Bonding someone out of Tarrant County Jail typically takes 24 to 48 hours. The process involves booking, magistration, and release processing. If you’re trying to locate an inmate in Tarrant County, you can search the Tarrant County Inmate Search online or call (817) 884-3116. This guide covers everything you need to know about Tarrant County’s jail system, the bond process, and how a Fort Worth criminal defense attorney can help.
How Long Does It Take to Bond Someone Out of Jail in Tarrant County?
The complete release process in Tarrant County typically takes 24 to 48 hours from arrest to walking out the door. Several factors affect this timeline.
When arrested, a person may be taken to a city jail or directly to the Tarrant County Jail in downtown Fort Worth. The booking process takes approximately 4 to 6 hours and includes identification, fingerprinting, iris scanning, and photographing. After booking, the arrestee waits for magistration, where a judge sets bond. This takes another 4 to 6 hours.
Once bond is set, it can be posted through a bondsman or as a cash bond. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 17, defendants have the right to reasonable bail in most cases. The booking-out process after bond is posted can take 4 to 24 hours. Due to current staffing challenges at the Tarrant County Jail, processing times may be longer than historical averages.
What Are the Steps to Take if a Loved One Is Arrested in Tarrant County?
If someone you know has been arrested in Tarrant County, follow these steps:
- Check the Tarrant County Inmate Search
- Check local city jails (Arlington, Mansfield, Keller, etc.)
- Hire a criminal defense attorney
- Follow the attorney’s advice regarding bond and next steps
The earlier you contact an attorney, the better positioned they are to help with bond reduction, case strategy, and protecting your loved one’s rights. Talk to a lawyer before speaking with police.
Tarrant County Jail Information
If an arrested individual is not in custody at a local city jail, they may have been transported to a Tarrant County facility. Tarrant County operates five jail facilities with a combined capacity of approximately 5,000 inmates.
How to Find an Inmate in Tarrant County Jail
You can locate someone in Tarrant County custody several ways:
- Search the Tarrant County Inmate Search page online
- Call Tarrant County Jail Information: (817) 884-3116 or (817) 884-3117
- Visit the Tarrant County Jail at 100 N. Lamar St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
- Check the Mansfield Jail Inmate Search (Fort Worth arrestees are often housed here)
- Call Mansfield Jail at (817) 804-5731
What Happens When You Are Booked Into Tarrant County Jail?
The booking process involves several steps under Texas law. When you arrive at the jail, you will be asked to identify yourself, then questioned, fingerprinted, given an iris scan, and photographed for jail records. Your fingerprints may be run against state and federal databases to check for additional warrants or outstanding cases.
A unique County Identification Number (CID) is assigned during this process, which will identify you in all future Tarrant County criminal matters. You will be searched, and personal items will be inventoried. Depending on the offense type, you may undergo a more thorough search.
Everything you bring into jail can be searched, and personal items will be placed in storage. Prosecutors can request property inventories to use as evidence. Under Texas Penal Code § 38.11, bringing contraband into a correctional facility is a felony offense.
Jail personnel will complete a medical intake form, including a basic physical evaluation. If you were arrested for DWI, whether you appear intoxicated will be noted. Answers to medical questions could reveal potentially incriminating information, and the Fifth Amendment does not protect you during basic booking questions.
Standard jail-issued items include: a jail uniform, sandals, mattress, mattress cover, towel, and blanket.
What Is Central Magistration in Tarrant County?
All arraignments for Class B misdemeanor or higher offenses take place at the Tarrant County Jail in downtown Fort Worth, rather than at local city jails. A Tarrant County magistrate sets bonds according to guidelines established under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 17.15. This means most inmates are transported from local holding facilities to the downtown location for arraignment.
What Are Typical Bond Amounts in Tarrant County?
Bond amounts in Tarrant County vary based on offense severity, criminal history, flight risk, and other factors. Based on 2025 data from 52,320 bonds set in Tarrant County, here are typical bond amounts by offense level:
- Misdemeanor B: $500 to $1,000 (average $900)
- Misdemeanor A: $1,000 to $2,500 (average $1,900)
- State Jail Felony: $2,500 to $5,000 (average $4,100)
- Third Degree Felony: $5,000 to $15,000 (average $9,100)
- Second Degree Felony: $10,000 to $50,000 (average $23,800)
- First Degree Felony: $25,000 to $150,000 (average $66,500)
Approximately 11.5% of cases in Tarrant County receive personal bonds, meaning the defendant is released without posting cash. Common offenses like DWI first offense average $500 to $1,000, while felony charges like aggravated assault with a deadly weapon average around $35,000.
