Texas statute
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.20 — Bail in misdemeanor
Current through 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025)
Part of Chapter 17: BAIL, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
Full text of Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.20
Statutory text current through the 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025). This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Texas.
(a) In cases of misdemeanor, the sheriff or other peace officer, or a jailer licensed under Chapter 1701 , Occupations Code, may, whether during the term of the court or in vacation, where the officer has a defendant in custody, take the defendant's bail. (b) Before taking bail under this article, the sheriff, peace officer, or jailer shall obtain the defendant's criminal history record information through the statewide telecommunications system maintained by the Department of Public Safety and through the public safety report system developed under Article 17.021 . (c) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a sheriff, peace officer, or jailer may make a bail decision regarding a defendant who is charged only with a misdemeanor punishable by fine only or a defendant who receives a citation under Article 14.06 (c) without considering the factor required by Article 17.15 (a)(6). (d) If the defendant is charged with or has previously been convicted of an offense involving violence as defined by Article 17.03 , the sheriff, officer, or jailer may not set the amount of the defendant's bail but may take the defendant's bail in the amount set by the court.
Official sources
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.