Searcy County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Searcy County bail and bond: one jail, one phone number, and a few Marshall offices
People arrested anywhere in Searcy County go to the Searcy County Jail at 301 Factory Road in Marshall. One number, 870-448-2340, rings through to deputies and jail staff day or night. Letters go to P.O. Box 812. Run the name through Searcy County Inmate Search first to confirm a booking.
What is the Factory Road jail's address?
The sheriff's website gives 301 Factory Road, P.O. Box 812, Marshall, AR 72650. If a map app sends you to the wrong spot, call 870-448-2340 and ask which door to use. The sheriff's front office works weekdays.
Could my person be moved to another county?
It can happen. Small jails fill up, and Arkansas counties sometimes pay a nearby county to take the extra people. Check with booking that your relative is still in the Marshall building. When someone is housed away, get that jail's name and number, but remember that the bond still runs through Searcy County.
Whom do I ask for the Searcy County bond figure?
The jail desk will want a full legal name plus birth date. If the charge is a misdemeanor, the Marshall district court clerk can also help at 870-448-5411. If it is a felony, the circuit clerk's office at 870-448-3807 holds the order. When two people give you two different numbers, trust the written order.
When does a Searcy County judge first see the case?
Rule 8.1 of the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure calls for a first court appearance without needless delay, which usually means within a couple of days. If the arrest is late Friday, Monday is likely. The judge reviews or sets bond under Rules 9.1 to 9.3, and anyone too broke to hire counsel can request a lawyer at that hearing.
How do the two courts differ?
Searcy County District Court in Marshall takes misdemeanors and traffic cases. Its mail goes to P.O. Box 885 and its phone is 870-448-5411. Felonies go to the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, whose judges are based mostly in Conway but hear Searcy County cases too. Those files are kept by the circuit clerk in Marshall, 870-448-3807.
Where do I pay, and until what hour?
Phone 870-448-2340 and ask who takes the money (jail, sheriff, or clerk), how late they take it, and whether night payment works. The sheriff's administrative office keeps weekday hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
What will the Marshall jail accept as payment?
Expect cash to work. Ask separately about a cashier's check or money order, and treat a personal check as unlikely. If a card is accepted at all, a fee would probably apply. Carry photo ID and the inmate's full name, and walk away with a receipt showing the case number.
What does a Marshall-area bondsman charge?
Arkansas fixes the fee at 10 percent of the bond, and the company keeps it. A $3,000 bond runs $300. Make sure the bondsman holds a state license, read the contract first, and be ready to talk about collateral. Be wary of anyone who texts you first.
Will Searcy County accept hill-country land as security?
Possibly, if the judge approves. This is a rural county where land is a common form of security. Courts look for a clean deed, an assessed value above the bond, and a signature from each owner. Ask the circuit clerk, 870-448-3807, whether the land must lie in Searcy County and how long recording takes.
Is a phone-account deposit a bond payment?
It is not. Money on a jail phone or tablet account, run by an outside company, pays only for calls and screen time. It cannot be moved to a bond afterward.
Could a Searcy County judge refuse to set bail?
Article 2, section 8 of the Arkansas Constitution permits that only for capital offenses where the proof is evident or the presumption great. A judge who freed someone earlier may cancel that release under Rule 9.6 if there is reasonable cause to believe the person committed a felony while waiting for trial. Bail alone may not free someone wanted on a parole or probation violation or on a warrant from somewhere else, and booking staff will know.
Is there any way to shrink a Searcy County bond?
A defense lawyer files to have the judge hear the bond again. The judge looks at local ties, steady work, whether the person has shown up before, and the charge itself. The sheriff has no power to lower it. Collect proof of a Searcy County address and of a job or family duties.
Who is the District 20 public defender?
Searcy County sits in public defender District 20, based in Conway, with Faulkner and Van Buren counties. The judge appoints a lawyer from it at the first appearance when the defendant reports low income. The clerks at 870-448-5411 and 870-448-3807 can tell you who was assigned.
Does a Marshall Police arrest change anything?
Not much. The case still ends up at the Searcy County Jail and in district court. Booking staff can name the arresting agency and read you the charge.
Where would a Searcy County minor be held?
A child is not held at the Marshall jail. Circuit court's juvenile judge hears youth cases, and any Searcy County child who must be detained is taken to a youth facility beyond the county line. Ring the circuit clerk at 870-448-3807 to find out where the child went and the date of the first hearing. A child does not post cash bond and is not on the adult roster.
What if someone out on a Searcy County bond skips court?
A warrant follows. In district court a bondsman has about 120 days from notice to return the person before forfeiture, under Arkansas Code 16-84-201. Call the clerk immediately, 870-448-5411 or 870-448-3807, and talk to a lawyer. The faster the person comes back, the better the odds of keeping the money.
