Pre-Trial Release

Pre-Trial Release

801 West Division, Room #304
Orange, Texas 77632
(409) 882-7076
Toll Free 1-877-660-2663

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

Director: Jo Ellen Stephens Assistant: Joan Young

Table of Contents:

What is Pre-Trial Release?
Direct Objectives
Indirect Objectives
Program Eligibility Requirements
Rules and Regulations

The Orange County Pre-Trial Release Department is a service to help individuals who live in Orange County to obtain jail release.

If you or a family member is in jail on a criminal offense, you may be released for $20.00, or 3% of the bond amount, whichever is greater.

Cases are reviewed on an individual basis. No person is discriminated against because of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, veteran's status, or disability. If you have a disability that requires accommodation, please contact our office.

When you call the Pre-Trial Release Office in order to obtain a Pre-Trial Release Bond, you will need to provide the interviewer with information regarding the person in jail. This information will aid in determining the client's eligibility to be released from jail.

Before you call, get the client's full name, the correct spelling, and birthdate. The client must have a valid Texas driver's license or state identification card, and a social security number. In addition, you must provide three (3) local references.

A personal interview will be conducted in the Orange County Jail. The time of release from jail may vary according to the jail population and where the client is housed. However, the average time for release is about three hours. When you come to bond someone out of jail, please make allowances for unforeseen problems and possible delays.

What is Pre-Trial Release?

Pre-Trial Release is a personal bond office established through Orange County. The office is responsible for gathering and reviewing information about an accused person to assist in making a determination to release the individual from custody.

Pre-Trial Release is committed to making a cost efficient mechanism available for the release of defendants from jail, to assist in alleviating an overcrowded jail, and to provide a fair and unbiased method of release.

Direct Objectives:

To reduce jail overcrowding;
To ensure speedy release of elibible defendants from custody;
To reduce injustices in the release system;
To minimize number of failures to appear in court; and
To ensure a fair and equitable manner for all eligible persons to be release form jail.

Indirect Objectives:

To inspire confidence in the legal system;
To reduce the loss of spending power in the community and the accompanying loss of potential tax revenue to the County;
To reduce the number of family disruptions caused when a parent is incarcerated; and
To allow defendants with roots in the community to obtain release pending their trial.

Program Eligibility Requirements:

You may be eligible for pre-trial release services administered by Orange County if:

You do not have an extensive record of arrests by Orange County. (evaluation by pretrial representative)
You must be a resident of Orange County or surrounding area for 6 months or more.
You must have a verifiable address and references.
You are 17 years or older.

You do not qualify if:

You have been to prison.
Your present charge is any type of violent or heinous crime. (evaluation by pretrial representative)
You are charged with a Federal offense.
You are a transient.
Your charges are from any other county or state.

Rules and Regulations:

If your personal bond was granted by the court, you must promise to abide by the rules listed below. Should you fail to follow these rules, your bond will be surrendered.

Report each and every week in person or by telephone to this office. The telephone numbers are:
            Orange             (409) 882-7076
            Vidor                (409) 769-2400 ext. 7076
            Toll Free           1-877-660-2665

Notify this office immediately of any changes in the information that was given on your bond. (example; your name, phone number, address, job status- including any time you must go out of town, etc..)

Hire an attorney to represent you on any felony charges presented against you. Do not expect the court to appoint you an attorney.

Refrain from any further unlawful conduct. Your bond may be revoked if arrested for further infractions of the law.

Appear in court on the date and time your case is set. Come by this office after ANY court appearance.

Submit to testing for alcohol/drug testing, when requested.

Participate in an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, if requested.

Obey a curfew. Be at home by 10:00 p.m. and remain until 6:00 a.m.

Attend school daily when in session.

When your case is disposed of , it is your responsibility to notify this office.