Clark County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Clark County bail and bond: an old, full jail in Arkadelphia
The Clark County Jail, also called the Detention Center, is part of the Sheriff's Office at 406 South 5th Street, Arkadelphia. The number is 870-246-2222. The building dates to 1985 and is rated near 49 beds. It runs full much of the time, and part of the population is boarded in other counties, which makes the first phone call matter more than usual: ask where your person actually is. The roster helps too: Clark County Inmate Search.
Does Arkadelphia have my person, or another county?
Ask directly. In May 2026 the sheriff told the quorum court that nine of the 44 prisoners on his roster were housed outside Clark County, with trips to and from other jails almost every day. Call 870-246-2222, give the full name, and request the facility's name and phone. The roster may show someone as a Clark County prisoner even when that person sits in a neighboring jail.
My sister was arrested. Where do women go?
The sheriff has said women prisoners are placed in jails in Prescott or Murfreesboro. Begin with 870-246-2222 and ask which of the two. Then call that jail for its own visiting and money rules.
Why is this jail so packed?
By the sheriff's account it is the oldest and smallest among its neighbors. The state suggests no more than 35 prisoners to avoid understaffing, yet the count has run well past its rating of 49. Convicted prisoners waiting for state prison beds also take space. County officials, the state jail standards office, and the sheriff are working on a long-term fix, so rules can shift from month to month.
Does crowding decide who gets out?
It can. The sheriff said beds go first to people charged with serious or violent crimes and those facing parole revocation, while others may be offered house arrest or ankle monitoring. The judge and sheriff decide that on the facts, so do not count on it. It is a reason to have a lawyer ask for release conditions at the first hearing.
What do I do to post the money?
Phone 870-246-2222 and ask what to bring. A cash bond can be taken by the jail, by the sheriff's office, or, in some cases, by the circuit clerk at 401 Clay Street, 870-246-4281. Cash, cashier's checks and money orders cause the fewest problems. Ask about cards. Get a receipt, and check that the case number is on it.
Can I come in on a night or weekend?
The jail phone is staffed around the clock. Evening and weekend bond acceptance is not posted anywhere, so ask the jail before you drive, and note the officer's name and the time you called. The clerk keeps ordinary courthouse hours.
Which court, district or circuit?
District court takes misdemeanors and traffic. The district court, 870-246-9552, runs departments in Arkadelphia, Amity, Caddo Valley, and Gurdon. Felonies go to the Ninth Judicial Circuit East in Arkadelphia. Find out which court holds the case before calling a lawyer.
How long before the first hearing in Clark County?
Rule 8.1 asks for a first appearance without unnecessary delay, normally inside two to three days. With some prisoners housed elsewhere, ask whether the hearing is by video or in person. A weekend arrest often waits for the next court day. District court, 870-246-9552, can give the date.
What number should I expect on the bond?
The jail reads it from your person's record, and that is the only reliable source. A judge sets it, so ask the jail what it says for each charge.
Cash or bondsman?
A bondsman takes 10 percent of the bond under Arkansas Code 17-19-101 and following, and you never get it back. Cash is paid back when the case closes, provided no hearing was missed. If you can cover the full amount, cash costs less. If not, hire a state-licensed bondsman and get the contract in writing, including collateral and co-signer duties.
Could a property bond work?
Yes, but the judge who set the amount must approve it, not the jail. Owners need clear title or enough equity, and each owner signs. The land generally must be inside Arkansas. Ask the clerk, 870-246-4281, whether the court takes land outside Clark County and what filing costs apply.
Why would bond be denied?
The Arkansas Constitution, Article 2, Section 8, reserves outright denial of bail for capital cases where the evidence is plain. Ark. Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.6 lets the court hold someone arrested for a new felony while out on bond for another. Holds from parole or from another county's warrant block release too. Ask what kind of hold it is.
Can the sheriff change the figure?
That power belongs to the judge. The sheriff's office follows the court's order. A lawyer must ask the judge, who weighs the Rule 9.2 factors: charge, record, work, family, and past court attendance. Under Rule 9.3 the judge may add conditions, such as reporting or monitoring, in place of a high figure.
Who gives free legal help?
The Ninth District East Public Defender office in Arkadelphia serves Clark County at 870-246-2300. Use the first hearing to request a free lawyer from the judge. Income is the main test, and an appointed lawyer may then push for a smaller bond.
Where are juveniles held?
Not at the Clark County jail. The sheriff told the quorum court in May 2026 that juveniles go to Yell County, in Dardanelle. Ask the circuit clerk, 870-246-4281, for the hearing time and the facility. Youth get a detention hearing in the juvenile division instead of a cash bond, and the records are closed.
What about missed court, refunds, and scams?
