Bond Revocation in Dallas County: Why Bonds Get Revoked & What Happens
Explains what causes a Dallas County judge to revoke a bond — new arrests, condition violations, contact with the alleged victim — and the process for getting a new bond set after revocation.
Bond revocation in Dallas County means a judge orders the defendant back into custody at Lew Sterrett Justice Center and cancels the existing bail arrangement. Under Article 17.40 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, a magistrate may revoke a defendant’s bond if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant violated a condition related to victim or community safety. Common triggers for revocation in Dallas County include contacting the alleged victim in violation of a no-contact order, being arrested on a new criminal charge, failing a court-ordered drug or alcohol test, tampering with a GPS ankle monitor, or repeatedly missing Pretrial Services check-ins.
The revocation process begins when the State or a Pretrial Officer files a motion with the court alleging a bond condition violation. The judge schedules a hearing — typically at the Frank Crowley Courts Building at 133 N. Riverfront Blvd. in Dallas — where the prosecution must prove the violation by a preponderance of the evidence. If the judge finds the violation occurred, the bond is revoked and the defendant is immediately returned to custody. Under Article 17.09 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, a judge also has broad authority to order the defendant rearrested and require a new, higher bond for “any other good and sufficient cause,” which gives Dallas County courts wide discretion beyond the specific violation framework of Article 17.40.
Once a bond is revoked, the surety (bail bond company) is discharged from any future liability on that specific bond, though liability for any prior forfeitures remains. The defendant must then seek a new bond, which often comes at a significantly higher amount. A defense attorney can file a motion to set a new bond, but the judge is not required to grant one at the previous amount. If someone you care about is facing a bond revocation hearing in Dallas County, contact Act Quick Bail Bonds at (214) 744-1414.