Pickens Bail Bonds has been family-owned and operated since 1995, helping thousands of clients.

Pickens Bail Bonds serves Waco and McLennan County communities including Bellmead, Beverly Hills, China Spring, Hewitt, Lacy-Lakeview, Lorena, McGregor, Robinson, West, and Woodway, as well as Gatesville.

Pickens is available 24x7, with office hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5:30 and weekends from 9:30 to 1:30.

Call (254) 755-7589 locally or 877-742-BAIL (2245) toll-free.

Pickens combines 25+ years of experience, competitive pricing, no-interest financing, 24x7 service, and custom software for reminders, check-ins, and payments.

Yes. Pickens' custom software and mobile app provide court notifications, check-ins, and payments.

Yes. Pickens prides itself on being non-judgmental and treating every client with care and respect.

You can contact the McLennan County Bail Bond Coordinator's office at (254) 757-5000.

The Pickens blog covers topics such as court bail bonds, missing court, and choosing a bail bondsman.

Pickens is one of the best-reviewed bail bond companies in Waco, and its customer reviews speak for themselves.

Yes. Pickens Bail Bonds provides assault bail bonds.

Family violence charges involve assault against a family member, household member, or dating partner.

Texas law allows magistrates to hold a person arrested for family violence for a period before release in certain circumstances.

An emergency protective order may be issued at magistration in family violence cases and can require the defendant to stay away from the alleged victim and their home.

A protective order or bond condition may prohibit returning home. Violating it can lead to new charges.

In Texas, the state prosecutes the case, so the alleged victim cannot simply drop charges.

Aggravated assault involves serious bodily injury or the use of a deadly weapon and is a felony.

Yes. Courts often include no-contact conditions in assault and domestic violence bonds.

Never contact the alleged victim if a no-contact order or condition is in place.

Yes. Pickens Bail Bonds provides domestic violence bail bonds.

Yes. Pickens Bail Bonds offers flexible payment options, including no-interest financing.

Pickens accepts cash, check or money order, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.

No. Like most bail bond companies, Pickens Bail Bonds does not accept collateral.

The fee pays for the bond company's guarantee to the court and the service of securing release, so it is earned once the bond is posted.

Yes. Call (254) 755-7589 and speak with a bail agent for an exact quote.

Financing options depend on the situation. Call Pickens to discuss payment arrangements for your bond.

Yes. Pickens' software and mobile app allow customers to make payments and view account information.

Some bonds may involve additional fees set by law or the county. Ask your agent to explain all costs before signing.

Contact Pickens right away. Missed payments can create problems for the co-signer and the bond, and early communication helps resolve issues.

Price matters, but service, availability, licensing, and communication matter too. Pickens combines competitive pricing with 24/7 service.

A surety bail bond is posted by a licensed bail bond company that guarantees the full bail amount to the court in exchange for a fee.

A cash bail bond means paying the full bail amount directly to the court. It may be refunded, minus fees, after the case if all conditions are met.

A surety bond requires only the fee, freeing up money, while cash bail ties up the full amount until the case ends.

Court bail bonds are bonds posted to secure release and appearance in court. Pickens explains how court bail bonds work and what to expect.

A criminal charge bail bond secures release for a person charged with a criminal offense while the case is pending.

Fast bail bond service means working quickly to secure release as soon as bail is set. Pickens offers fast, 24x7 service.

Yes. Pickens Bail Bonds writes surety bail bonds.

Switching bond companies generally requires surrendering the existing bond and posting a new one, which is uncommon.

A bond surrender happens when the bond company returns the defendant to custody and asks to be released from the bond.

In Texas, licensed attorneys can post bonds for their clients in some cases.

The indemnitor typically signs an application, an indemnity agreement, and a receipt when the bond is written.

If you no longer want responsibility, contact the bond company immediately. In some cases, the bond can be surrendered, which may return the defendant to custody.

The co-signer may be responsible for the full bond amount and any recovery costs, and should work with the bond company to help locate the defendant.

A co-signer is typically an adult with steady income and ties to the community who is willing to take financial responsibility for the bond.

In some cases, defendants can sign for their own bonds depending on the situation and approval. Ask Pickens about your case.

Only co-sign if you believe the defendant will attend court and follow conditions, since you take on financial responsibility.

Some bonds allow more than one indemnitor to share responsibility. Ask your agent.

