Sharp County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds

Last updated by Elizabeth Boyle

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Sharp County

Arkansas • Sharp County • Bail & bond help

Sharp County bail and bond: what to know before you drive to Ash Flat

Deputies, Ash Flat officers, and Cherokee Village officers all bring prisoners to the Sharp County Detention Center, 84 Arnhart Street, Ash Flat, right behind the courthouse. Two lines matter. The jail answers 870-994-7329, and the sheriff's administrative office, 870-994-7356, is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The sheriff's website explains cash and bondsman bonds only in brief, so call before you go. To see whether the booking has happened, use Sharp County Inmate Search.

Which Ash Flat phone number should I dial?

Dial the jail, 870-994-7329, for custody, charges, and bond. Dial the sheriff's office, 870-994-7356, on weekdays for paperwork and general business. The sheriff also posts a non-emergency line, 870-994-2211. Keep 911 for emergencies.

Back to questions ↑

I see no name on the Arnhart Street roster. Is my person still in?

It depends. New bookings take time to post, and someone moved to another jail may not appear. Call 870-994-7329 with a date of birth. If the person has already left, ask when, and whether a court date or papers went with them.

Back to questions ↑

How do I find the bond figure on a Sharp County charge?

The jail can read it to you, and a warrant usually has it printed. Clerks can also confirm. For misdemeanors, call the Ash Flat district clerk at 870-994-2745. For felony orders, call the circuit clerk at 870-994-7361. Get the amount for each charge, then the total.

Back to questions ↑

What happens at a Sharp County first appearance?

Under Arkansas Rule 8.1, a judge has to see the person with no needless delay, usually within a day or two here. At that hearing the charge is read, bond is set under Rules 9.1 to 9.3, and a lawyer may be appointed. Weekends and holidays stretch the wait. Relatives may sit in.

Back to questions ↑

Ash Flat court, Cherokee Village court, or circuit court?

Misdemeanors begin in district court. Sharp County's district court sits in Ash Flat, 870-994-2745, and has a Cherokee Village clerk on Santee Drive, 870-257-5522. Felonies belong to the Third Judicial Circuit, shared with Randolph, Lawrence, and Jackson counties. The circuit clerk can name the division with your file.

Back to questions ↑

Where does the bond money go in Ash Flat?

The sheriff's office takes bond on warrants that list an amount. Ask the jail, 870-994-7329, whether to pay at the Arnhart Street detention center or the sheriff's office. Ask about nights and weekends too. Carry a photo ID and write down the booking number and the person's legal name.

Back to questions ↑

Which kinds of payment work at the Ash Flat jail?

Cash works at the sheriff's office, and so does a surety bond from a licensed bonding company. Ask before you bring a check or card. Your receipt, with its case number, is what the clerk uses to match a refund.

Back to questions ↑

What does a Sharp County bondsman charge?

Ten percent of the bond, and none of it is refunded. On a $6,000 bond that is $600. The Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board oversees licensed agents. Keep a copy of what you sign, and get any collateral terms in writing.

Back to questions ↑

Will Sharp County take land for a bond?

The sheriff's office says it generally will not accept a property bond or a release on your own word. A lawyer can ask the judge, and the circuit clerk, 870-994-7361, can explain what the court wants.

Back to questions ↑

What about commissary money?

Keep it separate from bond. Commissary deposits can be cash, a cashier's check, or an approved money order, and none of that money releases anyone. Leftover funds come back as a check when the person leaves. If you plan to mail a money order, confirm the payee and address by phone first.

Back to questions ↑

When might a Sharp County judge refuse bail?

Article 2, section 8 of the Arkansas Constitution allows it in a capital case where the proof is evident or the presumption great. Rule 9.6 also lets that court pull a release back if there is reasonable cause to suspect a fresh felony while the case waits. Most other "no bond" notes are holds from parole, probation, or a warrant elsewhere. Ask who placed the hold.

Back to questions ↑

How do we get a Sharp County bond lowered?

A lawyer files the request, and the judge looks at local ties, a job, past record, and past court attendance. Neither the jail nor the sheriff can change the order. Pull together proof of address and work before the hearing.

Back to questions ↑

Which public defender serves Sharp County?

The state public defender's office covers people who cannot pay. Appointment follows once the court sees proof of low income. The circuit clerk, 870-994-7361, can tell you who was assigned.

Back to questions ↑

Ash Flat or Cherokee Village police made the arrest.

City officers bring the people they arrest to the Arnhart Street center too. The detention center, 870-994-7329, can say who arrested the person and on what charge.

Back to questions ↑

What if the Sharp County arrestee is under 18?

Phone the circuit clerk at 870-994-7361 and ask for the juvenile division. Sharp County sends a child who must be held to a youth center outside the county. Ask the clerk which center and when the detention hearing is. Juvenile court has no cash bond, and the child will not show on the adult roster.

Back to questions ↑

What happens if a Sharp County defendant misses court?

