Alachua County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Alachua County bail and bond: the Gainesville jail, the lobby window, and the 2026 schedule
Adults arrested in Alachua County are held at the Alachua County Jail, 3333 NE 39th Avenue in Gainesville, which the Sheriff's Office runs. Look up the name on Alachua County Inmate Search; it shows custody and the bail figure. You can post bond at the jail lobby window from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The 24-hour Booking Support desk is 352-491-4459, for anything the search cannot answer.
1. Is my family member in the Alachua County Jail?
Use the Alachua County Inmate Search link first. Alachua's search shows if the person is held and the bail. New Alachua bookings can lag behind, so search again a bit later. For what the search cannot answer, the jail's Booking Support desk is staffed around the clock at 352-491-4459.
2. What's the fastest way to learn Alachua bail?
Look at the entry on Alachua County Inmate Search. An empty Alachua line may mean booking is still underway. Call 352-491-4459 and ask if the person must see a judge before bond can be posted.
3. Where do I post bail in Gainesville, and when?
The jail is at 3333 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609. The sheriff's office says bond can be posted at the window in the jail lobby from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. After those hours, go to the service window to the left of the front entrance.
Alachua's jail asks for a government photo ID, the inmate's complete name, and the MNI (booking) number.
4. Which payments does the Alachua jail take?
Alachua's sheriff takes cash, money orders, or cashier's checks. Make Alachua money orders or cashier's checks payable to the Clerk of the Court, writing the inmate's complete name and MNI number on each. The sheriff's page does not list credit cards for bail, so ask at 352-491-4479 before you count on one.
An Alachua jail account deposit for calls or snacks is not bail. It will not free anyone.
5. What is Alachua bail for a common charge?
Florida's Supreme Court adopted one statewide bond schedule for 2026 in order AOSC25-69. For release before the first court hearing, it sets $2,500 for a third-degree felony with no force or threat, and $5,000 if force or threat was used. A first-degree misdemeanor with no force is $500, and a second-degree misdemeanor with no force is $150. A first DUI, a second-degree misdemeanor, is $500.
Alachua judges can change the amount at first appearance. The order also lists cases with no early release at all, so the amount on the screen controls, not this list.
6. Can I get out before seeing a judge?
Sometimes. If the charge is on the schedule and none of the exclusions apply, the jail can accept the listed bond right away. Florida law (section 903.011) bars release before a first appearance for people who were on pretrial release, probation, or community supervision at arrest, among other groups. In those cases a judge decides bond at the hearing.
7. When does a judge see the person?
Rule 3.130 means an Alachua arrestee sees a judge within 24 hours unless already released. In Alachua County, first appearance is held at the Criminal Justice Center, 220 South Main Street, and video from the jail may be used. The clerk's switchboard, 352-374-3636, can confirm the current time.
8. What does the Alachua sheriff's office do here?
The Alachua County Sheriff's Office runs the jail through its Department of the Jail. Deputies must follow the judge's bond order. They cannot cut a bond. For the main office, call 352-367-4000.
9. How does a bail agent work in Alachua County?
An agent must be registered with both the Alachua County Clerk and the sheriff's office. A bond may cover only one charge, so a person with three charges needs three bonds. The agent signs, the person signs, and the booking officer checks the case numbers.
The Florida Department of Financial Services, which regulates agents, says the premium for a state bond is 10 percent of the bail the court sets. On a $2,500 bail that is $250. Section 648.33 requires the rate filed with the state, with no discounts and no extras. Get any collateral promise in writing.
10. Can a house or land be used?
A property bond is possible under Florida law, but it is slow. A person who is not a company must live in Florida or own real estate here (section 903.05). In Alachua, the recorded bond becomes a lien on the land. The sheriff's bond page is silent on property, so call the clerk's felony desk at 352-374-3681 before filing anything.
11. Why does the screen say no bond?
Under Article I, section 14 of the Florida Constitution, an Alachua defendant charged with a capital or life crime can be held if the proof is plain or guilt strongly presumed. A judge may also hold someone who cannot be safely released on any conditions. A new arrest while on release (section 903.0471) can bring a hold, and so can a warrant from another county. Ask the clerk at 352-374-3636 for the reason.
