Magistrate explains rights, sets bonds and release conditions for multiple defendants in Travis County Court

Travis County Court magistrate Judge Vigorito reviewed defendants’ constitutional rights, explained options for pretrial release and set bond amounts or personal bonds during a magistration session in which several defendants were processed.

The judge opened by telling those in custody they were “presumed innocent unless proven guilty” and listed four ways to obtain release: qualifying for a personal bond, posting full cash bond, using a bail bondsman or hiring an attorney. “If you give up your right to remain silent, whatever you say can be used against you,” Vigorito said while explaining defendants’ rights to counsel and to request a copy of the law enforcement statement supporting charges.

The hearing mattered because the magistrate both determined immediate release eligibility and imposed conditions that affect day-to-day freedom pending later hearings. Several defendants were released on personal bonds; others were required to post cash or seek a bondsman, and at least one defendant was denied a personal bond because statutes bar personal bonds in that case class.

Most immediately: Ashley Gentry was charged with a Class B misdemeanor for displaying a fictitious license plate and was given a personal…