Collin County has abruptly changed its long-standing practice regarding jail releases. Effective immediately, attorney writ bonds are no longer being accepted by the Collin County Sheriff’s Department.
This significant policy shift means that if you are arrested anywhere in Collin County, whether in Plano, McKinney, Frisco, or any other municipality, your path to release has become much longer, more difficult, and more expensive.
This change eliminates a critical tool that defense attorneys used to quickly secure clients’ release from local city jails before they were ever transferred to the main county facility. Read on to understand what this means for you and your loved ones.A person looking out from behind jail bars symbolizing the longer detention times
under Collin County’s new policy.
Collin County’s new policy means longer jail time for defendants, even for minor charges.
What Was an Attorney Writ Bond?
Previously, if you were arrested for a Class B or Class A misdemeanor, you had a valuable option. You could contact a law firm like ours to post an attorney writ bond.
This powerful legal tool has allowed us to secure your release directly from the local city jail, often within hours of your arrest. This means you can avoid being transferred to the Collin County Jail in McKinney, avoid jail overcrowding, and avoid waiting days to see a judge.
What is the New Collin County Bond Process?
The county’s new policy has eliminated that efficient option. Now, the process for every single arrest is the same:
- You Must Be Transported: Regardless of how minor the charge, you will be transported from the city jail to the Collin County Sheriff’s Department in McKinney.
- You Must See a Judge: You must wait—often for several days—to stand in front of a judge for arraignment. During this hearing, you will be formally informed of the charges against you.
- A Bond is Set: The judge will then set a bond amount. This could be a cash bond or, in some cases, a Personal Recognizance (PR) bond.
- You Are Still Held: Even if the judge grants you a PR bond (meaning you don’t have to pay to be released), you will remain in custody for hours or even days more while the bureaucratic release process is completed.
In its “wisdom,” Collin County has decided that efficiency and reducing jail overcrowding are no longer priorities, directly impacting the rights and freedom of its citizens.
Why Using Your Attorney to Post Bond is Smarter Than a Bail Bondsman
Once the judge sets a bond, you have two choices: use a bail bond company or have your attorney post the bond. The smarter financial and legal choice is always to have your attorney post it.
Here’s why:
- You Save Money: When a bail bond company posts your bond, they charge you a non-refundable fee (typically 10-15% of the bond amount). That money is gone forever. When our firm posts your bond, we use our own financial resources to put up the full amount with the court. This often results in significant savings for you.
- We Don’t Abandon You: Bail bond companies are in the business of money, not justice. Starr Law, P.C. is in the business of defending you. Our goal is your freedom and a positive resolution to your case.
- We Don’t Play Games: This is the most critical difference. If you are arrested again on a new charge, many bail bond companies will immediately file a motion (known as a 17.16 Motion) to withdraw from your original bond and surrender you back to jail. They do this to avoid financial liability. Instead of helping you get back out, they will often try to charge you more money to post a new bond. We would never do that. We stand by our clients and work to solve the new problem, not make it worse.
Collin County Bond Changes: FAQs
Can I get a writ bond in Collin County now?
No. Collin County has ceased accepting all attorney writ bonds. Every defendant must now go through the formal arraignment process at the county jail.
How long will I be held now?
You should expect to be held for at least 24 to 48 hours, and often longer, depending on the court schedule. This is a significant increase from the 2-6 hours it often took for an attorney to secure a writ bond release.
What if I can’t afford my bond?
Contact us immediately. We can argue for a reduced bond at your hearing and discuss our flexible options for posting it for you, which is almost always more affordable than using a bail bondsman.
Does this affect felony arrests?
Writ bonds were typically for misdemeanors. Felony arrests are already going through the county’s arraignment process, so this change primarily affects those arrested on misdemeanor charges.
Arrested in Collin County? Contact Your Attorney—Not a Bondsman
If you or a loved one is arrested in Collin County, your first call should be to a defense attorney, not a bail bond company. A bondsman cannot give you legal advice or defend you in court. They can only take your money.
Your first call should be to Starr Law, P.C. With over 28 years of dedicated criminal defense experience in Collin County, we know the system, the judges, and the most effective strategies to protect your freedom and your future.
We can:
- Advise you on what to expect during the new, longer process.
- Represent you at your arraignment to argue for the lowest possible bond.
- Post your bond efficiently once it is set, saving you money compared to a bondsman.
- Immediately begin building a powerful defense for your case.
Don’t lose your money to a bail bond company that will abandon you at the first sign of trouble. Invest in a defense team that fights for you from the moment you call until your case is closed.
We are available 24/7 to help. Contact Starr Law, P.C. today at 214-982-1408.