12. What if the arrest was made by Gainesville police or UF police?
Adults arrested by city and campus officers in this county are taken to the county jail on NE 39th Avenue, as far as we can confirm. Alachua families can get the report number and booking time from whichever agency arrested. Then check Alachua County Inmate Search later in the day.
13. What if my teenager was arrested?
Alachua youth needing secure custody go to the Alachua Regional Juvenile Detention Center, 3440 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609, a Department of Juvenile Justice site. It serves Alachua, Baker, and Bradford counties among others. The phone is 352-955-2105. Juvenile matters are filed at the clerk's juvenile desk, 352-337-6273.
14. What if we cannot afford an attorney?
Raise it with the judge at first appearance. The Eighth Circuit Public Defender has an Alachua office at 151 SW 2nd Avenue, Gainesville, reached at 352-338-7370. Its juvenile division is at 352-338-7372.
15. What happens if he misses court?
A forfeiture order can follow. Under section 903.26 the clerk mails notice, and the forfeiture is to be paid within 60 days of that mailing unless the court discharges it. Section 903.28 lets the court return part of the money if the person is surrendered, with the share shrinking over time. Phone a lawyer and the Alachua bail agent today.
16. Will I get my money back?
Alachua usually returns cash posted with the Clerk of the Court when the case ends, less fines, fees, or costs the judge orders. The sheriff's staff give the depositor a receipt copy, so keep it. A bail agent's 10 percent premium is nonrefundable once the agent takes the person out of jail, says the Department of Financial Services. In Alachua, if no release happens, the agent owes that fee back. Collateral should come back within 21 days after the court discharges the bond, and the court usually does that within 10 business days.
17. What does a fake Alachua bail call sound like?
Alachua's jail and clerk never take gift cards, app transfers to strangers, or crypto. Use only the offices on this page. Rushing you to pay within minutes is a scam tactic; end the call and dial the Alachua jail desk at 352-491-4459.
18. What if ICE puts an Alachua jail hold on someone?
- ICE uses Form I-247A to ask Alachua jailers for more time.
- The Alachua hold can last up to 48 hours past release.
- The Alachua clock keeps running on weekends and holidays.
- Posting bond in Alachua does not end an ICE hold.
- Under F.S. 908.105, the Alachua judge setting bond must hear about it.
- The Alachua prosecutor is told too.
- Every Florida jail sheriff, Alachua included, must join 287(g) (F.S. 908.11).
- For Alachua, ICE's 287(g) list shows:
- Task Force Model
- Warrant Service Officer
- To find a person ICE took from Alachua, try the ICE locator.
Alachua County bail contacts
- Jail
- Alachua County Jail, 3333 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609; Booking Support 352-491-4459 (24 hours); administration 352-491-4479
- Bond guide
- Jail bail and bond guide
- Custody lookup
- Alachua County Inmate Search
- Sheriff
- Alachua County Sheriff's Office, 352-367-4000
- Clerk of Court
- Switchboard 352-374-3636; misdemeanor and criminal traffic 352-337-6250; felony 352-374-3681; juvenile 352-337-6273
- Criminal courthouse
- 220 South Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32601; clerk hours 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday
- Public defender
- 151 SW 2nd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601; 352-338-7370; juvenile division 352-338-7372
- Juvenile detention
- Alachua Regional Juvenile Detention Center, 3440 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609; 352-955-2105
- Agent regulator
- Florida Department of Financial Services
Alachua hours, fees, amounts, and numbers shift, and judges can depart from any schedule. Before Alachua money changes hands, confirm with the jail or clerk. This Alachua page is for learning only, not legal advice.
Paying an Inmate's Bail or Bond in Alachua County
The Alachua County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Alachua County.
However if you don't want to use a bail bond agent:
- You can always pay a cash bond yourself, or use your home in Alachua County, or in some cases the state of Florida, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Alachua County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
- The typical fee for a bond in Florida is between 10-20% of the bail amount; usually 15% or less. So if an offender has a bail of $10,000.00, their bond will be $1,500.00.
- Pay by cash, cashier's check, money order or credit card at the Alachua County Jail, or the courthouse in Alachua County where the offense took place.
Call 352-491-4444 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Alachua County inmate locator.
