Travis County magistrate explains rights and bail options; temporary protective order read in Carrillo case

Magistrate Judge Evans of Travis County Court informed detainees during a March 5 magistration hearing of their legal rights, the three ways to obtain release on bond and, in the case of one defendant, the terms of a temporary emergency protective order.

Judge Evans opened the session by reminding those before the court of the presumption of innocence under Texas law and that his role was to advise on charges and bail rather than to determine guilt. "Tiene derecho de guardar silencio. Cualquier declaración que haga se puede usar y la usarían como prueba en su contra en el juzgado," he told the assembled defendants. He then described the three primary routes to release: paying the bond amount in cash, using a surety (bondsman) who typically charges 10 to 20 percent of the bond, or release on personal recognizance ("fianza de palabra de honor") subject to a pretrial-services recommendation.

In the hearing for Marcos Carrillo,…