Pre-Trial Release Department

Director Shane Scott

Shane Scott was appointed as Pre-Trial Services Director in November 2022, after serving as bond investigator for the department for five years.

Scott began working for the Sheriff’s Office as a detention officer in 1987, and worked his way up to a detention sergeant, patrol deputy and patrol sergeant. In 2007, he was promoted to lieutenant and assistant jail administrator at the low and medium risk jail facility, overseeing jail operations, horse patrol and the estray livestock program. After 25 years, he retired from the Sheriff’s Office in 2012.

From 2012-2016, Scott worked for the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office. During that time, he served as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal, working with the Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force. Scott again retired from Smith County in 2016.

In 2017, he began working for the Lindale Police Department, but soon left to return to Smith County as a bond investigator for Pre-Trial Services.

Scott was born and raised in Tyler and he and his wife of 34 years, Jeri Lynn, have two children and one grandson.

Location

Smith County Courthouse Annex,
200 E. Ferguson, Room 213,
Tyler, Texas 75702

Phone: (903) 590-2620
Fax: (903) 590-2626

Office Hours: Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  Closed for lunch: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.  

The office follows the Smith County Holiday Schedule.

Important Links

• Judicial Search
• County Court Arraignments
• District Court Appearances
• Bail Bond Board

Office Functions

• Interviewing and investigating individuals recently incarcerated in Smith County Jail.
  • To allow to the maximum extent possible, release for persons who have been accused of criminal offenses pending judication of their charges.
  • To assure that accused persons appear in court to face their charges and that they do not pose a threat to the public or any specific individual during this period.
• Monitoring client's weekly check-in and enforcing the defendant's compliance of bond conditions and court appearances.
• Receiving, checking, sorting, scanning into the computer and distributing all bonds to the appropriate departments and agencies.
• Performing all administrative and clerical functions for the bondsmen and the Bail Bond Board.

 Mission Statement

A Pre-Trial Bond is a personal bond offered as an alternative to jail release for those individuals who qualify. The Pre-Trial Release Office is funded through the Smith County Commissioners Court, and was established in March of 1979.

The mission of the Smith County Pre-Trial Release and Personal Bond Office is to provide judges and magistrates with information on defendants charged with felony and/or misdemeanor offenses by thorough, accurate interviews and investigations.

Our office provides:

• Appropriate bonding for defendants considered for release by a judge/magistrate and assist in the reduction of the jail population pursuant to Jail Standard Compliance.
• Supervision of defendants released on personal bond geared towards assuring court appearances and heading off unlawful behavior.
• Information to the court regarding violations of court ordered release conditions.

The Personal Bond Office will treat all people equally, regardless of race, national origin, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation or religion.