The Initial Arrest and Transport
When law enforcement in Denton County places someone under arrest, the individual is handcuffed, read their Miranda rights, and transported to a detention facility for processing. If the arrest is made by a municipal agency — such as the Denton Police Department, Lewisville PD, or Flower Mound PD — the defendant may first be taken to the local city jail for initial paperwork before being transferred to the Denton County Jail.
The Denton County Jail is located at 127 N Woodrow Lane in Denton, Texas. This is the primary intake facility for all felony charges and most misdemeanor charges in the county. Regardless of where the arrest occurred — whether in Lewisville, Little Elm, Corinth, or anywhere else in Denton County — this is where the defendant will ultimately be processed.
Booking at the Denton County Jail
Once the defendant arrives at the Denton County Jail, the booking process begins. Booking involves recording the defendant's personal information, photographing them, collecting fingerprints, and cataloging the charges. The defendant's personal belongings are inventoried and stored until release.
During booking, the facility conducts a background check to determine whether the defendant has outstanding warrants, prior convictions, or pending cases in other jurisdictions. This information plays a role in how the magistrate sets bail. The booking process can vary in length depending on facility volume and staffing.
The Magistration Process
After booking is complete, the defendant appears before a magistrate. Texas law requires that magistration occur within 48 hours of arrest. During this hearing, the magistrate formally reads the charges, advises the defendant of their rights — including the right to an attorney — and determines the conditions of bail.
Magistration in Denton County takes place at the Woodrow Lane facility. The magistrate considers several factors when setting bail, including the severity of the charge, the defendant's criminal history, flight risk, and ties to the community. For some offenses, the bail amount may follow a standard bond schedule. For others, particularly serious felonies, the magistrate has considerable discretion in setting the amount.
How Bail Is Set
Bail is the financial mechanism that allows a defendant to be released from custody while their case moves through the court system. The bail amount serves as a guarantee that the defendant will appear for all scheduled court dates. In Denton County, bail amounts vary widely based on the nature of the charge, the defendant's history, and any aggravating factors.
Common misdemeanor charges may carry bail amounts in the range of a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Felony charges typically involve significantly higher bail amounts. The magistrate may also impose additional conditions such as drug testing, curfews, no-contact orders, or GPS monitoring.
Posting a Bail Bond
Once bail has been set, there are several ways to secure release. The most common method in Denton County is through a surety bond, which is obtained through a licensed bail bondsman like Act Rapid Bail Bonds. With a surety bond, the bail bond company posts the full bail amount on behalf of the defendant in exchange for a non-refundable premium.
To initiate the bonding process, a friend or family member — known as the indemnitor — contacts the bail bond company, provides information about the defendant and the charges, and completes the necessary paperwork. Act Rapid Bail Bonds is located just minutes from the Denton County Courthouse at 225 West Hickory St. Suite #130 in Denton, and our agents are available around the clock.
What Happens After Bond Is Posted
After the bail bond is posted, the jail processes the defendant for release. The facility handles releases in the order they are received, and processing times are managed entirely by jail staff. Once released, the defendant is expected to comply with all bond conditions set by the magistrate and appear at every scheduled court date.
If you have a loved one who has been arrested in Denton County, contact Act Rapid Bail Bonds at (940) 442-5353. Our licensed agents are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to walk you through the process and begin working on the bond immediately.