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A PR bond — short for personal recognizance bond, called a personal bond in the Texas statutes — releases you from jail on your written promise to appear in court, with no bail money and no bondsman. Under Article 17.42 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the standard cost is a reimbursement fee of $20 or 3% of the bail amount, whichever is greater, and the court can waive it.
If a court issues someone a personal recognizance bond, the person is released from custody pending trial, and they do not have to put up any bail money or collateral upfront.
The court will first obtain some basic information from the accused individual, such as their name, occupation, address, and the number of years they lived in the county where the arrest took place. If the individual does not have a recent history of arrests or convictions on their record, and the court determines that they do not present a significant flight risk, then the court may release them on their recognizance, allowing them to go free.
In short, a PR bond offers an individual the best opportunity to get out of jail for the smallest amount of money possible. If you are currently facing arrest for a criminal charge, you must speak with an experienced Texas criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible about your legal matter – and your potential legal options.
The knowledgeable Texas criminal defense lawyers at The Law Office of David D. White, PLLC, will be able to determine if you are eligible for release on a PR bond and, if so, could help you secure that bond. We could also represent you at other legal proceedings throughout your case, including your criminal court trial or sentencing hearing. We will do everything possible to help you obtain a PR bond, along with a favorable result in your overall criminal case.
A defendant who qualifies for a PR bond must not pay any cash immediately to be released from jail. What is a PR bond? It’s a court agreement that the defendant will appear on all court dates and conditions set by the court.
Why would a PR bond be preferred over other kinds of bonds? PR bonds have some key advantages over cash and surety bonds:
No upfront payment is required, saving defendants and their families from financial strain.
With the right legal guidance, PR bonds can expedite the release process.
Avoid paying high fees or interest to third-party bondsmen.
The courts can also couple PR bonds with conditions such as substance abuse treatment or counseling, which provide an avenue for self-improvement.
These advantages make PR bonds especially appealing for non-violent offenders and those facing financial difficulties.
Texas law authorizes a personal bond reimbursement fee of $20 or 3% of the bail amount, whichever is greater, when release follows a personal bond office recommendation — and the court may waive or reduce the fee for good cause. (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.42.)
In Travis County, the current personal bond paperwork sets the fee at $20 when the bond amount is under $1,334 and $40 at or above that amount, with a 3% fee applying when ignition interlock is ordered as a condition. Costs for monitoring devices — ignition interlock, GPS, or alcohol monitors — are separate, paid by the defendant, and vary by provider.
Eligibility is determined by the nature of the charges, criminal history, and the defendant’s risk to the community.
In Travis County, defendants charged with select nonviolent offenses are automatically considered for PR bonds; the ultimate decision is up to a judge. According to Williamson County’s guidelines, the process depends on the severity of the case:
An attorney may request the same from the magistrate, stating the defendant’s qualifications and attaching character references or employment records of the defendant.
The same request should be addressed to the judge of the assigned felony court. A defense attorney may be able to persuade him that the evidence and arguments present sufficient qualifications for a defendant’s release.
Common qualifications include:
“Not PR eligible” is a statutory designation — it means Texas law itself bars a personal bond for the charged offense. It is not the same thing as a judge saying no. Under Article 17.03, granting a personal bond is discretionary: a judge can refuse a PR bond even for someone who is fully eligible. Eligibility gets you considered; it does not get you released. That is where preparation and presentation to Pretrial Services and the court do the work.
Senate Bill 6 (2021) established the list of offenses for which a defendant may not be released on personal bond — offenses involving violence, along with certain offenses committed while already on bail or supervision for a violent offense. Senate Bill 9 (2025, effective September 1, 2025) added four more: unlawful possession of a firearm, violation of a family violence protective order, terroristic threat, and murder resulting from manufacturing or delivering fentanyl. For certain other charges, including some serious drug felonies, only the court where the case is pending — not a magistrate — can grant a personal bond.
These laws generally apply based on when the offense is alleged to have occurred, so eligibility can turn in part on timing — one more reason to have a lawyer analyze the specific charge rather than assume.
One narrow provision cuts the other way. Under Article 17.032, a magistrate is required to release a defendant on personal bond unless good cause is shown — but only when five conditions all line up: the defendant is not charged with and has never been convicted of a listed violent offense; a qualified mental health or intellectual disability expert has examined the defendant under Article 16.22; the expert’s written report finds a mental illness or intellectual disability and that the defendant is nonetheless competent to stand trial; appropriate community-based services are available; and the magistrate finds release would reasonably ensure the defendant’s appearance and the safety of the community and any victim.
Being “not PR eligible” does not mean staying in jail. It means the release path runs through a different door — a reasonable cash bond refunded in full at the end of the case, or a surety bond — and in Travis County, an experienced attorney can often arrange either before a client ever spends a night in custody.
