Jackson County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
Jackson County bail and bond: Newport jail release, court offices and costs
Adults arrested in Jackson County go to the Jackson County Detention Center, 3300 Theater Drive, Newport. The sheriff's office runs it, and the 24-hour line is 870-523-5842. The district court and the clerks who keep records are also in Newport. A judge sets the bond; jail staff only receive the payment. Begin with Jackson County Inmate Search.
Is my relative inside the Newport jail?
Use the roster link first, then ring 870-523-5842 at the detention center on Theater Drive. The roster runs behind the booking desk. Ask the jailer for the booking number, the charges, and whether any other county has a hold on him.
Which court handles the charge?
Misdemeanors and traffic cases go to Jackson County District Court, 615 Third Street, Newport. The court clerk takes calls at 870-523-9555, and the district judge's office is at 870-523-6568, extension 4. Felonies belong to the Third Judicial Circuit, and the circuit clerk's office answers at 870-523-7423.
How soon is a bond amount set?
Under Rule 8.1 the law wants a judge to see him quickly. In practice that means a day or two. District sessions are generally held on Wednesdays. A warrant arrest often arrives with a bond the signing judge already chose. Call 870-523-5842 each morning until every charge shows a figure.
Where is bond actually paid?
At the detention center, 3300 Theater Drive, where the phone is answered all day and night. The sheriff's office keeps weekday hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for paperwork. For an evening payment, phone 870-523-5842 and ask who will take the money. Bring ID with your picture on it and the booking number.
What forms of payment work at the window?
Most windows take cash, plus money orders and cashier's checks. Ask about a card kiosk, which some jails run for a fee. Personal checks are often refused. Before leaving, read the receipt for the right name, dollar figure and case number. Hold onto it until the last hearing is over.
What can a bail agent legally charge?
An agent here may legally take one-tenth of the bond (Ark. Code 17-19-301), rounded up to a multiple of $5, with a $50 minimum. About $45 in required state fees come on top. Everything is lost for good, even if charges are dropped. Bonding companies can require collateral or a co-signer, and the bond must come from a licensed agent.
Could the court take 10 percent in cash?
Sometimes. Under Rule 9.2 a judge can let a family leave a tenth of the amount with the court. After the case, 90 percent of the deposit is refunded, less any fines and costs. The bond order will say so. If it does not, a lawyer can ask the judge to consider it.
Can I pledge a house or a lot?
A judge may approve property as security on a secured bond. Bring the deed, a tax or appraisal figure, and every owner's signature. Ask the circuit clerk at 870-523-7423 what the local judges require, including whether land elsewhere in Arkansas counts.
Why does the listing show no bond?
Under the state constitution, only a capital charge lets a judge deny bail outright. Most no-bond lines are really holds: probation, parole, another county's warrant, or a federal detainer. Ask the jailer at 870-523-5842 which agency asked for it.
Can the sheriff reduce it?
The sheriff's office only enforces the bond a judge sets. A lawyer asks the judge for a lower number, and the judge reviews work history, local family, prior court record, and the charge. Start gathering pay stubs and a lease now.
Hiring a lawyer is out of reach. Is there help?
At the first appearance, the person asks the judge for an appointed lawyer and answers a short financial form. The Third Circuit public defender office is in Jonesboro, phone 870-972-5553, and it covers Jackson County.
Which city police might be holding him?
Newport police work from 615 Third Street, 870-523-2721, and Swifton police are at 870-485-2600. Both bring adults to the county detention center. Call the department that made the arrest for property or incident reports, and the jail for bond.
Where would a juvenile be held?
Not in the adult jail, and not on the roster. Jackson County runs no youth lockup, so a detained teen goes to another county's facility under a circuit court juvenile order. Call the circuit clerk at 870-523-7423 for the location and the detention hearing date. Juvenile cases do not use cash bonds.
Can commissary deposits go toward bond?
They are separate. Money sent for commissary, calls or video never reaches the court. Bond is paid only through 870-523-5842 or the clerk.
He missed a court date. What follows?
A fresh warrant goes out, and the bond can be forfeited. The bondsman then looks to the co-signer for payment. Contact the clerk that day: 870-523-9555 for district cases, 870-523-7423 for circuit cases.
How long before cash bond is refunded?
Once the case ends, the clerk returns cash bond money to the person who posted it, after taking whatever fines, costs, or restitution the judge ordered. A bondsman keeps his fee. Save all receipts, and ask the clerk what form starts the refund.
How can I tell a real bondsman from a fake?
Real agents show a state license and a written contract. Anyone demanding wired funds, an app transfer or gift cards is running a con. Hang up, then reach the jail yourself at 870-523-5842.
