Hillsdale County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Hillsdale County Jail

Address:
165 W. Fayette Street
Hillsdale, MI 49242

Phone:

517-437-7317

How Do I pay Bail for Someone Arrested in Hillsdale County?

Can I pay an Inmate's Bail Online?

Hillsdale County Jail has contracted with Express Account, a third party online money deposit service, to pay for an Inmate's Bail using a credit card.

Here's how it works:

  1. Call the Hillsdale County Jail at 517-437-7317 to find out the exact amount you need in order to pay your inmate's bail. Often there are fees that are in addition to the bail amount. Keep in mind that Express Account will also be adding a small percentage for the use of their service. Make sure you select 'bond' when doing this.
  2. Go to Express Account, register with them and follow the instructions to pay bail.  You can also do this by phone if you prefer, by calling 866-422-6833.
  3. A fax or email is sent to the facility within 5 minutes of posting the bond. It includes the information about the bail/bond payment which begins the release process at the facility. If you have a concern, you may contact the facility at 517-437-7317 to inquire.

If you have any questions on how this works phone support is available Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) between 8am - 4pm EST - call 866-422-6833. If you prefer to contact them online, go to their Customer Service Contact Page and write them with the question(s) you have.


 

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

Please call the jail at 517-437-7317 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale County

Because Hillsdale County and Michigan can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Hillsdale County Jail at 517-437-7317, 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 Hillsdale County Jail or the Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale County Jail where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office or to the Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale County Jail

If you are a landowner in Hillsdale County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale County Jail.

Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Hillsdale 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 Michigan state licensed Bail Bond firm.

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

Hillsdale 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, Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale 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.

Hillsdale County Jail uses a third party service called Express Account, affiliated with TIGGS Canteen Service to deposit money in an inmate's commissary account.

By creating an account with Express Account you can send money and purchase commissary to an inmate: 

  • Online 24/7
  • By calling 866-422-6833 24/7
  • By using the Hillsdale County Jail Kiosk which takes cash, debit and credit cards.

Express Account and TIGGS Canteen Service allows friends and family to purchase commissary items for them and having them shipped directly to the facility. Items such as snacks (healthy or non-healthy, clothes, hygeine products, etc.)


 

Hillsdale County Jail uses a third party service called Express Account, affiliated with TIGGS Canteen Service to deposit money in an inmate's account.

By creating an account with Express Account you can send money: 

  • Online 24/7
  • By calling 866-422-6833 24/7
  • By using the Hillsdale County Jail Kiosk which takes cash, debit and credit cards.

Express Account also serves Hillsdale County Jail inmates by allowing friends and family to purchase commissary items for them and having them shipped directly to the facility.


 

How Do You Communicate with an Inmate in the Hillsdale County Jail by Phone

Follow these instructions on how to open an account with GTL Connect Network (aka Viapath Technologies)

  • Advance Pay - This phone account allows you to prepay so that your inmate can call you (and only you) whenever he/she wants and the cost of each call is deducted from your balance. You can even be notified by text when your balance gets low. You still have the option of accepting or rejecting each call.
  • Pin Debit  -  This option allows you to fund an inmate's commissary account and lets him pay for phone calls to you and others with the money. You will have no control over who your inmate calls.
  • Voicemail  -  You can leave a secure voicemail without having to contact the facility. When you call the local phone number for a facility offering Inmate Voicemail (call Customer Service at 877-650-4249 to get the local voicemail number for Hillsdale County Jail, you will be informed of the cost for leaving a message. To leave your message, simply select the inmate by ID number. Then, record your voicemail.

For full instructions on the Hillsdale County Jail Inmate Phone System, what the costs are, how it works, and tips and guidelines on rules, regulations and saving money on calls, check out our Inmate Phones Page.


 

How Do Inmates in Hillsdale County Jail Make Phone Calls?

To receive phone calls from inmates in Hillsdale County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:

  • Hillsdale County Jail uses the services of a company named Inmate Sales.
  • Register with them online or call them at 877-998-5678
  • Agents are available M-F from 8:00 AM - 12:00 midnight EST, Saturdays from 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, and speak both English & Spanish.
  • Services for Hillsdale County inmates and their families and friends include: Collect Calling, PIN Debit, Purchasing Calling Cards, Deposits, Messaging & Video Visitation.

iphone app
Google Play app

For all the information regarding phone calls with Hillsdale County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, limits and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.


 

How Do You Visit an Inmate in Hillsdale County Jail?

Other than 'at the jail' visits between you and your inmate at Hillsdale County Jail, which is explained and outlined in detail on our Visit Inmate Page, Hillsdale County remote video inmate visitation can be done using the services of Inmate Sales utilizing the following instructions:

In order to have a successful video visit with an inmate in Hillsdale County, these are the steps to follow:

  • Make sure you have a device a speaker, a camera and a connection to the internet.
  • Register with Inmate Sales.
  • Find Hillsdale County Jail
  • Select 'New Purchase'
  • Choose Hillsdale County Jail and a product (either 'Remote' or 'Onsite' Visit)
  • Enter your personal information and purchase minutes.
  • Schedule a visit.
  • Call 877-998-5678 if you have any questions.

* All the information you need to have complete knowledge about inmate visitation; policies, rules, fees, schedules, tips, dress codes, and children, lawyers and clergy visitation in Hillsdale County, can be found on our Visit Inmate Page.

Hillsdale County Jail Phone: 517-437-7317