TRIAL
APPEARANCE
BONDS
TRIAL APPEARANCE BONDS
Table of Contents
Cash Bond: Posted by the Defendant ....................................................................................... 83
Cash Bond: Posted by a Third Party ........................................................................................ 84
Personal Bond ........................................................................................................................... 85
Surety Bond .............................................................................................................................. 86
Oath of Surety .......................................................................................................................... 87
Motion and Order to Revoke Personal Bond ........................................................................... 88
Editor’s Note: Effective September 1, 2017, a judge may not, either instead of or in addition to a personal bond,
require a defendant to give a bail bond unless: (1) the defendant fails to appear in accordance with this code with
respect to the applicable offense; and (2) the justice or judge determines that: (A) the defendant has sufficient
resources or income to give a bail bond; and (B) a bail bond is necessary to secure the defendant’s appearance in
accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure. Additionally, if a defendant required to give a bail bond under
Article 45.016(b) remains in custody, without giving the bond, for more than 48 hours after the issuance of the
applicable order, the judge shall reconsider the requirement for the defendant to give the bond. Art. 45.016, C.C.P.
(H.B. 351/S.B. 1913, 85th Legislature (2017)).
TRIAL APPEARANCE BONDS 12/21 TMCEC 2022 FORMS BOOK 83
CASH BOND: POSTED BY THE DEFENDANT (Arts. 17.02, 17.08, and 45.044, C.C.P.)
CAUSE NUMBER: _______________
STATE OF TEXAS § IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT
VS. § CITY OF
§ COUNTY, TEXAS
Know All Men By These Presents:
That I, _________________________, charged with a misdemeanor offense of ,
am held and firmly bound unto the State of Texas by and through the City of __________________ in the penal sum of
________________________ ($__________) dollars in cash in lieu of sureties deposited as security to insure my personal appearance
before the Municipal Court of the City of _______________________________ on the _____ day of _______________, 20__, at
__________ o'clock ___.m. to answer the accusation against me. I further bind myself to appear before any court or magistrate before
whom the cause may thereafter be pending at any time and place where my presence may be required until discharged by due course of
law. In the event that any of the conditions of this bond are violated, I will pay all necessary and reasonable expenses and fees that may be
incurred by any peace officer in re-arresting me. However, if I fulfill all the terms of this bond, this obligation shall become void and the
amount deposited herein shall be refunded to me; otherwise to remain in full force and effect.
Signed and Dated: _______________, 20___ ___________________________________
Defendant's Signature
Address: ____________________________________
Telephone: __________________________________
Place of Employment: _________________________
Telephone: __________________________________ Name, Address, & Telephone of Nearest Relative:
Driver's License Number: ______________________ ____________________________________________________
Date of Birth: ________________________________ ____________________________________________________
Height: __________Weight: ____________________ ____________________________________________________
Color Hair: ____________Eyes: _________________ ____________________________________________________
Received this _____ day of _______________, 20__ by ____________________________________________.
Filed by ______________________________________ on this _______ day of _______________________, 20 ___.
Clerk
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NOT A CONDITION OF RELEASE
PLEA OF NOLO CONTENDERE (For Cash Bond Forfeiture)
If I, the undersigned, fail to appear at the date and time stated in the cash bond that I posted with the Municipal Court of
_______________, or at any time the Court requires my personal appearance, I waive my right to a jury trial or any trial and plead
nolo contendere (meaning "no contest") to the said offense charged. I understand that the bond will be forfeited to satisfy the fine and
costs that the judge assesses and that my plea may result in a conviction appearing on either a criminal record or a driver's license record.
I understand that this plea of nolo contendere does not constitute a condition of my release from jail.
Signed and dated this _____ day of _______________, 20__.
I understand that I must appear in Court to enter a plea of not guilty.
Signed and dated this _____ day of _______________, 20__.
_____________________________________________
Defendant's Signature
Editor’s Note: See editor’s note below the table of contents for this chapter concerning restrictions for requiring bail bonds. Effective
September 1, 2015, a bail bond may be filed electronically in any manner permitted by the county in which the bond is written. Art. 17.026,
C.C.P.