If the Texas county in which you are arrested has a division of pretrial services, that division will handle your initial interview following your arrest. The purpose of this interview is to gather important personal information from you, including your address, job status, marital status, and other basic information. Upon arrest, it is usually a good idea to provide the pretrial services officer with this information. That way, they can determine if you may qualify for a personal recognizance bond.
At a pretrial hearing, the magistrate handling the case will have access to the accused individual’s personal information, along with their record of prior arrests and convictions (if any). The magistrate will then use all of this information to determine the PR bond amount. When determining who qualifies for a PR bond, several factors come into play. Those factors may include all the following:
When there is an active warrant, a personal bond in Travis County can resolve it without a night in jail. The attorney works with Pretrial Services to get a bond set if none exists, a judge signs the personal bond in advance, and the client signs a waiver of magistration — paperwork, not a hearing. The client then presents at the bonding desk on the first floor of the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center, where a deputy confirms the warrant, fingerprints and a photo are taken in an adjacent room, and the client walks out with the warrant resolved. The county’s own bond paperwork spells out the sequence: the personal bond becomes effective only after the arresting agency completes its booking process — which is exactly why the fingerprint-and-photo step is the last stop before release. We walk through the entire sequence step by step in our guide to resolving a Travis County warrant without going into custody.
The personal bond application also requires an attorney of record — the packet includes a certification that a licensed attorney represents the defendant in the matter. Pretrial Services then builds its report from an interview covering residence, employment, references, any self-reported record, and court-appearance history. Getting released quickly is not just about comfort: it lets the case be fought from strength, the way this Williamson County DWI resolved through pretrial intervention and was dismissed.
The personal bond packet asks for references, and Pretrial Services actually calls them. Expect four questions: How long has the person lived at their current residence? Are they currently employed? Is this person responsible — will they return to court? Do you think they could benefit from counseling for drug or alcohol addiction? Choosing references who will answer thoughtfully — and telling them the call is coming — is part of preparing a strong personal bond application.
Travis County uses a standardized conditions order, and the conditions come from a defined menu. Depending on the charge, a court can order substance abuse or alcohol evaluations with follow-up treatment, family violence or general violence counseling, or an eight-hour anger management program. Safety conditions include no contact with the complaining witness, a 200-yard stay-away, and no contact with co-defendants. Supervision conditions require reporting to Pretrial Services, and surveillance conditions range from electronic monitoring house arrest and GPS to SCRAM alcohol monitors, portable breath devices, and ignition interlock — which must be installed within 21 days when ordered. Courts can also order random urinalysis, a curfew, and no driving without a valid license.
Conditions are not set in stone. Travis County judges use a universal motion and order to add, remove, or amend bond conditions — a no-contact condition, for example, can be amended to prohibit only threatening or harassing communication. The process runs through consultation with the State, whose office contacts any complaining witness. Monitoring devices other than ignition interlock can be county-funded when the defendant is released on bond.
The amount of time that it takes for an accused individual to qualify for a PR bond – and be released on their recognizance – depends largely upon the county where the criminal case is pending. Some countries are quicker than others when it comes to releasing individuals on their recognizance.
To ensure that your paperwork gets processed promptly, it is a good idea to have a skilled Texas criminal defense attorney representing you throughout the process. The length of time it may take for pretrial services to handle the process can range anywhere from 24 to 36 hours. However, a criminal defense lawyer might be able to speed up the process to as little as two hours, depending on the situation.
Our legal team could represent you at your hearing and help you pursue a PR bond within a reasonable amount of time.
Violating a condition of a PR bond can lead to bond revocation, a new warrant, and release being reset on stricter terms — often a cash or surety bond with tighter conditions. In some circumstances a violation can also mean new criminal exposure, such as a failure-to-appear charge.
A violation is serious, but it is not always the end of the road. If no judgment nisi — the court’s forfeiture judgment — has been signed, Travis County’s standard bond order allows the court to find reinstatement of the bond warranted, reinstate it, and recall the warrant. Moving fast matters: once forfeiture proceedings advance, the options narrow. If a bond violation is alleged, the right response is a phone call to a defense lawyer the same day, not hoping it resolves itself.
Preparation and representation are critical. Here are practical tips:
A knowledgeable Austin criminal defense lawyer will advocate for your release, presenting evidence highlighting your stability and low flight risk.
Provide proof of employment, family responsibilities, or community involvement, which shows your commitment to remaining in the area.
If possible, demonstrate that you have no prior convictions or failures to appear in court.
Demonstrating cooperation, such as attending an initial hearing promptly, strengthens your case.
Letters from employers, family, or community leaders can attest to your character and reliability.
Following these steps ensures a well-supported argument for release during your PR bond hearing.
If the court releases you on your recognizance at a bond hearing, you will still have to appear for your future court date.