Co-signing itself does not usually appear on credit reports, but unpaid balances sent to collections could.

Responsibility ends when all payments are made and the defendant has attended their final court date.

Contact Pickens immediately and help get the defendant back to court as quickly as possible.

Pickens' system sends automatic court reminders by email, text message, or both.

Defendants can check in 24x7 through the app, text message, website, or automated phone system.

A bond forfeiture happens when a defendant fails to appear, and the court moves to collect the bond amount. Quick action can often resolve it.

A judgment nisi is a conditional judgment entered when a defendant fails to appear, starting the bond forfeiture process unless the matter is resolved.

Often, yes. If the missed date was a mistake, the bond company or an attorney can usually arrange for the defendant to return to court.

Court location depends on the case. Check your paperwork or ask Pickens, and plan to arrive early.

Only the court can reset a date, usually through the defendant's attorney. Never assume a date is moved without confirmation.

A new arrest can lead to bond revocation and additional bond requirements. Contact Pickens right away.

Yes. Keep your address, phone number, and employer information current so you receive notices.

Yes. Pickens offers an attorney login through its bond software.

Yes. Pickens Bail Bonds provides bail bonds for drug charges.

Texas classifies drugs into penalty groups, and charges depend on the substance, amount, and intent.

Bond amounts vary widely depending on the substance, amount, and criminal history.

Drug charge bonds may include drug testing, treatment, or supervision requirements.

Yes. Possession of marijuana remains illegal in Texas, with small amounts typically charged as misdemeanors.

Possession with intent to deliver is a more serious charge based on evidence that drugs were meant for distribution.

An attorney may negotiate reduced charges or diversion programs depending on the case.

Drug court is a program that offers treatment and supervision as an alternative to traditional prosecution for eligible defendants.

Travel may be restricted by bond conditions. Check with your attorney and the bond company.

Stay quiet about the case, follow bond conditions, attend court, and contact an attorney.

In Texas, DWI applies to adults driving while intoxicated. DUI generally applies to drivers under 21 with any detectable amount of alcohol and is a Class C misdemeanor.

A first DWI is generally a Class B misdemeanor, and it can be elevated based on factors such as blood alcohol level or an open container.

DWI bond conditions can include an ignition interlock device, alcohol monitoring, or restrictions set by the court.

An ignition interlock is a breath-testing device installed in a vehicle that prevents it from starting if alcohol is detected.

A DWI arrest can trigger an administrative license suspension in Texas. You typically have a limited time to request a hearing.

Yes. Pickens Bail Bonds provides DWI and DUI bail bonds.

Release depends on booking, bail setting, and whether the person is sober enough to be released safely.

Yes. DWI with a child passenger under 15 is a state jail felony in Texas.

Follow bond conditions, attend court, request any license hearing in time, and contact a DWI attorney.

Yes. Minors arrested for alcohol offenses may be released under local procedures. Call Pickens for help.

A felony is a serious offense punishable by confinement in state jail or prison. Texas felonies range from state jail felonies to capital felonies.

Felony bail amounts are typically higher, and courts may add conditions.

Yes. Pickens Bail Bonds provides felony bail bonds.

Felony bond conditions may include travel restrictions, reporting, drug testing, no-contact orders, or electronic monitoring.

Felony cases often take months or longer, and the bond remains in place until the case is resolved.

In Texas felony cases, a grand jury decides whether there is enough evidence to formally charge the defendant with an indictment.

In certain limited circumstances, Texas courts can deny bail, such as some capital offenses or when specific conditions are met.

Larger bonds carry more risk, so the bond company may ask more questions about the defendant and co-signers.

An attorney can request a bond reduction hearing.

Yes. An attorney can help with bond conditions, reductions, and the case itself.

After a bond is posted, release timing depends on jail processing, staffing, and any holds, and can range from a short wait to several hours.

Pickens Bail Bonds's office is located just 5 minutes from the McLennan County Jail.

Yes. Pickens Bail Bonds can post bail bonds any time, day or night, including holidays.

Have the defendant's full name, date of birth, the jail where they are held, booking number if available, charges, and bail amount if known.

Yes. Much of the bail process can be handled by phone and electronically, so family members outside Waco can often help.

A hold from another county or agency may prevent release even after bond is posted. The other matter usually must be addressed separately.

