What to do if you are arrested in Dallas County
In short: Stay calm, do not resist, and do not explain the facts to police. After a Dallas County arrest you are usually taken to the Lew Sterrett Justice Center, and you must be brought before a magistrate within 48 hours (Code of Criminal Procedure 15.17), who explains your rights and sets bond.
During the arrest
- Stay calm and do not resist, even if you think the arrest is wrong. That is argued later, in court.
- You can stay silent. Give your name and basic details, but do not explain what happened. Say you want a lawyer.
- If you do not speak English well, say so. The magistrate must give the warnings in a way you understand, with an interpreter if needed (article 15.17).
- Do not discuss the case on jail phones or by text with anyone but your lawyer.
Where am I taken?
The main Dallas County jail is the Lew Sterrett Justice Center downtown, next to the Frank Crowley Courts Building where county criminal cases are heard. Some city police departments book people at their own city jail first. To find out whether someone is in custody, use the Dallas County inmate search on dallascounty.org. See also what happens at Lew Sterrett.
Seeing the magistrate within 48 hours
Under Code of Criminal Procedure 15.17, the person arrested must be taken before a magistrate without unnecessary delay and no later than 48 hours after the arrest. The hearing may be by video. The magistrate tells you the charge and your rights:
- To hire a lawyer, or ask for an appointed lawyer if you cannot afford one
- To remain silent
- To have a lawyer present during any questioning, and to stop questioning at any time
- To an examining trial
The magistrate also sets bond and its conditions.
Types of bond
| Type | How it works | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Cash bond | The full amount is deposited and is returned under the court's rules if you appear | Code of Criminal Procedure 17.02 |
| Surety bond | A bail bond company signs for you in exchange for a fee | Code of Criminal Procedure 17.02 |
| Personal bond | Release on your written promise, without a surety or deposit, when the magistrate allows it | Code of Criminal Procedure 17.03 |
Follow every bond condition exactly. In a family violence case, the magistrate may also issue an emergency protective order.
If the arrest was for DWI
Your license case is separate from the criminal case. You generally have 15 days from the notice to request an ALR hearing. See the first 15 days after a DWI arrest.
After release: court
Dallas County criminal cases are heard at the Frank Crowley Courts Building: misdemeanors in the County Criminal Courts and felonies in the Criminal District Courts. Write down your court date. Missing it can lead to a warrant and bond forfeiture; see missing court in Dallas County.
What to bring to a consultation
- Bond paperwork and conditions
- Your next court date and the court name
- Any license suspension notice, if it was a DWI
- Any protective order you were served with
- A photo ID
How do I get started?
The first consultation is free. It is with a Director of Client Engagement, not an attorney. Clients who hire us work with an attorney. Call (214) 239-2013. Phones are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.
Last updated October 2026
Common questions
How long before I see a magistrate in Texas?
Without unnecessary delay and no later than 48 hours after the arrest (Code of Criminal Procedure 15.17). The hearing may be by video.
How do I find out if a family member is in the Dallas County jail?
Use the Dallas County inmate search on dallascounty.org. It can show booking details, charges, bond amounts and whether the person is still in custody.
Should I talk to the police to clear things up?
You have the right to remain silent and to have a lawyer present during questioning. It is safest not to explain the facts before talking with a lawyer.
What is a personal bond?
Release on your written promise to appear, without a bail company or a cash deposit, when the magistrate allows it (Code of Criminal Procedure 17.03).
Do not wait for your court date to get help. Call (214) 239-2013.
Phones are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.
This page provides general information about Texas law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.