Alachua County Jail
Address:
3333 NE 39th Ave
Gainesville, FL 32609
Phone:
352-491-4444
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Alachua County
Does Alachua County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Alachua County?
Who can set bail in Alachua County?
When is bail set in Alachua County Florida?
Does Alachua County have bail?
Yes, Alachua County has bail and recognizes most types of bonds.
As of January 1, 2024, Florida moved to a statewide uniform bond schedule. The uniform bond schedule may change every year. The Alachua County Jail will let you know the amount of the bond.
Under most circumstances your bond amount is set during the booking process, and you are eligible to bond out prior to going to court. Prior to January 1, 2024, each county set their own bond schedule. For more serious crimes, bond will be set at the first appearance.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Alachua County?
Florida offers bail in the form of cash bail or surety bond and bonds from a professional bondsperson.
Who can set bail in Alachua County?
Under most circumstances your bond amount is set during the booking process by a judge, and you are eligible to bond out prior to going to court. Prior to January 1, 2024, each county set their own bond schedule.
For more serious crimes, bond will be set at the first appearance. Bail is set by a judge in accordance with a precalculated schedule based on the seriousness of the offense.
When is bail set in Alachua County Florida?
In most cases bail is set immediately after arrest, based on the precalculated schedule. If a defendant is not eligible for immediate release bail may be set by a judge at the initial court hearing, or arraignment.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Alachua 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 Alachua 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 Alachua 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, Alachua 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 Alachua 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. A Florida bondsperson will not write a bond for under $250.
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.
A bondsperson might consider a transfer bond that is transferable across state lines but generally a bond company will only assume the loan to adjoining states. For a Florida resident arrested in another state, bond companies will do transfer bonds but the person putting up the security has to be a Florida resident.
Since the bondsperson signed off, to be responsible that you show to court as your surety and ultimately, 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 Alachua County have bail?
Yes, Alachua County has bail and recognizes most types of bonds.
As of January 1, 2024, Florida moved to a statewide uniform bond schedule.
Under most circumstances your bond amount is set during the booking process, and you are eligible to bond out prior to going to court. Prior to January 1, 2024, each county set their own bond schedule. For more serious crimes, bond will be set at the first appearance.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Alachua County?
Florida offers bail in the form of cash bail or surety bond and bonds from a professional bondsperson.
Who can set bail in Alachua County?
Under most circumstances your bond amount is set during the booking process by a judge, and you are eligible to bond out prior to going to court. Prior to January 1, 2024, each county set their own bond schedule.
For more serious crimes, bond will be set at the first appearance. Bail is set by a judge in accordance with a precalculated schedule based on the seriousness of the offense.
When is bail set in Florida?
In most cases bail is set immediately after arrest, based on the precalculated schedule. If a defendant is not eligible for immediate release bail may be set by a judge at the initial court hearing, or arraignment.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Alachua County Florida?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances, let the judge know at your initial appearance. Your attorney can also request a bond reduction.
In Alachua County, who can pay bail for me?
Monetary bail may be posted by any friend or relative. Surety bonds are only accepted from registered bail bond agent. Bail may be posted at the county jail where the defendant has been charged. Please contact Alachua County Jail at 352-491-4444 for information related to types of payment accepted, hours of operation, and location.
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 Florida could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Alachua County Florida?
Some counties do accept online payment. Other only accept cash, money orders, or cashier’s checks. Contact the Alachua County Jail at 352-491-4444 for more information regarding accepted forms of payment.
What options are there to pay bail in Alachua County Florida?
Cash or surety bond. Surety bonds are only accepted from registered bail bond agents. Bail may be posted at the county jail where the defendant is charged. Please contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted: Go to the Alachua County Jail for more information about posting bail in Alachua County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Florida?
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. 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 Alachua County?
The judge or officer who sets bail determines which kind of bond will be an option however personal recognizance bonds are not offered in Florida, leaving few options for no money up front.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Florida?
The Alachua County Jail or court in this jurisdiction can provide you with a list of approved and licensed bond companies, but they cannot recommend a specific company. You are not obligated to use the first company available and can call several companies to compare what kind of bonds that the bondsperson is willing to execute.
The percentage of bail that the bond company can charge is set, usually at 10%, by the state and cannot be negotiated.