How Much Does Bail Cost for an Arrest for Assault?
Southern Bail Bonds is a local Dallas County bail bondsman that helps families get their loved ones out of jail on assault charges, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If somebody you know just got locked up for assault in Dallas, the first thing you want to know is how much it’s going to cost to get them out. Based on Dallas County court records, bail for assault charges usually falls somewhere between $500 to $100,000
Good news though, you don’t need all that money up front. You typically pay a fee of around 10% of the bail amount and Southern Bail Bonds covers the rest. We work with you on payments and don’t run your credit.
Most bail bonds companies will take your money, but getting someone out fast takes experience. Southern Bail Bonds has been working Dallas County courts for over 30 years. We know the judges, we know the process at Lew Sterrett and the city jails, and we know how to move. Most of our clients are out the same day, many within a few hours of the bond being posted.
Assault Bail Amounts in Dallas County
Here’s what bail looks like depending on the charge.
| Charge | Classification | Typical Bail Range |
|---|---|---|
| Terroristic Threat | Class B Misdemeanor | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| Assault (Bodily Injury) | Class A Misdemeanor | $1,000 – $4,000 |
| Assault (Family Violence) | Class A Misdemeanor | $500 – $5,000 |
| Deadly Conduct (Discharge Firearm) | 3rd Degree Felony | ~$500+ |
| Assault on Peace Officer/Judge | 3rd Degree Felony | $10,000 – $50,000 |
| Assault (Family, Prior Conviction) | 3rd Degree Felony | ~$50,000 |
| Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon) | 2nd Degree Felony | $5,000 – $100,000 |
These ranges come from Dallas County court records. Judges have discretion under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 17.15, so individual amounts vary.
How Much Is Bail for a Fight or Hitting Someone in Dallas?
If you got into a fight or hit someone, you’re likely looking at a charge under Texas Penal Code Sec. 22.01(a)(1). The formal charge reads: “a person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another.” Hitting, pushing, kicking, punching: it all falls under this statute.
A simple assault is typically a Class A misdemeanor in Texas, punishable by up to 1 year in county jail and a fine up to $4,000.
| Stat | Amount |
|---|---|
| Minimum | $1,000 |
| Median | $1,750 |
| Maximum | $4,000 |
Most defendants charged with simple assault in Dallas County received bail between $1,000 and $2,500.
How Much Is Bail for Domestic Violence in Dallas?
If the person you hit (or are accused of hitting) is a family member, someone you live with, or someone you’re dating, the charge gets a family violence finding under Sec. 22.01(a)(1). The legal definition is the same assault: “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another”, but the family violence label under Texas Family Code Sec. 71.004 changes everything.
A first-offense family violence assault is still a Class A misdemeanor. But under Sec. 22.01(b)(2)(A), a second offense becomes a 3rd degree felony in Texas, punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Texas also imposes a mandatory 24-hour hold before bail eligibility on domestic violence arrests. You can’t bond someone out immediately.
| Stat | Amount |
|---|---|
| Minimum | $500 |
| Median | $2,000 |
| Maximum | $5,000 |
This is the most common assault charge in Dallas County. Bail typically falls between $1,500 and $2,500, though first offenses with no prior record sometimes come in at $500.
If there’s a prior conviction (Sec. 22.01(b)(2)(A)), the charge jumps to a 3rd degree felony and bail increases significantly. In the cases we reviewed, bail was set at $50,000 for this enhanced charge, but yours could differ.
How Much Is Bail for Pulling a Gun or Using a Weapon on Someone?
If someone pulled a gun, a knife, or used any kind of weapon during a fight, that’s aggravated assault under Sec. 22.02(a)(2). The formal charge: “a person commits an offense if the person commits assault as defined in Sec. 22.01 and uses or exhibits a deadly weapon during the commission of the assault.” A “deadly weapon” doesn’t just mean guns and knives. Under Texas Penal Code Sec. 1.07(a)(17), it includes “anything that in the manner of its use or intended use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury”, including a car.
Aggravated assault is a 2nd degree felony in Texas, punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. If the victim is a family member or household member, it becomes a 1st degree felony (5 to 99 years or life in prison).
| Stat | Amount |
|---|---|
| Minimum | $5,000 |
| Median | $50,000 |
| Maximum | $100,000 |
Aggravated assault bail is among the highest for assault charges. Under Texas Proposition 3 (effective January 2026), judges can now deny bail for violent offenses including aggravated assault.
How Much Is Bail for Hitting a Cop in Dallas?
Hitting, pushing, or spitting on a police officer, judge, or other protected official is automatically charged under Sec. 22.01(b-2): “an offense under this section is a felony of the third degree if the offense is committed against a person the actor knows is a peace officer or judge while the officer or judge is lawfully discharging an official duty.” It doesn’t matter if nobody got seriously hurt. If there’s a bodily injury, it can be elevated further.
| Stat | Amount |
|---|---|
| Minimum | $10,000 |
| Median | $12,500 |
| Maximum | $50,000 |
These cases are always charged as felonies. Courts in Dallas County consistently set bail at $10,000 or higher.
