Arrested in Montgomery County?
What Happens Next
A Guide for the First Days After an Arrest
If you or someone in your family has just been arrested in Montgomery County, here’s what to expect over the next few days and weeks, and what to do (and not do) right now.
1. Booking at the County Jail
People arrested anywhere in the county, whether by Conroe police, the Sheriff’s Office, a constable, or DPS, are generally booked into the Montgomery County jail in Conroe. Booking includes fingerprints, photos, and an inventory of personal property.
2. Seeing a Magistrate
Texas law requires that an arrested person be brought before a magistrate, generally within 48 hours. The magistrate explains the charge and your rights, sets bond, and sets bond conditions. In family violence cases, the magistrate can also issue an emergency protective order.
3. Bond and Bond Conditions
Bond may be a cash bond, a surety bond through a bondsman, or in some cases a personal bond. Conditions are common and can include an ignition interlock device, GPS monitoring, drug or alcohol testing, and no-contact orders. Montgomery County Pretrial Services monitors many of these conditions. Violating a bond condition can put you back in jail, even if the underlying case is weak.
4. Your First Court Setting
Misdemeanors are heard in the County Courts at Law in Conroe. Felonies are heard in the district courts and generally require a grand jury indictment. Your first setting is usually not a trial. It’s the start of a process that often takes several settings while the defense reviews evidence and negotiates with the District Attorney’s office.
What to Do Right Now
- Don’t discuss the case with police, cellmates, or anyone on a jail phone. Jail calls are recorded.
- Don’t contact the complainant if there’s a no-contact order, even to apologize.
- Don’t post about it on social media.
- If it’s a DWI, watch the 15-day deadline to request an ALR hearing and protect your license.
- Write down what happened while you still remember it, and share it only with your lawyer.
- Talk to a lawyer early. The first few weeks are when evidence like video is easiest to preserve.
Montgomery County Charges We Defend
Talk to a Montgomery County Defense Lawyer
Henry K. Nguyen defends clients throughout Montgomery County and meets clients in Conroe by appointment. Call (713) 222-1800, available 24/7. Hablamos español. Chúng tôi nói tiếng Việt.