Travis County magistrate outlines rights, sets bonds and orders several personal releases

Judge Figarito, the magistrate judge presiding at a Travis County Court arraignment session, reviewed defendants’ constitutional rights and pretrial-release options and set bond amounts or personal-release conditions for several people arrested on a range of misdemeanor and felony allegations.

The advisement opened with Figarito telling those in custody, “I’m not here to decide whether you’re innocent or guilty,” and outlining their rights to remain silent, to consult an attorney before making decisions, and to request a court-appointed lawyer if they cannot afford one. The judge also described four ways defendants can leave custody: qualifying for a personal bond, paying the full bond in cash, using a bail bond company, or hiring an attorney to seek release.

The magistrate emphasized the practicalities of pretrial release: the court will consider the seriousness of charges, criminal history, references and past court attendance, and that bail bond companies in Travis County commonly charge about 10% of the bond amount. The judge also said defendants charged with felonies may request an examining trial (a preliminary hearing to test probable cause) and warned non-U.S. citizens that convictions can affect immigration status.

At the session the court took individual actions on defendants currently in custody. Outcomes and conditions announced by Figarito included personal bonds for…