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A personal bond, personal recognizance bond, or PR bond is a sworn agreement by an alleged offender that they will show up in court when required and follow all release conditions. A personal bond does not require paying money up front to be released. Texas law does authorize a fee: under Article 17.42 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the court may assess a personal bond fee of $20 or three percent of the bond amount, whichever is greater, and the court has discretion to waive it. In Travis County, Pretrial Services applies its own fee schedule in practice: $20 on bonds under $1,334, $40 on bonds of $1,334 or more, and three percent of the bond amount in cases requiring an ignition interlock device.
A personal bond is common in most major jurisdictions throughout Texas, although a person may not have as much luck obtaining one when they are arrested in a smaller, more rural location.
If you’ve been arrested, always work with an experienced Austin criminal defense attorney to see if you can obtain a personal bond. A lawyer can represent you to a judge at the bond hearing and request a release on personal bond.
A personal bond is the instrument itself — the written undertaking a person signs promising to appear in court, released without requiring sureties or posted security. It is created by Article 17.03 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which gives a magistrate discretion to release a defendant on personal bond. For certain offense categories, only the court where the case is pending can grant one, and state law bars personal bonds entirely for a list of offenses — those restrictions are covered in detail in our guide to PR bonds in Travis County.
Article 17.04 sets the requisites: the bond must be sworn to by the defendant and contain identifying information and the obligation to appear.
Texas personal bond laws allow eligible individuals to be released from jail without paying a cash bond or use a bail bondsman. The purpose of personal bonds is to provide an alternative to pretrial detention for those who are not considered a flight risk or a danger to the community.
Under Texas law, a personal bond may be granted by a judge, magistrate, or other authorized court official. The determination regarding a personal bond is based on several factors, including:
In Texas, most misdemeanor offenses are eligible for personal bonds, as well as some non-violent felony offenses. However, certain offenses such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and drug trafficking are not eligible for personal bonds.
To be considered for a personal bond, the defendant must submit an application to the court. The application includes information such as the defendant’s personal and employment history, current address, and any previous criminal charges or convictions. Additionally, the defendant may have to provide references or undergo a criminal background check.
If the court grants a personal bond, the defendant will be released from jail on the condition that they appear for all future court appearances and comply with any other conditions set by the court. These conditions may include things like abstaining from alcohol or drugs, staying away from certain individuals or locations, or wearing an electronic monitoring device.
If the defendant fails to comply with the conditions of their personal bond, the court may revoke the bond and issue a warrant for their arrest. Additionally, the defendant may be required to pay a cash bond or use a bail bondsman to secure their release from jail.
Texas personal bond laws provide a valuable option for eligible individuals to be released from jail without having to pay a cash bond or use a bail bondsman. However, it’s important to understand the eligibility requirements and conditions of a personal bond, as well as the potential consequences of non-compliance. Not everyone immediately receives a personal bond, and a criminal defense attorney can help determine whether this is a possibility in your case.
A criminal defense lawyer in Texas can be a valuable asset when seeking a personal bond. We have the experience and knowledge to guide you through the application process and advocate on your behalf in court.
Our firm can review your case and determine if you are eligible for a personal bond based on your criminal history, ties to the community, and other relevant factors. We can also help you prepare a strong application and provide references to support your request for a personal bond.
Release and the outcome of the case are separate fights, and our firm handles both — including a recent Travis County felony assault allegation that ended when the grand jury declined to indict. Every case is fact-specific.
A criminal defense lawyer can also negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce the severity of the charges against you or to drop charges altogether. This can improve your chances of being granted a personal bond.
Is a personal bond the same as a PR bond?
In Travis County practice, yes — PR bond is the local name for the personal bond created by state law. Our PR bond guide covers the local process in depth.
Who can grant a personal bond in Texas?
Any magistrate has discretion to grant one, except in offense categories where only the court hearing the case may do so.
How much does a personal bond cost?
No money is posted up front; the fee is set by Article 17.42 and Travis County applies the schedule described above.
Can you get a personal bond on a felony charge?
Often, yes — many felonies are personal-bond eligible, though state law bars certain offenses and judges weigh each case individually.
If you are hoping to be granted a personal bond in Texas, you want to be sure that you have the right legal assistance. The Law Office of David D. White, PLLC understands the most effective ways to approach these cases and we will work closely with you to help you achieve the most favorable outcome to your criminal case.
Our firm understands how stressful these situations are not only for alleged offenders, but also their entire families. You can call (512) 369-3737 or contact our Austin criminal defense attorney online to arrange a free consultation.
A personal bond is one option among several for pretrial release. For how it fits alongside cash and surety bonds, see how bail and bond types work in Texas.
For the full local process from magistration through release, see our Travis County personal bond and jail release walkthrough.
David D. White founded the Law Office of David D. White, PLLC and has practiced criminal defense exclusively since 2004. The firm represents clients across Travis, Williamson, Hays, Caldwell, Lee, Coryell, Bell, Burnet, Milam, and Bastrop counties. Three attorneys handle each case as a team — weekly case reviews and shared Clio notes — and by the first consultation, the firm has obtained the Probable Cause Affidavit, read it, and identified the state’s evidentiary weak points.
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This page was written and reviewed by the attorneys at the Law Office of David D. White, PLLC, following our editorial guidelines. The firm has practiced criminal defense exclusively since 2004 across Travis, Williamson, Hays, Caldwell, Lee, Coryell, Bell, Burnet, Milam, and Bastrop County courts. The firm’s three attorneys — David White (managing attorney, practicing criminal defense exclusively since 2004), Kenneth Hines (associate, practicing Caldwell County courts since 2008; former General Counsel to the Texas Senate Jurisprudence Committee, 2010–2012), and Taylor Kacir (associate; former Senior Misdemeanor County Attorney, Bell County Attorney’s Office) — work each case as a team via weekly case reviews and shared Clio notes.
608 West 12th Street, Suite B Austin, TX 78701
706 Rock St, Georgetown, TX 78626
512-369-3737
get directions