Dallas County Changes Jail Intake Rules: What Happens After an Arrest in Dallas County?

Being arrested in Dallas County does not always mean someone is immediately taken to the Dallas County Jail.

That distinction could become even more important under a new Dallas County Sheriff's Office intake policy that may change how police departments across Dallas County handle people after an arrest.

Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown has announced a policy under which the county jail will generally require people arrested by outside law enforcement agencies to be brought before a magistrate before the Dallas County Jail accepts them, unless the arresting agency has made arrangements with Dallas County for magistration services.

The change has drawn opposition from numerous local police chiefs and has already generated litigation. According to reporting by The Dallas Morning News, the City of Carrollton sought an injunction to stop implementation of the policy, but a Dallas County district judge denied the request for immediate relief.

For people arrested in Dallas, Carrollton, Irving, Garland, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Richardson, Farmers Branch, Addison and other Dallas County communities, the dispute raises a much more practical question:

Where will I go after I am arrested, when will a judge set my bond, and how do I get out of jail?

Those questions matter to defendants and their families. They can also become confusing because Dallas County has municipal detention facilities, the Dallas County jail complex, multiple law enforcement agencies and different procedures depending on where the arrest occurs.

Here is what people facing an arrest in Dallas County need to know.

What Is Changing at the Dallas County Jail?

According to The Dallas Morning News, Sheriff Marian Brown announced that the Dallas County Jail would stop accepting certain arrestees who had not already been properly magistrated unless the arresting agency had an agreement with the Sheriff's Office for magistration services.

The Sheriff's Office reportedly offered agencies the ability to bring defendants to the county before magistration for a fee of $567 per person beginning October 1.

The dispute is significant because many people arrested by municipal police departments ultimately end up in Dallas County custody.

The practical effect could be that the location where someone is arrested becomes increasingly important to what happens during the first several hours after an arrest.

Instead of every qualifying prisoner simply being transported to Lew Sterrett for the county to complete the next stages of the process, some cities may need to arrange for a magistrate to see the arrested person before transfer.

That could mean an arrested person spends more time at a municipal jail or detention facility before being transferred to Dallas County.

It could also create situations where someone can potentially resolve the bond process before ever being transferred to Lew Sterrett.

The exact process will depend on the arresting agency, the charge, outstanding warrants, bond conditions and the procedures being used by that jurisdiction.

What Does It Mean to Be “Magistrated” After an Arrest?

Magistration is one of the most important early stages of a Texas criminal case.

Under Article 15.17 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, an arrested person generally must be brought before a magistrate without unnecessary delay and no later than 48 hours after arrest.

At this appearance, the magistrate performs duties required by Texas law, including advising the accused about the accusation and certain constitutional and statutory rights.

Texas law also requires a bail decision without unnecessary delay and generally no later than 48 hours after arrest. Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, the magistrate may grant a personal bond, set a cash or surety bond with appropriate conditions, or deny bail where Texas law permits it.

For many defendants and their families, this is the stage where the question changes from:

“Where is my family member?”

to:

“What is the bond, and how do we get them released?”

Where Do You Go After You Are Arrested in Dallas County?

There is no single answer.

Someone arrested in Dallas County could initially be held at a city detention facility, transported to the Dallas County Jail, or go through other processing depending on which agency made the arrest and the circumstances of the case.

This is particularly important for families searching online for someone immediately after an arrest.

A person arrested in Carrollton, for example, may initially appear in the Carrollton City Jail rather than the Dallas County inmate search.

A person arrested in Garland may initially be at the Garland Detention Center.

Someone arrested by another municipal police department may similarly remain in that jurisdiction's custody while the initial booking and magistration process occurs.

If you search the Dallas County Jail inmate lookup immediately after an arrest and cannot find the person, that does not necessarily mean the person has been released or was not arrested.

They may still be:

• at a municipal jail or detention center;

• waiting to be booked;

• waiting for charges to be filed;

• waiting for magistration;

• waiting for a bond to be set; or

• in the process of being transferred to Dallas County.

The new Dallas County intake policy could make understanding these distinctions even more important.

