Brazoria County DWI Bail Guide

The Brazoria County Detention Center at 3602 County Road 45, Angleton serves as the primary intake valve for those arrested for DWI.

Brazoria County DWI Bail: What You Need to Know

If you or a loved one has been arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in Brazoria County, Texas, understanding the bail process is crucial. This guide provides specific information about securing release from jail and navigating the initial stages of your case. Brazoria County presents unique challenges due to its geographic spread and specific local procedures.

Local Bail Schedule

While a judge ultimately sets the bail amount, Brazoria County typically follows a schedule. Expect these approximate amounts:

• DWI First Offense (Class B Misdemeanor): $500 - $1,000
• DWI Second Offense (Class A Misdemeanor): $1,000 - $1,500
• Felony DWI (3rd+ or with Child Passenger): $5,000 - $10,000+

Keep in mind that felony DWI charges often come with stricter release conditions, potentially including ankle monitors.

Local Bond Options

Defendants in Brazoria County have several options for securing release:

• Surety Bond: This is the most common method. You'll pay a non-refundable fee (typically 10-20% of the bail amount) to a licensed bondsman. Be aware that bondsmen in Brazoria County often require co-signers with local property or verified employment.
• Cash Bond: Paying the full bail amount in cash or cashier's check directly to the Sheriff. The Sheriff’s Office often does not accept credit cards at the window.
• Personal Recognizance (PR) Bond: This is administered by the Indigent Defense Department. Pretrial Services interviews defendants to determine eligibility. This process requires an interview and magistrate approval, often delaying release by 12-24 hours compared to a surety bond.

Release Timeline

Jail processing times in Brazoria County (intake + magistration + bonding) often exceed 12 hours. Release processing often concludes at irregular hours (late night/early morning).

The Asset Recovery Gauntlet: Vehicle Impound

Recovering your vehicle after a DWI arrest in Brazoria County can be complicated and costly. The fees verified for Brazoria County (aligning with state maximums) are as follows:

Non-Consent Tow Fee: $272 (light-duty vehicles) Daily Storage Fee: $22.85 Notification Fee: $50

The interaction between the arrest timeline and the storage fee is a critical friction point. Jail processing times in Brazoria County (intake + magistration + bonding) often exceed 12 hours. Consequently, a defendant arrested Friday night who bonds out Saturday afternoon will almost certainly be charged for two days of storage plus the tow, pushing the initial bill over $340. If they wait until Monday (common due to weekend financial limits), the cost jumps to ~$400+ as the Notification Fee kicks in.

Vehicles towed due to DWI are typically taken to private Vehicle Storage Facilities (VSFs) on a rotating basis managed by the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO). The defendant has zero control over where their vehicle is taken. Finding the car is the first friction point. You must obtain the "Police Impound Form" or "Tow Slip" upon release from jail, which is often lost or confiscated during booking.

Official county auctions and release from county surplus lots (1340 E. Kiber) are explicitly "Cash Only" or strictly limit payment methods. They emphatically state: "CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED."

Administrative License Revocation (ALR)

The most critical deadline in the entire DWI defense timeline is the 15-day window to request an ALR hearing. Failure to request the hearing results in an automatic suspension of the driver's license on the 40th day.

The Brazoria County Detention Center is located at 3602 County Road 45, Angleton, TX 77515.