If you believe your bond is too high, a Fort Worth bail bonds lawyer can file a motion to reduce bond based on factors including your ties to the community, employment status, and lack of criminal history.
Where Will an Inmate Be Housed in Tarrant County?
New arrestees are initially processed at the Tarrant County Corrections Center at 200 Taylor St, Fort Worth. After booking, inmates may be transferred to one of the following facilities based on criminal history, charge type, age, medical condition, and behavior:
- Tarrant County Corrections Center – 100 N. Lamar St, Fort Worth, TX 76196
- Mansfield Law Enforcement Center – 1601 Heritage Parkway, Mansfield, TX 76063
- Greenbay Facility – 2500 Urban Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76106
- Cold Springs Unit – 1815 Cold Springs Road, Fort Worth, TX 76106
- Lon Evans Corrections Center
What Is the Tarrant County Jail Visitation Schedule?
Visitation is organized by the first letter of the inmate’s last name. Each inmate is permitted one 30-minute visit per day, with a maximum of three visits per week. No more than two adults may visit at one time. Visitor sign-up begins 30 minutes before visiting hours.
Last Names A-L:
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Monday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Friday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Last Names M-Z:
- Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Friday: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Visitors will not be processed after 8:30 p.m. (or 2:30 p.m. for early Friday sessions). Visitors who were incarcerated in a Tarrant County detention facility within the past six months will not be approved for visitation. Out-of-town visitors residing more than 150 miles from Fort Worth may receive 40-minute visits.
How Do You Put Money on an Inmate’s Books in Tarrant County?
Money deposits for inmates are accepted Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at:
Tarrant County Corrections Center
100 N. Lamar – 3rd Floor
Fort Worth, TX 76196
The detention bureau no longer accepts cash by mail or in person. Only U.S. Postal and Western Union money orders are accepted by mail.
How Do You Address Mail to a Tarrant County Inmate?
Format your mail as follows:
[Sender’s Full Name]
[Sender’s Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Inmate’s Full Name] [CID Number]
C/O Tarrant County Jail
100 N. Lamar
Fort Worth, Texas 76196
Where Can I Post a Bond for Someone in Tarrant County Custody?
Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 17.02, a bail bond is a written undertaking for the appearance of the defendant before the court. Bonds may be posted 24 hours a day at:
Bond Desk
Tarrant County Corrections Center
100 N. Lamar
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Call (817) 884-3116 or (817) 884-3117 to confirm bond amount and status.
Varghese Summersett Case Result: Aggravated Assault Dismissed
A Tarrant County defendant was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, facing a potential bond of $35,000 or more. Attorney Tiffany Burks at Varghese Summersett immediately began investigating the facts and working with the prosecution. The result: the case was dismissed entirely. The defendant avoided what could have been years in prison and a permanent felony record.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different.
Watch: Bail Bonds in Texas Explained
Tarrant County Area City Jails
Arlington Jail
How to find out if someone is in custody:
- Check the Arlington Jail Inmate Search
- Call (817) 459-5648
- Visit: 620 West Division Street, Arlington, TX 76011
Visitation: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday (subject to cancellation). Limited to 15 minutes with maximum 2 visitors per inmate. Visitors must be at least 17 years old with valid ID.
Azle Jail
- Call (817) 444-3221
- Visit: 613 SE Parkway, Azle, TX
Bedford City Jail
- Call (817) 952-2430
- Visit: 2121 L Don Dodson Drive, Bedford, TX
Visitation: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily. Open 24/7.
Benbrook Jail
- Call (817) 249-1610
- Visit: 1080 Mercedes Street, Benbrook, TX 76126
Blue Mound Jail
- Call (817) 232-0661
- Visit: 301 South Blue Mound Road, Blue Mound, TX
Burleson Jail
Burleson uses the Mansfield Jail:
- Call (817) 804-5731
- Visit: 1601 Heritage Pkwy, Mansfield, TX 76063
Colleyville Jail
Inmates are housed at Keller Regional Detention Center:
- Address: 330 Rufe Snow, Keller, TX 76248
- Inmate Search
Dalworthington Gardens Jail
- Call (817) 275-1234, option 1
- Visit: 2600 Roosevelt Drive, Dalworthington Gardens, TX
DFW Airport Jail
The DFW Airport has its own detention facility, often used for weapon violations under Texas Penal Code § 46.03 and federal drug cases.