Missing a date in Clark County can mean an arrest order and a forfeited bond, so phone the clerk at once and have a lawyer seek a fresh date. Posted cash comes back when everything is over, minus what the court is owed in fines, costs and restitution. A bondsman's fee is not. Commissary deposits are not bail. If a caller demands gift cards, dial 870-246-2222 yourself.
Which Clark County court is handling the case, and where is it?
Circuit court sits at the Arkadelphia courthouse, while district court is split into departments. Find the one that matches the charge:
- Clark County Circuit Court (felonies, juvenile division, appeals): 401 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923 · circuit clerk 870-246-4281
- District Court, Arkadelphia Department (misdemeanors, traffic and first appearances, Gurdon cases included): Arkadelphia, AR 71923 · 870-246-9552
- District Court, Caddo Valley Department: 137 Malvern Road, Arkadelphia, AR 71923 · 870-246-8283
- District Court, Amity Department: Amity, AR 71921. Ask the Arkadelphia department for its number and court days.
Clark County makes up the whole 9th Judicial Circuit–East, so its circuit judge and prosecutor handle only this county.
My relative was arrested by federal officers near Arkadelphia. What should I expect?
The 5th Street jail and local bondsmen play no part in a federal bond. Clark County is assigned to the Hot Springs Division of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, which holds court at the federal courthouse in Hot Springs, 100 Reserve Street, Hot Springs, AR 71901, 833-853-0345. A typical federal case runs in this order:
- An agency such as the FBI, DEA or ATF files a complaint, or a grand jury hands up an indictment.
- A U.S. magistrate judge holds the first appearance, which may take place in another city.
- Pretrial Services asks about the person's home, job and history.
- If prosecutors seek detention, the judge holds a hearing on it, normally within several days.
- Federal release carries conditions, such as supervision and staying in the district.
Because the Clark County jail is often full, federal prisoners may be held elsewhere. The U.S. Marshals choose the jail: U.S. Marshals Service, 30 South 6th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901, 479-289-7470 or 479-424-5000 (call either).
Will ICE be able to hold someone after their Clark County bond is paid?
It may ask to. A detainer under 8 CFR 287.7 asks the jail to give ICE notice and keep the person as long as 48 hours after release, counting weekends and holidays. Arkansas law does not prevent the jail from honoring it.
The Clark County case still moves forward, and missing those dates can bring a warrant. ICE in Arkansas is managed by the ICE New Orleans Field Office, 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087, 504-318-2360. Detainees are often sent on to Louisiana centers such as:
- LaSalle ICE Processing Center: 830 Pinehill Road, Jena, LA 71342 · 318-992-1600
- Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center: 1133 Hampton Dupre Road, Pine Prairie, LA 70576 · 337-599-2400
When the person is with ICE, the ICE Online Detainee Locator System (https://locator.ice.gov/odls/) finds them by A-number with birth country. Without the number, use the full name and birth country.
How do I track a Clark County prisoner who was sent to another jail or prison?
Clark County often houses people in other counties, and women and juveniles are placed outside the county. These searches can help:
- Clark County jail: Clark County Inmate Search. Put in the name, pick the matching entry and read the charges, bond and booking date. The roster may list a person who is actually held in another county.
- VINE: VINELink (https://vinelink.vineapps.com/). Choose Arkansas and search the name. The result shows whether the person is held and which facility has them, which helps track transfers. Free release alerts by phone or text are offered.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator (https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/). Search a register number, or a name with race, sex and age. Many pretrial federal prisoners are not listed, so call the Marshals at 479-289-7470 or 479-424-5000 (call either).
- Arkansas Division of Correction: Arkansas Division of Correction Inmate Search (https://apps.ark.org/inmate_info/). Search an ADC number or last name for the unit, photo and parole date.
Before the trip to Arkadelphia, who will double-check bond and court dates?
At a crowded jail, housing and bond rules can shift, so call before you go. The jail at 870-246-2222 is staffed 24 hours, and the deputy can name the jail holding the person and the payments it accepts. The circuit clerk at 870-246-4281 confirms felony dates, and district court at 870-246-9552 confirms misdemeanor and traffic dates.
Which police phone do I use?
Arkadelphia Police, 870-246-4545; Caddo Valley Police, 870-246-6357; Amity, 870-342-5822. Get the report number and arresting officer, then follow the case through district court. After booking, the sheriff controls where the person is housed.
