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Someone You Love
Is in Jail. We Can Help.

Getting someone out of jail quickly is our first priority the moment you call. Richard Gentry has years of experience working with judges across Central Texas to secure bonds, day or night, weekends and holidays.
What is a Bond / Bail in Texas?

A bail bond is a financial guarantee — paid to the court — that ensures a defendant will appear at all required hearings after being released from custody. In Texas, a judge sets the bond amount at an initial hearing typically within 24–48 hours of arrest. An attorney can argue for a lower bond or personal recognizance release at that hearing. The sooner you have legal representation, the more influence you have over that outcome.

Understanding Your Case

Getting Out Is the First Step. We Know How to Make It Happen.

If someone you care about has been arrested, the hours immediately following are some of the most critical and most disorienting of the entire legal process. You may not know which jail they’re in, what they’re being charged with, or when they’ll see a judge. That uncertainty is exhausting, and it’s exactly what our office is here to help with.

It’s always easier to fight a case when you aren’t behind bars. Getting your loved one out quickly and into a position where they can help build their own defense, is the single most important thing that can happen in the first 24 hours. Richard Gentry has spent years working with judges across Travis, Williamson, and Hays Counties to secure bonds for clients, and he knows how to move fast when it matters.

Service Area

We Work Across All of Central Texas

Travis CountyWilliamson CountyHays CountyBastrop CountyCaldwell CountyBurnet County

Someone Is in Jail Tonight?

Call immediately. We answer around the clock and can begin working on release the moment you reach us.

512-499-0007

Send a Message
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Available 24 / 7 — Including Weekends

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Travis, Williamson & Hays Counties

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Bond Reduction Hearing Experience

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Former Travis County Prosecutor

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Free — No Obligation to Call

Why Call Richard First?

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He knows the judges. Years of practice across Travis, Williamson, and Hays Counties means he knows who sets bond and how to argue in front of them.

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One call covers everything. Jail release and the criminal defense that follows, handled together from day one.

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He moves fast. Delays cost time in jail. Richard’s office mobilizes immediately when you call.

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No judgment. Whatever happened, his job is to help, not to make you feel worse about a hard situation.

Free Case Review
The Process

What Happens After an Arrest in Texas

1
Booking & Processing
After arrest, the defendant is taken to a county jail for booking — fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information. This typically takes 2–8 hours depending on the facility and how busy it is.
2
Magistration — The Bond Hearing
Within 24–48 hours of arrest, a magistrate judge sets a bond amount. This is the most important moment for release. An attorney present at this hearing can argue for a lower bond or release on personal recognizance — making release faster and less expensive.
3
Posting Bond
Once bond is set, it can be posted by paying the full amount in cash, using a bail bondsman (typically 10–15% of the bond amount as a non-refundable fee), or through a property bond. Your attorney can advise on the best route given the bond amount and your situation.
4
Release & Conditions
After bond is posted, release typically takes 2–6 hours. The defendant will be given conditions of release — which may include check-ins, travel restrictions, or no-contact orders — that must be followed carefully throughout the entire case.
5
Building the Defense
With the defendant out of custody, the real work begins. Evidence is gathered, witnesses contacted, and a proper defense strategy developed — something nearly impossible to do effectively from behind bars.

“It’s always easier to fight a case when you aren’t behind bars. Getting them out is our top priority the moment you call.”

— Richard Gentry, Austin Criminal Defense Attorney
Types of Bond

Understanding Your Release Options

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Personal Recognizance (PR) Bond

The defendant is released on their word that they will appear in court with no money required. A PR bond is the best outcome at a magistration hearing and is what an experienced attorney will argue for whenever the facts support it.

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Surety Bond (Bail Bondsman)

A licensed bail bondsman posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable fee, typically 10–15% of the total. The most common route when the bond amount is too high to pay in full in cash.
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Cash Bond

The full bond amount is paid directly to the court in cash. The money is returned at the conclusion of the case if all appearances are made. Best when the bond amount is manageable and a bondsman’s fee would be wasted.
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Property Bond

Real property (typically a home), is used as collateral for the bond. The property must have sufficient equity. Less common, but sometimes the right option when other routes aren’t available.
Available Right Now

Don’t Wait Until Morning.
Call Us Tonight.

Richard Gentry’s office answers around the clock for jail release situations. The sooner you call, the sooner we can start working to get your loved one home.
Call 512-499-0007

We Help With Jail Release Following

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Assault & Family Violence

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Sexual Assault

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Drug Possession & Trafficking

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DWI / DUI Arrest

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Federal Charges

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Felony Arrests

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Misdemeanor Arrests

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Probation Violations

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Warrant Arrests

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Bond Reduction Hearings

Related Practice Areas

Drug Charges

Co-occurring charges in many domestic cases

Learn more

Assault & Family Violence

Frequently overlapping or related allegations

Learn more

DWI Defense

Often charged alongside assault after an incident

Learn More
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Ready to Talk About
Your Case?

Every case starts with a conversation. Richard personally reviews every inquiry and responds within one business hour. There's no obligation, just honest answers.
Free Case Evaluation

What Clients Say

★★★★★ Google Reviews
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out which jail someone is being held in? +
Each county maintains an online inmate search portal. For Travis County, search the Travis County Sheriff's Office website. For Williamson County, use the Williamson County jail roster. If you're unsure of the county, call our office. We can help locate the person in custody quickly and confirm the facility, charges, and bond status.
How quickly can someone be released after bond is posted? +
Once bond is posted, release typically takes between 2 and 8 hours depending on the facility, time of day, and how busy the jail is. Travis County Jail tends to process releases faster during daytime hours. Having an attorney who knows the system and the people in it can help move things along, and ensures nothing is missed that might cause a delay.
Can the bond amount be lowered after it's been set? +
Yes. A bond reduction hearing can be requested before the assigned judge. An attorney can argue that the initial bond was excessive based on the defendant's ties to the community, employment, lack of criminal history, and the nature of the charges. Bond reductions are not guaranteed, but an attorney who knows the judges in Travis, Williamson, and Hays Counties knows how to make the most compelling argument for one.
What conditions of release should I expect? +
Conditions vary by charge. Common conditions include regular check-ins with a pretrial services officer, travel restrictions, no-contact orders in assault or family violence cases, GPS monitoring, abstaining from alcohol or drugs, and surrender of passport. Violating any condition can result in immediate re-arrest and bond revocation. Your attorney will walk you through every condition so nothing is accidentally violated.
Does hiring an attorney for jail release also help with the underlying criminal case? +
Absolutely, and this is one of the most overlooked advantages of early legal representation. An attorney present at the initial magistration hearing can not only argue for a lower bond but can also begin assessing the charges, gathering early information, and starting the defense from day one. Getting someone out of jail and protecting their legal rights are not separate goals, they go hand in hand.
What if someone was arrested on a warrant rather than at the scene? +
Warrant arrests follow the same bond process — but if you know a warrant exists before the arrest happens, an attorney can sometimes arrange a voluntary surrender that results in more favorable bond conditions. If a warrant arrest has already occurred, the priority is the same: get legal representation before the magistration hearing so someone is in that room arguing for the best possible bond terms.