Bell County DWI Bail Guide

Bail amounts, how bonds work, and what to expect when getting released.

Last verified: January 6, 2026

DWI Bail Amounts

Offense	Bail
1st Offense	$500 – $1,000
2nd Offense	$2,500 – $5,000
Felony (3rd+)	$10,000+
With Child	$10,000+

Amounts vary by criminal history, BAC level, and circumstances. Bondsman fee: 10% (non-refundable).

How Bail Bonds Work

The Process

Contact a bondsman

Available 24/7

Pay 10% fee

Non-refundable

Bondsman posts bail

They guarantee the court

You're released

Must attend all court dates

Co-Signer Warning

If you co-sign, you are legally responsible if the defendant fails to appear.

100% liable for full bail amount
Collateral (house, car) can be seized
Cannot cancel once signed

Release Timeline

Booking

2-8 hrs

Fingerprints, photos, background check

Arraignment

24-48 hrs

Judge sets bail amount

Bail Posted

1-4 hrs

Paperwork signed, fee paid

Release

2-6 hrs

Property returned

Booking

2-8 hours

Fingerprints, photos, background check

Arraignment

24-48 hours

Judge sets bail amount

Bail Posted

1-4 hours

Paperwork signed

Release

2-6 hours

Property returned

Total: 12-48 Hours

Weekends and holidays take longer.

You're Out. Now What?

Critical Deadlines

Request ALR Hearing

15 Days

Miss = auto suspension

Get Your Vehicle

ASAP

Fees add up daily

Hire Attorney

Soon

Better outcomes

Court Dates

All

Missing = warrant

FAQ

The Bell County population has surged to approximately 399,578, marking a significant 7.8% increase from the 370,647 residents recorded in April 2020. This growth impacts case processing speeds and jail overcrowding.

DUI Bail Options in Bell County, Texas

If you or a loved one has been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Bell County, Texas, understanding the bail process is crucial. This guide provides local information to help you navigate the system.

Types of Bonds Available

Surety Bond: This involves using a bail bondsman. You'll typically pay a percentage (10-20%) of the total bail amount to the bondsman, who then guarantees the full bail amount to the court. The Sheriff maintains an "Official Listing" of authorized bondsmen.
Cash Bond: This requires paying the full bail amount directly to the court or jail. Cash bonds are posted at the District Clerk's Office (M-F, 8-5) or, after hours, potentially at the jail lobby kiosk.
Personal Bond (PR Bond): This option may be available for first-time DUI offenders with strong ties to the community (employment, family, residence). Instead of using a bondsman, you'll pay a small administrative fee (e.g., $20 or 3% of the bond amount) to the Bell County Personal Bond Department (254-933-5407) and agree to certain conditions. This department operates largely during business hours, meaning a Friday night arrest might wait until Monday for a PR bond interview unless a magistrate is proactive.

Where to Post Bail

Bail can be posted at the Bell County Loop Jail or at the District Clerk's Office during business hours.

Bell County Loop Jail (Bell County Detention Center) 2405 S. Loop 121 Belton, TX 76513 (254) 933-5402

The "Blue Kiosk"

In the lobby of the Detention Center (left side), a blue kiosk serves as the financial interface for the facility and accepts cash and credit/debit cards. Ensuring an inmate has phone funds immediately ($20-$50) is crucial for them to coordinate their own release logistics.

Release Timeline

While the Bell County Sheriff's Department publicly states that release takes "typically one hour" on average days, releases frequently take 2 to 5 hours, and can extend up to 12 hours on busy weekends. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards considers anything over 4 hours to be "unreasonable delay".

The Bell County Jail operates on rigid 12-hour shift cycles. During shift change, all inmate movement stops to ensure an accurate headcount, which can impact the release timeline.

Critical Blackout Windows: 06:00 – 07:00 and 18:00 – 19:00.

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