Magistrate delivers warnings, sets bail and court dates for several defendants in Travis County

A magistrate in Travis County on Sunday read required magistrate warnings to people processed in the county jail, informed them of their rights and set bail amounts, stay-away conditions and municipal-court dates for several cases.

The magistrate told the people present that “you are not convicted of any offense at this time, but you are charged,” and outlined their rights, including the right to counsel, the right to remain silent and the right to consular notification for non‑U.S. citizens. The magistrate explained bail options — cash bond, surety bond through a bail company or a personal bond — and said personal bonds were not available at that time and would require judge approval and possibly later agreement with the prosecution.

Why it matters: The magistrate’s advisals set immediate pretrial conditions (bail, release and no‑contact or stay‑away orders) that determine whether individuals remain in custody pending later hearings. Several defendants asked for court‑appointed counsel, a step that triggers pretrial‑service screening and attorney assignment.

Key facts and actions

- Clark: The magistrate identified one person as “Clark,” charged with criminal trespass (class B). Bail was set at $2,000. The magistrate noted the case will include mental‑health supervision and asked whether Clark requested a court‑appointed lawyer; Clark requested one.

- Registration/noncompliance case (name not specified in the transcript): A defendant was described as having an out‑of‑county matter and a pair of charges: criminal trespass of a habitation (class A) with bail set at $3,000, and a third‑degree felony for failing to comply with offender‑registration requirements, for which bail was set at $5,000. The magistrate asked whether the defendant wanted court‑appointed counsel; the defendant requested appointment.

- Hernandez: The magistrate said Mr. Hernandez faces criminal trespass of habitation and multiple municipal traffic matters, including expired registration and no insurance dating from 2019–2021. He was released to the municipal court for those traffic matters and given a municipal‑court date of Feb. 11 at 2:30 p.m. in courtroom No. 4. For the criminal trespass (class A), bail was set at $3,000 and the magistrate ordered that Hernandez stay away from 5005 Manor Road. Hernandez asked for a court‑appointed attorney.

- Miss Reyes: The magistrate said Miss Reyes is charged with criminal trespass of habitation, set bail at $3,000 and ordered that she stay away from 5005 Manor Road. She requested a court‑appointed lawyer.

- Dominic Jonas: The magistrate identified Dominic Jonas as facing two matters: a class B misdemeanor for terroristic threat (alleged brandishing of scissors during the threat) with bail set at $3,000 and a separate class C speeding ticket. The magistrate ordered no contact with the complaining witness and noted Jonas asked for court‑appointed counsel.

What the magistrate told everyone: The magistrate instructed those present that if they cannot afford a lawyer they should request one when asked, and that the pretrial service office will screen for ability to pay and arrange court‑appointed counsel. The magistrate also said any statement made can be used as evidence and that defendants have the right to have an attorney present during questioning and to stop questioning at any time.

Ending: The magistrate directed defendants seeking appointed counsel to indicate that on the record so the pretrial service office could begin arranging representation. Municipal‑court dates and stay‑away conditions were given where applicable; defendants who asked for appointed attorneys were noted for follow up by pretrial services.