Clark County bond contacts
- County jail: Clark County Jail, 406 South 5th Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923; 870-246-2222
- Bond help: Arkadelphia jail bond rules
- Sheriff's office: 406 South 5th Street; 870-246-2222
- Circuit clerk: 401 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923; 870-246-4281
- District court: Arkadelphia; 870-246-9552
- City police: Arkadelphia 870-246-4545; Caddo Valley 870-246-6357; Amity 870-342-5822
- Public defender: Ninth District East, Arkadelphia; 870-246-2300
- Juvenile: Juveniles are sent to Yell County; ask the circuit clerk, 870-246-4281
Housing arrangements, fees, and hours change often at a crowded jail. Hours, fees, and where prisoners sleep can change. Confirm your case details with the sheriff's office or circuit clerk first. This is general family help, not legal advice.
Clark County Jail
Address:
406 South 5th Street
Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Phone:
870-246-2222
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Clark County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Clark County?
Who can set bail in Clark County?
When is bail set in Clark County Arkansas?
Does Clark County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Clark County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Clark County?
Clark County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. The judge in Arkansas considers one of the following bonds:
1. An unsecured bond in an amount set by the judicial officer.
2. An unsecured bond with 10% cash or securities valued at 10% of the bail amount. 90% of the 10% will be returned at the end of the proceedings as long as the conditions have been met.
3. Secured bond by cash or property from the defendant family or a qualified bond agent.
Who can set bail in Clark County?
A sheriff or police officer is authorized to set bail during the time of the arrest. If held in a city jail, a police officer can accept bail and a sheriff can accept bail in a county jail. In the higher courts, the judge sets bail at the initial appearance.
It is the law in Arkansas that the judicial officer can only set money bail if it is determined that no other conditions will guarantee that the defendant will appear in court.
Who can set bail in Clark County?
Bail can be sent by the arresting officer at the time of booking and if the offence was a misdemeanor the bail is immediately paid, the date for the initial appearance before a judge will be made.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Clark County must pay or do to stay out of jail until the first court appearance.
The agreement to bail acts as a promise that the arrested will return to court for court dates and trial. Bail usually refers to a dollar amount, but bail can also mean something that has to be done, or a condition such as reporting to an officer of the court, a curfew, restraining orders or attending a treatment program.
Bail is usually a significant enough amount of money and/or condition that the person will be negatively impacted and has incentive to return to court and not flee. A flight risk usually means that the person would flee the area, and not necessary that they are going to take an airplane.
If a judge in Clark County feels that the arrested will return to court for further proceedings, the arrested could be released under a conditional release without needing to pay bail money. This is called Released on Own Recognizance, or ROR.
Conditions for ROR might be to obey all court orders and laws, maintain contact with the lawyer, report changes in residence or have no contact with the victim. Family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court.
If the judge or bail schedule determines that the defendant would be a danger to the public if they were released, bail can be denied, and the person will be detained in the Clark County Jail until the case is resolved or goes to trial.
Bail can be denied if the defendant did not comply with bail conditions from a previous arrest. Bail is usually denied in cases of violent offenses.
What is the difference between Bail and Bond?
Bail and bond are used interchangeably to mean the same thing but technically, they are different.
The bail is the amount to be paid and a bond is a signed document promising payment of the bail amount with certain conditions.
Think of a bond as a loan to pay for the bail.
The bond payment is always written to the court in your municipality, Clark County or district directly and does not go through the defendant. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.
The thought of being in jail can cause the arrested to panic and try to secure a bond immediately.
DO NOT panic and take the time to understand all the options.
More courts are now trying to work with defendants to make bail work and might provide non-monetary options or even reduce the bail.
Payments to a bond company are not refundable. It is a long process to get back property title or money that was given to the clerk of court or bondsperson to secure the bond. This could put your loved ones into a difficult financial situation.
Another reason not to unnecessarily rush into securing a bond is that if the court notes that you came up with the money to pay a bond company, they may assume you have resources to pay a defense attorney and decline public defense.
On the other hand, as anyone who has ever been involved in their criminal defense understands, fighting your case while ‘out on the streets’ gives you a much better chance of either winning, or getting a more favorable sentence.
What are the different types of bonds in Clark County?
Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge or bail officer will determine and notify the accused of which types of bonds are available to them.
To describe the types of bonds, let’s use an example of buying your neighbor’s car. Your neighbor decides the price of the car and how they would be paid. Similarly, the court (meaning a police or bail officer, clerk of court, bail magistrate or judge) determines the bail amount and how it would be paid. Here are different options that the seller of the car or the court might consider:
You could pay full asking price for the car in cash. This is similar to paying cash bail. The full amount of bail would be paid to the town or county clerk or at the jail. Cash, cashier’s checks and credit cards are usually accepted.
You could sign an agreement on your own or with another person to pay for the car at a future date knowing that your neighbor would know where to find you if you stopped payment. This would be similar to a cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond which are bonds to where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front.
If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible for making sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up.
Surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.
