Texas Statutes
Chapter 44 - Appeal and Writ of Error
Article 44.04. Bond Pending Appeal

(b) The defendant may not be released on bail pending the appeal from any felony conviction where the punishment equals or exceeds 10 years confinement or where the defendant has been convicted of an offense listed under Article 42A.054(a), but shall immediately be placed in custody and the bail discharged.
(c) Pending the appeal from any felony conviction other than a conviction described in Subsection (b) of this section, the trial court may deny bail and commit the defendant to custody if there then exists good cause to believe that the defendant would not appear when his conviction became final or is likely to commit another offense while on bail, permit the defendant to remain at large on the existing bail, or, if not then on bail, admit him to reasonable bail until his conviction becomes final. The court may impose reasonable conditions on bail pending the finality of his conviction. On a finding by the court on a preponderance of the evidence of a violation of a condition, the court may revoke the bail.
(d) After conviction, either pending determination of any motion for new trial or pending final determination of the appeal, the court in which trial was had may increase or decrease the amount of bail, as it deems proper, either upon its own motion or the motion of the State or of the defendant.
(e) Any bail entered into after conviction and the sureties on the bail must be approved by the court where trial was had. Bail is sufficient if it substantially meets the requirements of this code and may be entered into and given at any term of court.
(f) In no event shall the defendant and the sureties on his bond be released from their liability on such bond or bonds until the defendant is placed in the custody of the sheriff.
(g) The right of appeal to the Court of Appeals of this state is expressly accorded the defendant for a review of any judgment or order made hereunder, and said appeal shall be given preference by the appellate court.
(h) If a conviction is reversed by a decision of a Court of Appeals, the defendant, if in custody, is entitled to release on reasonable bail, regardless of the length of term of imprisonment, pending final determination of an appeal by the state or the defendant on a motion for discretionary review. If the defendant requests bail before a petition for discretionary review has been filed, the Court of Appeals shall determine the amount of bail. If the defendant requests bail after a petition for discretionary review has been filed, the Court of Criminal Appeals shall determine the amount of bail. The sureties on the bail must be approved by the court where the trial was had. The defendant's right to release under this subsection attaches immediately on the issuance of the Court of Appeals' final ruling as defined by Tex.Cr.App.R. 209(c).
(i) Notwithstanding any other law, pending the determination of a defendant's motion for new trial or the defendant's appeal from a misdemeanor conviction, the defendant is entitled to be released after completion of a sentence of confinement imposed for the conviction. The trial court may require the defendant to give a personal bond but may not, either instead of or in addition to the personal bond, require:
(1) any condition of the personal bond;
(2) another type of bail bond; or
(3) a surety or other security.
Acts 1965, 59th Leg., vol. 2, p. 317, ch. 722. Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 636, ch. 234, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 29, 1977.
Secs. (b), (c) amended by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 707, ch. 268, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 813, ch. 291, Sec. 125, eff. Sept. 1, 1981. Secs. (b), (c) amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 2416, ch. 425, Sec. 26, eff. Aug. 29, 1983; Sec. (h) amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 1104, ch. 249, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 29, 1983; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 968, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1985; Sec. (b) amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, Sec. 284(50), eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Secs. (b), (c) amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 546, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Sec. (a) amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 942, Sec. 3, eff. June 20, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 770 (H.B. 2299), Sec. 2.19, eff. January 1, 2017.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1011 (H.B. 1442), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.