February 13, 2026
You made it out. Bond was posted, and you’re back home, back at work, and collaborating with your attorney on your defense. Then the phone rings, or worse, officers show up at your door. A motion to revoke bond has been filed against you, and you could soon find yourself back behind bars.
For anyone facing criminal charges in Houston, an MTRB represents one of the most serious threats to your freedom. Unlike your initial arrest where you had the right to a bond hearing, a revoked bond can mean sitting in the Harris County Jail for months while your case works through the system, leaving you unable to work, care for your family, or effectively help your attorney prepare your defense.
If you’re facing an MTRB or have already violated your bond conditions, understanding the process and your legal options can make the difference between staying free and spending months behind bars. Here’s what you need to know about defending yourself against an MTRB in Harris County.
What is a Motion to Revoke Bond (MTRB)?
When prosecutors file an MTRB, they are formally asking the court to end your pretrial release based on an allegation that you broke one or more of its conditions. Keep in mind this is an entirely separate proceeding from a Motion to Revoke Probation (MTR); the key distinction is timing. An MTRB arises at the pre-conviction stage, when you are still out on bond and your case has yet to go to trial.
Once a judge establishes your bond, a set of mandatory conditions is attached to your release that you must satisfy in order to stay out of custody. These aren’t suggestions; they’re court orders. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 17.09, judges are empowered to bring defendants back into custody and set new bail amounts “for any good and sufficient cause,” a standard that Harris County judges invoke on a regular basis.
If your bond is revoked, there is no path back to freedom through simply putting up new bail money. In the majority of MTRB cases in Harris County, defendants remain in custody without bond for the entire duration of their pending criminal case, a process that can stretch on for many months.
Common Bond Violations That Trigger an MTRB in Harris County
Understanding what constitutes a bond violation is critical because even seemingly minor infractions can land you back in custody.
The “Automatic” Violations
Some violations almost always result in an MTRB being filed:
Getting arrested for a new offense: Even a misdemeanor arrest while you’re out on bond for a felony will trigger an MTRB. Among all the reasons the Harris County District Attorney’s office pursues bond revocation, a new arrest is one of the most frequent.
Failing to appear in court: Missing even one scheduled court date, regardless of your reason, will result in a warrant and an MTRB. Judges take court appearances extremely seriously.
Positive drug or alcohol test: If you’re required to submit to random drug testing through Harris County Pretrial Services or the Harris County Community Supervision Bond Supervision Unit, any positive result can trigger revocation proceedings.
Other Serious Violations
Harris County judges also revoke bonds for:
- Violating protective orders or no-contact provisions, even if the contact seems accidental
- Traveling outside Harris County or Texas without permission
- Failing to report to your bond supervision officer
- Changing your address without notifying the court
- Not completing court-ordered programs like anger management or drug treatment
It’s important to note that Harris County operates two separate bond supervision systems. If you’re on a personal bond, you report to Harris County Pretrial Services. If you posted a cash or surety bond, you report to the Harris County Community Supervision Bond Supervision Unit. Both systems actively track adherence to your bond requirements and flag any breaches directly to the presiding court.
The MTRB Hearing Process in Harris County
Once prosecutors file an MTRB, the process moves quickly and the consequences are immediate.
What Happens When an MTRB is Filed
A warrant is issued for your arrest, typically marked “no bond” or “remand without bond.” This means you cannot post bail to get out; you’ll remain in the Harris County Jail until your MTRB hearing. This is drastically different from your initial arrest, where you had the right to a bond amount.
Your hearing will typically be set anywhere from a few days out to roughly two weeks away, and you will remain in custody throughout that entire window.
What to Expect at Your MTRB Hearing
MTRB hearings in Harris County follow a specific procedure that differs significantly from a criminal trial:
There is no jury: The judge alone decides your fate.
The burden of proof is lower: The standard here is far lower than what’s required in a criminal trial. Rather than establishing guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the prosecution need only demonstrate that a violation more likely than not took place, a threshold that significantly favors the state.
The prosecution presents first: They’ll introduce evidence like police reports, drug test results, testimony from probation officers, or witness statements proving you violated your bond conditions.
You have the right to present a defense: This is your opportunity to challenge the state’s evidence, provide context, and present witnesses who can testify on your behalf.
The judge has three options:
- Revoke your bond entirely (you remain in jail until trial or case resolution)
- Modify your bond conditions (stricter rules, higher bond amount, additional restrictions like GPS monitoring or house arrest)
- Continue your existing bond (rare, but possible with strong defense presentation)
The Devastating Consequences of Bond Revocation
Having your bond revoked creates a cascade of problems that extend far beyond simply being in jail.