- Call DFW Airport Jail: (972) 973-3210
- Call Desk Sergeant: (972) 973-3533
- Visit: 2900 E 28th St, DFW Airport, TX 75261
Euless Jail
- Call (817) 685-1577 or (817) 685-1576
- Visit: 1102 W. Euless Blvd, Euless, TX 76040
Visitation: Daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Flower Mound Jail
- Address: 2121 Cross Timbers Rd, Flower Mound, TX
- Phone: (972) 539-0525
Forest Hill Jail
- Call (817) 531-5250
- Visit: 3336 Horton Road, Forest Hill, TX
Fort Worth Jail
The Fort Worth Police Department does not maintain its own jail facility. Arrestees are transported to Mansfield Law Enforcement Center.
To locate someone arrested in Fort Worth:
- Call Fort Worth Jail Information: (817) 392-4055
- Call Tarrant County Jail: (817) 884-3116
- Check the Tarrant County Inmate Locator
- Call Mansfield Jail: (817) 804-5731
- Visit Mansfield Jail: 1601 Heritage Pkwy, Mansfield, TX 76063
Frisco Jail
- Call (972) 292-6001
- Visit: 7200 Stonebrook Pkwy, Frisco, TX
Grand Prairie Jail
The Grand Prairie Jail houses up to 210 inmates and is open 24/7. Arraignments are generally held daily between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
- Call (972) 237-8947 or (972) 237-8951
- Visit: 1525 Arkansas Ln, Grand Prairie, TX 75052
Visitation: Sundays 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Call (972) 237-8951 for approval.
Haltom City Jail
Haltom City contracts with North Richland Hills for inmate housing:
- Call North Richland Hills Jail: (817) 427-7080
- Arraignments: Daily at 7:00 a.m.
- Visitation: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.
Hurst Jail
- Call (817) 788-7135
- Visit: 825 Thousand Oaks Drive, Hurst, TX 76054
Visitation: Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Inmates are often transferred to Tarrant County facilities.
Keller Jail
- Call (817) 743-4577
- Use the Keller Jail Inmate Locator
- Visit: 330 Rufe Snow Drive, Keller, TX
Lake Worth Jail
- Call (817) 237-1211
- Visit: 3805 Adam Grubb, Lake Worth, TX
Mansfield Jail
The Mansfield Law Enforcement Center serves as the primary detention facility for Fort Worth Police Department arrests and several surrounding cities.
Address: 1601 Heritage Parkway, Mansfield, TX 76063
Phone Numbers:
- Jail Administration (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm): (817) 804-5729
- Bond Information: (817) 804-5731 or (817) 804-5737
- General Inmate Information: (817) 804-5724
- After 10pm: (817) 804-5724
How to find an inmate:
- Check the Mansfield Jail Online Inmate Locator
- Call (817) 804-5731
- Check the Tarrant County Inmate Search (if arrested by Fort Worth PD)
Mansfield Jail Visitation
Visitation hours: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. (12 sessions, 30 minutes each, first-come first-served).
- Male Visitation: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
- Female Visitation: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
- Monday: No visitation
Visitors must present valid ID. Visitors under 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Inmates are allowed two visits per week (week starts Tuesday). Visitation office: (817) 804-5724.
How to Get Medication to Mansfield Jail
Contact the Medical Office at (817) 804-5743 (open 24/7).
Driving Directions to Mansfield Jail
From Fort Worth: Take 287 South to Heritage Parkway exit. Turn right on Commerce Dr, then right onto Heritage Parkway.
From Arlington: Take Cooper St/Highway 157 south to US-287 southbound. Exit Heritage Parkway, turn right on Commerce Dr, then right onto Heritage Parkway.
From Dallas: Take US-67 south to Midlothian. Exit Old Fort Worth Rd/US-287 BUS and merge onto US-287 northbound. Exit Heritage Parkway, turn left onto Heritage Parkway.
North Richland Hills Jail
- Call (817) 427-7080
- Call Detention Services: (817) 427-7000, option 3
- Visit: 4301 City Point Drive, North Richland Hills, TX 76180
Also houses inmates for Richland Hills, Haltom City, and Watauga.
