Scott County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Getting someone out of jail in Scott County, from the Waldron lockup to the courthouse
Scott County is small, and nearly everything you need sits within a few blocks of the Waldron square. The Scott County Jail is at 100 West First Street, and the sheriff's office on that same block takes calls at 479-637-4156. The clerks and courts share the courthouse at 190 West First Street. Ask where your person is sleeping tonight, since small jails sometimes house people elsewhere. Check Scott County Inmate Search, then pick up the phone.
Is my person in the Waldron jail tonight?
Type the name into the inmate search above. New arrests can lag behind on the roster; when a name is missing, try the sheriff's office at 479-637-4156. Ask for the booking officer when you need the charge or a bond figure.
Which number do I dial for what?
For custody and bond amounts, call the sheriff's office at 479-637-4156. Felony paperwork lives with the circuit clerk, 479-637-2642. Misdemeanors run through the Waldron district court, 479-637-4694. Keep a notepad by the phone and write down each name you speak with.
The jail is full. Could my person be somewhere else?
It happens. When beds run out, small Arkansas jails can send prisoners to a neighboring county. Scott touches Logan, Yell, Sebastian, Montgomery, and Polk. Ask at 479-637-4156 whether the person is housed out of county. Even then, you pay the bond through Scott County, not the host jail.
How soon does a judge see my person?
Rule 8.1 of the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure demands a first appearance without unnecessary delay, and courts treat that as about two days. Someone arrested on a weekend may wait until Monday. At the hearing the judge looks at the charge, sets conditions under Rules 9.1 through 9.3, and asks if the person needs a court-appointed lawyer. Family can sit in the courtroom.
Waldron district court or the Fifteenth Circuit?
Smaller offenses belong to Scott County District Court, which sits at 190 West First Street, Box 15; the phone is 479-637-4694. Felonies belong to the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, shared with Conway, Logan, and Yell counties. The circuit clerk knows which judge has the case and the next Waldron term.
Who can tell me the amount on a Scott County charge?
Ask the jail. A warrant arrest often comes with the figure already written on the warrant, which staff can read out. With no warrant, the judge names a figure at the first appearance. Ask whether the number covers each charge or all of them together, and whether a bondsman is allowed or only cash.
What hours and place work for paying?
Cash bonds are generally handled at the jail or the sheriff's office on West First Street, and the courthouse clerks take court-ordered payments. Phone 479-637-4156 before leaving home and ask three things in order: who accepts a bond, until what time, and whether someone is on duty at night. Courthouse offices keep weekday hours, roughly 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Can I pay the Waldron jail by card or personal check?
Cash is safest; check first before bringing a money order or cashier's check. A personal check or card is a poor bet. Settle the form of payment over the phone. Afterward, make sure the receipt lists the amount, the date, the defendant's name, and the case number.
What does a bondsman near Waldron keep?
Ten percent of the bond, by Arkansas law. On a $2,000 bond that means $200, and none of it returns. The Arkansas Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board licenses the companies, so ask to look at the license and read the contract before signing. If a stranger phones you with an offer, hang up.
Can Scott County farmland back the bond?
Yes, when the judge approves. All owners on the deed need to show up and sign, carrying the deed and its newest tax figure. The land normally has to lie in Arkansas and be worth more than the bond. Whether it must be in Scott County is a question for the circuit clerk at 479-637-2642. Leave several days for the paperwork.
The sheriff's lobby kiosk took my money. Is it a bond payment?
It is not. A private company handles visits and phone service for the jail, and a kiosk in the sheriff's lobby takes deposits for calls and messages. That money buys phone time. It never turns into bail.
When does a Scott County judge say no to bail?
Article 2, section 8 of the state constitution allows denial only in capital cases when the proof is evident. Rule 9.6 of the criminal procedure rules also lets the first judge cancel a release when there is reasonable cause to believe a new felony happened in the meantime. A roster that says "no bond" may simply mean a probation hold, a parole hold, or another county's warrant. The jail can say which.
Can the Waldron judge be asked for a smaller bond?
Your attorney may ask the judge in writing to lower it. The judge considers ties to Scott County, work, record, and past court attendance. The sheriff's staff must follow the order exactly as written. Gather recent paychecks plus a power bill or rental contract with a Scott County address.
Who is the free lawyer for Scott County?
Anyone too poor to hire an attorney may be given the Fifteenth Judicial District public defender, based in Morrilton and serving Scott, Conway, Logan, and Yell counties. The judge appoints that office at the first hearing after the defendant lists income on a form. The circuit clerk, 479-637-2642, can also confirm who was appointed.
My child was arrested in Scott County. Where is the child held?
Children are kept out of the grown-up jail. Cases go to the juvenile division of circuit court. Call the circuit clerk at 479-637-2642 to find out which facility has the child and the date of the first hearing. Juvenile court uses no cash bond.