Dallas County Jail and Lew Sterrett Justice Center

People frequently use the terms Dallas County Jail and Lew Sterrett Jail interchangeably, but Dallas County actually operates multiple detention facilities within its jail complex.

The primary complex is the Lew Sterrett Justice Center, located at 111 West Commerce Street in Dallas.

Dallas County identifies three major active detention facilities at the complex:

North Tower Detention Facility

The North Tower is part of the Dallas County jail system and has capacity for thousands of inmates, including maximum-security housing.

West Tower Detention Facility

The West Tower is also located within the Lew Sterrett complex and houses multiple classifications of inmates.

Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility — South Tower

The Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility is commonly called the South Tower and is another major component of the Dallas County Jail.

Together, these facilities form what people generally mean when they search for:

Dallas County Jail, Dallas Jail, Lew Sterrett Jail, Lew Sterrett Justice Center, Dallas County detention center, North Tower Jail, West Tower Jail or South Tower Jail.

Dallas County states that its active detention facilities can collectively house more than 7,100 inmates.

How Do I Find Someone in the Dallas County Jail?

Dallas County provides an online Inmate Lookup through the Dallas County Sheriff's Office.

This is generally the first place families look after someone has been transferred into Dallas County custody.

However, timing matters.

An arrest does not necessarily appear instantaneously in the county's online system. If someone was arrested by a city police department and is still being processed locally, the person may not yet appear as a Dallas County inmate.

If the arrest was recent and you cannot find the person in the Dallas County inmate search, check with the agency that made the arrest.

You may also need to check the municipal jail where the person was initially taken.

Dallas County also lists its Jail/Inmate Information telephone number as 214-761-9025.

Carrollton City Jail

The Carrollton City Jail is particularly important in light of the current dispute between Carrollton and Dallas County.

Carrollton operates its own jail at:

2001 E. Jackson Road
Carrollton, Texas 75006

The City of Carrollton states that the jail operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Families looking for someone arrested by Carrollton Police can contact the Carrollton City Jail at 972-466-3335.

Under the new Dallas County intake arrangement, understanding whether someone is still at the Carrollton Jail or has been transferred to Lew Sterrett may become particularly important.

Garland Detention Center

The Garland Detention Center is another major municipal jail in Dallas County.

It is located at:

1900 W. State Street
Garland, Texas 75042

Garland describes its detention center as a holding facility and states that detainees charged with Class B misdemeanors or higher are transported to the Dallas County Jail once their cases are ready to be filed with the Dallas County District Attorney's Office.

The Garland Detention Center can be reached at 972-485-4890.

That means a person arrested in Garland may initially be found through the Garland jail rather than a Dallas County Jail search.

Irving Jail and Irving Arrests

People arrested by the Irving Police Department may also go through local detention procedures before being transferred to Dallas County.

The Irving Criminal Justice Center is located at:

305 N. O'Connor Road
Irving, Texas 75061

The developing dispute over Dallas County's magistration policy has particular significance for cities such as Irving because municipal governments must determine how they will provide the required initial judicial proceedings before transferring appropriate defendants into county custody.

If someone has recently been arrested in Irving and does not appear in the Dallas County inmate search, checking with Irving authorities may be necessary before assuming the person has already reached Lew Sterrett.

Dallas City Detention Center and Dallas Police Arrests

Dallas itself also operates a City Detention Center through its Court & Detention Services Department.

The Dallas Marshal's Office and City Detention Center is located at:

1600 Chestnut Street
Dallas, Texas 75226

The city states that the facility operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

However, the City of Dallas also has a substantial contractual relationship with Dallas County for incarceration at Lew Sterrett. City budget documents describe the Lew Sterrett agreement as providing jail administration, intake and housing for thousands of prisoners detained annually by Dallas Police, Dallas Fire and Dallas Marshals.

As a result, someone arrested in Dallas may ultimately be booked into the Dallas County Jail even though a City of Dallas agency made the arrest.

What About Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Richardson, Farmers Branch, Addison and Other Dallas County Cities?

The same basic principle applies throughout Dallas County.

An arrest by a municipal police department does not necessarily mean the defendant immediately appears in the Dallas County Jail system.

