Greene County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
Greene County bail and bond: one big jail in Paragould and a courthouse nearby
Anyone arrested in Greene County is taken to the Greene County Detention Center, 1809 North Rockingchair Road, Paragould. It is a large jail, listed at 450 beds. The jail phone is 870-239-6334. The sheriff's office answers on the 24-hour line, 870-239-6343. The courthouse at 320 West Court Street holds the circuit clerk, 870-239-6330, and the district clerk, 870-239-7507. The sheriff's online roster may show bond amounts once they are set. For custody, use Greene County Inmate Search.
1. Do Paragould police hold people in their own cells?
Paragould doesn't list cells of its own. The sheriff's jail on Rockingchair Road is the booking location, and the county roster names the arresting agency for each booking. Paragould Police, 101 North 3 1/2 Street, 870-236-7621, can say who made an arrest. Follow up with the jail at 870-239-6334.
2. What can I learn from the sheriff's roster?
Each entry lists charges and the arresting agency, with a warning that bond amounts may change. Check any figure by phone at 870-239-6334 before paying, and do not trust a screenshot from a friend or an outside website.
3. Which court names the bond amount?
Misdemeanors and first appearances start in district court, whose clerk works at the courthouse, 870-239-7507; felonies belong to circuit court. A judge orders money bail only after concluding, under Rule 9.2, that nothing less will secure the person's return.
4. How long until a first appearance?
Rule 8.1 sets no clock beyond "without unnecessary delay," so the day depends on the court calendar and a weekend arrest may wait for Monday. Ask the district clerk for the upcoming date.
5. Where does the bond money go, and at what hours?
The sheriff's detention page lists no bonding window, only an office open weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Dial the 24-hour sheriff line, 870-239-6343, and ask which office will accept bond money when you get there. The circuit and district clerks share 320 West Court Street and keep weekday hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Carry photo ID.
6. Is cash the only thing accepted?
Carry cash if you can. Whether the clerk takes a cashier's check or money order is something to ask, along with whose name goes on it, before you buy one. The sheriff's page describes money orders only for inmate accounts, which are not bond payments.
7. What would a Paragould bonding agent charge?
The rate is the same for everyone: Code 17-19-301 sets the fee at one-tenth of the bond. That figure is rounded up to the nearest $5, and the state adds $10 plus a $15 processing charge. A $7,500 bond runs about $775, nonrefundable. Ask to see the agent's state license.
8. Is the 10 percent cash deposit different?
Yes. Rule 9.2 lets a judge allow a deposit of 10 percent of the bond directly with the court, and 90 percent of it returns if the person never misses court. A bondsman keeps the whole 10 percent. Whether to allow it is the judge's choice.
9. Will the judge take my house instead of cash?
Up to the judge. Code 16-84-103 allows an Arkansas resident who owns property above what the law protects, while 16-84-105 calls for a sworn listing that says what the property is worth. Ask the circuit clerk what paperwork applies and whether land outside Greene County is accepted.
10. Is a deputy able to cut the bond?
Deputies work from the judge's order and can't change it. Lowering it takes a judge, and a defense lawyer usually files the request. The circuit clerk, 870-239-6330, knows which judge was assigned.
11. A public defender for Greene County: who asks, and when?
The Second Judicial District public defender office is in Jonesboro, 870-932-6226, serving Clay, Craighead, Greene, and Poinsett counties. At the first appearance the accused person asks the judge to appoint a lawyer.
12. The roster says hold. Is that the same as no bond?
Typically either no judge has set an amount, or another agency has placed a hold, possibly from another state. A capital charge with strong proof is the single case where bail may be flatly refused (Arkansas Constitution, Article 2, Section 8). The jail can name the hold.
13. Which towns send prisoners here?
Paragould is the biggest city, and misdemeanors from the county's towns go to Greene County District Court; the district clerk can say which department has the case. Not sure who arrested your person? Try the sheriff's 24-hour line, 870-239-6343.
14. Where do minors in Greene County stay?
Juvenile records in circuit court are closed to the public, and every case involving someone under 18 goes there. Where a detained youth from Greene County is placed isn't posted. The circuit clerk, 870-239-6330, can name the facility and give the hearing date. Cash bail is not used.
15. What does a missed hearing cost?
A judge may respond with a warrant, and bond forfeiture can begin (Code 16-84-201 in district court, 16-84-207 in circuit court). The bondsman's deadline is 120 days in district court and 75 in circuit court. Contact the clerk the same day.
16. How soon is my cash returned?
Money paid to the court comes back once the case is finished, minus fines, costs, or restitution. A bondsman's premium does not. Keep your receipt handy.
17. Can money put on an inmate account be used as bond?
That money stays at the jail. The sheriff's page sends inmate deposits and video visit payments to an outside service, and those funds never reach the court. Do not use them to try to free someone. If any caller says otherwise, hang up and call 870-239-6334.
