- Processing time: typically 6–18 hours.
- First-offense bond: $1,000–$2,500 — set by the magistrate.
- Call an attorney before posting bond — conditions can sometimes be negotiated before you pay.
- Jail status check: call 512-393-7850 directly.
Hays County Jail — Location, Contact & What to Expect
Hays County Jail
What Happens During Booking
After transport to the jail: fingerprinting, photograph, property inventory, and database checks. A magistrate then sets bond — at a live arraignment or via automated system. You are not released until bond is posted or you are released on personal recognizance (uncommon in DWI cases).
Bail Bondsman vs. Cash Bond
Pay the full bond amount to the court. Returned at case resolution minus fees. Requires full amount immediately.
Pay 10–15% of the bond to a bondsman who posts the full amount. That premium is non-refundable. Faster if full cash isn’t immediately available.
⚠️ Call an Attorney Before Posting Bond
DWI bonds in Hays County often come with conditions: ignition interlock, SCRAM alcohol monitoring, travel limits, or supervised check-ins. An attorney can request modified conditions from the magistrate — a window that closes once bond is posted.
What You Receive at Release
At release you’ll get your arrest paperwork, a court date notice, and — if your license is under action — a DIC-25 form (officer’s notice of suspension). Give the DIC-25 to your attorney immediately. It is required to file the ALR hearing request and starts the 15-day countdown.