Booking and Release Satellite Office in the basement of the Bexar County Courthouse rather than going through the Adult Detention Center.
Who Can Use the Satellite Office?
The satellite office does not process warrants for violent offenses, sexual offenses, crimes against children, out-of-county warrants, or out-of-state warrants. Those cases must be processed through the Justice Intake and Assessment Annex.
A bond amount must also be set in the system before the satellite office can process the bond.
Timing Matters
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but defendants who still need to be magistrated should plan around the county’s current magistration windows: 8:00–9:00 a.m. and 1:00–1:30 p.m.
Bexar County lists approximate processing time at about three hours, although actual release time can vary.
Before You Go
Bexar County recommends that the attorney or bondsman call ahead before the defendant arrives. The office is located in Basement 10.2 of the Bexar County Courthouse, 100 Dolorosa, San Antonio, TX 78205.
In practice, advance coordination can matter. A client who qualifies, arrives with the necessary paperwork, and reports at the right time may move through the process much more quickly than someone who simply reports to the jail without a plan.
PLAN YOUR SURRENDER BEFORE YOU REPORT
Turning Yourself In Does Not Have to Mean Sitting in Jail All Day
If you have an active warrant in Bexar County, the way you surrender can affect how long you remain in custody and how smoothly the process moves. In many cases, advance planning can make a significant difference.
Castanon Law Firm can review the warrant, determine whether bond has been set, evaluate whether the satellite office may be available, prepare an attorney bond when appropriate, and coordinate the surrender process from start to finish.
Before you walk into the jail, find out whether there is a better way to handle the warrant.
ATTORNEY-COORDINATED SURRENDER
How an Attorney Coordinates the Satellite Surrender
When a client may qualify for the Booking and Release Satellite Office, the process can often be planned before the client reports. The attorney can confirm whether the warrant is eligible, determine whether bond has already been set, prepare the bond paperwork, and coordinate the timing of the surrender.
If the client still needs to be magistrated or the court has not yet set bond, timing becomes even more important. The attorney can communicate with the court and the satellite office, advise the client when to report, and remain involved while the bond and release process is being completed.
Confirm Eligibility
Determine whether the warrant can be processed through the satellite office and whether any issue must be addressed before surrender.
Prepare the Bond
Confirm the bond amount and conditions, prepare the necessary attorney-bond paperwork, and make sure the client has what is needed before reporting.
Coordinate the Surrender
Work with the client, court, and satellite office to choose the appropriate time to report and address problems that could otherwise delay release.
The goal is not simply to turn yourself in, but also to minimize time in custody and avoid preventable delays.