Nevada County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Nevada County bail and bond: the Prescott jail, a courthouse one block north, and one phone line to start
Adults arrested in Nevada County are taken to the Nevada County Jail, 209 East 3rd Street South, Prescott. Deputies work out of that building too, reachable at 870-887-2616. The courthouse offices sit at 215 East 2nd Street South. To check custody, use Nevada County Inmate Search.
Which building do I go to, and which number do I call first?
The jail is at 209 East 3rd Street South in Prescott, beside the sheriff's office. Try 870-887-2616, which rings the jail and the sheriff alike.
Can the Prescott jail fill up?
It can, since it also holds state prisoners waiting to move to prison. New arrivals can take hours to show up online, so phone before concluding there was no arrest.
Does the jail hold women?
Ask the jail at 870-887-2616 before you assume, especially if your person might be moved to another county.
Who picks the bond amount?
A judge does. Misdemeanors go through Prescott District Court, whose clerk is at 215 East 2nd Street South, Suite 104, 870-887-6016. Felonies belong to circuit court, where the circuit clerk works from Suite 103 at 870-887-2511. Jail staff repeat the number but cannot change it.
Where does the bond money go?
Ask first which counter takes a bond. Call the sheriff at 870-887-2616 and find out who accepts the money: jail staff, the sheriff's front desk, or a court clerk. Have photo ID with you, plus his booking name. The clerks' offices are at the courthouse.
Will they take a check or a card?
Plan for cash or a cashier's check. A personal check may be turned down, and a card may bring a fee. Ask the staff what they will accept that day, and make sure the receipt shows the amount and the case number.
Do I need a bondsman at all?
Paying the whole amount yourself in cash makes one unnecessary. If you cannot, a licensed company charges 10 percent under Arkansas Code 17-19-301 and keeps it. Ask how fast a company can get to Prescott, and check its license with the state board.
Is a 10 percent deposit with the Prescott court possible?
Only if the judge picked that route. Rule 9.2 lets the court take 10 percent and hand back 90 percent of it at the end if conditions were met. The circuit clerk, 870-887-2511, can tell you what was ordered.
Will the judge accept property, such as a house or acreage, as security?
The judge has to approve it. Bring the deed, the tax value, proof of any mortgage balance, and every owner. Equity usually has to exceed the bond. No county rule is posted on out-of-county land, so ask the circuit clerk at 870-887-2511.
After a Prescott booking, when is the first hearing?
Rule 8.1 asks for a first appearance without unnecessary delay, normally about two days, or three over a weekend. Ask the district clerk, 870-887-6016, for the next arraignment day if the booking sheet has none.
When will a judge say no to bond?
Article 2, Section 8 permits it for capital charges backed by strong proof. For a fresh felony committed while free on felony bond, under Arkansas Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.6. Holds placed by probation, by a different county, or by federal agents also do it. Before paying, have the jail desk read out every hold.
Do Prescott police run a separate jail?
Prescott officers bring adults to the county jail. City cases go to Prescott District Court. For other agencies, ask the jail desk who made the arrest.
What is Nevada County's circuit?
The Eighth Judicial District North, shared with Hempstead County. Felonies are assigned from there.
We cannot pay for a lawyer. Who do we call?
The public defender office serving Nevada and Hempstead counties is in Hope. At the first hearing, appointed counsel is normally named and may argue for less bail.
What if a teenager is arrested?
A minor's case is handled by the circuit court's juvenile division. Ask the circuit clerk at 870-887-2511 which center has the teen and when court is set. The adult roster will not list them.
My person skipped court. What now?
A warrant is likely, and the bond is at risk. Phone before the day ends: district 870-887-6016 or circuit 870-887-2511. Defense counsel may be able to get the warrant withdrawn.
Is the bond money refundable?
At the close of the case, the court refunds what it held after taking out fines, costs, and restitution. The clerk can explain the claim steps; hold on to your receipt until then. The 10 percent given to a bondsman stays with the bondsman.
A text says to pay a fee to free my family member. Is it real?
A request for gift cards, app payments, or wired funds means fraud. End it and ring the sheriff at 870-887-2616. A real bondsman will not phone you first.