People searching for someone arrested in:

Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Richardson, Farmers Branch, Addison, Duncanville, DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Balch Springs, University Park, Highland Park, Cockrell Hill or another Dallas County municipality

should first determine which law enforcement agency made the arrest.

That can tell you where to begin looking.

If the person is still in municipal custody, the city jail or detention center may have the most current information.

If the defendant has been transferred to Dallas County custody, the Dallas County Sheriff's inmate lookup should become the primary resource.

Why Someone May Disappear Between a City Jail Search and Dallas County Jail Search

This can be extremely frustrating for families.

A family member may confirm that someone is being held at a city jail, only to later discover that the city no longer shows the person in custody while the Dallas County inmate lookup does not yet show the person either.

That does not necessarily mean anything unusual happened.

The defendant may simply be in transit or being processed into the Dallas County system.

Booking, records processing, magistration, bond information and database updates do not necessarily occur at the same moment.

The new intake procedures could make it even more important for families to understand which agency currently has custody.

What Happens to Bail Under the New Dallas County Jail Rules?

The controversy is largely about when and where magistration occurs, not whether defendants have a right to have the issue of bail addressed.

Texas law requires an individualized bail decision without unnecessary delay and generally within 48 hours after arrest.

Depending on the circumstances, a magistrate may:

• grant a personal bond;

• set a surety bond;

• set a cash bond;

• impose conditions of release; or

• deny bail when authorized by Texas law.

The amount and conditions can depend on numerous factors, including the alleged offense and the circumstances of the individual case.

The important point is that bond and release strategy can begin before a defendant reaches a long-term housing location inside the Dallas County Jail complex.

Families do not necessarily need to wait until someone has been assigned to the North Tower, West Tower or South Tower before contacting a Dallas criminal defense attorney.

Can Someone Bond Out Before Being Transferred to Lew Sterrett?

Potentially, depending on the case and the procedures being used by the arresting jurisdiction.

This may become one of the most significant practical consequences of requiring magistration before transfer.

If a magistrate has already addressed bail and the defendant is eligible for release, there may be circumstances where the defendant can post the required bond without first completing a transfer to the Dallas County Jail.

Whether that can happen depends on the charge, arresting jurisdiction, warrants, holds, bond conditions and other case-specific circumstances.

For a family trying to get someone home, determining those facts quickly can matter.

How Long Can Someone Be Held Before Seeing a Judge in Texas?

Texas law generally requires an arrested person to be brought before a magistrate without unnecessary delay and no later than 48 hours after arrest.

That does not mean police are automatically entitled to wait 48 hours in every case.

The statutory language specifically requires action without unnecessary delay.

A criminal defense lawyer can investigate the timeline of an arrest, booking, magistration and bail decision when delay becomes an issue.

What Should I Do If Someone Was Just Arrested in Dallas County?

The first few hours after an arrest are often confusing, but there are several pieces of information that can make locating and helping someone much easier.

Try to determine:

Who made the arrest?
Was it Dallas Police, Carrollton Police, Garland Police, Irving Police, Mesquite Police, Grand Prairie Police, the Dallas County Sheriff's Office, DPS or another agency?

Where did the arrest happen?
The city and county can affect where the defendant is initially processed.

What is the alleged charge?
A DWI arrest, family violence allegation, drug possession case, theft case, assault charge or felony warrant can involve different release issues and potential bond conditions.

Has the defendant been magistrated?
This can determine whether bail has already been addressed.

Has a bond been set?
If so, determine the amount, type of bond and any conditions.

Are there additional warrants or holds?
A defendant may have a bond on the new case but remain in custody because of another warrant or hold.

Has the defendant been transferred?
Someone who was at a municipal jail several hours ago may now be in Dallas County custody.

Should You Hire a Lawyer While Someone Is Still in a City Jail?

Yes. There is generally no reason to wait for transfer to Lew Sterrett before contacting a criminal defense lawyer.

In many cases, the hours immediately following an arrest are important.

A criminal defense attorney may be able to begin determining:

• the charges;

• where the defendant is being held;

• whether the case has been filed;

• whether a bond has been set;

• what bond conditions may apply;

• whether additional warrants or holds exist;

• when the defendant may be transferred;

• what court may receive the case; and

• what needs to happen next to protect the defendant.

