Dallas County Jail Information | Inmate Search Phone Numbers

If you or a loved one has been arrested in Dallas County, you’re probably searching for answers. Dallas County operates one of the largest jail systems in Texas, housing thousands of inmates across multiple detention facilities. The primary facility is the Lew Sterrett Justice Center at 111 W. Commerce Street in downtown Dallas, which includes several towers and connected buildings. For general inmate information at any Dallas County jail, call 214-761-9025 (available 24 hours). There are also a number of city jails in Dallas County. This article centralizes the information you need if you are looking for someone in a Dallas County jail facility.

Understanding where someone is being held, how to reach them, and what comes next can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down every Dallas County jail facility, provides the contact numbers you need, and explains what to expect during the booking and bond process.

The Lew Sterrett Justice Center: Dallas County’s Main Jail Complex

The Lew Sterrett Justice Center serves as the hub of Dallas County’s jail system. Located at 111 W. Commerce Street in downtown Dallas, this complex includes multiple detention facilities that together can hold over 7,000 inmates. Most people arrested anywhere in Dallas County will be processed through this location.

The complex consists of four primary facilities, all sharing the same address and main information line:

North Tower Detention Facility

The North Tower is a maximum-security facility within the Lew Sterrett complex. It has a capacity of approximately 3,292 inmates and houses individuals classified as high security risks. This is often where defendants charged with serious felony offenses are held pending trial.

Address: 111 W. Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: 214-761-9025

West Tower Detention Facility

The West Tower is a male-only facility containing 132 tanks and 25 single cells. It houses inmates with medium, maximum, and mental health classifications. The facility has a capacity of approximately 1,530 inmates.

Address: 111 W. Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: 214-761-9025

Suzanne L. Kays Detention Facility (South Tower)

The South Tower, officially named the Suzanne L. Kays Detention Facility, operates as a direct-supervision facility. This means inmates have more movement within their housing units while being continuously monitored by officers stationed inside the units rather than in external control rooms. The facility has a capacity of around 2,304 inmates.

Address: 111 W. Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: 214-761-9025

George Allen Jail

The George Allen Jail is located nearby at 600 Commerce Street. Currently, this facility is depopulated and not actively housing inmates. However, it remains part of the Dallas County Sheriff’s jail infrastructure and could be reactivated if needed.

Address: 600 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: 214-761-9025 (for any custody or location questions)

If you’re trying to locate someone recently arrested in Dallas County, start by calling 214-761-9025 or using the Dallas County Jail Lookup System online. The online system allows you to search for inmates by name, case number, or booking date.

Key Dallas County Sheriff Contact Numbers

The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office maintains several phone lines for different purposes. Having the right number can save you hours of frustration:

• Jail/Inmate Information (24 hours): 214-761-9025
• Warrants General Information: 214-761-9026
• Inmate Services: 214-653-3474
• Inmate Programs: 214-653-2839
• Detentions Administration: 214-653-2902

When you call the main inmate information line, have as much identifying information as possible ready, including the person’s full legal name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date. This helps staff locate the correct record quickly.
You’re right. Let me search for the remaining facilities from the original document.Now I have all the information. Here’s the complete table organized alphabetically:

Dallas County Jail Inmate Search Phone Numbers

Facility	Phone Number	Type
Addison PD	972-450-7156	Uses Richardson Jail
Balch Springs PD	972-557-6000	Holding / Dallas County
Carrollton City Jail	972-466-3335	Municipal Jail
Cedar Hill PD	972-223-6111	Holding / Dallas County
Coppell PD	469-289-3270	Holding / Dallas County
Dallas County Jail (Lew Sterrett)	214-761-9025	County Jail
DeSoto PD	972-223-6111	Holding / Dallas County
Duncanville PD	972-780-5000	Holding / Dallas County
Farmers Branch PD	972-484-3620	Short-term Jail
Garland Detention Center	972-485-4890	Municipal Jail
Grand Prairie City Jail	972-237-8947	Municipal Jail
Highland Park DPS	214-521-5000	Holding / Dallas County
Irving City Jail	972-721-2625	Municipal Jail
Lancaster PD	972-218-2700	Holding / Dallas County
Mesquite Police Jail	972-216-6243	Short-term Jail
Richardson PD	972-744-4800	Municipal Jail
Rowlett PD	972-412-6200	Holding / Dallas or Rockwall County
Sachse PD	972-495-2271	Holding / Dallas or Collin County
Seagoville PD	972-287-2999	Holding / Dallas County
University Park PD	214-363-3000	Holding / Dallas County

Note: If you cannot locate someone at a municipal facility, always check with the main Dallas County Jail at 214-761-9025. Most arrestees are transferred to Lew Sterrett Justice Center within 24-72 hours.

