Briscoe County DWI Bail Guide

Briscoe County explicitly states, "WE DO NOT HAVE A JAIL." Consequently, the county relies entirely on interlocal agreements (contracts) with neighboring counties to house their prisoners.

Briscoe County DWI Bail: What You Need to Know

If you've been arrested for DWI in Briscoe County, Texas, understanding the bail process can be challenging due to the county's unique logistical constraints. Unlike larger counties, Briscoe County does not have its own jail facility. This means that after an arrest, you will likely be transported to a jail in a neighboring county, impacting every stage of the bail process.

Where You'll Be Taken: The Detention Void

Briscoe County contracts with other counties to house inmates. These include:

• Swisher County Jail (Tulia): The default protocol is for arrestees to be transported to Tulia.
• Childress County Jail (Childress): If Swisher County is full, you could be taken to Childress.
• Garza County: The county has contracts with Garza County as well, but is less commonly used.

To find out where you or your loved one has been taken, start by calling Swisher County Jail at 806-995-3326. If they are not there, call Childress County Jail at 940-937-2535. As a last resort, during business hours, call the Briscoe County Sheriff at 806-823-2131. Be aware that delays are common, and it may take several hours to locate an arrestee.

The transport from Silverton to Tulia takes approximately 30-45 minutes, plus an hour for booking, resulting in roughly a 2-hour "blackout period." The transport to Childress can take 60-75 minutes plus booking, for 2.5 to 3 hours of delay. During this time, you cannot make phone calls, and bail cannot be set.

The Magistrate Bottleneck

Because Briscoe County doesn't have a jail, the magistrate is often a Justice of the Peace (JP) in Swisher or Childress County, or remotely via fax/video by the Briscoe County JP. If the magistrate is in Swisher County, the bond paperwork must be faxed back to the Briscoe County Sheriff in Silverton to authorize release. It is then common for there to be an "administrative lag" as the fax makes its way through the system.

Bail Bonds: A "Bail Desert"

Briscoe County is considered a "bail desert" because there are no bail bond companies physically located in the county. Bondsmen who serve Briscoe County operate out of Tulia (Swisher), Plainview (Hale), or Amarillo. This geographic separation adds to the cost due to travel time.

Vehicle Impound

Silverton Oil Company Inc. may serve as the de facto impound for Sheriff's arrests. If your vehicle is towed to Silverton Oil, be aware that the facility may be closed until Saturday or even Monday morning. The facility might demand cash only.

Briscoe County Sheriff’s Office is located at the County Courthouse in Silverton.