The judge issues a warrant. For district court cases, Arkansas Code 16-84-201 allows the bondsman roughly 120 days from notice before the bond is lost. Reach the clerk before the day ends, and bring in a lawyer quickly. The bondsman can go after the defendant and anyone who co-signed.

Back to questions ↑

How does a Sharp County cash bond refund work?

A cash bond is returned once the case is finished, less fines, costs, and restitution, to whoever is named on the receipt. A bondsman keeps the fee for good. Save the receipt and ask the clerk how long the check takes.

Back to questions ↑

What are the addresses and phone lines for Sharp County's jail and courts?

Ash Flat holds all of them, with the detention center just behind the courthouse:

  • Sharp County Detention Center: 84 Arnhart Street, Ash Flat, AR 72513 · 870-994-7329
  • Sharp County Sheriff's Office: 84 Arnhart Street, Ash Flat, AR 72513 · 870-994-7356
  • Circuit Clerk: P.O. Box 307, Ash Flat, AR 72513 · 870-994-7361
  • Sharp County District Court: P.O. Box 2, Ash Flat, AR 72513 · 870-994-2745

The sheriff's office keeps hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For anything after that, try the non-emergency line, 870-994-2211. For keeping in touch, look at our Sharp County call setup page and the jail messaging page. Booking, holds and release at Ash Flat get a fuller look on our Sharp County inmates page.

Back to questions ↑

My relative from Sharp County faces a federal charge. What comes next?

The Arnhart Street jail has no say over federal bond. Sharp County's federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Northern Division in Jonesboro, at the federal courthouse in Jonesboro, 615 South Main Street, Jonesboro, AR 72401, 870-972-4610. Here is the usual path:

  • An agent's sworn complaint or a grand jury indictment opens the case.
  • A magistrate judge holds the first hearing.
  • A pretrial services officer asks about family, job and past cases.
  • The government says whether it will ask to hold the person.
  • A judge who grants release lists the rules the person must follow.

Anyone held on a federal charge is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals: U.S. Marshals Service, 600 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-324-6256.

Back to questions ↑

Could ICE ask the Ash Flat jail to hold my relative?

It could. ICE sends a detainer under 8 CFR 287.7 asking a jail to hold a person up to 48 hours after they would go free, weekends and holidays included. Each Arkansas sheriff chooses whether to follow it, and the Sharp County case keeps going either way.

The ICE New Orleans Field Office, 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087, 504-318-2360 handles Arkansas. People ICE takes from north Arkansas frequently end up in Louisiana centers, including:

  • 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

Search the ICE Online Detainee Locator System (https://locator.ice.gov/odls/) with an A-number if you have it. Without one, type the full legal name and birth country.

Back to questions ↑

Sharp County's roster shows nothing. What other lists can I check?

Blank results happen after a release, during booking, or when another agency holds the person. Check these:

Back to questions ↑

Who in Ash Flat can tell me the bond and court date by phone?

Calling ahead can save the trip. The detention center at 870-994-7329 can confirm custody and read you the bond. For ticket and misdemeanor dates, ring the district court clerk at 870-994-2745. The circuit clerk at 870-994-7361 has felony and juvenile dates.

Back to questions ↑

Sharp County bond contacts

Hours and phone numbers do change, so call the jail before driving to Ash Flat. Read this as plain background for families, and get legal advice from a lawyer.

Sharp County Detention Center

Address:
84 Arnhart Street
Ash Flat, AR 72513
Phone:
870-994-7329

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Sharp County

Does Sharp County have bail?

What kind of bonds are accepted in Sharp County?

Who can set bail in Sharp County?

When is bail set in Sharp County Arkansas?

 

 

Does Sharp County have bail?

Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Sharp County allows bail.

 

 

What kind of bonds are accepted in Sharp County?

Sharp 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 Sharp 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 Sharp 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 Sharp 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 Sharp 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 Sharp County Detention Center until the case is resolved or goes to trial. 

Bail can be denied if the defendant did not comply with bail conditions from a previous arrest. Bail is usually denied in cases of violent offenses. 

What is the difference between Bail and Bond?

Bail and bond are used interchangeably to mean the same thing but technically, they are different.  

The bail is the amount to be paid and a bond is a signed document promising payment of the bail amount with certain conditions.

Think of a bond as a loan to pay for the bail.  

The bond payment is always written to the court in your municipality, Sharp 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 Sharp 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 Sharp County have bail?  

Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Sharp County allows bail.

What kind of bonds are accepted in Sharp County? 

Sharp 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 Sharp 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 Sharp County Arkansas? 

Yes, your attorney can also request a bond reduction if a judge already set the initial bail.

In Sharp 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 Sharp 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 Sharp County Clerk of Court and not pay a scammer.

What options are there to pay bail in Sharp 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 Sharp County Detention Center for more information about posting bail in Sharp 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 Sharp 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 Sharp 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.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Sharp County

Human-verified information Manually curated

Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.