Following your bond hearing, our legal team could assist you with the various steps in your legal matter. First, we could ensure that your legal and constitutional rights remain protected throughout the entire criminal process. We can also review the circumstances of your arrest with you, as well as your charging documents, and determine if you may be eligible to raise one or more legal defenses to your pending criminal charge or charges.
In a criminal case, the state prosecutor has to satisfy their legal burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. However, a strong legal defense may prevent the state prosecutor from establishing their legal burden, resulting in a complete dismissal of your criminal case.
Potential defenses that an accused individual might be able to raise at trial will depend upon the specific criminal charge or charges that they’re pending. In a homicide or assault case, for example, the accused might be able to argue that they acted in self-defense or that they were not even present on the scene at the time of the alleged incident. However, in response to a drug possession charge, the accused person might be able to allege that they were unaware of the drug’s presence in a specific location, such as a home or motor vehicle.
In addition to formulating potential legal defenses to raise at trial, we could handle plea deal negotiations with state prosecutors on your behalf. In a plea deal arrangement, the prosecutor might be willing to reduce the pending criminal charge against you or offer you a period of probation in exchange for a guilty plea. In some scenarios, plea deals are worth accepting, while at other times, you may be better off taking your criminal case to trial. The trial option is usually better if you have one or more strong legal defenses to raise in response to your pending charge(s).
We could also represent you and advocate on your behalf at your criminal court trial and other hearings that may occur throughout your case, including a sentencing hearing.
If you are ultimately found guilty and convicted on a criminal charge, your case will proceed to sentencing. At a sentencing hearing, a judge will determine what, if any, penalties to impose against you by the Texas Penal Code. We could represent you at your sentencing hearing and argue for the lightest possible penalties in your case.
“When you hire this firm, you get a named attorney from intake through resolution. The lawyer who explains your case at signing is the lawyer who appears at every setting. We do not hand cases off to whoever is at docket call.”
David D. White
Austin Criminal Defense Lawyer
A PR bond, or personal recognizance bond, is what the Texas statutes call a personal bond: release from jail on a written promise to appear in court, without paying bail or hiring a bondsman. The judge may attach conditions, and a reimbursement fee of $20 or 3% of the bail amount may apply.
It means Texas law bars a personal bond for the charged offense — a statutory designation under laws like SB 6 (2021) and SB 9 (2025). It is different from a judge declining to grant one. A person who is not PR eligible can still be released on a cash or surety bond.
Usually a reimbursement fee of $20 or 3% of the bail amount, whichever is greater, which courts can waive for good cause. In Travis County the current paperwork sets $20 for bonds under $1,334 and $40 at or above it, with 3% when ignition interlock is ordered. Device costs are separate.
It depends on whether a bond is already set and how quickly a judge can sign. When the paperwork is prepared and Pretrial Services has what it needs, an attorney can often move a personal bond through in a matter of days — and for an active warrant, arrange the entire resolution before any night in jail.
Yes. The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure uses the term personal bond; PR bond and personal recognizance bond are the everyday names for the same instrument. Read more in our guide to personal bonds in Texas.
Often yes, for non-violent felonies, at the court’s discretion. The exceptions are the offenses barred by SB 6 and SB 9 — offenses involving violence, plus additions like unlawful firearm possession and terroristic threat — and certain serious drug felonies where only the court hearing the case can grant one.
Travis County orders conditions from a standard menu: evaluations and counseling, no-contact and 200-yard stay-away provisions, Pretrial Services supervision, electronic monitoring, GPS, SCRAM alcohol monitors, ignition interlock installed within 21 days, random urinalysis, and curfews. Conditions are matched to the charge.
Yes. Bond conditions can be added, removed, or amended by motion and court order — Travis County judges use a universal form for exactly this. A no-contact order, for example, can be amended to bar only threatening or harassing communication. The process involves consultation with the State.
If you are currently pending one or more criminal charges in Texas, you must secure experienced legal counsel to represent you in your case as quickly as possible. If you show up to a hearing in your case without having an attorney present, the presiding magistrate or judge is not under any obligation to postpone your hearing. Instead, they could make you go forward with your hearing without having a lawyer present to represent you.
At the Law Office of David D. White, PLLC, our experienced and compassionate lawyers could review the circumstances of your arrest, as well as your prior criminal record, and determine whether you can secure a PR bond in your criminal case. In those circumstances, we could help you obtain the PR bond that you need to be released while you’re pending trial. We could also assist you throughout the remainder of your criminal case by protecting your legal and constitutional rights, representing you at court proceedings, and helping you obtain the best possible result in your case.
For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a Texas criminal defense lawyer, please call us at 512-886-8428 or contact us online today.
A PR bond is one of several ways to be released after an arrest in Texas. For how it compares to cash, surety, and attorney bonds, see our overview of how bail works in Texas.
To see how a PR bond actually moves through the local system, read our step-by-step Travis County PR bond and jail release walkthrough.
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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
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