Travis County magistrate sets bonds, grants some personal bonds and issues protective orders

Magistrate Judge Vigorito reviewed charges and set bail or personal-release conditions for more than a dozen defendants during a Travis County magistrate hearing. The judge explained the four ways to secure release, set bond amounts and conditions, granted personal bonds in some cases and denied them in others, and issued emergency protective orders in at least one multi-count case.

The hearing matters because pretrial release decisions determine who leaves custody while cases are pending and what conditions accompany that release. Judge Vigorito emphasized defendants’ rights and the consequences of failing to comply with bond or protective-order conditions.

Judge Vigorito opened the proceeding by explaining rights and release options, telling 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 outlined four ways to get out: a personal (promise-to-appear) bond, posting full cash bond, using a bail bondsman, or hiring an attorney to seek release. He also told the group that “most bail bond companies tend to charge around 10% of the bond amount.”

Decisions and conditions

- Savannah Wertenberg: Charged with a Class B driving-while-intoxicated misdemeanor with a stated “bottom amount” of $2,000. Judge Vigorito said, “I am gonna do a personal bond in your case. You can be released today for free.” (Personal bond granted.)

- Bridal Sanchez: Had multiple charges including two third-degree felonies (tampering with evidence; evading arrest in a motor vehicle) and two misdemeanor charges the prosecutor indicated would be dropped soon. The judge said he would grant a personal bond for the remaining felonies and explained a reporting requirement: Sanchez must contact a supervision officer within 24 hours of release and follow that officer’s directions. (Personal bond granted; reporting to pretrial supervision required.)

- Jarvis Smith: Charged with second-degree burglary of a habitation with a stated bottom amount the judge read aloud. The judge said a final decision on a personal bond had not been made because staff had not been able to reach the alleged victim; staff would continue attempts that day. If the victim can be contacted and conditions allow, a personal bond remains possible; otherwise Smith must pursue a bondsman or lawyer. (Personal-bond decision pending; bond amount set as stated.)

- Michael Larkin: Charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (state-jail felony) and third-degree possession; total bond amount given as $15,000. The judge explicitly said Larkin would not receive a personal bond based on the facts and criminal history and directed him to use a bail bond company or an attorney. The judge also ordered that, if released, Larkin must be screened for the drug court program and for drug counseling as recommended on screening paperwork. (Personal bond denied; bond set $15,000; drug-court and counseling screening required.)

- Romeo Vega: Charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (second-degree felony) and a Class A misdemeanor bond-condition violation. Total bonds were stated as $14,000. The judge said Vega would not receive a personal bond because he was already out on bond in other assault cases and one charge reflected a violation of prior conditions. A condition of release, if posted, is a 200-yard stay-away from the alleged victim, Vicente Laredo Segura, and from the victim’s residence. (Personal bond denied; bond set $14,000; 200-yard stay-away condition.)

- Saul Lopez: Charged with second-degree felony possession of a controlled substance. The judge said Lopez would not receive a personal bond and would need to secure release through a bail bond company or private attorney. (Personal bond denied; bond amount stated in the hearing.)

- Micah Martinez: Charged with a second-degree assault (details read in court). Judge Vigorito said the bottom amount on the case was $12,000 and that a personal recognizance bond was not available for that assault charge; Martinez was advised to contact family or a bondsman or hire counsel. (Personal bond denied; bond set $12,000.)

- Sean Burke: Charged with a third-degree felony assault on a public servant with a bottom amount read as $1,500. The judge said Burke would not receive a personal bond and must pursue a bondsman or attorney. (Personal bond denied; bond set $1,500.)

- Jose Mejias Hernandez: Charged on multiple counts including continuous family-violence allegations, repeated violation of protective orders and bond conditions, multiple assaults, and multiple possession counts. The judge read individual bottom amounts for the charges (several $30,000 entries, two $10,000 entries, and smaller amounts) and a combined total stated in court. The judge denied a personal bond and described multiple release conditions if bond were posted: no contact with identified victims (named in court as Alexander and Casey/Casey Nolan), 200-yard stay-away from victims and their residences or workplaces, prohibition on possessing firearms or ammunition, GPS monitoring required, and an emergency protective order to last two months (the judge read the protective-order duration in court). The defendant was directed to sign the protective-order paperwork; the judge emphasized that signing acknowledges notification of conditions and is not an admission of guilt. (Personal bond denied; bonds set as read; emergency protective order issued; GPS monitoring and multiple stay-away and no-contact conditions.)

Process notes and reminders

Judge Vigorito repeatedly reminded defendants that release depends on complying with conditions and on showing up for court dates: “If you don’t, you’ll be rearrested,” he told the group. For domestic-violence-type cases the judge noted staff would attempt to contact alleged victims before making a final personal-bond decision. He also reminded noncitizen defendants about potential immigration consequences and the right to contact their consulate.

What the hearing did not decide

Some personal-bond decisions remained pending while staff attempted to contact alleged victims. The judge also deferred detailed factual discussion of most cases, advising defendants not to discuss case facts in the recorded proceeding and directing them to speak with counsel for factual strategy.

The magistrate session closed after the judge announced bond conditions and directed defendants who wanted counsel to indicate whether they wanted a court-appointed attorney or would hire private counsel. Several defendants asked about how to contact bail bond companies and were told a list is posted near the phones in the jail.

Ending

Magistrate release and bond-setting decisions from this hearing will affect how the named defendants proceed in their cases, including supervision, GPS monitoring and protective-order compliance while cases remain pending. Defendants were warned that violating court-ordered conditions could lead to higher bonds or re-arrest.