Magistrate Judge Figarito presiding in Travis County Court reviewed defendants' constitutional rights, explained four ways to obtain release, set bond amounts for multiple people and, in several cases, granted personal bonds with conditions. In one case the judge issued an emergency protective order lasting two months.

The hearing began with Figarito telling the assembled defendants, "I'm not here to decide whether you're innocent or guilty. I'm just here to explain your charges, your rights, and your options on how to get out of jail." He summarized available release paths: a personal bond, paying the full bond amount in cash, using a bail bondsman (commonly charging about 10 percent in Travis County), or hiring an attorney to advocate for release.

Why it matters: bond decisions determine who is released before trial and under what conditions. Several releases included no-contact and geographic restrictions intended to protect alleged victims; one case included a time-limited emergency protective order and a firearm prohibition.

Key actions and outcomes

Hannah Stipek — charged with a Class A misdemeanor criminal mischief — had a $3,000 bond set but was granted a personal bond and released without paying. Conditions: no contact with the alleged victim (by phone, text, email or social media), maintain a 200-yard distance from the victim, and stay at least 200 yards away from 17612 Prairie Verbena Lane in Austin. Figarito told Stipek she would be released "in the next few hours" if she complied with bond conditions.

Gregorio Gutierrez — initially told his bond was set at $20,000 for a first-degree felony possession with intent to deliver; the judge stated a personal bond would not be offered because of the alleged amount of drugs. The judge later reduced the bond to $15,000 to account for the defendant's limited funds; the judge instructed Gutierrez to seek an attorney or a bail bond company to secure release.

James Haggerty — charged with second-degree felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (allegedly striking someone with a shovel) — was assigned a $7,500 bond. Figarito noted Haggerty could seek release through a bail bond company (roughly 10 percent, or about $750) or an attorney; Haggerty requested a court‑appointed attorney. The judge imposed a no-contact restriction with the alleged victim if Haggerty is released.

Jasmine Gutierrez — charged with a Class A misdemeanor assault causing bodily injury — had a $3,500 bond but was granted a personal bond and released on the promise to appear, subject to a no-contact condition with the alleged victim (including phone and social media).

Ashley Grivu — appeared with an outstanding Harris County warrant for aggravated assault on a public servant; the judge said Grivu's bond had been revoked in the Harris County matter and that her attorney would need to confer with the Harris County district judge about any further release. No release was ordered in Travis County pending that process.

Severo Garcia — charged with a misdemeanor for leaving the scene of an accident in Hays County — was given a personal bond after pretrial services was to interview him. The judge noted because the underlying case is in Hays County, the specific court date was not on Travis County paperwork and told Garcia it was his responsibility to contact Hays County for his court date.

Quincy Alexander — charged with a Class A misdemeanor interfering with an emergency telephone call — had a $3,000 bond and was informed a decision on a personal bond would be made within the next few hours. The judge said that if Alexander is released he would be required to continue any court-ordered drug counseling.

Clemente Belmaris — charged with a second‑degree felony indecency with a child — had bond set at $25,000 and was told the usual release options (cash, bail bond company, or attorney). The court also issued an emergency protective order (EPO) that the judge said will last two months, through May 21. Conditions described on the record include: no contact with the alleged victim or members of her household (including the child's father), staying at least 200 yards away from the protected address (which the judge said would remain confidential), and prohibition on carrying firearms or ammunition. The judge warned Belmaris that violating the protective order could carry up to a year in jail.

Court process and next steps

Figarito emphasized defendants' rights to counsel and to request an examining trial in felony cases. For those who could not hire counsel, the judge said court‑appointed attorneys would be assigned and would contact defendants in the following days. The judge repeatedly advised defendants that failure to appear for court dates could result in rearrest and forfeiture of bond collateral.

The magistrate provided practical guidance about bonds: that cash bonds are returned at case end when defendants appear as required; that bail bond companies in Travis County commonly charge about 10 percent of the bond amount; and that attorneys can try to secure personal bonds by advocating to the court. Several defendants were told they would be permitted to use a phone after the hearing to contact family or bond companies.

Ending

No trial dates were set during the arraignment for the Travis County matters discussed on the record; defendants were instructed to consult their attorneys, the clerk's office, or the originating county when cases originated elsewhere. The hearing concluded after the judge finished reviewing conditions and advising defendants of next steps and representation options.