Assault Bail Bonds in Waco, TX

One statute, many grades

Penal Code Section 22.01 covers three kinds of conduct: intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another; intentionally or knowingly threatening another with imminent bodily injury; and intentionally or knowingly causing offensive or provocative physical contact. The base grades run from Class C misdemeanor for offensive contact up to Class A misdemeanor for bodily injury.

From there, statutory enhancements in Section 22.01(b) can move the charge to a third-degree felony punishable by two to ten years. Aggravated assault under Section 22.02 is a separate, more serious offense. A charge that sounded minor at the scene can be filed at a level that changes the bond significantly, so read the booking sheet rather than relying on what anyone said in the driveway.

Why the alleged victim's identity matters

If the complainant is a family member, household member, or someone in a dating relationship, the case becomes a family violence case, and both the bond conditions and the long-term consequences change. A single prior family violence conviction can turn what would be a Class A misdemeanor assault into a third-degree felony. Assault by strangulation or impeding breath is also a third-degree felony.

Public servants, peace officers, and certain protected categories carry their own enhancements. So does a deadly weapon allegation, which can also affect whether bail is available at all.

None of this is something to sort out at the jail window. Get the bond posted, then get a defense attorney who handles assault cases in McLennan County.

Bond conditions on an assault case

Article 17.40 gives the magistrate broad authority to impose any reasonable condition of bond related to the safety of the alleged victim or the community. On assault cases that almost always means a no-contact provision and a geographic restriction. If a child under 18 is the alleged victim in a Chapter 22 assaultive offense, Article 17.41 requires the magistrate to order no direct communication with the child and no going near a residence, school, or other location the child frequents, with limited exceptions.

Violating a bond condition has teeth. At a hearing limited to that question, the magistrate can revoke the bond on a finding by a preponderance of the evidence that the violation occurred, and must then order the defendant back into custody. Once the defendant is back in, the surety is discharged from future liability, meaning the premium is gone and a new bond has to be arranged.

• No contact with the alleged victim, direct or indirect
• Stay-away distance from a residence, workplace, or school
• No new offenses and no weapons where ordered
• Possible GPS monitoring in family violence cases
• Report as instructed to the court and the bonding agency

When bail is not automatic

Article 17.03 prohibits a personal bond for a defendant charged with an offense involving violence, and the statute's list includes aggravated assault, assault filed as a felony involving family violence, and second-degree felony assault. It also bars a personal bond for someone charged with a new felony or with assault, deadly conduct, terroristic threat, or firearm-related disorderly conduct while already on bail or supervision for a violent offense.

Since November 19, 2025, the Texas Constitution as amended by Proposition 3 requires judges to deny bail entirely in certain enumerated cases, including aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury or involving certain weapons, when the state meets its burden at a hearing. The accused is entitled to a lawyer at that hearing. If the jail record shows a hold or no bond on an aggravated charge, a defense attorney is the right first call.

Posting the bond

Assault bonds range widely because the charge does. On a surety bond the premium is customarily around 10% of the bond, up to roughly 15% where the risk is higher. Chapman's Bail Bonds is licensed by the McLennan County Bail Bond Board and works this county only, with payment plans and free notary available.

If the case is a family violence filing with extra release conditions attached, Break 'Em Out Bail Bonds at 254-400-2663 specifically handles those cases and keeps collateral negotiable.

For an ordinary assault bond in Waco, call Chapman's Bail Bonds at 254-855-9885. They are at 700 E. Waco Dr., open every day of the year, and guarantee the bail posted and paperwork turned in within 30 to 45 minutes.