Arrested for Family Violence in Dallas County: Bond, Protective Orders and Next Steps
After a family violence arrest in Dallas County, the person is booked, usually at Lew Sterrett Justice Center, and a magistrate sets bond within 48 hours, often issuing an emergency protective order with no-contact and stay-away terms. Texas law may allow a short hold after bond is posted. A Way Out Bail Bonds (Dallas County License #285) explains every condition and posts the bond 24/7. Call 214-760-9978.
What Counts as Family Violence in Texas?
Family violence is an offense, most often assault, alleged against a family member, household member or dating partner. The most common charge is assault causing bodily injury with a family violence finding, generally a Class A misdemeanor. Impeding breathing or circulation, a prior family violence conviction or serious injury can make it a felony. This is general information, not legal advice.
Charge | Usual level | Dallas County court |
Assault causing bodily injury (family violence) | Class A misdemeanor | County Criminal Court |
Assault by impeding breath or circulation | Third degree felony | Criminal District Court |
Assault family violence with a prior conviction | Third degree felony | Criminal District Court |
Violation of a protective order | Class A misdemeanor or felony | Depends on the facts |
What Happens After a Family Violence Arrest in Dallas County?
- Booking, generally at Lew Sterrett Justice Center, 111 W. Commerce St., or first at a suburban city jail.
- Magistration within 48 hours, with review of a Public Safety Report under SB 6.
- Emergency protective order issued by the magistrate in many cases.
- Bond posting at the 24-hour Lew Sterrett Bond Desk.
- Possible release hold under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 17.291.
- Release with written conditions that take effect immediately.
Family violence arrest in Dallas County?
Call A Way Out Bail Bonds at 214-760-9978 or contact us online. We explain the protective order and conditions clearly and post the bond as soon as it is set. Every call is confidential.
What Is the Family Violence Release Hold?
Texas law allows a person arrested for family violence to be held for a short period after bond is posted, and longer in some circumstances. The hold gives time for safety planning and for the protected person to be notified. Families should expect release to take longer than for other misdemeanors. See our Dallas County Jail bail bonds page for the jail process.
How Does an Emergency Protective Order Work?
A magistrate’s order for emergency protection under Article 17.292 can last for weeks and controls contact and location. It commonly bars direct and indirect contact with the protected person, requires staying away from their home and workplace, and prohibits firearms. Contact through friends, texts or social media counts. Violating the order is a separate offense and can lead to bond revocation.
Where Will the Defendant Stay After Release?
If the order bars the defendant from the home, plan housing before release. Arrange to stay with a relative or friend, and ask about having a third party, often with police assistance, collect clothing, medications and work items. Make sure shared children are covered and that nobody carries messages between the defendant and the protected person.
Can the Alleged Victim Drop the Charges?
No. The State of Texas prosecutes the case, and the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office decides whether to proceed. The alleged victim can speak with the prosecutor but cannot dismiss the case or waive the protective order informally. Only the court can change the order.
Who Should Co-Sign a Family Violence Bond?
A relative, friend or employer who is not the protected person is usually the most practical co-signer. The co-signer and defendant need to communicate about court dates, which a protective order may prohibit if the protected person signs. Read co-signer rights and duties in Texas.
How Does Payment Work for a Family Violence Bond in Dallas County?
**Dallas County accepts cash bonds only as cash, cashier’s check or money order for the full amount. With a surety bond, you pay the bondsman’s fee instead, and A Way Out Bail Bonds offers payment plans with no credit check. See payment options.
What Should the Defendant Do in the First Week?
- Read and follow every condition of the protective order and bond.
- Arrange stable housing away from the protected person if required.
- Contact a defense attorney, or confirm appointed counsel was requested.
- Write down every court date.
- Avoid any contact, even friendly or apologetic messages.
How Can Family Members Help Without Violating the Order?
Family members can support the defendant, but they must not become a channel of communication with the protected person. Help with housing, transportation to court and Pretrial Services appointments, and finding a defense attorney. Do not pass along messages, gifts or requests from either side, even if both people seem to want contact. If the protected person wants the order changed, the right path is through the prosecutor and the court, not through family.