How does the Marshall clerk return a cash bond?
Once the judge closes the case, cash goes back to the person on the receipt, minus fines, costs, and restitution. A bondsman keeps the 10 percent. Hold onto that receipt and check with the clerk on when the refund will come.
Where are Searcy County's jail and court offices, and how do I reach them?
All of them are in Marshall, the county seat:
- Searcy County Jail and Sheriff's Office: 301 Factory Road, P.O. Box 812, Marshall, AR 72650 · 870-448-2340
- Searcy County Circuit Clerk: P.O. Box 998, Marshall, AR 72650 · 870-448-3807
- Searcy County District Court: P.O. Box 885, Marshall, AR 72650 · 870-448-5411
The sheriff's line rings day and night. Clerk offices are open on weekdays, so ring ahead for the room before a visit. Our Searcy County visiting guide and guide to sending money cover life inside after the bond question is settled. Holds, booking and release in Marshall are covered in more depth on our Searcy County inmates page.
A relative from Searcy County has a federal case. How does that work?
A federal charge skips the Factory Road bond desk entirely. Searcy County belongs to the Harrison Division of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, which meets at the federal building in Harrison, 402 North Walnut Street, Harrison, AR 72601, 833-853-0345. Here is the usual path:
- The case opens with a criminal complaint or a grand jury indictment.
- A magistrate judge holds the first court appearance.
- A pretrial services officer looks into the person's job, home and history.
- The prosecutor tells the court whether to ask for detention.
- Any release comes with written conditions set by the judge.
The U.S. Marshals hold people charged in federal court: U.S. Marshals Service, 30 South 6th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901, 479-289-7470 or 479-424-5000 (call either).
If ICE files a detainer, will the Marshall jail hold my relative after bond?
It may. Under 8 CFR 287.7, an ICE detainer is a request to keep someone up to 48 hours after they would go free, weekends and holidays included. Each Arkansas sheriff chooses whether to go along with it, and the state case in Marshall continues either way.
The ICE New Orleans Field Office, 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087, 504-318-2360 covers Arkansas. People ICE holds from north Arkansas are often sent to centers in Louisiana, 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
For the ICE Online Detainee Locator System (https://locator.ice.gov/odls/), an A-number gives the surest match. If you lack it, enter the person's full legal name and country of birth.
I can't find my person on the Searcy County search. Where else can I look?
An empty search can mean a release, a booking not yet entered, or a hold at another agency. Check these:
- Searcy County Jail: Searcy County Inmate Search. Type a last name and open the entry for bond and charges.
- VINE: VINELink (https://vinelink.vineapps.com/). Select Arkansas to check every county jail and sign up for notices.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator (https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/). The register number gives an exact hit. Pretrial federal detainees can be missing from it, so try 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/). Look up state prisoners by name or ADC number.
Before driving to Marshall, which offices should I phone about bond and hearings?
A short call can spare you the trip over the hills. The jail at 870-448-2340 confirms custody and the bond amount. The district court at 870-448-5411 has misdemeanor and traffic dates. Ask the circuit clerk at 870-448-3807 about felony or youth hearings.
Searcy County bond contacts
- County jail: Searcy County Jail, 301 Factory Road, Marshall, AR 72650 (P.O. Box 812); 870-448-2340 (24 hours)
- Bond steps: Searcy County Jail bond steps
- Sheriff: Searcy County Sheriff's Office, 301 Factory Road; 870-448-2340
- Circuit clerk: P.O. Box 998, Marshall, AR 72650; 870-448-3807
- District court: Searcy County District Court, P.O. Box 885, Marshall; 870-448-5411
- Public defender: District 20, Conway office
Call ahead, because hours, payment rules, and phone numbers change without notice. Read this as a general guide, since it is not legal advice.
Searcy County Jail
Address:
301 Factory Road
Marshall, AR 72650
Phone:
870-448-2340
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Searcy County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Searcy County?
Who can set bail in Searcy County?
When is bail set in Searcy County Arkansas?
Does Searcy County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Searcy County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Searcy County?
Searcy 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 Searcy 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 Searcy 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 Searcy 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 Searcy 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 Searcy 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, Searcy 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 Searcy 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 Searcy County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Searcy County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Searcy County?
Searcy 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 Searcy 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 Searcy County Arkansas?
Yes, your attorney can also request a bond reduction if a judge already set the initial bail.
In Searcy 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 Searcy 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 Searcy County Clerk of Court and not pay a scammer.
What options are there to pay bail in Searcy 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 Searcy County Jail for more information about posting bail in Searcy 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 Searcy 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 Searcy 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.