Dixie County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Dixie County bail and bond: the Cross City jail and the amounts judges start from
Dixie County's jail is the Dixie County Jail in Cross City, run by the Sheriff's Office. Type the name into Dixie County Inmate Search to see if someone is booked, plus charges and bail. The jail desk, 352-498-1231, picks up for questions the search cannot cover. Because this is a small county, a person may wait for a ride, a lawyer, or a judge longer than you expect, and every bond step starts with the exact amount from the record.
Is the person at the Cross City jail right now?
Check Dixie County Inmate Search first. In Dixie, a fresh booking can be slow to show. The jail desk at 352-498-1231 is the jail control room and can say whether a different agency has a hold. Ask which law-enforcement agency made the arrest if the name is missing.
Which street is the Cross City jail on?
The Sheriff's page puts the jail at 386 NE 255th Street, Cross City, where the lobby takes in-person deposits. The Sheriff's Office itself is a different address, 214 NE 351 Highway, Suite L. Call 352-498-1231 if you are unsure, and have the booking number with you.
What decides the bail amount?
For Dixie arrests before a judge sees the case, Florida Supreme Court order AOSC25-69 sets the 2026 statewide schedule. The Third Judicial Circuit, which includes Dixie County, may post higher amounts, and the first-appearance judge may set anything different. Section 903.046 lists a Dixie judge's factors: charge, record, local ties, and danger to others.
Give me real numbers for common charges.
Dixie County follows the Third Judicial Circuit order, AO 2026-001, dated January 7, 2026. Dixie sets a third-degree felony at $5,000 without force and $10,000 when force or a threat is involved. Dixie uses $1,000 for a first-degree misdemeanor without force, or $2,500 if force was involved. A second-degree misdemeanor is $1,000 in either case. Dixie's DUI amounts: a first offense filed as a second-degree misdemeanor is $2,000, a second offense is $2,500, and a first-degree charge is $5,000. These are release amounts before a judge sees the case, not what a judge must choose.
How soon does a Dixie judge see a new arrest?
Within 24 hours, under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.130. At that hearing the judge decides on a lawyer and the release terms. A Dixie arrest on a Friday night still has to reach a judge within that time. The Sheriff says the judge may appear in person or by telephone or video link, and states the charges and bond to each person. Look at Dixie County Inmate Search afterward for the amount.
What payments does the Dixie jail accept for bond?
Dixie's sheriff pages skip payment types and a bonding window, so ask the desk at 352-498-1231 before bringing money. Whatever the jail accepts, get a receipt with the person's name, booking number, and amount. In Dixie, money for commissary or phone accounts is separate and does not count toward bond.
What does a bail agent charge?
For a Dixie County bond, the Department of Financial Services lists the agent's premium as 10 percent of the bail. For a $500 bail, that is $50. Once your relative is out, the agent has earned it and will not give it back. When the person never leaves jail, the premium is returned. Security you pledged is to be handed back 21 days after the discharge. The department licenses these agents, and you should get every term in writing.
Can a property owner put up land to free someone?
It can be done in Florida, but check with the jail first. Section 903.05 requires a private surety to live in the state or own real estate here. After a no-show, the recorded forfeiture sits on the property as a lien for two years (section 903.26). In Dixie, hold on to any deed until the court tells you exactly what it needs.
What does a no-bond note on the record mean in Dixie County?
Dixie courts may refuse release on capital or life counts where proof is plain or the presumption great, or where no terms protect people or secure a return (Article I, section 14 of the Florida Constitution). Section 903.011 also holds back people arrested while on probation or pretrial release, or on certain violent and drug trafficking charges, until a judge acts. Ask the desk which reason applies.
What if the Cross City police made the arrest?
The Cross City Police Department can say where the person was taken. Its listed number is 352-498-3507. Adult arrests in Dixie County normally go to the county jail, and the search will show the booking once entered.
What happens to a teen arrested in Dixie?