Where are the Nevada County jail and court offices in Prescott?
The jail and the courthouse are a block apart in downtown Prescott:
- Nevada County Jail and Sheriff's Office: 209 East 3rd Street South, Prescott, AR 71857 · 870-887-2616
- Circuit Clerk: 215 East 2nd Street South, Suite 103, Prescott, AR 71857 · 870-887-2511
- Nevada County District Court, Prescott Department: 215 East 2nd Street South, Suite 104, Prescott, AR 71857 · 870-887-6016
Both clerk offices are inside the courthouse, one suite apart, so a single stop covers felony and misdemeanor paperwork.
What happens after a federal arrest in Nevada County?
Release is up to a federal judge, so county bail and local bondsmen are out of the picture. For federal cases, Nevada County falls under the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas's Texarkana Division, seated at the federal courthouse in Texarkana, 500 North State Line Avenue, Texarkana, AR 71854, 833-853-0345. Expect steps like these:
- The charge arrives by complaint or by indictment.
- A magistrate judge holds the first court appearance.
- Pretrial services looks into the defendant's ties and history.
- Prosecutors may move to keep the defendant held before trial.
- When release is allowed, the judge puts its conditions in writing.
People in federal custody are the Marshals' responsibility: U.S. Marshals Service, 30 South 6th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901, 479-289-7470 or 479-424-5000 (call either).
Could ICE keep someone at the Prescott jail after bail?
Yes. A detainer under 8 CFR 287.7 asks the jail to alert ICE ahead of release and to hold him no more than 48 extra hours, where, weekends and holidays included. Arkansas jails are allowed to honor such requests. The county case continues separately.
The ICE New Orleans Field Office, 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087, 504-318-2360 oversees Arkansas. Detainees from the southwest corner of the state are commonly placed in Louisiana, at sites like:
- 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
An A-number is the surest way to search the ICE Online Detainee Locator System (https://locator.ice.gov/odls/); otherwise, use his full name and birth country.
The Nevada County search doesn't show him. What now?
He may be out already, still being booked, or held by another agency. Interstate 30 also brings arrests by state troopers. Check these:
- Nevada County Jail: Nevada County Inmate Search. Type a surname, then click his record to view charges and bail.
- VINE: VINELink (https://vinelink.vineapps.com/). Set the state to Arkansas for a wider search and free custody notices.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator (https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/). A register number gets the best result. Pretrial federal detainees may be absent; reach 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/). Locate state inmates by ADC number or surname.
Before I go to Prescott, which offices can confirm the bail and the court date?
One phone call to each office saves time. The jail at 870-887-2616 can confirm custody and bail. The Prescott district court clerk at 870-887-6016 has misdemeanor dates. The circuit clerk at 870-887-2511 has felony and juvenile dates.
Nevada County bond contacts
- County jail: Nevada County Jail, 209 East 3rd Street South, Prescott, AR 71857; sheriff 870-887-2616
- Bond steps: Bond steps at the Prescott jail
- Sheriff: Nevada County Sheriff's Office, 209 East 3rd Street South
- Circuit clerk: 215 East 2nd Street South, Suite 103, Prescott, AR 71857; 870-887-2511
- District court: Prescott; clerk in Suite 104; 870-887-6016
- Public defender: Office in Hope; ask the circuit clerk for the appointed lawyer's name
- Juvenile: Circuit clerk 870-887-2511
- Is the company licensed?: Ask the state bail bond licensing board
Prescott offices sometimes shift hours, fees, and numbers, so check your details with the sheriff or a clerk ahead of paying. This guide is for general help only; it is not legal advice.
Nevada County Jail
Address:
209 East 3rd St. South
Prescott, AR 71857
Phone:
870-887-1111
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Nevada County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Nevada County?
Who can set bail in Nevada County?
When is bail set in Nevada County Arkansas?
Does Nevada County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Nevada County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Nevada County?
Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada 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, Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Nevada County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Nevada County?
Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada County Arkansas?
Yes, your attorney can also request a bond reduction if a judge already set the initial bail.
In Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada County Clerk of Court and not pay a scammer.
What options are there to pay bail in Nevada 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 Nevada County Jail for more information about posting bail in Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada 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.