Municipal Jails in Dallas County

Not everyone arrested in Dallas County goes directly to Lew Sterrett. Many cities within the county operate their own municipal jails for short-term detention. These facilities typically hold people for minor offenses or until they can be transferred to the county jail for more serious charges.

Cities with Dedicated Municipal Jails

Dallas City Detention Center
Address: 1600 Chestnut Street, Dallas
Notes: Operated by Court & Detention Services/Marshals. Most criminal cases still route through Lew Sterrett.

Garland Detention Center
Address: 1900 W. State Street, Garland, TX 75042
Phone: 972-485-4890
Notes: 24/7 holding facility, typically holds inmates less than 72 hours before transfer.

Irving City Jail
Address: 305 N. O’Connor Road, Irving, TX 75061
Phone: 972-721-2625
Notes: 24/7 facility. Visitation on Sundays 2-4 PM and Tuesday/Thursday 7:30-9:30 PM.

Mesquite Police Jail
Phone: 972-216-6243
Notes: Short-term holding. One visit per day by appointment.

Grand Prairie City Jail
Location: Public Safety Building
Notes: Grand Prairie spans Dallas, Tarrant, and Ellis counties. Depending on where the arrest occurs, inmates may be transferred to the corresponding county jail.

Carrollton City Jail
Location: Carrollton Police Department
Notes: Carrollton spans Dallas and Denton counties. Inmates may go to either county jail depending on jurisdiction.

Richardson City Jail
Location: Richardson Police Department
Notes: Small facility. Longer stays typically result in transfer to Dallas or Collin County.

Several other cities, including Coppell, DeSoto, and Duncanville, maintain short-term holding facilities at their police departments. These are designed for temporary detention before transfer to the county system.

If someone you care about has been arrested, speaking with an experienced Dallas criminal defense attorney quickly can make a significant difference in the outcome. An attorney can work to get bond set or reduced, protecting your loved one from extended jail time before trial.

Cities with Holding Cells Only

Many Dallas County cities don’t operate full jails but maintain holding cells for temporary detention. These facilities typically hold arrestees only until they can be transferred to the county jail:

• Cedar Hill: Holding at Cedar Hill PD; longer-term detention at Dallas County. Phone: 972-223-6111
• Farmers Branch: Holding/book-and-release at PD; extended detention at Dallas County. Phone: 972-484-3620
• Highland Park: DPS holding cells; transfers to Dallas County. Phone: 214-521-5000
• Lancaster: Municipal jail at Lancaster PD; extended detention at Dallas County. Phone: 972-218-2700
• Rowlett: Holding at Rowlett PD; transfers to Dallas or Rockwall County. Phone: 972-412-6200
• Sachse: Holding at Sachse PD; books into Dallas or Collin County. Phone: 972-495-2271
• Seagoville: Short-term at Seagoville PD; Dallas County for longer detention. Phone: 972-287-2999
• University Park: Holding at UPPD; extended detention at Dallas County. Phone: 214-363-3000

Cities like Addison, Balch Springs, Cockrell Hill, and Sunnyvale do not operate their own jail facilities. Arrestees in these jurisdictions go directly to Dallas County.

Multi-County Cities: Where You’re Booked Depends on Where You’re Arrested

Several cities in the Dallas area span multiple counties, which can create confusion about where someone is being held. The determining factor is typically where the arrest physically occurred:

• Grapevine: Spans Tarrant and Dallas counties. Has its own city jail; may also book into Tarrant or Dallas County.
• Lewisville: Spans Denton and Dallas counties. Has a city jail; felonies typically go to Denton County.
• Glenn Heights: Spans Dallas and Ellis counties. Booking depends on arrest location.
• Wylie: Spans Collin, Rockwall, and Dallas counties. Has a city jail; county booking varies by location.

If you’re unsure which county has jurisdiction, start by calling the Dallas County inmate line at 214-761-9025. If they don’t have a record, try the neighboring county where the arrest may have occurred.

What Happens After an Arrest in Dallas County

Understanding the booking process helps families know what to expect and when they might hear from their loved one. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 17, defendants have the right to reasonable bail in most cases.

After an arrest in Dallas County, the process typically unfolds like this:

Transportation and Intake: The arrestee is transported to the appropriate facility. For most felonies and many misdemeanors, this means Lew Sterrett. Minor municipal offenses might stay at a city jail.