How Much Is Bail for Assaulting a Firefighter, EMS Worker, or Government Employee?
Same idea as hitting a cop. Under Sec. 22.01(b)(1), “an offense under this section is a felony of the third degree if the offense is committed against a person the actor knows is a public servant while the public servant is lawfully discharging an official duty.” That includes firefighters, paramedics, and government employees.
In the cases we reviewed, bail was set at $20,000 for this charge. Your amount could be higher or lower.
How Much Is Bail for Threatening Someone in Texas?
If you threatened to hurt or kill someone, that’s called a “terroristic threat” under Sec. 22.07. The name sounds extreme, but it doesn’t require actual terrorism. The formal definition: “a person commits an offense if he threatens to commit any offense involving violence to any person or property with intent to place any person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury.” Threatening to shoot someone, threatening to beat someone up, threatening a family member: all of that counts.
A terroristic threat is typically a Class B misdemeanor in Texas, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail) when directed at a family or household member.
| Stat | Amount |
|---|---|
| Minimum | $1,000 |
| Maximum | $5,000 |
What About Other Assault-Related Charges?
Injury to a Child, Elderly, or Disabled Person (Sec. 22.04): Defined as “intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence causing serious bodily injury or serious mental deficiency, impairment, or injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual.” We saw bail set at $10,000 in the cases we reviewed. This ranges from a state jail felony to a 1st degree felony depending on severity, so bail amounts can swing widely.
Deadly Conduct, Discharge of Firearm (Sec. 22.05(b)): Defined as “knowingly discharging a firearm at or in the direction of one or more individuals, a habitation, a building, or a vehicle.” This is a 3rd degree felony. We saw bail as low as $500 in one case, but your amount could be significantly higher.
Abandoning/Endangering a Child (Sec. 22.041): Defined as “intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence, by act or omission, engaging in conduct that places a child younger than 15 in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment.” One case we reviewed resulted in $0 bail (personal recognizance). Classification ranges from state jail felony to 2nd degree felony, so bail varies.
Harassment of a Public Servant (Sec. 22.11): Defined as “causing to be sent or delivered to a public servant a document that the actor knows to be false and that the actor intends to be taken as a genuine court document or official request.” Bail was $2,500 in the cases we reviewed. This is a 3rd degree felony.
Sexual Assault (Sec. 22.011): Defined as “intentionally or knowingly causing the penetration of the anus or sexual organ of another person by any means, without that person’s consent.” We saw bail set at $20,000 in the cases we reviewed. This is a 2nd degree felony (2 to 20 years in prison). Bond conditions typically include GPS monitoring and no-contact orders under Texas CCP Art. 17.41. Your bail could be higher or lower depending on the circumstances.
Why Is My Bail Amount Different From Someone Else’s?
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 17.15 requires judges to consider 7 factors when setting bail:
- The defendant’s ability to pay
- The nature of the offense and circumstances
- The defendant’s criminal history
- Whether the defendant poses a safety risk
- The defendant’s ties to the community (employment, family, length of residence)
- Whether the defendant is a U.S. citizen
- Any prior failures to appear in court
Bail isn’t a fixed number for any charge. Two people arrested for the same offense can receive different bail amounts based on these factors.
Can They Deny Bail for an Assault Charge in Dallas?
Yes, in certain circumstances. Under Texas Proposition 3 (effective January 1, 2026), judges can deny bail entirely for defendants charged with violent offenses who are already out on bail for another felony.
Bail can also be denied for:
- Capital murder cases
- Felony offenses committed while on bail for a prior felony (under Art. I, Sec. 11c of the Texas Constitution)
- Violations of bond conditions on previous felony charges
While uncommon, bail denial does happen in Dallas County for assault-related charges, particularly for aggravated assault cases.
What If Bail Is Too High? Can It Be Lowered?
If bail is set higher than you can afford, a defense attorney can file a motion to reduce bail under Article 17.15. The attorney argues that the bail amount is excessive based on the defendant’s circumstances: income, employment, community ties, and lack of flight risk.
Bail reduction hearings are common in Dallas County. They don’t guarantee a lower amount, but they’re worth pursuing when bail creates an unreasonable financial burden.
Source: Dallas County court records
Need Help Posting Bail for an Assault Charge in Dallas?
Southern Bail Bonds posts bail bonds for all assault charges in Dallas County, from misdemeanor family violence cases to felony aggravated assault. Licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance (Dallas County License #258, BBB A+ rated), our agents are available 24/7 and can process your bond by phone.
You don’t need the full bail amount. With a bail bond, you pay a percentage of the bail (typically 10%) and Southern Bail Bonds posts the rest. Flexible payment plans are available with no credit check required.
Call (214) 372-2500 Now – Agents standing by across from Lew Sterrett Justice Center
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