18. Which Paragould courtroom will decide the bond amount?
Nearly all of Greene County's court business happens in one building on West Court Street, with a branch office up north:
- Greene County Circuit Court (felonies, juvenile division, appeals): Greene County Courthouse, 320 West Court Street, Paragould, AR 72450 · circuit clerk 870-239-6330
- Greene County District Court (misdemeanors, traffic, first appearances, felony bond hearings): 320 West Court Street, Room 227, Paragould, AR 72450 · 870-239-7507
- District Court, Marmaduke department: 870-597-2753
- Prosecuting Attorney, Greene County office: 414 West Court Street, Paragould, AR 72450 · 870-239-9581
In a felony, the district judge normally sets the opening bond, and later changes go to a circuit judge after charges are filed. Paragould is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which spans six counties, and several of its judges keep chambers in town.
19. Federal agents made the arrest. Where is bond decided?
In Jonesboro, about 20 miles away, not Paragould. Its federal court is the Northern Division of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, at the federal courthouse in Jonesboro, 615 South Main Street, Jonesboro, AR 72401, 870-972-4610. The early part of a federal case tends to go like this:
- The government files a complaint or gets an indictment from a grand jury.
- A magistrate judge in Jonesboro handles the initial appearance.
- A pretrial services officer looks into the defendant's background.
- The judge holds a detention hearing if prosecutors want the defendant kept.
- Any release order comes with conditions from the federal court.
Bond paid at Rockingchair Road, or through a bondsman, can't free someone on a federal charge. Federal prisoners stay in U.S. Marshals custody, and the Marshals decide the housing: U.S. Marshals Service, 600 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-324-6256.
20. An ICE detainer was placed. Can the Greene County jail still release my relative?
Not right away, in many cases. Under 8 CFR 287.7, ICE can request advance word of a release, along with as much as 48 more hours in custody, and weekends and holidays count. Arkansas allows its jails to cooperate.
Northeast Arkansas is covered by the ICE New Orleans Field Office, 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087, 504-318-2360. Many detainees from this area are moved to Louisiana, to 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
Even after ICE picks someone up, the Paragould case stays on the calendar. The ICE Online Detainee Locator System (https://locator.ice.gov/odls/) can locate a detainee by A-number and birth country. If the A-number isn't known, use the full name and birth country.
21. Where else should I search if the Greene County roster doesn't list the person?
The jail holds about 450 people, and names can drop off after a transfer or a state or federal pickup. Use these searches:
- Greene County Detention Center: Greene County Inmate Search. Type the surname and given name. Clicking the booking reveals charges and bond. Bond figures there can change, so confirm by phone.
- VINE: VINELink (https://vinelink.vineapps.com/). With Arkansas selected, search by name. VINE reports custody status and the facility, and it can send a free alert at release.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator (https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/). A register number works best; by name, add age, sex and race to narrow it down. Someone waiting on a federal trial may not be listed. Phone the Marshals at 501-324-6256 instead.
- Arkansas Division of Correction: Arkansas Division of Correction Inmate Search (https://apps.ark.org/inmate_info/). Search by last name or ADC number to get the unit, a photo and a parole date.
22. Which numbers can confirm bond and court dates before I head to Paragould?
Jail practices can change, and the jail office closes at 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, so call first. The jail, 870-239-6334, can confirm custody and explain bond. The sheriff's 24-hour line is 870-239-6343. For felony dates, phone the circuit clerk at 870-239-6330. For misdemeanor and traffic settings, call district court at 870-239-7507, or the Marmaduke department at 870-597-2753.
Greene County bond contacts
- Jail: Greene County Detention Center, 1809 North Rockingchair Road, Paragould, AR 72450; 870-239-6334
- Bond guide: Posting bond at Rockingchair Road
- Sheriff: Sheriff's office; 24-hour line 870-239-6343
- Circuit clerk: Circuit clerk's office, 320 West Court Street, Paragould; 870-239-6330
- District clerk: 320 West Court Street; 870-239-7507
- Paragould police: 101 North 3 1/2 Street; 870-236-7621
- Public defender: Second Judicial District, Jonesboro; 870-932-6226
- Juvenile: Circuit clerk, juvenile intake; 870-239-6330
The jail office closes at 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and posts no bonding window, so telephone before you leave with cash. Families can lean on this for general help, but it isn't legal advice.
Greene County Detention Center
Address:
1809 North Rocking Chair Road
Paragould, AR 72450
Phone:
870-239-6334
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Greene County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Greene County?
Who can set bail in Greene County?
When is bail set in Greene County Arkansas?
Does Greene County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Greene County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Greene County?
Greene 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 Greene 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 Greene 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 Greene 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 Greene 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 Greene County Detention Center 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, Greene 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 Greene 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 Greene County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Greene County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Greene County?
Greene 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 Greene 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 Greene County Arkansas?
Yes, your attorney can also request a bond reduction if a judge already set the initial bail.
In Greene 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 Greene 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 Greene County Clerk of Court and not pay a scammer.
What options are there to pay bail in Greene 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 Greene County Detention Center for more information about posting bail in Greene 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 Greene 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 Greene 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.