TRIAL APPEARANCE BONDS 12/21 TMCEC 2022 FORMS BOOK 84
CASH BOND: POSTED BY A THIRD PARTY (Arts. 17.02 and 17.08, C.C.P.)
CAUSE NUMBER: _______________
STATE OF TEXAS § IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT
VS. § CITY OF
§ COUNTY, TEXAS
Know All Men By These Presents:
That _________________________, Defendant, charged with a misdemeanor offense of ,
is held and firmly bound unto the State of Texas by and through the City of __________________ in the penal sum of
________________________ ($__________) dollars in cash posted by _______________________________ (person posting the bond)
in lieu of sureties deposited as security to insure his/her personal appearance before the Municipal Court of the City of
_______________________________ on the _____ day of _______________, 20__, at __________ o'clock ___.m. The defendant
further binds him/herself to appear before any court or magistrate before whom the cause may thereafter be pending at any time and place
where his/her presence may be required until discharged by due course of law. In the event that any of the conditions of this bond are
violated, I will pay all necessary and reasonable expenses and fees that may be incurred by any peace officer in re-arresting Defendant.
However, if Defendant fulfills all the terms of this bond, this obligation shall become void and the amount deposited herein shall be
refunded to me; otherwise to remain in full force and effect.
Signed and Dated: _______________, 20___ ___________________________________
Signature of Person Posting Bond
Address: ____________________________________ ___________________________________
Telephone: __________________________________
Signature of Defendant
Place of Employment: _________________________
Telephone: __________________________________ Name, Address, & Telephone of Nearest Relative:
Driver's License Number: ______________________ ____________________________________________________
Date of Birth: ________________________________ ____________________________________________________
Height: __________Weight: ____________________ ____________________________________________________
Color Hair: ____________Eyes: _________________ ____________________________________________________
Receipted for this _____ day of _______________, 20__ by ____________________________________________.
Filed by _________________________________________ on this _______ day of _______________________, 20 ___.
Clerk
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RECEIPT FOR CASH BOND
CAUSE NUMBER: _______________
STATE OF TEXAS § IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT
VS. § CITY OF
_______________ § __________COUNTY, TEXAS
On this day, the _____ day of _______________, 20___, I received ________________________ ($__________) dollars in cash posted
by _______________________________ (person posting the bond) as security to insure the personal appearance of
___________________________________, Defendant in the above referenced cause in the above named Municipal Court.
If Defendant complies with the conditions of this bond, upon order of the Court, this amount shall be refunded to
___________________________________ (person posting the bond).
_______________________________________________
Signature of Court Official Accepting the Bond
Editor’s Note: See editor’s note below this chapter’s table of contents concerning restrictions for bail bonds. Effective September 1, 2015,
a bail bond may be filed electronically in any manner permitted by the county in which the bond is written. Art. 17.026, C.C.P.
TRIAL APPEARANCE BONDS 12/21 TMCEC 2022 FORMS BOOK 85
PERSONAL BOND (Arts. 17.03, 17.04, and 17.08, C.C.P.)
CAUSE NUMBER: _______________
STATE OF TEXAS § IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT
VS. § CITY OF
§ COUNTY, TEXAS
Know All Men by These Presents:
That I, ___________________________, charged with a misdemeanor offense of ____________________________________, am
held and firmly bound unto the State of Texas by and through the City of ______________________ in the penal sum of
_________________________ ($__________) dollars for the payment which sum well and truly to be made, and all necessary and
reasonable fees and expenses that may be incurred by peace officers in re-arresting me, in the event the conditions of this bond are
violated, I do bind myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators, jointly and severally.
I swear that I will appear before the _________________________ Municipal Court at _________________________________
______________________________________ (address, city, county), Texas, on the _____ day of _______________, 20__, at the hour
of ________________ (a.m.)(p.m.) or upon notice by the Court, or pay to the Court the principal sum of $__________, plus all necessary
and reasonable expenses incurred in any arrest for failure to appear.
Now if I shall well and truly make said appearance before the said Court, and there remain from day to day and term to term of said
Court, until discharged by due course of law, then and there to answer said accusation against me, and further shall well and truly make
my personal appearance in any and all subsequent proceedings that may be had relative to said charge in the course of the criminal action
based on said charge, this obligation shall become void; otherwise to remain in full force and effect.
