Dale County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

1. Is my relative in the Ozark jail right now?

Look up the name with Dale County Inmate Search. If it is not there, call the jail at 334-774-5402 and have the date of birth ready. The sheriff's office, at of Sheriff Mason Bynum, 113 West Reynolds Street, at 334-774-2335, can tell you whether a deputy or a city officer made the arrest.

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2. What if Ozark police, not deputies, made the arrest?

Call the Ozark Police Department at 334-774-2644 during the day or 334-774-5111 after hours to learn which lockup has the person. Ask the same question about Daleville or any other town police department. City charges go to a municipal court, so you may need to pay a different office than the one for county charges.

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3. Who gives out the bond amount?

The jail can read the amount off the booking sheet at 334-774-5402. The signed order is on file with the circuit clerk at 334-774-5003. Judges can change the number, so ask the clerk whether a newer order exists before you hand over money.

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4. Where does Dale County accept bond cash?

Cash bail is usually paid to the clerk or at the jail, never to the arresting officer. In Ozark, payments go either to the circuit clerk's window at 100 East Court Square, Ozark, AL 36360 (334-774-5003) or across town to the jail lobby at 124 Adams Street, Ozark, AL 36360 (334-774-5402). The clerk's posted hours are 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, so call 334-774-5003 first. On nights or weekends, the jail staff at 334-774-5402 can say who is able to take it.

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5. Which payment types does Dale County take?

Ask the clerk which forms it takes, such as a money order or cashier's check, before you go; card rules can depend on the amount. The court site links to AlaPay for fines, but ask the clerk whether a bond can go through it.

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6. Is it cheaper to use a bail agent?

A licensed agent charges a fee set under state rules, and you do not get it back. You need less cash up front, though. Ask for the rate, any collateral, and your duties in writing. The court or jail may share a list of approved companies, but staff cannot recommend one. The bail page lists the steps; read it before you sign.

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7. Can my house count as a bond?

Instead of cash, an owner can pledge real estate. Alabama law asks the owner to live in Alabama and own real property in Alabama, with enough value after loans and the homestead exemption to cover the bond. Everyone on the deed usually has to sign. Ask the clerk what the judge needs.

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8. Can I send bond money from my phone?

Do not assume so. The Dale County Sheriff's Office has an app and the jail has online account services, but those exist to reach inmates and fund their accounts. Ask the clerk at 334-774-5003 whether a payment can be made online for a court bond, and get a written receipt.

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9. How are the amounts set, and what are some examples?

A judge or magistrate sets bond. Alabama's Rule 7.2 gives guide ranges, such as $300 to $3,000 for a Class B misdemeanor, $10,000 to $60,000 for a Class A felony, and $300 to $1,000 for reckless driving. A judge may go higher or lower, so these are not Dale County prices.

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10. Can the sheriff or jailer lower it?

Only a judge can lower a bond, usually after the person's lawyer files a motion. When money for a lawyer is short, phone the clerk at 334-774-5003 to request appointed counsel; an Ozark judge names one once the person signs a sworn hardship form. Jail staff simply read back the current order.

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11. What blocks release even after payment?

A capital murder charge with strong evidence can mean no bond at all. Under Aniah's Law, a judge may refuse bail on listed violent charges after hearing both sides; the May 2026 vote widened that list. Holds from parole officers, probation, other counties or federal agencies also stop a release. Ask the jail if any hold is listed before you pay.

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12. What happens after a missed Dale County hearing?

Dale judges can forfeit the bond and order a fresh arrest warrant. Check the Dale County court website or phone the clerk. Call a lawyer the same day.

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13. Where do juveniles go?

Records for minors stay sealed and never show in the adult roster. Call the jail at 334-774-5402 and the clerk at 334-774-5003 so you know where the teen is and when court meets. Both sit in Ozark: the jail at 124 Adams Street, Ozark, AL 36360 and the clerk at 100 East Court Square, Ozark, AL 36360. Parents should bring photo ID.

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14. Will the court give the money back?

Cash paid to the clerk is normally returned at the end of the case, though fines, restitution, and fees can be taken out. A bonding company keeps its fee. Property bonds carry court fees, and getting the deed released can take a while.

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15. What does a scam sound like?

A caller who demands cash apps, gift cards, or a barcode is not the jail. A real bonding company will not cold-call asking for money. Hang up and call 334-774-5402.

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16. Which offices handle a Dale County bond?

