Bexar County Satellite Office. Attorney Genaro R. Cortez.

What is the Bexar County Satellite Office?

The Bexar County Satellite Office lets people with active-arrest warrants walk into the courthouse and bond out quickly. Specifically, the bailiffs at the satellite office book you into the system, pull your warrant, and let you out without going to “jail.” This can save you time, headaches, and the embarrassment of getting arrested at work or while out with family or friends.

But there are some things to know before you use the satellite office. This post will show you how the satellite office works and how to use it to bond out at the courthouse.

What is a satellite bond?

Surprisingly, there is no such thing as a satellite bond. Instead, a satellite bond is a reference to the satellite office located in the basement of the Bexar County Courthouse. Of major interest, the satellite office lets you turn yourself in at the courthouse instead of at the jail.

And to use the satellite office, you will need to get a bail bond before you turn yourself in. This is why lawyers call it a satellite bond. It’s the bond paperwork you take to the satellite office.

Accordingly, you still need to hire a bond company or lawyer to post your bond. Once you do this, then you take your bond paperwork to the satellite office to get booked. You must do this before you turn yourself. Otherwise, you will end up in jail until someone bonds you out.

While at the satellite office, a bailiff will arrest, take your fingerprints, and a take your mugshot. The bailiff will also make sure your paperwork is correct. And this is the true benefit of the satellite office. The booking process is much faster.

For example, if you use the satellite office, the court staff and bailiffs can book you in less than a few hours. In contrast, if police arrest you on the street, then it can take 8 hours or more to get booked and bonded out of jail. In short, the satellite office makes it easier to deal with your arrest warrant.

How to bond out using the satellite office?

Post a bail bond.

Hire a bond company or lawyer to post your bond. You should do this before you turn yourself into the satellite office.

The bond paperwork must be written exactly as it is on the warrant. The bond must also state the crime charged. And the paperwork must state the bond amount.

Finally, you must have triplicate copies of the bond. The original plus two copies. Your bonds person or lawyer will provide you with all this paperwork. But you should double check it before you go to the satellite office.

Bring a $15.00 money order.

Get a $15.00 money order or cashier’s check made payable to “Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.” Do not write anything else on the payable line. If you have two or more warrants, then get a second money order for $15.00.

Have a valid ID, Driver’s License, or Passport.

You must have a current form of picture identification. Student ID’s are not allowed.
Examples of IDs that you can use include driver’s licenses, U.S. Passports, U.S. Military IDs, US Permanent Resident Cards, and Border Crossing Cards.

Provide two references.

You need two references of people who do not live with you or with each other. You can bring your cellphone to the satellite office for this purpose.

Turn yourself into the Bexar County Satellite Office.

The satellite office is located at 100 Dolorosa Street, B 10.2, San Antonio, Texas 78205. It is located in the basement of the old courthouse. (This is the courthouse where you go for a divorce or child-support hearings.) Their office number is 210-335-2592.

Who cannot use the satellite office to bond out?

The satellite office cannot take the following types of cases:

  • sex crimes of any type or degree;
  • out of county warrants;
  • out of state warrants;
  • some cases that are not assigned to a court; and
  • cases that require GPS as a condition of bond. (But there are some exceptions.)

What else should I know about the Satellite Office?

The satellite office has two time slots to turn yourself in. They are 8 to 9 AM and 1 to 1:30 PM. You should get to the office early. Otherwise, if the office is full, then you will have to come back the next day. Worse yet, they can take you into custody because you have an active warrant.

Finally, get a friend or family member to drive you to the courthouse. Sometimes problems arise during the booking process that will delay when you get out. This makes it risky to park at a meter downtown.

Do I need a lawyer to use the Satellite Office?

No. But I recommend you have a lawyer before you go to the satellite office. This is because in some cases, problems come up. And you may need a lawyer to help get a bond set or straighten out any kinks that pop up during the process.

Need a bond set to get a satellite bond?

Call 210-733-7575 for a free case consult. Attorney Genaro R. Cortez can help you get a bond set if the judge issues an arrest warrant for you and remands you without bond (R.W.O.B.) When this happens, then you will need an attorney to approach the court and ask it to set a bond in your case. If the judge agrees to set a bond, then you can post the bond and get out of jail.