Fulton County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Fulton County bail and bond: a 30-bed jail in Salem and a short list of calls
Both the county and its lockup are on the small side. The Fulton County Jail in Salem has 30 beds and sits at 451 North Main Street. Call 870-895-2601 for the sheriff's office, or 870-895-2602 for the jail desk. A judge decides bond, while the county and circuit clerk at the courthouse, 870-895-3310, keeps the court file. Not sure who is holding your person? Check Fulton County Inmate Search and then phone the desk.
Could my person have been moved out of the 30-bed jail?
With only 30 beds, the jail has little spare room. Ask the desk at 870-895-2602 whether your person is still in Salem or was moved to another county. A transfer changes where you pay and who answers questions.
Which of the two jail numbers do I use?
The Arkansas Sheriffs' Association lists 870-895-2601 for the sheriff's office and 870-895-2602 for the jail. If one goes unanswered, try the other, and keep the person's legal name and birthday handy.
Who decides the bond?
Misdemeanors and first appearances go before a district judge; felonies go to a circuit judge. The district court office, 455 North Main Street, 870-895-4136 handles those first hearings. Under Rule 9.2, a judge turns to money bail only when lighter terms won't assure a return to court.
How soon does a hearing happen?
Rule 8.1 sets the standard: before a judge without unnecessary delay. With a single district court office in the county, the wait may run to the next session rather than a same-day hearing. Phone the court the morning after the arrest to learn the date.
Does the jail or the courthouse take bond money?
Bond payment rules for Salem aren't listed online. Ring the jail desk, 870-895-2602, and ask if bond money is taken there or at the courthouse, 123 South Main Street. The clerk's office in that building, 870-895-3310, keeps weekday hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., lunch hour included.
Is anything besides cash accepted?
Cash is the safe plan. Check with the clerk before buying a cashier's check or money order. A card or online option isn't offered in any county listing, so never pay through a link someone sends you; the last question explains why.
What is the bondsman's price in Salem?
Set by statute: Code 17-19-301 caps the premium at a tenth of the bond, raised to the closest higher $5, with $10 and $15 in state charges on top. On a $1,500 bond that is about $175, and none of it is returned. Use only an Arkansas-licensed agent.
Could land in Fulton County back the bond?
It is the judge's decision. The surety must live in Arkansas and own property above what the law protects (Code 16-84-103), and a sworn list of the property is filed (16-84-105). The county clerk records bonds tied to land, so the courthouse can explain the steps.
Where can I see the bond amounts for common charges?
Fulton County keeps its bond schedule offline. Arkansas law does list the kinds of bail a judge may choose under Rule 9.2: a promise to appear, a deposit of one-tenth in cash, the whole amount in cash, a surety bond, or a property bond. The warrant or booking sheet shows the actual figure for your person.
Will a deputy lower the amount if I ask?
That isn't up to a deputy. Jail staff do what the judge's order says. Only a hearing can change the figure, which a lawyer can request. To learn which court has the case, call the clerk at 870-895-3310.
Is there free legal help for a Fulton County defendant?
The Sixteenth Judicial District public defender office, in Heber Springs, answers at 501-362-4611. Its district takes in Cleburne, Independence, Izard, Stone, and Fulton counties. At the first appearance the person asks the judge for a public defender.
The roster shows "hold" or "no bond." What does that mean?
Most often the person hasn't gone before a judge yet. It can also signal a hold from parole, probation or a different county. Under the state constitution, the one charge that can bar bail outright is a capital offense backed by evident proof. The jail desk can name the hold.
Salem or Mammoth Spring police made the arrest. What changes?
Salem Police are at 120 North Main Street, 870-895-3478. Ask the county jail desk whether an adult arrested in town was booked there. A city misdemeanor goes to the district court office in Salem. For Mammoth Spring, Viola, or any other town, ask the sheriff, 870-895-2601, who made the arrest.
Where does a minor stay after an arrest?
Anyone under 18 is a matter for the juvenile division of circuit court, and the same clerk keeps juvenile files. Dial 870-895-3310. The county doesn't list a youth detention center of its own, so ask the clerk where a held minor would go. No cash bail is set in juvenile cases.
What follows a no-show in court?
An arrest warrant can be ordered and the bond can begin to be forfeited (Code 16-84-201 in district court, 16-84-207 in circuit court). Those sections give the bondsman 120 days or 75 days to find the person. Contact the clerk that same day.
Do I see the money again?
Money you paid the court returns when the case is over, less fines, costs, or restitution. The bondsman's premium stays gone. Hold on to the receipt; whoever is named on it gets the refund.
How would a fake bond call sound?
Gift cards, crypto and app transfers are how scammers get paid, not courts. Hang up, then reach the desk on your own at 870-895-2602.