Which Newport offices handle a Jackson County bond, and how do I reach them?
Everything a family needs is in Newport, though the jail sits on the edge of town and the courts are downtown:
- Detention Center and Sheriff's Office: 3300 Theater Drive, Newport, AR 72112 · 870-523-5842. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- District Court (misdemeanors, traffic, first bond on felony arrests): 615 Third Street, Newport, AR 72112 · clerk 870-523-9555
- Circuit Court (felonies, juvenile cases, appeals): Jackson County Courthouse, 208 South Main Street, Newport, AR 72112 · circuit clerk 870-523-7423
- Public Defender, 3rd District: Jonesboro office, 870-972-5553
Jackson County shares the Third Judicial Circuit with nearby counties, so felony dockets in Newport follow the circuit judges' travel calendar.
If federal officers arrest someone in Jackson County, who decides release?
A federal judge in Jonesboro does, and Newport bondsmen cannot help. The county sits in the Northern Division of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, which holds court at the federal courthouse in Jonesboro, 615 South Main Street, Jonesboro, AR 72401, 870-972-4610. The usual early stages:
- The charge comes by complaint or grand jury indictment.
- The first appearance takes place before a magistrate judge.
- Pretrial services looks into job, home and history.
- Prosecutors decide whether to push for detention.
- A release order lists conditions the person must follow.
People held for federal court stay in U.S. Marshals custody: U.S. Marshals Service, 600 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-324-6256.
Will an ICE detainer stop a release from the Newport jail?
It may delay one. Federal rule 8 CFR 287.7 lets ICE ask a jail for notice before release and for a hold of up to 48 hours beyond the usual release time. Weekends and holidays count toward the 48 hours, and Arkansas lets jails comply. Paying bond does not erase the hold, and local court dates still stand.
The ICE New Orleans Field Office, 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087, 504-318-2360 covers this state. Detainees from northeast Arkansas often go to Louisiana sites 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
Try the ICE Online Detainee Locator System (https://locator.ice.gov/odls/); it takes an A-number, or a name with birth country.
The person isn't on the Jackson County roster. Where should I search next?
An empty result can mean release, a move to another jail, or a transfer to state or federal hands. Check these lists:
- Jackson County Detention Center: Jackson County Inmate Search. Look up the last name, then open the entry for charges and bond.
- VINE: VINELink (https://vinelink.vineapps.com/). Select Arkansas, run the name, and add a phone number for free custody notices.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator (https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/). The register number is best; a name search works too. Pretrial federal detainees may be missing, so call the Marshals at 501-324-6256.
- Arkansas Division of Correction: Arkansas Division of Correction Inmate Search (https://apps.ark.org/inmate_info/). Enter the ADC number or last name to see the assigned unit. Some sentenced people wait in the Newport jail for a state bed.
Before the trip to Newport, which numbers confirm bond and hearing dates?
Rules and fees can shift, so phone first. The sheriff's line, 870-523-5842, confirms whether the person is still there and how bond is accepted. Misdemeanor and traffic dates come from the district clerk, 870-523-9555. Felony and juvenile dates come from the circuit clerk, 870-523-7423.
Jackson County bond contacts
- County jail: Jackson County Detention Center, 3300 Theater Drive, Newport, AR 72112; 870-523-5842
- Bond steps: Steps for posting bond at the jail
- Sheriff: Jackson County Sheriff's Office, same address; 870-523-5842; office hours Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Circuit clerk: Circuit clerk's office, 208 South Main Street, Newport, AR 72112; 870-523-7423
- District court: 615 Third Street, Newport; clerk 870-523-9555; district judge's office 870-523-6568, ext. 4
- County offices: County judge, 870-523-7400
- City police: Newport 870-523-2721; Swifton 870-485-2600
- Juvenile cases: Circuit clerk, 870-523-7423
- Public defender: Third Circuit office, Jonesboro; 870-972-5553
- Custody lookup: Inmate search link near the top of the page
Rules at the window can differ by shift and by case, so ask first and pay second. This is general guidance for Jackson County families and is not legal advice.
Jackson County Detention Center
Address:
3300 Theatre Drive
Newport, AR 72112
Phone:
870-523-5842
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Jackson County
Does Jackson County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Jackson County?
Who can set bail in Jackson County?
When is bail set in Jackson County Arkansas?
Does Jackson County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Jackson County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Jackson County?
Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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, Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Jackson County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Jackson County?
Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County Arkansas?
Yes, your attorney can also request a bond reduction if a judge already set the initial bail.
In Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County Clerk of Court and not pay a scammer.
What options are there to pay bail in Jackson 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 Jackson County Detention Center for more information about posting bail in Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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.