Prairie County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Prairie County bail and bond: a jail on the Des Arc square, two circuit offices, and four town courts
Adults arrested anywhere in Prairie County are booked at the Prairie County Jail on the Courthouse Square in Des Arc. The sheriff's office is 870-256-4137, and the jail line is 870-256-4138. It holds men and women. A judge sets the bond. The roster is on Prairie County Inmate Search.
The county has two courthouses. Which one is the jail beside?
The jail and sheriff are on the Des Arc square, 200 Courthouse Square, with the sheriff in Suite 101. DeValls Bluff has a courthouse too, but the jail itself is in Des Arc. Call 870-256-4138 before you head to DeValls Bluff.
Why would a county this small have two circuit offices?
It is divided into a Northern District at Des Arc and a Southern District at DeValls Bluff, and one circuit clerk keeps both. Des Arc is 870-256-4434. DeValls Bluff is 870-998-2314. Ask which office holds your person's file.
My person is not on the roster. How long should I wait?
A booking can lag by a few hours, and weekends tend to be slower. After that, call 870-256-4138 and ask whether your person is waiting to be moved to another jail.
Whose job is the bond, and where is the written order?
A judge's. The jail reads the figure to you from the booking sheet, and the signed order is with the circuit clerk. Misdemeanors go to a town district court, felonies to the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, which Prairie shares with White County.
Des Arc, DeValls Bluff, Hazen, or Biscoe: which court is mine?
One district judge sits in Des Arc, clerk 870-256-9217. A second district judge covers the other three: DeValls Bluff 870-998-2301, Hazen 870-255-4514, and Biscoe 870-998-2226. Look at the ticket or arrest paper to see which town is listed.
Could the first hearing be days away?
Yes. With four town courts and two judges, Rule 8.1's requirement of a prompt first appearance can still leave several days. If the jail shows no bond, phone again the next business morning.
What do I say when I call to post a bond?
Ask four things: which door, what time, which forms of payment, and whether someone is there after dark. Bring a photo ID and exact-amount cash. Do not pay a stranger who rings you first.
What would a $4,000 bond cost through an agent?
About $425. Arkansas Code 17-19-301 sets the charge at 10 percent, bumped up to an even $5; $10 and $15 state charges are added. Nothing comes back. Ask any agent for a state license number before you sign.
We own farmland. Will Prairie County take it?
A judge may accept property under Rule 9.2, and the rules on equity and where the land sits are set case by case. Ask the circuit clerk, 870-256-4434, before paying for anything. Have the deed, a current tax bill, and signatures from all owners. A mortgaged farm may be turned down.
Is there any option short of paying all of it?
At times. Release on a simple pledge to come back is possible, as is an unsecured bond paid 10 percent up front, with 90 percent repaid when all dates are met. Ask the clerk in the district holding the case, for example Des Arc at 870-256-9217.
Can the sheriff trim the number?
Only the judge can. The sheriff's office collects the money and lets the person go. Changing the figure takes a lawyer's motion and a judge's ruling. Show the judge local job, home and family ties with papers.
What does no bond mean on a Prairie County record?
Bail can be withheld only for capital charges, per Article 2, Section 8. Usually it is a hold: parole or probation, a prison transfer, or another county's warrant. Ask 870-256-4138 who placed it; a bond will not clear it.
Where do Hazen or Des Arc arrests go?
Town arrests are taken to the county jail in Des Arc, and town tickets are heard in the town courts. Get the report number from the officers who made the arrest, and then phone the jail.
Who is the free lawyer for a Des Arc or Hazen defendant?
The Seventeenth District public defenders also serve White County. Appointment comes from a judge after an income form; a bond hearing can then be sought.
Where do Prairie County juveniles go?
Minors never appear on the adult roster, and cash bond plays no role for them. A detention hearing in the circuit court's juvenile division settles whether the youth stays held. For the location of a youth in custody, call the circuit clerk, 870-256-4434, or the jail.
A deputy says my person skipped court. What is next?
A warrant can follow, with the bond at risk. Call the clerk in the district holding the case, 870-256-4434 or 870-998-2314, and a lawyer that day. Expect the bond company to come looking, and anyone who co-signed can be billed for all of it.
Will the bond money come back to us?
Cash comes back once the case ends with no missed dates, minus fines, fees and restitution. Expect weeks. What a bondsman charges is kept. Save your receipt; update the clerk if your address changes.
Which Prairie County buildings handle the jail, the circuit files and the town courts?