Which Salem court is in charge of the case right now?
Two courts share the work in Fulton County, and both sit on Main Street in Salem:
- Fulton County Circuit Court (felonies, juvenile matters, appeals): Fulton County Courthouse, 123 South Main Street, Salem, AR 72576 · county and circuit clerk 870-895-3310
- Fulton County District Court (tickets, misdemeanors, first appearances, felony bond hearings): 455 North Main Street, Salem, AR 72576 · 870-895-4136
- District Court, Mammoth Spring department: call the Salem district court office above for its session dates.
Circuit judges from the 16th Judicial Circuit travel in from Batesville, Heber Springs and Melbourne for Salem court weeks. Until a felony is filed in circuit court, the district court is where bond questions get answered.
How is a federal arrest in Fulton County different?
Federal charges skip the Salem courts entirely. Fulton County belongs to the Northern Division of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, which meets at the federal courthouse in Jonesboro, 615 South Main Street, Jonesboro, AR 72401, 870-972-4610. That is roughly a two-hour drive. Here is the usual order of events:
- An agent files a complaint, or a grand jury returns an indictment.
- The first hearing happens in front of a federal magistrate judge in Jonesboro.
- A pretrial services officer checks work, family and criminal history.
- If prosecutors want the person held, a detention hearing follows within a few days.
- Anyone released must obey the court's federal conditions.
Federal bond is never posted at the Salem jail, and local bondsmen can't write it. Until sentencing, the U.S. Marshals decide where the person is housed: U.S. Marshals Service, 600 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-324-6256.
Can ICE keep my relative in the Salem jail after bond is paid?
It can happen. An ICE detainer, issued under 8 CFR 287.7, lets ICE request a heads-up before release plus as much as 48 more hours in custody. The 48 hours run straight through weekends and holidays, and Arkansas lets its jails honor the request.
The ICE New Orleans Field Office, 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087, 504-318-2360 covers Arkansas. North Arkansas detainees frequently end up at Louisiana centers. Examples:
- 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
Keep in mind that the Fulton County case is still open after ICE takes custody. To find the person later, use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System (https://locator.ice.gov/odls/). An A-number paired with country of birth works best; without it, try the full name plus birth country.
Where should I look if the Salem jail roster doesn't show the person?
Transfers are common from a 30-bed jail, so a missing name may only mean a move. Work down this list:
- Fulton County jail: Fulton County Inmate Search. Search by surname and first name. The right booking lists charges and bond.
- VINE: VINELink (https://vinelink.vineapps.com/). After choosing Arkansas and typing the name, VINE shows custody status and the holding facility. It also offers a free release alert.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator (https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/). The register number gives the quickest result. A search by name also works, adding race, sex and age if known. Someone held before a federal trial might be missing from it; in that case the Marshals can help at 501-324-6256.
- Arkansas Division of Correction: Arkansas Division of Correction Inmate Search (https://apps.ark.org/inmate_info/). A surname or ADC number pulls up the unit, a photo and parole timing.
Who should I phone in Salem to check bond and court dates before driving there?
Rules for posting bond can change without notice. Start with the jail desk, 870-895-2602, or the sheriff's office, 870-895-2601, to confirm the person is still held and how bond is taken. For a felony date, ring the clerk at 870-895-3310. Misdemeanor and traffic settings come from district court at 870-895-4136.
Fulton County bond contacts
- Jail: Fulton County Jail, 451 North Main Street, Salem, AR 72576; desk 870-895-2602
- Bond guide: Bond steps at the Salem jail
- Sheriff: Sheriff's office, P.O. Box 436, Salem; 870-895-2601
- County and circuit clerk: Clerk's office, courthouse, 123 South Main Street, Salem; 870-895-3310
- District court: 455 North Main Street, Salem; 870-895-4136
- Salem police: 120 North Main Street; 870-895-3478
- Public defender: Sixteenth Judicial District, Heber Springs; 501-362-4611
- Juvenile: Circuit clerk, juvenile intake; 870-895-3310
Salem's offices do not post payment instructions, so use the jail desk as your first stop before bringing any money. Use these answers as a starting point; they aren't legal advice.
Fulton County Jail
Address:
451 N. Main Street
Salem, AR 72576
Phone:
870-895-2601
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Fulton County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Fulton County?
Who can set bail in Fulton County?
When is bail set in Fulton County Arkansas?
Does Fulton County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Fulton County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Fulton County?
Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton 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, Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Fulton County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Fulton County?
Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton County Arkansas?
Yes, your attorney can also request a bond reduction if a judge already set the initial bail.
In Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton County Clerk of Court and not pay a scammer.
What options are there to pay bail in Fulton 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 Fulton County Jail for more information about posting bail in Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton 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.