You can put a deposit down for your neighbor’s car and sign an agreement that the car will be paid off at a later date. Cash percentage in lieu of bonds is when the defendant pays a percentage of the bail amount, usually 10%, to the court which then holds the money until the case is over.
The amount is returned to the person who paid the 10% after the case is over. In most cases, the full amount is not returned if there are court fees or fines due. This is a type of surety bond if another person signs the bond paperwork.
You could sign an agreement that if the car were not paid off, that your neighbor would get your house or something of value.
A property bond is a bond that the courts might consider in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate (mobile homes are not accepted).
Usually, the property must be in the same state as the courts, and it must be worth at least 1 ½ - 2 times the amount of the bond.
There are multiple court fees involved to execute a property bond with the courts and a tedious process to get the property deed back. This is another type of surety bond if another person or a bond company is used to secure the bond.
You could also go to a local bank and take out a car loan offering property or anything of value for collateral. You may get someone to co-sign on the loan and offer their property. The bank charges fees, interest and could keep your property if you did not pay the loan back, or even on time.
A professional bondsperson makes money, at least 10% of the bond amount by providing you with a “loan” called a bond. The percent that they charge is fixed by the state and cannot be negotiated. The defendant or surety does not get that 10% or more back even if the terms of the bail are met.
With a property bond, the property deed would need to be signed over to the bondsperson and everyone on the deed would need to be involved.
Since the bondsperson signed off, to be responsible that you show to court as your surety, they can send a bounty hunter to bring you to court if you flee. A bondsperson does not have to give you a bond if the defendant seems to be too much of a risk.
Ask the bondsperson to explain all the costs: percentage, fees or court fees. There is never a reason to rush through signing the paperwork with a bond company. Make sure that everything told to you is in writing and that you understand what you are signing. Ask questions, and if you feel rushed or don’t understand the contract with the bond company, you might want to call another one.
(There have been phone scams where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information. A bondsperson will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)
Does Clark County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Clark County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Clark County?
Clark County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. The judge in Arkansas considers one of the following bonds:
1. An unsecured bond in an amount set by the judicial officer.
2. An unsecured bond with 10% cash or securities valued at 10% of the bail amount. 90% of the 10% will be returned at the end of the proceedings as long as the conditions have been met.
3. Secured bond by cash or property from the defendant family or a qualified bond agent.
Who can set bail in Clark County?
A sheriff or police officer is authorized to set bail during the time of the arrest. If held in a city jail, a police officer can accept bail and a sheriff can accept bail in a county jail. In the higher courts, the judge sets bail at the initial appearance.
It is the law in Arkansas that the judicial officer can only set money bail if it is determined that no other conditions will guarantee that the defendant will appear in court.
When is bail set in Arkansas?
Bail can be sent by the arresting officer at the time of booking and if the offence was a misdemeanor the bail is immediately paid, the date for the initial appearance before a judge will be made.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Clark County Arkansas?
Yes, your attorney can also request a bond reduction if a judge already set the initial bail.
In Clark County Arkansas, who can pay bail for me?
The person posting bail should be a relative or close friend, called a surety, because they are promising and taking responsibility that you will return to court to get their money back.
A surety is not responsible for court fees or paying off personal debts for the defendant. A professional bondsperson who is approved by the State of Arkansas could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Clark County Arkansas?
Almost all counties in Arkansas accept online payments or payment by phone with an associated fee. It is important that you pay the correct officer or Clark County Clerk of Court and not pay a scammer.
What options are there to pay bail in Clark County Arkansas?
Cash is accepted in some counties and not others and it is dependent on the amount. Most all jails and courts accept cash, a cashier or bankers’ check. Some accept a credit card with fees. Please contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted.
Go to the Clark County Jail for more information about posting bail in Clark County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Arkansas?
Bail money is returned to the person who paid the bail; in whole or in part once the case is finished.
There may be fees, restitution (money to pay for damage caused by the crime) or fines that come out of that amount including an $80 minimal fee imposed by the court.
If you used a bondsperson, you would not get your 10% back. Property is returned by the court or bondsperson after the appropriate requests and formal paperwork are completed with the court.
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Clark County?
The judge or officer who sets bail determines which kind of bail will be an option for you, but a cash bond and PR bonds usually do not require cash down, though you might have to pay court fees.
A cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond are bonds where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front.
If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible to make sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up. A surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Arkansas?
All professional bond companies must collect a 10% fee before the defendant is released from jail and there non-refundable are court fees in addition. The court can provide you with a list of approved and licensed bond companies in Clark County.
If you have an attorney, it is a good idea to ask which has the best reputation or you can read reviews by others who have used them. It would be advisable to find out exactly how much they would charge, including extra costs.
You can call several bond companies and negotiate the best rate and conditions for you, although not all bond companies are obligated to execute a bond for you.