Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer Inmate Bail & Bonds

Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer

Address:
1822 2nd Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020

Phone:

205-481-4160

How do Bail Bonds work at Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer

The Jefferson County jails, both Bessemer and Birmingham, recommend that you call the jail at 205-481-4160 or go to the inmate search, to look up the inmate's bond amount. 

If you can't afford it, they recommend you look up a local bail bond agent and contact them.


 

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

Please call the jail at 205-481-4160 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer.
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 Jefferson County

Because Jefferson County and Alabama can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer at 205-481-4160, 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 Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer or the Jefferson 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 Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer

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 Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer 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 Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office or to the Jefferson 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 Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer

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 Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer

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

Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer?

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 Alabama state licensed Bail Bond firm.

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

Jefferson 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, Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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.

Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

For inmates receiving mail in the Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.

All mail is to be shipped to the Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer:
Inmate's Full Name & Subject Number
Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer
1822 2nd Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020


For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.


 

How Inmates Can Use a Tablet to Access Services at Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer

To find out how to get access to a tablet for inmate read the following:

1.  First, Register or Sign In to GettingOut/GTL

2.  Purchase the services you want for your Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer inmate.
3. All inmates have free access to the tablets to read their letters from family & friends, but there are many other services available to keep your inmate busy while incarcerated... such as Games, Books, Music and Movies. These other services come with fees that you can pay for when you pay for phone service.

To learn more about Tablet Rentals for inmates, including the cost, all the services available and everything else you need to know, check out our Tablet Rental Page.


 

How Do I put Money on an Inmate's Commissary Account in the Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer to Purchase Phone Cards?

There are FOUR options for putting money on an inmate's books:

Option 1 - Dropping Money at the Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer
Bring money to the jail in person. 
Either the jail personnel will process the Inmate Account payment or you will use the NCIC self-serve kiosk in the lobbies that accepts cash, debit or credit cards.

Option 2 - Deposit Inmate Money Online
Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer uses NCIC to process all online deposits to an inmate's account. NCIC charges you a small fee for doing so, but the fee probably isn't as much as gas and parking would cost to take it to the jail in person.



Option 3 - Mail the Inmate Deposit to the Jail
Mailing a deposit takes more time to process than the other methods but can be done if you live too far away to bring it in person and you don't have a debit/credit card for online deposits. Never send cash. Always send a Money Order from the US Post Office, a reputable bank or Western Union.
Make the Money Order out to the inmate's name and put their Inmate ID# in memo section of the Money Order.  Mail it to the Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer address on this page, or to the address below if it is different than the facility address.
Inmate's Full Name & Subject Number
Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer
1822 2nd Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020

Option 4 - Make an Inmate Deposit over the Phone by calling 800-943-2189

For more information about sending an inmate money for phone cards or other commissary sundries, check out our Inmate Money Page.


 

How to Communicate with an Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer Inmate by Mail and by Email

To mail or email an inmate in Jefferson County follow these steps:

When mailing a letter or postcard to an inmate, please follow these instructions:

  • All mail sent to an inmate at the Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer must include the sender's name and mailing address in the top left corner of the envelope or postcard.
  • All mail must include the facility's address, as well as the inmate's name and assigned number.
  • Failure to include your return address will most likely result in your mail NOT being delivered and your letter destroyed.
  • The Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer has a zero-tolerance policy regarding mail violations. 
  • All the information you need to understand mail and email policies can be found on our Inmate Mail Page and our Text/Email an Inmate Page.

Emailing Messages & Photos

Facility_name_1} contracts with GTL GettingOut, the same service that handles iInmate Phone Systems and Video Visitation, for sending secure messages and photos between you and your inmate.
 
If you are not already registered, do so here, or Log in.

Then use the Facility Finder to:
1.  Select Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer,
2. Add your inmate to your list of contacts,
3. Add a credit or debit card to cover your costs.

  • Messages can be up to 500 characters long, including punctuation. At the bottom of your message there is a 'character countdown' feature.  
  • After you click the “CONTINUE” button, you can review the cost to send your message to your inmate. You can also attach credits for your inmate to reply to your message.  Be sure to accept the Terms and Conditions and click the “SEND” button for your message to be successfully delivered to your inmate.
  • You can also send your Jefferson County inmate photos and videos.

Customer Service Questions
'Online' Contact Form, or
Call   866-516-0115

Go here to this FAQ to get answers to how the transition to ViaPath from GTL and gettingout will affect your account.

All the information you need to understand mail and email policies for Jefferson County can be found on our Inmate Mail Page and our Text/Email an Inmate Page.


 

How Do You Visit an Inmate in Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer?

To visit an inmate in Jefferson County, whether by video or in person 'at the jail', follow these steps:

Other than 'at the jail' visits between you and your inmate, which is explained and outlined in detail on our Visit Inmate Page, Jefferson County remote video inmate visitation can be done using the services of GettingOut

There are three ways to remotely visit your inmate in Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer:
1.  Using the GettingOut Kiosk at the jail.
2. Using your computer from home.
3. Using your phone on the GettingOut apps.

To remotely visit an inmate in Jefferson County follow these steps:
1.  Start by confirming that Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer's Video Visitation is working correctly by looking up Jefferson County here.

2.  The next step is to create an account here for GettingOut.
3. Then add funds to your account.
4. Last, select Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer, and then the inmate you wish to communicate with.

Other Jefferson County Services provided by GettingOut:
 - Phone Calls & Voicemail 
 - Email, Photo & Video Sharing
-  Inmate Tablet Rental
-  Deposits

Customer Service
If you have any questions about the Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer Visitation Services you can call them at 866-516-0115.
Frequently Asked 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 Jefferson County, can be found on our Visit Inmate Page.

Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer Phone: 205-481-4160


 

How Does an Inmate Make Phone Calls in Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer?

To receive phone calls from an inmate in Jefferson County follow these instructions:

Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer uses the services of NCIC for inmate phone calling. It is called a ‘friends & family account”.

In order to receive phone calls from your inmate, you need to do the following:

  • Register here, or by phone 800-943-2189
  • Choose Alabama.
  • Choose Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer
  • Select your Inmate.
  • Enter the phone number your Inmate will be calling.
  • Fund your Account. ($10-$100 at a time)

NOTE:
1.   You cannot receive any calls to your phone number from your inmate until both you and your phone number are registered.
2.  When you do receive a call, the number you will view on your phone from the incoming call is: 800-943-2189.
3.  When allowed by Jefferson County Jail – Bessemer, families can also leave secure voicemails for inmates to listen to.

Fees

  • Adding funds to your account - $3.00 
  • Cost of phone call of a Prepaid Collect Account - $0.21 per minute
  • Cost of an interstate (ex. Alabama to a different state) phone call NOT Prepaid - $0.25 per minute
  • Cost of an intrastate (ex. Alabama to Alabama) phone call NOT Prepaid - $0.25 per minute
  • Cost if you set up your account (or fund it) by phone using a live agent, you will be charged a one-time fee of $5.95.

NCIC Customer Service
Phone - 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069
Email – [email protected]
Full list of participating jails.

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


 

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