Address: ____________________________________ _____________________________________________________
Telephone: __________________________________
Defendant's Signature
Place of Employment: _________________________
Telephone: __________________________________
Driver's License Number: ______________State: ___ Name, Address, & Telephone of Nearest Relative:
Date of Birth: ________________________________ ____________________________________________________
Place of Birth:______________________________ ____________________________________________________
Height: __________Weight: ____________________ ____________________________________________________
Color Hair: ____________Eyes: _________________ ____________________________________________________
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this _____ day of _______________, 20__.
________________________________________
Notary Public in and for the State of Texas
Approved and filed this _____ day of _______________, 20__.
________________________________________
Judge, Municipal Court
City of __________________________________
____________________________County, Texas
Filed by: ________________________________________________on_____ day of_____________________________, 20____
Clerk
a determination under Article 16.22 that the defendant has a mental illness or is a person with an intellectual disability, including by using the
results of a previous determination under that article; the defendant is released on personal bond under Article 17.032; or the defendant is found
incompetent to stand trial in accordance with Chapter 46B. (S.B. 49, 87th Legislature (2021)).
TRIAL APPEARANCE BONDS 12/21 TMCEC 2022 FORMS BOOK 86
SURETY BOND (Arts. 17.02 and 17.08, C.C.P.)
CAUSE NUMBER: _______________
STATE OF TEXAS § IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT
VS. § CITY OF
§ COUNTY, TEXAS
Know All Men by These Presents:
That we, ________________________________, as Principal and the undersigned, __________________________________, as
Surety, are held and firmly bound unto the State of Texas by and through the City of ____________________, in the penal sum of
____________________ ($__________) dollars and, in addition thereto, we are bound for the payment of all necessary and reasonable
fees and expenses that may be incurred by any peace officer in re-arresting the said Principal in the event any of the hereinafter stated
conditions of this bond are violated, for the payment of which sum or sums well and truly to be made, we do bind ourselves, and each of
us, our heirs, executors, and administrators, jointly and severally.
The condition of this bond is that the Principal has been charged with a misdemeanor offense, to wit: ___________________________; and
to secure Principal's release from custody, we are entering into this obligation binding Principal to appear before the Municipal Court of the City
of ____________________, ____________________ County, Texas.
Now therefore, if the said Principal shall well and truly make Principal's personal appearance before said Municipal Court located at
____________________________________ on the _____ day of __________________, 20__ at ___.m., as well as before any court to
which the same may be pending, and for any and all subsequent proceedings that may be had relative to said charge in the course of
criminal actions based on said charge, and there remain from day to day and term to term of said courts, until discharged by due course of
law, then and there to answer said accusation against Principal, this obligation shall become void; otherwise to remain in full force and
effect.
Signed and dated: ________________________, 20__
_____________________________ Principal ______________________________________ Surety
_____________________________________ ___________________________________________
Mailing Address
Mailing Address
Race_____ Gender_____ DOB __________ If Surety is attorney:
HT_____ WT_____ Hair _______________ I am licensed to practice law in Texas
Eyes_____ DL number _________________ and I actually represent the Principal
State_____ SS number ________________ in the criminal case for which I have
executed this bond.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Attorney State Bar of Texas Number
Taken and approved this _____ day of _______________, 20__
__________________________________________
(Judge, Municipal Court)(Chief of Police)(Sheriff)
City of ____________________________________
______________________________County, Texas
Filed by: _______________________________________________ on _____ day of ____________________________, 20___.
Clerk
Editor’s Note: See editor’s note below the table of contents for this chapter concerning restrictions for requiring bail bonds. Effective
September 1, 2015, a bail bond may be filed electronically in any manner permitted by the county in which the bond is written. Art. 17.026,
C.C.P.
TRIAL APPEARANCE BONDS 12/21 TMCEC 2022 FORMS BOOK 87
OATH OF SURETY (Art. 17.13, C.C.P.)
THE STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF ________________________
I, _______________________, the undersigned Affiant-Surety, do swear that I am worth, in my own right, at least the sum of
____________________ ($__________) dollars, after deducting from my property all that which is exempt by the Constitution and laws of the State of
Texas from forced sale, and after the payment of all my debts of every description, whether individual or security debts, and after satisfying all
encumbrances upon my property which are known to me; that I reside in _____________________ County, and have property in this State liable to
execution worth said amount or more.
