Okaloosa County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Okaloosa County Jail

Address:
1200 East James Lee Blvd.
Crestview, FL 32539

Phone:

850-689-5690

Paying an Inmate's Bail or Bond in Okaloosa County

The Okaloosa County Sheriff recommends that you use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Okaloosa County.

  • You can pay a cash bond yourself, or use your home in Okaloosa County, or in some cases the state of Florida, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Okaloosa County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
  • The typical fee for a bond will be between 10-20% of the bail amount; usually 15%.  So if an offender has a bail of $10,000.00, their bond will be $1500.00.

Call 850-689-5690 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Okaloosa County inmate locator.


 

Who do I call to find out the Bond for an Inmate?

Please call the jail at 850-689-5690 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Okaloosa County Jail.
A bond is set according to a court-approved schedule.
The purpose of the bond is to assure the offender's appearance in court.

Instructions on how to post Bail or Bond in Okaloosa County

Because Okaloosa County and Florida can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Okaloosa County Jail at 850-689-5690, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, right after an arrestee has been booked. 

Ask the staff at the Okaloosa County Jail or the Okaloosa County Court Clerk these specific questions:

  1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
  2. How much will the bail or bond be, and what are the additional fees?
  3. Where do I go to pay it?
  4. Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
  5. What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
  6. Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?

If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released. 

This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.

Option 1 - How to Post Bail using Cash for a Defendant at Okaloosa County Jail

The first option, a cash bond, is to pay the full bail amount in cash, cashier's check, or money order. Personal Checks are not accepted.

Depending on the crime, this amount could be anywhere from $100 to $75,000 or more.

To pay a cash bond, go to Okaloosa County Jail or to the court where the bail hearing occurred. Going directly to the jail will quicken the release of the defendant as any bail paperwork processed at the court will have to be transferred to the jail.

Cashier's Checks and Money Orders may be made out to Okaloosa County Jail where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office or to the Okaloosa County Court.

To purchase money orders visit any Western Union, Moneygram or Post Office.

Option 2 - How to Post a Private or Surety Bond for a Defendant at Okaloosa County Jail

In the event that someone does not have the full bond amount available to him or her, there is what is called a private bond or surety bond.

This is an agreement made with a bail agent or bondsman who will post the full bail amount. In return, the defendant and/or cosigner will pay a premium to the bail agent. This premium will be 10-15% of the full bail amount.



For example, if bail is posted at $5,000, then the premium will cost approximately $500-$750.

A bail agent will often require some form of collateral, for example, a lien on a house, a car or jewelry. This is to ensure that if the defendant skips bail, or does not appear in court, the bail agent has some sort of compensation for the full bail amount being paid.

Remember, by making an agreement with a bail agent the signatory takes responsibility for paying the full bail amount if the defendant does not appear in court.

Option 3 - How to Post a Property Bond for a Defendant at Okaloosa County Jail

If you are a landowner in Okaloosa County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Okaloosa County may be used as collateral to bail someone out. All owners of the property must be present to sign the bond in order for this to happen.

To find if property located outside of Okaloosa County can be used as collateral, call a local bail or bond agent or contact a defense lawyer.

Click here for additional information on how to post bail at Okaloosa County Jail.

Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Okaloosa County Jail?

Anyone over the age of 18 who can produce a valid government-issued photo ID can post bail. Accepted forms of ID include a Photo Driver's License, Passport, or Motor Vehicle issued ID.

In many circumstances, if the defendant has the resources, they can post their own cash bail from jail.

Surety Bonds are arranged by a third party, typically a Florida state licensed Bail Bond firm.

Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.

Okaloosa County Justice System Flowchart

When will the Cash Bail or Collateral be returned to me?

Money or collateral will not be returned until the defendant's court case is finished, so realistically it could take several months to years, depending on the severity of the charges. If a defendant posts his or her own bail, Okaloosa County Court may retain whatever amount of fines or fees have accumulated throughout the trial.

What happens to my Bail or Collateral if the Defendant misses Court?

The Okaloosa County Judge may order a failure to appear warrant for the person's arrest or the Judge may order a Bail Commissioner's Letter be issued that will be sent to the person with a new court date.

If cash bail was paid, the entire amount may be forfeited.

Okaloosa County Bail Bond Information

Because Okaloosa County and Florida can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Okaloosa County Jail at 850-689-5690, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, and do this right after an arrestee has been booked. 

Ask the staff at the Okaloosa County Jail or the Okaloosa County Court Clerk these specific questions:

  1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
  2. How much will the bail or bond be, and what are the additional fees?
  3. Where do I go to pay it?
  4. Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
  5. What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
  6. Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?