The criminal case begins with the arrest — not when the defendant finally arrives at the Dallas County Jail.

Common Arrests That Lead to Dallas County Jail

Texas Defenders represents people arrested throughout Dallas County on misdemeanor and felony charges, including:

DWI Arrests

A DWI arrest in Dallas County frequently begins with a traffic stop followed by field sobriety testing, an arrest and a request for a breath or blood specimen.

The criminal case and the driver's-license consequences of a DWI can involve separate deadlines and procedures.

Assault and Family Violence Arrests

An assault family violence arrest can involve important bond conditions, protective orders and restrictions on contact with the alleged victim.

These conditions can affect where someone can live, who they can contact and what happens immediately after release.

Drug Possession Arrests

Drug cases may arise from traffic stops, vehicle searches, search warrants or other police encounters.

The type and amount of the alleged controlled substance can dramatically affect the level of the charge.

Theft and Shoplifting Arrests

Depending on the alleged value and circumstances, theft allegations can range from relatively low-level offenses to serious felony charges.

Weapons Charges

Dallas County defendants may face weapons allegations arising from traffic stops, prohibited-person allegations or accusations involving where or how a firearm was possessed.

Warrants

Sometimes an arrest occurs because of an outstanding Dallas County warrant rather than a new offense.

Determining which court issued the warrant and whether a bond has already been set can be critical to resolving the arrest.

Dallas County Jail FAQ

Where is the Dallas County Jail?

The primary Dallas County jail complex is the Lew Sterrett Justice Center at 111 West Commerce Street in Dallas, Texas.

Is Lew Sterrett the Dallas County Jail?

Lew Sterrett is the primary Dallas County detention complex. The complex includes the North Tower, West Tower and Suzanne Lee Kays/South Tower detention facilities.

How do I find out if someone is in the Dallas County Jail?

Use the Dallas County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup or contact Dallas County Jail/Inmate Information at 214-761-9025.

Why can't I find someone in the Dallas County inmate search after an arrest?

They may still be at a municipal jail, undergoing booking, awaiting magistration, being transported to Dallas County or waiting for county records to update.

Where does someone arrested in Carrollton go?

A person arrested by Carrollton Police may initially be held at the Carrollton City Jail at 2001 E. Jackson Road. Depending on the charges and circumstances, the defendant may later be released or transferred to Dallas County custody.

Where does someone arrested in Garland go?

Garland operates the Garland Detention Center at 1900 W. State Street. Garland states that defendants facing Class B misdemeanor or higher charges are transported to Dallas County once their cases are ready to be filed with the District Attorney.

How long before someone sees a judge after being arrested?

Texas law generally requires an arrested person to be taken before a magistrate without unnecessary delay and no later than 48 hours after arrest.

Can a lawyer help before someone reaches Lew Sterrett?

Yes. A lawyer can begin working on a criminal case while the defendant is still being held by the arresting municipality.

Can someone get out of jail before being transferred to Dallas County?

In some circumstances, yes. Whether that is possible depends on whether bail has been set, the type of bond, the arresting agency's procedures, outstanding warrants or holds, and the circumstances of the case.

Arrested in Dallas County? Contact Texas Defenders

An arrest can move quickly through several agencies and facilities.

Under Dallas County's changing jail-intake procedures, a defendant may be arrested by a municipal police department, booked into a city jail, brought before a magistrate, have bail determined and then either be released or transferred to the Dallas County Jail.

That makes it more important than ever to determine exactly where the defendant is and what stage of the process has been reached.

Texas Defenders is a Dallas criminal defense law firm representing people accused of misdemeanor and felony offenses throughout Dallas County and the surrounding Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Our criminal defense lawyers handle cases involving DWI, assault, family violence, drug possession, theft, weapons offenses and other criminal allegations.

If you or a family member has been arrested and you are trying to determine what happens next, call Texas Defenders at 214-306-9696.

Texas Defenders
3302 Swiss Circle
Dallas, Texas 75204
214-306-9696

An arrest is not a conviction. The earlier a defense lawyer can evaluate the charge, the evidence, the bond and the circumstances surrounding the arrest, the sooner the defense can begin.