Can Bond Conditions or the Protective Order Be Changed?
Only by the court. A defense attorney can ask the judge to modify bond conditions, such as allowing contact for child exchanges through a third party. Until a written order changes them, every condition stays in effect. See common bond conditions in Texas.
What Happens at the First Court Setting?
Family violence misdemeanors are heard in the Dallas County Criminal Courts, and felonies in the Criminal District Courts, centered at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, 133 N. Riverfront Blvd. The defendant must attend every setting. Early settings often address counsel, conditions and future dates. We send reminders before each one.
What Should the Protected Person Know?
The protective order is there for the protected person, and they should keep a copy with them. If the defendant makes contact in violation of the order, the protected person can contact law enforcement. Questions about the case or a request to change the order go to the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and the court. Local family violence advocates and victim assistance programs can also help with safety planning and explain the process.
Everyone involved should remember that the order and bond conditions apply equally in person, by phone and online, and that only a judge can change them.
When in doubt, ask the attorney first.
What If the Arrest Happened in Tarrant County?
Arrests in Arlington, Fort Worth, Mansfield or the Tarrant side of Grand Prairie are Tarrant County cases. Read our Tarrant County family violence guide and Arlington family violence bail bonds page. We are licensed in both counties.
How A Way Out Bail Bonds Helps Dallas County Families
A Way Out Bail Bonds has helped Arlington and Tarrant County families for decades from our office at 633 W. Division St., Suite A, directly across from the Arlington City Jail. We hold Tarrant County Bail Bond License #218, every bond is underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, and a live agent answers 817-261-2828 24 hours a day. We handle family violence bonds in Dallas County confidentially and explain every condition to the defendant and co-signer. We offer payment plans, no credit check and Spanish-speaking agents. Read reviews from families we have helped.
Family Violence Arrests in Dallas County: Frequently Asked Questions
Where are family violence arrests booked in Dallas County?
Most are booked at Lew Sterrett Justice Center, 111 W. Commerce St., Dallas. Some suburban arrests start at a city or regional jail before transfer.
What is a family violence release hold in Texas?
Texas law allows a person arrested for family violence to be held for a short period after bond is posted, and longer in some circumstances, to allow safety planning.
What does an emergency protective order require?
It commonly bars direct and indirect contact with the protected person, requires staying away from their home and workplace and prohibits firearms for the length of the order.
Can the defendant go home after bonding out?
Not if the protective order bars them from the residence. They should arrange another place to stay before release.
Can the alleged victim drop the charges in Dallas County?
No. The State prosecutes, and the Dallas County District Attorney decides whether to proceed. Only the court can change a protective order.
Is assault family violence a felony in Texas?
It is usually a Class A misdemeanor, but it can be a felony with impeding breath, a prior family violence conviction or serious injury.
Can the alleged victim co-sign the bond?
Sometimes, but a protective order often makes it impractical because the co-signer and defendant need to communicate about court.
What happens if the protective order is violated?
Violation is a separate offense and can lead to a new arrest and revocation of the existing bond.
How long does release take after a family violence arrest?
Magistration must happen within 48 hours; after the bond is posted, a release hold may apply and jail processing commonly takes several hours.
Is A Way Out Bail Bonds licensed for Dallas County family violence bonds?
Yes. A Way Out Bail Bonds holds Dallas County License #285 and handles family violence bonds confidentially, 24 hours a day at 214-760-9978.
Confidential Help With a Dallas County Family Violence Bond
A Way Out Bail Bonds is licensed in Dallas County and answers live 24 hours a day. We explain every condition clearly and post the bond as soon as it is set. Call 214-760-9978 for Dallas County right now, or contact us online and an agent will call you back. For Tarrant County matters, call 817-261-2828. Dallas County Bail Bond License #285. Tarrant County Bail Bond License #218. Mailing office: 633 W. Division St., Suite A, Arlington, TX 76011.