SHERIFF ACCOUNT

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the county clerk shall keep an account for the county sheriff that charges the sheriff with each judgment, fine, forfeiture, or penalty that is payable to and rendered in any court of the county and that the sheriff is charged by law to collect. The sheriff may discharge the liability by producing the county treasurer's receipt that shows payment of the judgment, fine, forfeiture, or penalty. (b) The sheriff may also discharge the liability by showing to the satisfaction of the commissioners court that the judgment, fine, forfeiture, or penalty cannot be collected or that it has been discharged through imprisonment or labor or by escape occurring without the sheriff's fault or neglect. The sheriff must obtain an order of the commissioners court that allows the discharge. (c) The sheriff is not liable for a judgment, fine, forfeiture, or penalty if the judgment, fine, forfeiture, or penalty is collected by: (1) a public or private vendor under Article 103.0031, Code of Criminal Procedure; or (2) the county treasurer or county auditor as required by Section 154.011.