Arraignments: Daily at 7:00 a.m.
Visitation: Daily 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.
Pantego Jail
- Call (817) 274-2511
- Visit: 2600 Miller Lane, Pantego, TX
Saginaw Jail
- Address: 505 W McLeroy Blvd, Saginaw, TX 76179
- Phone: (817) 232-0311
Southlake Jail
Southlake regularly uses the City of Keller Jail:
- Call Keller Jail: (817) 743-4577
- Use the City of Keller Inmate Locator
- Visit: 330 Rufe Snow Drive, Keller, TX 76248
- Call Southlake Detention: (817) 481-5581
Trophy Club Jail
- Call (972) 434-5500
- Visit: 100 Municipal Drive, Trophy Club, TX 76262
Watauga Jail
Watauga contracts with North Richland Hills for inmate housing. See North Richland Hills Jail information above.
White Settlement Jail
- Call (817) 246-7070
- Visit: 8900 Clifford Street, White Settlement, TX
This is a temporary holding facility with no visitation. Detainees are transferred to Tarrant County Jail daily.
Should You Hire an Attorney or Bondsman First?
For serious criminal offenses, consider hiring an attorney before a bondsman for these reasons:
The bond may be set too high. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 17.15, bail must be set high enough to ensure appearance but not used as punishment. An attorney can evaluate whether the bond is reasonable and file a motion for bond reduction if necessary.
The bond may not have been set. If charged with a criminal offense but no bond has been set, an attorney can approach a judge directly or file a writ of habeas corpus under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 11 to secure release.
The attorney advantage. Early attorney involvement may result in reduced or dismissed charges. For felony cases that must go through the Grand Jury process, a skilled defense attorney can present evidence favorable to the defendant before indictment.
You may not need a bondsman. Alternatives include posting a cash bond directly, Tarrant County Pretrial Release (personal bond), mental health bond conditions, or personal recognizance bonds under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 17.03.
How Do You Post a Cash Bond in Tarrant County?
Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 17.02, defendants may deposit cash equal to the bond amount directly with the court in lieu of using a bondsman. Cash bonds may be posted 24 hours a day at the Bond Desk, Tarrant County Corrections Center, 100 N. Lamar, Fort Worth, TX 76196. Cash bonds are fully refundable upon case completion, minus any court costs or fees.
What Is Pretrial Release in Tarrant County?
Tarrant County Pretrial Services provides release without a cash bond or bondsman for eligible defendants charged with Class A and B misdemeanors and non-violent felonies.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must be a Tarrant County resident or reside within 50 miles
- Must be in jail on a Tarrant County offense
- Must provide positive identification
- Must not be on parole or probation
- Must not have any prior felony convictions
- Must agree to appear at all court dates until case disposition
- First degree felonies or history of bond forfeitures generally excluded
Contact: Tarrant County Pretrial Release at (817) 884-1465
Fee: $20 or 3% of bond amount, whichever is greater
Jail Process Terminology Explained
What does it mean when a person is “booked” into jail?
Booking is the administrative process documenting a prisoner’s entrance into jail. It includes collecting the person’s name, address, reason for arrest (criminal charges), and inventorying personal property. A photograph (mugshot) and fingerprints are taken.
What occurs during an arraignment?
Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 15.17, the judge informs the prisoner of charges, reads their rights (including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney), and sets bond. If the defendant qualifies financially, counsel may be appointed.
How may I get a prisoner’s property?
Property can only be released with written permission from the prisoner. You must complete a property release form and present a valid driver’s license or state-issued ID.
May a prisoner make free phone calls?
Prisoners may place limited free local calls after the booking process. Collect calls to numbers outside the local area are available from inside cell blocks.
What is an Alias Warrant?
An alias warrant is issued when no plea has been entered. A prisoner, bail bond company, or attorney can post bond to resolve this type of warrant.
What is a Capias Warrant?
A capias warrant is issued when a plea has been entered but the defendant failed to comply with court requirements. Resolution requires paying the fine in full or remaining in jail until enough “time served” credit is earned.
What Is the Difference Between Jail and Prison in Texas?
County Jail
County jails are locally operated, short-term facilities housing individuals who have been charged but are unable to post bail, or those convicted of misdemeanors with sentences under one year. Run by the local sheriff’s department, county jails hold both pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. Not everyone in county jail has been or will be convicted.