Dixie youth cases go to juvenile court and stay private. A judge orders any detention at a hearing. Dixie youth are assigned to the Alachua Regional Juvenile Detention Center, 3440 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville, 352-955-2105; check with the jail before driving there.
Who defends a Dixie defendant who can't pay?
A Dixie family unable to hire counsel should ask the first appearance judge for the Public Defender. Dixie's public defender, the Third Circuit office, sits at 173 NE Hernando Avenue, Suite 115, Lake City, 386-758-0540. Ask there which office handles Dixie County cases. A Dixie defense lawyer can request a lower bond or different conditions.
What if the bond is forfeited?
If the person misses court, the judge declares the bond forfeited. Dixie's Clerk mails notice within five days, with payment due 60 days later (section 903.26). Quick surrender of the defendant can return part of the money (section 903.28). Phone a lawyer and the bail agent right away.
When is a bond expired or cancelled?
Section 903.31 says an original appearance bond expires 36 months after it was posted. Under section 903.286, Dixie cash from a non-agent comes back after the case, less the fines and costs the Clerk must keep. Save the receipt.
Which payment requests are scams?
A common Dixie scam is someone wanting a gift card, crypto, or app payment to "clear" a bond. Call the jail yourself at 352-498-1231.
Can ICE keep someone in the Dixie jail after bond is posted?
- With Form I-247A, ICE can ask the Dixie jail to keep a person.
- The Dixie hold can last up to 48 hours past release.
- Saturdays, Sundays and holidays all count in Dixie.
- Posting bond in Dixie does not end an ICE hold.
- The Dixie judge who sets bond learns of it (F.S. 908.105).
- Notice also goes to the Dixie state attorney.
- F.S. 908.11 requires the Dixie sheriff to work with ICE under 287(g).
- ICE lists these 287(g) models for Dixie:
- Task Force Model
- Warrant Service Officer
- If ICE takes someone from Dixie, search the ICE detainee locator.
Dixie County bail contacts
- County jail
- Dixie County Jail, 386 NE 255th Street, Cross City, FL 32628; 352-498-1231
- Bond guide
- Jail bail and bond guide
- Custody lookup
- Dixie County Inmate Search
- Sheriff
- 214 NE 351 Highway, Suite L, Cross City (office address)
- Judicial circuit
- Third Judicial Circuit of Florida
- City police
- Cross City Police Department, 352-498-3507
- Public defender
- 386-758-0540
- Youth detention
- Alachua Regional Juvenile Detention Center, 3440 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609; 352-955-2105
- Bail agents
- Florida Department of Financial Services
Dixie County details such as payment steps and phone lines can change, so double-check before you travel or send funds. A judge can set any bond amount. This guide cannot give legal advice.
Dixie County Jail
Address:
386 NE 255th Street
Cross City, FL 32628
Phone:
352-498-1231
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Dixie County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Dixie County?
Who can set bail in Dixie County?
When is bail set in Dixie County Florida?
Does Dixie County have bail?
Yes, Dixie 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 Dixie 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 Dixie County?
Florida offers bail in the form of cash bail or surety bond and bonds from a professional bondsperson.
Who can set bail in Dixie 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 Dixie 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 Dixie 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 Dixie 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 Dixie 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, Dixie 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 Dixie 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 Dixie County have bail?
Yes, Dixie 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 Dixie County?
Florida offers bail in the form of cash bail or surety bond and bonds from a professional bondsperson.
Who can set bail in Dixie 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 Dixie 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 Dixie 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 Dixie County Jail at 352-498-1231 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 Dixie County Florida?
Some counties do accept online payment. Other only accept cash, money orders, or cashier’s checks. Contact the Dixie County Jail at 352-498-1231 for more information regarding accepted forms of payment.
What options are there to pay bail in Dixie 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 Dixie County Jail for more information about posting bail in Dixie 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 Dixie 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 Dixie 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.