Penal Code § 38.05(a) · Class A misdemeanor

HINDERING APPREHENSION OR PROSECUTION

Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution in Texas: what bail is set at, how often a personal bond is granted, and what usually happens to the charge.

$2,500
Median cash bail
12%
Released on personal bond
848
Bail records

What “HINDERING APPREHENSION OR PROSECUTION” means

Texas Penal Code § 38.05(a) defines the base offense of hindering apprehension or prosecution. A person commits the offense if, with intent to hinder the arrest, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of another for an offense — or the arrest, detention, adjudication, or disposition of a child for delinquent conduct violating a felony-grade penal law — the person harbors or conceals the other person, provides or aids in providing the other with any means of avoiding arrest or effecting escape, or warns the other of impending discovery or apprehension. The statute supplies a defense to the warning prong where the warning was given in connection with an effort to bring another into compliance with the law. This Class A misdemeanor version applies when the State does not prove the actor knew the person assisted was under arrest for, charged with, or convicted of a felony.

Charged asPossible confinementFineSource
Class A misdemeanor Up to 1 year in county jail Fine up to $4,000 Penal Code § 12.21

Ranges are the statutory maximums for the level; enhancements, prior convictions and plea agreements change what is actually imposed.

Bail for HINDERING APPREHENSION OR PROSECUTION in Texas

Across 848 Texas bail settings for this charge (3 counties, Apr 2022 – Jun 2025), the median cash or surety bond was $2,500 (middle half: $1,500 – $5,000). 12% of defendants were released on a personal bond, and bail was denied in 12 cases. When this was the only charge at booking (387 records), the median was $2,500 and 17% got a personal bond.

CountyRecordsMedian cash bailMiddle halfPersonal bondDenied
Tarrant 73 $1,500 $1,000 – $2,500 15% 1%
El Paso 58 $2,000 $1,500 – $10,000 16% 0%
Bexar 43 $2,500 $1,550 – $5,000 7% 2%

Showing the 3 counties with the most records; use the selector for any county with at least 30. Per-charge bond settings on original magistrations, from Texas OCA bail reporting under SB 6. Bail is set case by case — these are statistics, not a prediction.

How real HINDERING APPREHENSION OR PROSECUTION cases ended

Individual cases from the public court record, with the disposition and sentence text exactly as the clerk entered it. Every case is decided on its own facts.

Ended without a conviction

268229 · Brazoria County
Filed Jun 13, 2025 → Dismissed by the prosecutor Jun 5, 2026 (12 months) · plea: not guilty
Dismissal Order- Other
25-CCR-244715 · FortBend County
Filed Apr 9, 2025 → Dismissed by the prosecutor May 26, 2026 (14 months) · plea: not guilty
Dismissed
25-3350CR-3 · Hays County
Filed Feb 2, 2026 → Dismissed by the prosecutor Apr 6, 2026 (2 months)
Dismissed
MD-0421784 · Galveston County
Filed Dec 13, 2024 → Dismissed by the prosecutor Jul 31, 2025 (8 months)
Dismissed

Deferred adjudication

007-84403-2025 · Collin County
Filed May 15, 2025 → Deferred adjudication Oct 10, 2025 (5 months) · plea: guilty
Condition - Adult:
264484 · Brazoria County
Filed Sep 30, 2024 → Deferred adjudication Jan 30, 2025 (4 months) · plea: guilty
CSCD 12 Months with Community Service of 0 Hours $500 Fine. no ET.
MD-0417776 · Galveston County
Filed May 7, 2024 → Deferred adjudication Nov 18, 2024 (6 months) · plea: guilty
Sentenced - Probation/Community Service Fee Totals Due: 11/18/2024 $0.00 $10.00 $2.00 $270.00 $5.00 $15.62 $9.38 $0.00 Fee Totals $312.00 TX CSCD and Community Service CSCD 9 Months with Community Service of 24 Hours
23-CCR-234651 · FortBend County
Filed Oct 3, 2023 → Deferred adjudication Oct 1, 2024 (12 months) · plea: guilty

Ended in a conviction

26-CCR-251268 · FortBend County
Filed May 27, 2026 → Guilty or no-contest plea Jul 1, 2026 (1 month) · plea: guilty
Convicted
61,244 · Bastrop County
Filed Apr 15, 2026 → Guilty or no-contest plea Apr 23, 2026 · plea: nolo contendere
Confinement to Commence 04/23/2026 1 Days , County Jail, Bastrop County Jail Jail Credit 3 Days
26-02-02513 · Montgomery County
Filed Feb 13, 2026 → Guilty or no-contest plea Mar 5, 2026 (1 month) · plea: guilty
Confinement to Commence 03/05/2026 30 Days , County Jail, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Jail
002-85917-2025 · Collin County
Filed Jul 8, 2025 → Guilty or no-contest plea Jan 15, 2026 (6 months) · plea: guilty
Confinement to Commence 01/15/2026 1 Days , CCSO, Collin County Detention Center - LC Jail Credit 1 Days

Charged with HINDERING APPREHENSION OR PROSECUTION?

Find Texas criminal defense attorneys with verified case histories in your county.

Find a Defense Attorney

Bail data: Texas Office of Court Administration magistration reports (SB 6), Apr 2022 – Jun 2025. Court outcomes: county district and county clerk records. Statistics describe past cases and are not legal advice; every case is decided on its own facts.