What happens to the Scott County bond after a missed court date?
A no-show in court may mean a fresh warrant plus forfeiture of the bond; in district court, Arkansas Code 16-84-201 sets a window of about 120 days after notice for the bondsman to produce the defendant. Phone the clerk the same day. A bondsman can go after both the defendant and whoever co-signed. Arriving quickly, preferably with a lawyer, is the best chance at a new date.
When will Scott County give back a cash bond?
Once the case closes, cash bond money goes back to whoever is named on the receipt, after the court takes out fines, costs, or restitution. A bondsman's 10 percent fee stays with the bondsman. Hold onto all paperwork until the refund arrives.
Where are Scott County's jail, clerks and courtroom, and what are the numbers?
Everything is on West First Street in Waldron, a block apart:
- Scott County Jail: 100 West First Street, Waldron, AR 72958 · 479-637-4156
- Scott County Sheriff's Office: 100 West First Street, Waldron, AR 72958 · 479-637-4156
- Circuit Clerk, Scott County Courthouse: 190 West First Street, Box 10, Waldron, AR 72958 · 479-637-2642
- Scott County District Court: 190 West First Street, Box 15, Waldron, AR 72958 · 479-637-4694
The courthouse is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Call the sheriff's office to ask when the jail takes bond after hours.
Someone in my family faces a federal charge out of Scott County. What is the process?
Federal cases never pass through the Waldron jail's bond process. Scott County is assigned to the Fort Smith Division of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, at the federal building in Fort Smith, 30 South 6th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901, 833-853-0345. Expect roughly this order:
- A federal grand jury indictment or a sworn complaint starts it.
- The first hearing is held before a magistrate judge.
- Pretrial services reviews home, work and past record.
- Prosecutors state whether they will seek detention.
- A judge who grants release writes down the conditions.
Federal detainees stay in the custody of the U.S. Marshals: U.S. Marshals Service, 30 South 6th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901, 479-289-7470 or 479-424-5000 (call either).
Will the Waldron jail keep someone for ICE once bond is paid?
ICE can lodge a detainer. Rule 8 CFR 287.7 allows ICE to request that the jail keep someone up to 48 hours after release, with weekends and holidays counted. Each Arkansas jail decides whether to honor it, and the Scott County charge goes on regardless.
The ICE New Orleans Field Office, 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087, 504-318-2360 handles Arkansas cases. ICE often moves people detained in western Arkansas to Louisiana 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
The ICE Online Detainee Locator System (https://locator.ice.gov/odls/) matches best on an A-number. Without one, type the whole legal name plus birth country.
The Scott County search shows nothing. Which other lists should I try?
A blank result can mean release, a booking still in progress, or custody somewhere else. Try these:
- Scott County Jail: Scott County Inmate Search. Search by last name, then click the record to see charges and bond.
- VINE: VINELink (https://vinelink.vineapps.com/). Choose Arkansas to search all counties and set up alerts.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator (https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/). A register number finds an exact match. Someone awaiting a federal trial might be absent from it; phone 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/). Find state inmates by name or ADC number.
Which Waldron numbers will confirm the bond and the next hearing?
Phoning first saves a wasted drive. The sheriff's office at 479-637-4156 confirms custody and the bond. Misdemeanor and ticket dates come from the district court clerk at 479-637-4694. For felony or juvenile dates, ring the circuit clerk at 479-637-2642.
Scott County bond contacts
- County jail: Scott County Jail, 100 West First Street, Waldron, AR 72958; call the sheriff's office at 479-637-4156
- Bond steps: How bond is handled at this jail
- Sheriff: Scott County Sheriff's Office, 100 West First Street; 479-637-4156
- Circuit clerk: 190 West First Street, Box 10, Waldron, AR 72958; 479-637-2642
- District court: Scott County District Court, 190 West First Street, Box 15; 479-637-4694
- Public defender: Fifteenth Judicial District, Morrilton office
- Juvenile: Circuit clerk, 479-637-2642
Offices change hours and rules now and then; phone the jail before carrying money to Waldron. Use this as a plain guide; a lawyer gives advice.
Scott County Jail
Address:
100 First Street
Waldron, AR 72958
Phone:
479-637-4155
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Scott County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Scott County?
Who can set bail in Scott County?
When is bail set in Scott County Arkansas?
Does Scott County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Scott County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Scott County?
Scott 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 Scott 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 Scott 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 Scott 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 Scott 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 Scott 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, Scott 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 Scott 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 Scott County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Scott County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Scott County?
Scott 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 Scott 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 Scott County Arkansas?
Yes, your attorney can also request a bond reduction if a judge already set the initial bail.
In Scott 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 Scott 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 Scott County Clerk of Court and not pay a scammer.
What options are there to pay bail in Scott 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 Scott County Jail for more information about posting bail in Scott 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 Scott 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 Scott 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.