If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released. 

This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.


 

How to Deposit Money Online for an Inmate in Okaloosa County

To deposit money online for an inmate in Okaloosa County Jail follow these steps:

  • Register to open an account, or Sign In to JailATM, a service that acts as a bank for inmates in Okaloosa County.
  • After registering and signing in, select 'Send Money Now'.
  • Choose Florida, then choose Okaloosa County Jail
  • Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
  • Select your inmate.
  • Input an amount to deposit to your inmate in Okaloosa County Jail, and then input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much money you can send your inmate in Okaloosa County at any one time.
  • If you need to phone customer support, call 877-810-0914.

For all information, tips and procedures for sending money to an inmate in Okaloosa County Jail, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money Page for Okaloosa County.


 

How to Rent a Tablet for an Inmate in Okaloosa County Jail

To rent a tablet for an inmate in Okaloosa County follow these instructions:

  • Register here.  It is recommended you use Chrome or Firefox.
  • Pay for the subscription using Paypal.
  • You get charged the 1st of each month. 
  • You get charged a full month even if it's only used for a partial month.
  • No activation or early termination fees.
  • Your Okaloosa County inmate will recieve their tablet in 3-5 business days, after you pay.


If you have any questions:

For all Okaloosa County information on Tablet Rentals for your inmate, check out our Tablet Rental Page.


 

How to Send Money to an Inmate in Okaloosa County

To send commissary money to an inmate in Okaloosa County Jail follow these steps:

Okaloosa County Jail uses the services of JPAY for you to send money to an inmate's trust fund / commissary account. 

You can send money to an inmate/offender's commissary/spendable account through the Send Money page.
There are several ways to send money to an inmate/offender in Okaloosa County.

  1. Online payments
  2. Over the phone by calling 800-574-5729
  3. MoneyGram
  4. If you wish to send cash you can use MoneyGram. MoneyGram has many convenient locations nationwide.
    The following establishments will always have MoneyGram services:
    Walmart
    7-11
    CVS Pharmacy

You will need:
The Okaloosa County Inmate's Correctional ID number and their last name
Okaloosa County Jail or  the receive code.
You can visit the MoneyGram website to find locations near you.

        5. Money Order - Inmate's Name must be on the Money Order
            Inmate Name and Inmate ID#
           Okaloosa County Jail address.

        6. Lobby Kiosk
            You can use a debit or credit card in the jail lobby kiosk to send funds to an inmate/offender.

For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for Okaloosa County Jail.


 

How an Inmate Makes a Phone Call to You or Others from Okaloosa County Jail

To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from Okaloosa County do the following:

1. Enroll in an account with Securus Technologies.

2. Choose one of three account types, Securus Debit, Advance Connect or Direct Bill.
3. Choose [facility_name_1}, then connect with your inmate.
4. If you have any questions, call Securus: 972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591.

To find out fees, how to's, calling times, limits on phone calls and other systems Securus has do that you can communicate with your Okaloosa County inmate, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: All of your inmate's phone calls are recorded and stored. It is advised not to discuss their pending case.


 

How to Send a Text or Email Message to an Inmate in Okaloosa County Jail

To send a text or email message to a Okaloosa County inmate, do the following:

Okaloosa County Jail uses Securus eMessaging for Inmate Email.

Register here. (You are already registered if you signed up with Securus for 'Phone' or 'Remote Visitation' in Okaloosa County or any jail or prison in the country).
Steps: 
1.  Sign up for eMessaging
2. Find your Okaloosa County inmate.
3. Purchase a book of Securus ‘stamps’.
4. Type & Send message.

For all Okaloosa County information for sending secure messages to an inmate in Okaloosa County Jail, including instructions, video examples, fees, limits, tablet rentals and more, check out out Text/Email an Inmate Page.


 

How to Schedule and Visit an Inmate in Okaloosa County Jail

To schedule and set up a visit, either at-the-jail or remotely from your home, follow these instructions:

  • Register and/or log in.
  • Select Okaloosa County Jail, then your inmate.
  • Review the days, available hours and the cost of remote and on-site visits in Okaloosa County.
  • Schedule your visit.

To get more complete instructions, and understand visit lengths, times, locations, fees and all the other rules including children, dress codes and more, check out or Visit Inmate Page.
NOTE: All visits are recorded and whatever you say and do will be monitored. It is best to never discuss sensitive information regarding your inmate's pending case.


 

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