Booking: Officers collect personal information, take fingerprints and photographs, and conduct a background check. This process can take several hours depending on how busy the facility is.

Classification: Jail staff evaluate the arrestee’s security risk, medical needs, and mental health status to determine appropriate housing.

Magistration: A magistrate judge reviews the charges and sets initial bail. For most offenses, bail is set according to a schedule. Serious charges like aggravated assault or homicide may require a separate hearing.

Bond Processing: Once bail is set, the defendant can post bond through a bail bondsman (typically 10% of the total bail amount), pay the full cash bond, or use property as collateral. A defense attorney can also file a motion to reduce bond if the amount is excessive.

The entire process from arrest to release on bond can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the charges and how quickly bond can be posted.

Visitation at Dallas County Jails

Dallas County has unified visitation rules that apply across all detention facilities in the Lew Sterrett complex:

Weekly Limits: Each inmate may receive a maximum of two visits per week. This does not include attorney visits, law enforcement visits, or professional visits.

Identification Requirements: Adult visitors must present valid government-issued photo ID when registering. Visitors 17 and older may visit during weekday hours. Minors must have a parent or legal guardian present and are generally limited to weekend visits.

Registration: Arrive early. Registration typically begins shortly before visitation hours and ends 30 minutes before closing. Being late may mean waiting until the next available time slot.

Security: All visitors pass through a metal detector. You may be subject to additional screening if probable cause exists. Do not attempt to pass items directly to inmates.

Video Visitation: Dallas County offers both on-site and remote video visitation. On-site video visits are available at the jail during regular hours (typically 8 AM to 8:30 PM most days). Remote video visits can be scheduled through a contracted provider’s app or website. All video calls are monitored and recorded.

Because visitation schedules change periodically, especially in response to facility conditions or health concerns, always call 214-761-9025 before visiting to confirm current hours and any restrictions.

How Varghese Summersett Helps Dallas County Defendants

When someone you love is sitting in jail, you need more than information. You need action. At Varghese Summersett, our Dallas criminal defense team begins working immediately to protect your rights and get you home.

In one recent Dallas County case, our attorneys represented a client charged with assault family violence. The prosecution sought jail time. Through careful negotiation, we secured 7 months of deferred adjudication with the affirmative finding dropped, meaning our client avoided both jail and a permanent conviction on their record.

In another Dallas County matter, a client faced DWI charges with a blood alcohol level over .15, which typically carries enhanced penalties. Our team negotiated the charge down to a Class B DWI and obtained 15 months of deferred adjudication, preserving our client’s ability to clear their record in the future.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

With offices in Dallas and a team of over 70 legal professionals across Texas, we have the resources to fight aggressively for every client. Our attorneys have secured more than 1,600 dismissals and 800 charge reductions. We know the Dallas County courts, the prosecutors, and the system, and we use that knowledge to your advantage.

If you or someone you love is facing charges in Dallas County, call (214) 903-4000 for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 because arrests don’t wait for business hours.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dallas County Jails

How do I find out if someone is in a Dallas County jail?

Call the 24-hour inmate information line at 214-761-9025 or use the Dallas County Jail Lookup System online. Have the person’s full legal name and date of birth ready to help staff locate their record.

How long after an arrest can someone post bond?

Bond can typically be posted as soon as it is set by a magistrate, which usually happens within 24-48 hours of arrest. For some offenses, bond may be set according to a predetermined schedule and can be posted shortly after booking is complete.

Can a lawyer help reduce the bond amount?

Yes. A criminal defense attorney can file a motion for bond reduction arguing that the current amount is excessive based on factors like ties to the community, employment status, lack of criminal history, and the nature of the charges. An experienced attorney can often get bonds reduced significantly.

What if I can’t afford the full bond amount?

Most people use a bail bondsman, who charges approximately 10% of the total bond as a non-refundable fee. For a $10,000 bond, you would pay around $1,000 to the bondsman, who then guarantees the full amount to the court.

Are attorney visits different from regular visits?

Yes. Attorney visits do not count against the two-visit weekly limit. Attorneys can typically visit during extended hours and meetings are confidential. If you’re facing charges, having your attorney visit you in jail helps protect your rights and prepare your defense.

Don’t face the Dallas County criminal justice system alone. Whether you’re trying to get a loved one out of jail or fighting charges yourself, our team is ready to help. Call Varghese Summersett at (214) 903-4000 for a free consultation today.