Gulf County Detention Facility Inmate Bail & Bonds

Use Gulf County Inmate Search first. It is the quickest way to confirm a booking. If the person is not listed, the arrest may be hours old, or the person may be held by the arresting agency before booking.

Call 850-227-1124 to ask where the person is. Because some small Florida counties house certain inmates in a neighboring county, ask whether a woman or a person with a special need is being held in Port St. Joe or at another jail.

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Yes: within 24 hours of a Gulf arrest, under Florida Rule 3.130, unless the person was already freed. Video hearings are allowed. The Gulf judge can release the person, set conditions, and set or change bond.

The courthouse is at 1000 Cecil G. Costin Sr. Boulevard, Port St. Joe, FL 32456. Call 850-227-1124 to find out when hearings happen.

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The Florida Supreme Court's 2026 statewide schedule lists starting amounts for release before the first hearing. A third-degree felony involving force or a threat of force: $5,000. A third-degree felony without force: $2,500. A first-degree misdemeanor with force: $1,000. A first-degree misdemeanor without force: $500. A second-degree misdemeanor with force: $250. A second-degree misdemeanor without force: $150.

In Gulf, DUI is $1,000 for a first-degree misdemeanor, $750 for a repeat second-degree case, and $500 the first time. The chief judge of the 14th Circuit may raise these. Ask the facility for the amount that applies today.

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Yes. Section 903.011 says the schedule doesn't bind a Gulf judge at first appearance or any bail ruling. The judge may set a higher or lower figure or order release with conditions.

Under section 903.046, a Gulf judge looks at the offense, how strong the evidence is, family and work ties, past missed hearings, probation status, and public safety. Bring proof that supports the person.

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The Clerk of Court is in the courthouse, Room 149, open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern. The clerk's website takes no personal checks at the office. Payment hours and accepted payment types for bail can differ from that, so telephone first: 850-227-1124. Ask who takes the payment, whether it is the facility or the Clerk of Court, what forms of payment are accepted, and when the office closes.

Never wire money or buy gift cards to settle a bond.

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It sets the rate in two ways. The Florida Department of Financial Services sets the Gulf premium at 10 percent of bail, so $1,500 bail costs $150. And Florida Statutes 648.33 says the agent must charge the rate filed with and approved by the state, no higher and no lower.

Once the person you're helping is out of jail, the agent has earned that fee. If release never happens, it should be returned. Ask for the collateral terms and every other cost in writing, and look up the license first.

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Some courts allow it, but each county sets its own steps. Phone 850-227-1124 to learn who reviews Gulf property bonds, if the land must be local, the equity required, and who signs.

Property bonds take days. If the person must be out quickly, a bail agent may be the better route.

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Florida Statutes 903.011(6) lists the cases where nobody can be released before a judge sees them. Gulf examples include a felony arrest during supervision, many recent arrests, and the most serious felony charges.

A Gulf court may hold without bail under Article I, section 14 of the Florida Constitution for capital or life charges with clear guilt, or when no terms protect the community, ensure a return, or guard the court process. Ask the facility which rule applies.

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Let the Gulf judge know at first appearance that you can't pay. The Public Defender for the 14th Circuit serves Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington Counties. Income is reviewed before an appointment is made.

Hiring a private lawyer for a bond hearing is allowed at any time.

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The Department of Juvenile Justice screens the child in Panama City at 651 West 14th Street, Suite M, FL 32401, 850-767-3262. Children held in secure detention from this area are generally placed at the Bay Regional Juvenile Detention Center, 450 East 11th Street, Panama City, FL 32401, 850-872-4706.

A juvenile record stays private, so the adult search shows no child. The Gulf County juvenile probation office is at 651 West 14th Street, Suites K and M, 850-872-7630. Ask the Panama City office where the Gulf child is and when the hearing is.

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If a Gulf city officer arrested, get that department's report number and ask where the person was taken. Then keep checking Gulf County Inmate Search until the booking appears.

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Once a defendant misses court, the judge may forfeit the bond. Under section 903.26 the clerk mails a notice within five days, and the forfeited sum is due within 60 days unless a Gulf judge discharges it. Gulf families should call both the lawyer and the agent at once.

A new offense or broken condition can also end release under section 903.0471.

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Typically yes, once the case closes, after any fines, costs, or fees the court orders. The Gulf County Clerk's website says a cash bond is applied to court costs or fines. Gulf agents keep the premium after release, and collateral should come back within 21 days of the bond's discharge, per the Department of Financial Services. In Gulf, save each receipt and ask the clerk how refunds work.

Deposits on an inmate account are separate from bail.

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Hang up. No real office asks for prepaid cards or crypto. Then dial 850-227-1124 yourself and ask the facility what it needs.

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• An ICE detainer (Form I-247A) asks the Gulf jail to hold someone longer.
• That extra hold in Gulf lasts up to 48 hours.
• In Gulf, weekends and holidays count toward those 48 hours.
• Posting bond in Gulf does not end an ICE hold.
• F.S. 908.105 says the Gulf bond judge must be told.
• The Gulf prosecutor is told too.
• F.S. 908.11 requires the Gulf sheriff to work with ICE under 287(g).
• For Gulf, ICE's 287(g) list shows:
  • Task Force Model
• If ICE takes someone from Gulf, search the ICE detainee locator.

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