The jail and the main circuit office share the Des Arc square, a second circuit office works from DeValls Bluff, and four towns hold district court:
- Prairie County Jail: 200 Courthouse Square (P.O. Box 1021), Des Arc, AR 72040 · 870-256-4138
- Circuit Clerk, Northern District: 200 Courthouse Square, Suite 104, Des Arc, AR 72040 · 870-256-4434
- Circuit Clerk, Southern District: DeValls Bluff, AR 72041 · 870-998-2314
- District Court, Des Arc: P.O. Box 389, Des Arc, AR 72040 · 870-256-9217
- District Court, DeValls Bluff: P.O. Box 297, DeValls Bluff, AR 72041 · 870-998-2301
- District Court, Hazen: P.O. Box 564, Hazen, AR 72064 · 870-255-4514
- District Court, Biscoe: P.O. Box 187, Biscoe, AR 72017 · 870-998-2226
The town courts give mailing boxes, so phone the clerk for the street location before driving there.
My brother was picked up on a federal case near Des Arc. What comes next?
The county bond desk plays no part in a federal arrest. For Prairie County, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas hears cases in its Central Division, located at the federal courthouse in Little Rock, 500 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-604-5351. The usual order runs like this:
- Charges come by indictment or a sworn complaint.
- The defendant first stands before a magistrate judge.
- A pretrial officer checks work, home and criminal history.
- Prosecutors tell the court if they oppose release.
- Any release comes with a written list of rules.
The Marshals keep custody of anyone held federally: U.S. Marshals Service, 600 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-324-6256.
Can ICE keep someone at the Des Arc jail after the bond is paid?
It can ask. Under 8 CFR 287.7, a detainer requests advance notice of release and up to 48 more hours of custody, weekends and holidays included. Arkansas jails decide for themselves whether to honor it, and the county charge moves forward regardless.
The ICE New Orleans Field Office, 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087, 504-318-2360 covers Arkansas, and many people ICE detains in the eastern part of the state end up in Louisiana, for example:
- 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
Have the A-number ready for the ICE Online Detainee Locator System (https://locator.ice.gov/odls/); if it is unknown, a full legal name and country of birth will work.
The Prairie County roster shows nothing. What other lists should I check?
Your person could be released, mid-booking, or in another agency's custody. Check these:
- Prairie County Jail: Prairie County Inmate Search. Enter a surname, then click the record for bond and charges.
- VINE: VINELink (https://vinelink.vineapps.com/). Choose Arkansas for a statewide search and turn on custody alerts.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator (https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/). Register numbers return exact hits. Pretrial federal prisoners may be absent from it; the Marshals answer at 501-324-6256.
- Arkansas Division of Correction: Arkansas Division of Correction Inmate Search (https://apps.ark.org/inmate_info/). Find people in state prison by name or ADC number.
Whom do I phone in Prairie County to learn the bond amount and the court date?
Calling saves a long drive. The jail, 870-256-4138, confirms who is held and the bond. Ticket and misdemeanor dates come from the town clerk: Des Arc 870-256-9217, DeValls Bluff 870-998-2301, Hazen 870-255-4514 or Biscoe 870-998-2226. For felony or youth dates, ring the circuit clerk in Des Arc (870-256-4434) or DeValls Bluff (870-998-2314).
Prairie County bond contacts
- County jail: Prairie County Jail, 200 Courthouse Square (P.O. Box 1021), Des Arc, AR 72040; 870-256-4138
- Bond steps: How bonds are posted at the Des Arc jail
- Sheriff: Prairie County Sheriff's Office, 200 Courthouse Square, Suite 101, Des Arc; 870-256-4137
- Circuit clerk: Des Arc (Northern District), 200 Courthouse Square, Suite 104, 870-256-4434. DeValls Bluff (Southern District), 870-998-2314.
- District courts: Des Arc 870-256-9217; DeValls Bluff 870-998-2301; Hazen 870-255-4514; Biscoe 870-998-2226
- Public defender: Seventeenth District office; the lawyer's name is on file with the circuit clerk
- Juvenile: Youth cases go through the circuit clerk, 870-256-4434
- Agent licenses: Checked by the state board that licenses bail agents
Rules, fees and phone numbers shift now and then; check with the jail or a clerk first. It is a starting point for families, not a lawyer's advice.
Prairie County Jail
Address:
200 Court House Square
Des Arc, AR 72040
Phone:
870-256-4138
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Prairie County
Does Prairie County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Prairie County?
Who can set bail in Prairie County?
When is bail set in Prairie County Arkansas?
Does Prairie County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Prairie County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Prairie County?
Prairie 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 Prairie 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 Prairie 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 Prairie 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 Prairie 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 Prairie 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, Prairie 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 Prairie 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 Prairie County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Prairie County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Prairie County?
Prairie 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 Prairie 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 Prairie County Arkansas?
Yes, your attorney can also request a bond reduction if a judge already set the initial bail.
In Prairie 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 Prairie 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 Prairie County Clerk of Court and not pay a scammer.
What options are there to pay bail in Prairie 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 Prairie County Jail for more information about posting bail in Prairie 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 Prairie 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 Prairie 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.