______________________________ Surety's Signature
Subscribed and sworn to before me this _____ day of _______________, 20__.
____________________________________________
(Judge)(Clerk)(Magistrate)(Sheriff)
I, the undersigned Affiant-Surety, do swear that I am the sole owner of the following described properties; that each piece of the same is presently of
the market value set opposite each piece of the same; that the same is encumbered only to the extent and in the amount set opposite each piece of said
property; and that each piece of the same, after deducting the amount of the encumbrance shown from the present market value thereof, has the net value
set opposite each piece thereof, to wit:
Location & Description Present Market Value Encumbrance Net Value
__________________________________ __________________________ __________________________ ________________
__________________________________ __________________________ __________________________ ________________
__________________________________ __________________________ __________________________ ________________
AS LISTED WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE
I, the undersigned Affiant-Surety, do swear that:
None of the property above described is Affiant's homestead, and that the Affiant is not using, and does not intend to use the same, or any part thereof, for
any homestead or business purposes; that no part of said property is exempt from forced sale under the laws of the State of Texas; that no part of said
property is involved in litigation of any kind of character; that the title to the above described property is good of record and in fact the Affiant; that
Affiant has never heard his/her title to any part of said property questioned by any person or corporation whomsoever; and that no part of the same is
occupied by any person or corporation claiming adversely to the Affiant;
The above-described property, all or part of the same, will not be transferred to any person or corporation during the period this bond is in force and
effect; this bond constituting a lien on said property.
The following is a full and complete list and statement of all bonds of every kind and character on which the Affiant is a surety or principal, and the
amounts of such bonds, to wit:
There are no abstracts of judgment recorded in ____________________ County, Texas or elsewhere, against the Affiant; and
The Affiant makes this statement for purposes of inducing the approval and acceptance of said bond with himself/herself as a surety thereon, well
knowing and believing that the making of this statement will induce the official charged with the duty of accepting and approving said bond to accept and
approve the same, and that all statements herein contained are true.
___________________________________________ Affiant-Surety
Subscribed and sworn to before me this _____ day of _______________, 20____ by ___________________, Affiant
______________________________ Notary Public, State of Texas
THE STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF ________________________
Before me, the undersigned authority, a Notary Public in and for said State and county, on this day personally appeared
______________________________, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged to me that
he/she executed the same for the purpose and consideration therein expressed.
Granted under my hand and seal of office on this the _____ day of _______________, 20____.
______________________________ Notary Public, State of Texas
TRIAL APPEARANCE BONDS 12/21 TMCEC 2022 FORMS BOOK 88
Editor’s Note: Upon granting the Motion to Revoke Personal Bond, the Judge should issue a capias (pursuant to Chapter 23,
C.C.P.) or an arrest warrant (pursuant to Article 45.014, C.C.P.) to procure custody of the Defendant.
MOTION AND ORDER TO REVOKE PERSONAL BOND
CAUSE NUMBER: _______________
STATE OF TEXAS § IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT
VS. § CITY OF
§ COUNTY, TEXAS
MOTION TO REVOKE PERSONAL BOND
To the Honorable Judge of Said Court:
Comes now ___________________________________________, Applicant, and files this Motion to Revoke Personal Bond in the
amount of $___________ in order that the Defendant, __________________________________, be remanded to the
_________________________________ (City)(County) Jail.
This motion is made for the following reason(s): (state reasons for revocation)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wherefore, Applicant prays the Court to issue a writ directing any proper officer of the State of Texas to re-arrest said Defendant.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________
Name
______________________________
Position
I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of this Motion to Revoke Bond was delivered to (the Defendant) (Counsel for the
Defendant), on this the _________ day of _______________, 20___.
______________________________
Name
______________________________
Position
ORDER
On this the _________ day of _______________, 20___, came on to be considered this Motion to Revoke Personal Bond. The Court
having considered said motion is of the opinion that the Motion to Revoke Personal Bond should be (granted) (denied).
Signed this the _________ day of _______________, 20___.
(municipal court seal)
____________________________________
Judge, Municipal Court
City of ______________________________
_______________________, County, Texas