Kendall County DWI Bail Information
Understanding bail amounts, the release process, and what happens after a DWI arrest in Kendall County.
How Bail Bonds Work
Option 1: Cash Bond (Pay Full Amount)
How it works: Pay the full bail amount to the court
Pros: Get full amount back after case concludes (minus court fees)
Cons: Requires full amount upfront
Option 2: Bail Bondsman (Most Common)
How it works: Pay 10-15% fee to bondsman, they post full bail
Cost: Typically 10% of bail amount (non-refundable)
Pros: Only need 10% upfront instead of full amount
Cons: Fee is non-refundable, may require collateral, co-signer assumes liability
Co-Signer Liability Warning
Important for Co-Signers:
- You are 100% liable if defendant does not appear in court
- You must pay the full bail amount if defendant skips
- Bondsman can seize collateral (house, car, etc.)
- You cannot cancel the bond - only the court can
- Liability continues until case is fully resolved
Release Timeline
Arrest & Booking (2-8 hours)
Fingerprinting, photographing, background check, medical screening
Arraignment (Within 24-48 hours)
First court appearance, judge sets bail amount, charges are read
Bail Posted (1-4 hours)
Family contacts bondsman, paperwork signed, fee paid
Release (2-6 hours)
Processing, release paperwork, return of personal property, court date assigned
Total Time Estimate
From arrest to release: 12-48 hours depending on booking workload, time of arrest (weekends take longer), and how quickly bail is posted.
After Release: Critical Deadlines
1. Request Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Hearing - 15 Days
You have only 15 days from arrest to request your administrative license hearing. This is separate from your criminal case.
2. Retrieve Your Vehicle
Impound fees accrue daily. Get your car as soon as possible to avoid hundreds in storage fees.
Calculate Impound Costs3. Contact a Bail Bondsman
Need fast release in Kendall County? Contact a verified 24/7 Bail Bondsman to start the release process immediately.
Find a Bondsman4. Appear at ALL Court Dates
Missing court will result in bond forfeiture, arrest warrant, and additional charges. Your co-signer will be liable for the full bail amount.
What comes next after a Texas DUI arrest
SR-22 insurance
A DUI in Texas often means an SR-22 must be filed before your license is reinstated.
Texas SR-22 guideDUI classes
Courts and the DMV usually require an approved alcohol education program in Texas.
DUI school guideIgnition interlock
Depending on your offense, Texas may require an interlock device to drive again.
Interlock guideFrequently Asked Questions
A $1,500 cash bond sounds simple until it's 2 a.m. on a Saturday. The Kendall County Detention Facility won't take a credit card, a wire transfer, an attorney bond, or a debit swipe for any bail amount — only a money order or a bank-issued cashier's check for the exact sum, with staff barred from making change. Banks are closed until Monday. A family with the full amount sitting in checking is functionally locked out, and the only way around the gap is a commercial bondsman's non-refundable premium, typically 10 to 15 percent, just to bridge a weekend the jail's own payment policy created.
Only local bondsmen need apply
Kendall County will not accept a surety bond from an out-of-county company. A bondsman from San Antonio or anywhere in neighboring Bexar County gets turned away at intake, and the defendant stays in custody while someone scrambles to find one of the county's own approved sureties. There are three: contact them directly rather than assuming any bondsman will do.
What bail actually runs
A first-offense misdemeanor DWI typically lands between $500 and $2,500. A second offense moves the range to $2,500–$5,000, and a third-offense felony can reach $5,000 to $15,000 with strict release conditions attached. Personal recognizance bonds exist on paper but are rare here — magistrates in this jurisdiction want a financial stake in the defendant's return.
The luxury-car wrinkle
Kendall County's affluent population means DWI arrests sometimes involve vehicles worth well into six figures, and Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 59 allows permanent civil forfeiture of a vehicle used in a third-or-subsequent DWI. For a defendant facing a repeat charge, the car itself — not just the bail amount — can become the thing at risk, turning a bond decision into asset-protection strategy.
Getting there safely
The detention facility sits at 6 Staudt Street, on the same grounds as other law enforcement operations. Visitor parking is limited to marked public spaces; a car left in a reserved or employee spot gets towed by the same deputies working the release desk.
24-Hour Kendall County Bail Bondsmen
If you or someone you know was arrested for DWI in Kendall County, a licensed bail bond agent can arrange release once bail is set. Below are bail bond businesses serving Kendall County, TX; paid listings are advertisements and ratings are from Google. Confirm an agent's state license, and get the fee and any collateral terms in writing before you sign or pay.
These are free, unclaimed business listings compiled from public sources. They have not been verified or reviewed by DUI Guide, are not paid advertisements, and listing order does not reflect quality or recommendation. Is this your business? You can claim your listing for free.