You can check the county jail's inmate information or call the jail directly. Pickens Bail Bonds can also help you locate a loved one.

Not necessarily. Pickens handles posting the bond at the jail once paperwork and payment are complete.

Remind them to follow all bond conditions, keep their contact information current, check in as required, and attend every court date.

Calling early allows Pickens to gather information while the person is being booked, which can save time once bail is set.

Bail is the amount of money a court sets to allow a defendant to be released while their case is pending. A bail bond is a promise, backed by a licensed bail bond company, to pay that amount if the defendant does not appear in court. The bond lets families secure release without paying the full bail amount.

A magistrate or judge sets bail in Texas based on factors such as the charge, criminal history, risk of flight, and safety of the community.

Texas law generally requires an arrested person to be brought before a magistrate within 48 hours, where bail is typically set.

A defense attorney can ask the court to reduce bail at a bond hearing. The judge decides based on the circumstances of the case.

A personal recognizance, or PR, bond allows a defendant to be released on their written promise to appear in court without posting money. Judges grant PR bonds at their discretion.

The premium paid to a bail bond company is a fee for its service and is not refunded. Cash bail paid directly to the court may be returned, minus fees, after the case ends if all court appearances are made.

A bail bond generally remains in effect until the defendant's case is resolved, as long as the defendant follows the bond conditions and attends court.

Bond conditions are rules the defendant must follow while released, such as attending court, avoiding new arrests, and in some cases avoiding contact with certain people, wearing monitoring devices, or submitting to testing.

Yes. A bond can be revoked if the defendant violates conditions, misses court, or is arrested again.

In many Texas counties, including McLennan County, bail bond companies are licensed and overseen by the county bail bond board under state law.

A misdemeanor is a less serious offense than a felony. Texas has Class A, Class B, and Class C misdemeanors, with Class A being the most serious.

Examples include many first-offense DWIs, minor theft, simple assault, possession of small amounts of marijuana, and criminal trespass.

Misdemeanor bail amounts are usually lower than felony bail, which typically lowers the bond fee.

Class C misdemeanors are fine-only offenses, and many are handled with citations, but arrests can still occur.

Misdemeanor bonds are often processed quickly once bail is set and paperwork is complete.

Yes. Conditions may include attending court and, depending on the charge, other requirements set by the court.

Yes. Pickens Bail Bonds provides misdemeanor bail bonds in Waco and McLennan County.

A misdemeanor can affect employment, especially if convicted. Speak with an attorney about your options.

Some misdemeanors can be dismissed or resolved through deferred adjudication or pretrial programs. An attorney can advise you.

Having an attorney is often helpful, even for misdemeanors, to protect your record and rights.

Yes. Pickens Bail Bonds provides theft and property crime bail bonds.

Theft is graded based on the value of the property, ranging from Class C misdemeanors to felonies.

Burglary involves entering a building or habitation without consent with intent to commit a crime.

Yes. Shoplifting is theft and can lead to arrest, especially with higher value or prior offenses.

Yes. Pickens Bail Bonds provides weapons charge bail bonds.

Unlawful carrying of a weapon involves carrying a firearm or weapon in a manner or place prohibited by Texas law.

Texas law generally prohibits felons from possessing firearms, with limited exceptions.

Yes. Courts may prohibit firearm possession as a bond condition.

Criminal mischief is intentionally damaging or destroying someone else's property.

Yes. These charges can carry serious consequences, and an attorney can protect your rights.

Contact an attorney and a bail bond company to plan how to address the warrant. Handling it voluntarily is usually better than waiting to be arrested.

Yes. Pickens Bail Bonds provides warrant assistance and can explain options for posting a bond.

A walk-through bond is arranged in advance so a person with a warrant can turn themselves in, be booked, and released more quickly.

You can check with the county sheriff's office, local police, or court clerk. Some counties offer online search tools.

A bench warrant is issued by a judge, often for missing court or violating court orders.

No. Warrants generally stay active until resolved, and they can lead to arrest during a traffic stop or routine encounter.

Yes. Officers can make arrests wherever a person is found. Resolving warrants proactively avoids surprises.

A capias is a type of warrant ordering the arrest of a defendant, often issued after an indictment or failure to appear.

Yes. An attorney can advise you on the best way to handle a warrant and what to expect.

Call Pickens to discuss warrants in McLennan and surrounding counties.