Ozark is home to the jail, the sheriff and the courthouse. Each plays a part:

• Circuit and District Court clerk: Dale County Courthouse, 100 East Court Square, Ozark, AL 36360 · 334-774-5003
• Ozark Municipal Court: Municipal Building, 275 North Union Avenue, Ozark · 334-774-9311; court@ozarkal.gov
• Ozark Police Department: same building · 334-774-2644, or 334-774-5111 after hours, for people Ozark officers arrested
• Daleville Municipal Court: City Hall, 740 South Daleville Avenue · 334-598-2033
• Level Plains Municipal Court: 334-423-3045
• Smaller towns: the Ozark circuit clerk knows which town court has the case

Dale County books arrests into the Dale County Jail, 124 Adams Street, Ozark, AL 36360 · 334-774-5402. Sheriff Mason Bynum's office is at 113 West Reynolds Street, 334-774-2335.

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17. What bond ranges apply in Dale County?

State rules set a range for every charge level, and an Ozark judge can choose a figure outside it. The guide amounts:

• Municipal ordinance: $300 to $1,000
• Class C misdemeanor: $300 to $1,000
• Class B misdemeanor: $300 to $3,000
• Class A misdemeanor: $300 to $6,000
• Driving under the influence: $1,000 to $7,500
• Class D felony: $1,000 to $10,000
• Class B felony: $5,000 to $30,000
• Class A felony: $10,000 to $60,000
• Trafficking charges: $5,000 to $1,500,000
• Amendment 1 (May 19, 2026): bail may be refused for attempted murder or for firing a gun into an occupied house, building or car

Every range is listed in the Alabama Rule 7.2 bail schedule (https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr7_2.pdf).

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18. What if a Dale County arrest is federal?

Federal cases skip the state bond chart. The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama hears them at the federal courthouse in Dothan, 100 West Troy Street, Dothan, AL 36303 (open for trials; clerk work is in Montgomery), 334-954-3600. Expect these steps:

• Agents make the arrest themselves or pick the person up at the Adams Street jail.
• A magistrate judge handles the opening appearance.
• Pretrial services writes a short report on the person's past and local ties.
• Prosecutors may ask that release be denied.
• When release is allowed, it comes with rules, not a dollar figure.

The U.S. Marshals keep custody while the case is open: U.S. Marshals Service, 1 Church Street, Suite A-100, Montgomery, AL 36104, 334-922-6960.

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19. Which prison searches cover Dale County cases?

Each tool below is free:

• BOP: the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator (https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/) shows sentenced federal inmates. If no sentence yet, use 334-922-6960.
• ADOC: the Alabama Department of Corrections Inmate Search (https://www.doc.alabama.gov/inmate/inmate-search/) finds Alabama prison inmates by name or AIS number.
• Ozark jail: Dale County Inmate Search shows the current list.

Our Dale inmate search page has further tips.

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20. Can ICE ask the Dale County Jail to keep someone?

Yes, for up to two business days. A detainer covers that window past the normal release point, and the Dale bond must still be posted.

The ICE New Orleans Field Office, 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087, 504-318-2360 serves Dale County. ICE uses these Alabama jails for short holds:

• Baldwin County Correctional Center, Bay Minette, Alabama
• Etowah County Jail, Gadsden, Alabama
• Pickens County Detention Center, Carrollton, Alabama

Longer detention is often out of state. Look the person up in the ICE Online Detainee Locator System (https://locator.ice.gov/odls/) using an A-number and birth country.

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21. How does VINE help with a Dale County inmate?

VINE gives the location and status of a person in custody:

• Visit VINELink (https://vinelink.vineapps.com/) and set the state to Alabama.
• Enter a booking number or a name.
• Select the correct person to view where they are.
• Ask for text or email alerts about a move or a release.

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22. Where can I check Dale County warrants and cases?

Use these official sources:

• Alacourt: Alacourt Access public search (https://pa.alacourt.com/). Pick Dale; one case comes with each $9.99 name search.
• Clerk site: dale.alacourt.gov has hours and contact facts.
• Sheriff: 334-774-2335 or info@daleso.com for warrant questions.

Setting up a surrender through an attorney beats an arrest at a traffic stop.

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23. Who should confirm a Dale County bond before I pay?

Rules and amounts get updated, so check with:

• The city or town court, if police in that town filed the charge.
• The circuit clerk, 334-774-5003, for court orders and hearing dates.
• The Dale County Jail, 334-774-5402, for the amount on file and posting hours.

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