Job loss is nearly inevitable if you’re locked up for weeks or months. Most employers cannot hold a position indefinitely for someone in custody.
Your defense suffers because it’s exponentially harder to help your attorney prepare your case from jail. You can’t meet freely with your lawyer, gather evidence, or locate witnesses.
Family and financial strain intensifies as you’re unable to support your loved ones or handle responsibilities.
Your negotiating position weakens dramatically. Prosecutors know that defendants in custody face tremendous pressure to accept plea deals, even unfavorable ones, just to get out of jail.
Bond forfeiture means you or your family loses the money that was posted, and your bondsman is discharged from further liability.
Defense Strategies: Responding to an MTRB
While MTRBs are serious, you do have defenses available to you. The clock starts ticking the moment a violation is suspected, so securing a skilled Harris County criminal defense attorney right away is the single most important step you can take.
Immediate Action Steps
If you know an MTRB might be filed against you, contact an experienced attorney before you’re arrested. An experienced lawyer can sometimes arrange a voluntary surrender, which looks better to judges than being arrested at home or work. Your attorney can also file an emergency motion for a bond hearing to minimize your time in custody.
Effective Defense Strategies
Challenge the evidence – Dispute whether the state can actually prove you violated your bond conditions. Were the drug test results reliable? Is there proof you received proper notice of your court date?
Provide legitimate context – Sometimes what appears to be a violation has an innocent explanation. A prescription medication might have caused a positive drug test. A medical emergency could have kept you from attending your scheduled court date. If your bond conditions were vague or poorly communicated, you may have grounds to argue that any breach was entirely unintentional.
Present strong mitigating evidence – Show the court evidence of your compliance with other conditions: employment verification, completion of treatment programs, character witnesses, proof of Harris County residency and community ties.
Demonstrate you’re not a flight risk – Stable housing, long-term employment, family support, and roots in the Houston area all support an argument for continued release.
Negotiate modified conditions – Sometimes accepting stricter bond conditions (GPS monitoring, more frequent check-ins, higher bond amount) can prevent complete revocation.
Success at MTRB hearings often depends on having an attorney who regularly practices in Harris County’s 24 felony district courts and 16 misdemeanor courts, knows the judges’ tendencies, and understands how local prosecutors approach these cases.
Why Immediate Action is Critical
Harris County’s bond system has been under significant scrutiny and reform in recent years, making the landscape complex. Different judges have different approaches to MTRBs. Some are more willing to give defendants a second chance; others take a hard line on any violation.
Once you’re in custody, gathering evidence and preparing your defense becomes dramatically more difficult. Quick legal action can sometimes prevent a warrant from being issued in the first place, or at minimum, ensures you’re prepared for the hearing.
What to Do If You’re Facing an MTRB
Contact an experienced Harris County criminal defense attorney immediately – The Napier Law Firm is available 24/7 for urgent situations
Do NOT talk to police or probation officers without your attorney present – Every statement you make will be scrutinized and can be brought up to strengthen the prosecution’s case against you
Gather documentation – Prescription records, employment verification, receipts, text messages, or anything that supports your case
Do NOT miss upcoming court dates – This will only make matters worse
Do NOT contact alleged victims if you have a no-contact order
Avoid social media – Don’t post about your case or situation online
Important Texas Laws Governing Bond Revocations
Understanding your rights under Texas law is crucial when facing an MTRB. These are the statutes most directly applicable to your situation:
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 17.09 – When “any good and sufficient cause” exists, this statute authorizes a judge to order a defendant back into custody and set a new bail amount
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 17.40 – Pretrial release may come with the requirement that a defendant comply with “any reasonable condition of bond related to the safety of a victim of the alleged offense or the safety of the community”
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 17.151 – Provides for release on personal bond or bail reduction if the state is not ready for trial within certain time periods
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 17.152 – In cases involving family violence allegations, this statute provides that bail may be denied when a defendant has violated court orders or breached bond conditions
For the complete text of all Texas criminal procedure statutes, visit the official Texas Legislature website.
Protect Your Freedom: Call The Napier Law Firm Today
An MTRB is not the end of your case, but it is a critical juncture that requires immediate, skilled legal representation. At The Napier Law Firm, we have extensive experience defending clients at MTRB hearings throughout Harris County. We know the judges, we understand the local procedures, and we know how to build defenses that give you the best chance of staying free while your case is pending.
Your freedom and your future are too important to leave to chance. If you’re facing a Motion to Revoke Bond or have violated your bond conditions, the time to act is now.
Book Your Free Consultation Today
We’re available 24/7 because we know these situations don’t wait for business hours. One call could be the difference between staying home and spending months behind bars. Don’t navigate an MTRB on your own. The Napier Law Firm is ready to defend your rights and work toward keeping you out of jail.