State Jail
Texas state jails are minimum-security facilities for offenders serving 6 months to 2 years for state jail felonies under Texas Penal Code § 12.35. Operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), the 18 state jails in Texas house approximately 9,500 offenders. State jail inmates cannot earn good conduct time or parole, though some may qualify for diligent participation credit.
Prison
State prisons are long-term, high-security facilities for inmates convicted of first, second, or third degree felonies. Texas state prisons house over 135,000 inmates. Federal prisons, operated by the Bureau of Prisons, house those convicted of federal crimes. State inmates may become eligible for parole; federal inmates convicted of crimes after November 1, 1987, are not eligible for parole but may earn “good time” credit.
Key difference: County jails and federal prisons have air conditioning; most Texas state prisons do not.
Texas State Jail Facilities
Texas has 18 state jail facilities operated by TDCJ, plus several private facilities. For complete information, use the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Locator.
Texas Prison Inmate Locator
To locate an inmate in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system, use any of the following:
- Last name AND at least the first initial of the first name
- TDCJ number
- SID (state identification) number
Access the Texas Prison Inmate Locator
Tarrant County Juvenile Detention Center
- Call (817) 838-4610
- Visit: 2701 Kimbo Road, Fort Worth, TX 76111
Visiting hours: Noon to 7:45 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on weekends. Visitors must be immediate family, the attorney representing the juvenile, or clergy. If your child is facing charges, contact a Fort Worth juvenile defense lawyer immediately.
Federal Prison Inmate Locator
Click here to locate an inmate in a federal prison
Texas County Inmate Locators
- Tarrant County Inmate Locator
- Harris County Inmate Locator
- Denton County Inmate Locator
- Dallas County Inmate Locator
- Fort Bend County Inmate Locator
- Montgomery County Inmate Locator
- Bexar County Inmate List
- Williamson County Inmate Locator
- Travis County Inmate Locator
- Collin County Inmate Locator
- Nueces County Inmate Locator
- El Paso County Inmate Locator
- Brazoria County Inmate Locator
- Hidalgo County Inmate Locator
Frequently Asked Questions About Tarrant County Jail
How long does it take to bond someone out of jail in Tarrant County?
Typically 24 to 48 hours. The booking process takes 4 to 6 hours, magistration takes another 4 to 6 hours, and after bond is posted, the release process can take 4 to 24 hours depending on staffing levels.
How do I find an inmate in Tarrant County Jail?
Search the Tarrant County Inmate Search at inmatesearch.tarrantcounty.com, call (817) 884-3116 or (817) 884-3117, or visit the jail at 100 N. Lamar St, Fort Worth, TX 76102.
What are Tarrant County Jail visitation hours?
Visitation is based on the inmate’s last name. Last names A-L: Saturday, Monday 9am-9pm; Friday 9am-3pm. Last names M-Z: Sunday, Tuesday 9am-9pm; Friday 3pm-9pm. Visitor sign-up begins 30 minutes prior.
Should I hire an attorney or bondsman first?
For serious criminal offenses, hire an attorney first. An attorney can determine if the bond is reasonable, help get a bond set if none exists, potentially get charges reduced before filing, and advise on alternatives like pretrial release.
What is the difference between jail and prison in Texas?
Jails are short-term facilities for people awaiting trial or serving sentences under one year. State jails house offenders serving 6 months to 2 years for state jail felonies. Prisons are long-term facilities for those convicted of serious felonies serving sentences over two years.
Tarrant County Criminal Defense
Experienced criminal defense attorneys serving Tarrant County
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Facing charges in Tarrant County? Get a free consultation.
Contact Our Tarrant County Criminal Defense Attorneys
Varghese Summersett PLLC handles all levels of state and federal criminal offenses, including DWI cases, white collar crimes, drug crimes, and crimes against persons or property. Our team includes former prosecutors and Board Certified Criminal Lawyers who understand what’s at stake when facing criminal charges. With over 1,600 dismissals and 800 charge reductions, we have a proven track record of results.
We will:
- Discuss the facts of your case
- Explain the legal issues, including direct and collateral consequences
- Discuss applicable defenses and our approach to your case
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Everything you need to know about Bail Bonds
Related Resources
- Texas Code of Criminal Procedure – Chapter 17 (Bail)
- Texas Penal Code – Chapter 12 (Punishments)
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice
- Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office – Detention Bureau
