After an arrest, the judge doesn't just set the amount of your bond — the judge sets the rules you must live by while your case is pending. Those bond conditions can keep you out of your own home, put a monitor on your ankle, or require testing and reporting, all before you've been convicted of anything. The good news: bond conditions are not set in stone, and an attorney can move to modify the ones that are unnecessary or unworkable.
If you or a loved one is dealing with difficult bond conditions in Houston, Harris County, or Galveston, Brian Foley and Luis Baez — former prosecutors — can help.
Common Bond Conditions
| Condition | Where it's common |
|---|---|
| Report to pretrial services | Most felony and many misdemeanor cases |
| No contact / stay away | Family-violence and assault cases |
| Ignition interlock device | DWI cases, especially repeat offenses |
| Drug & alcohol testing | DWI and drug cases |
| GPS or SCRAM ankle monitor | Felony and family-violence cases |
| Surrender of firearms | Family-violence cases and protective orders |
| Travel restrictions | Felony cases and flight-risk concerns |
A violation can get your bond revoked or increased and land you back in jail — and contacting a protected person can bring new charges. If a condition is impossible to meet, raise it with your attorney so it can be modified before it becomes a violation.
Modifying Bond Conditions
Bond conditions can be challenged. Your attorney can file a motion to modify and ask the court to remove or relax conditions that interfere with your job, your housing, your family, or your ability to care for your children — or that are simply more restrictive than the case requires. Courts regularly grant these requests when a persuasive, specific case is made, and getting the conditions right early makes the rest of the case far easier to manage.
Related Pages
- Assault Family Member
- Protective Orders
- DWI Second Offense
- DWI Third (Felony)
- Find My Case / Court Information
Why HCDA
Brian Foley is Board Certified in Criminal Law, and both he and Luis Baez are former prosecutors who know how bond conditions are set — and how to get them changed. If you or a loved one is facing tough bond conditions in Houston, Harris County, or Galveston, contact Houston Criminal Defense Attorneys PLLC for a free, confidential consultation. Call or text (713) 703-1718.