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 asShare of bail recordsPossible confinementFineSource
Class A misdemeanor100% 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.

Recent HINDERING APPREHENSION OR PROSECUTION cases

CaseCountyFiledDisposedOutcome
26-CCR-251268FortBendMay 27, 2026Jul 1, 2026Guilty or no-contest plea
268229BrazoriaJun 13, 2025Jun 5, 2026Dismissed by the prosecutor
25-CCR-244715FortBendApr 9, 2025May 26, 2026Dismissed by the prosecutor
269684BrazoriaOct 6, 2025May 19, 2026Dismissed by the prosecutor
61,244BastropApr 15, 2026Apr 23, 2026Guilty or no-contest plea
25-3350CR-3HaysFeb 2, 2026Apr 6, 2026Dismissed by the prosecutor
25-3350CR-3HaysFeb 2, 2026Apr 6, 2026Dismissed by the prosecutor
M-25-75311DallasSep 26, 2025Mar 26, 2026Guilty or no-contest plea
26-02-02513MontgomeryFeb 13, 2026Mar 5, 2026Guilty or no-contest plea
24-CCR-240452FortBendApr 3, 2025Feb 27, 2026Dismissed by the prosecutor

Related charges

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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.