Okeechobee County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Type the full name into Okeechobee County Inmate Search. If it comes up empty, give it a little time, because booking can take hours. The Sheriff's main number, 863-763-3117, can answer questions the search cannot.

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The Sheriff's website gives 504 Northwest 4th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972, as the shipping address for the Sheriff's Office, and the same street address for legal mail to the jail. Ask the desk which entrance to use. No in-person visit is needed to learn a bond amount.

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The statewide schedule for release before a first appearance is AOSC25-69. A third-degree felony is $5,000 if force or a threat of force was involved, and $2,500 if not. A first-degree misdemeanor is $1,000 or $500. A second-degree misdemeanor is $250 or $150. A first-degree misdemeanor DUI is $1,000.

These are floors for staff release, not promises. The Nineteenth Circuit's chief judge may set higher amounts, and the judge at first appearance may pick any figure.

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For some minor Okeechobee misdemeanors, an officer or the jail may let a person go free on a signed written promise, without paying. If the paper has a court date, treat it as seriously as a bond.

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Call 863-763-3117 and ask which forms are taken, where to hand them over, and when. Bring photo ID and the booking number.

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Under section 903.011(6), a person on probation, community control, or pretrial release, a sex-offender registrant, and several other groups may not leave before a judge reviews the case. Serious felonies such as life and first-degree felonies are on that list too. The first appearance comes within 24 hours under Rule 3.130.

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Section 903.035 requires the answers to be accurate, truthful, and complete. A false or misleading answer can lead to revocation or a change in bail, and knowingly giving false information can itself be a crime. Tell the lawyer everything about work, home, and prior cases before the hearing.

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For a state bond, the Florida Department of Financial Services puts the premium at 10 percent of bail. On a $5,000 bond, that is $500. Under section 648.33, the agent's rate is the one on file with the state. Ask for every other cost in writing. Agents also have equal access to the jail under section 903.101.

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The Sheriff's site gives no forms or steps for property bonds. State law lets a non-agent surety qualify by living in Florida or owning Florida real estate (section 903.05) with net worth at least the bond (section 903.08). Ask the jail at 863-763-3117 who in Okeechobee reviews property papers.

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In Okeechobee, ask the first appearance judge for the Nineteenth Circuit Public Defender. The circuit's main offices are in Fort Pierce. For the Okeechobee office address and phone, ask the jail desk at 863-763-3117 or the judge at first appearance.

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The St. Lucie Regional Juvenile Detention Center, 1301 Bell Avenue, Fort Pierce, 772-241-6260, serves Okeechobee along with St. Lucie, Indian River, and Martin counties. It is a 50-bed state facility. The Department of Juvenile Justice screens Okeechobee youth at 1215 Bell Avenue, Fort Pierce, 772-468-5648. Okeechobee's adult search does not include children.

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Okeechobee's court can forfeit the bond and order a warrant. The clerk's notice goes out within 5 days, and payment is due 60 days after it is mailed (section 903.26). Judgment can then be entered against the surety (section 903.27). Contact the agent and a lawyer on the first day.

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Florida law does not require that, but in Okeechobee the payer should save every receipt and know the money can be lost if the defendant skips court.

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A bond is cancelled within 10 business days after the conditions are met (section 903.31). Cash posted by a non-agent can be held for unpaid fines and costs (section 903.286). In Okeechobee, keep the receipt showing the case number. The agent's 10 percent premium is earned, and not refundable, once the person is out, says the Department of Financial Services. If the person never leaves the jail, the premium goes back to the payer. Collateral is to be handed back within 21 days of the court's discharge.

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The Okeechobee jail never takes gift cards or app transfers sent to a person. If a caller says they're with the Okeechobee jail, hang up and call 863-763-3117 yourself.

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• With Form I-247A, ICE can ask the Okeechobee jail to keep a person.
• In Okeechobee, that means up to 48 more hours.
• The Okeechobee clock keeps running on weekends and holidays.
• Paying an Okeechobee bond will not lift the detainer.
• The Okeechobee judge who sets bond learns of it (F.S. 908.105).
• Notice also goes to the Okeechobee state attorney.
• Every Florida jail sheriff, Okeechobee included, must join 287(g) (F.S. 908.11).
• ICE's official 287(g) list shows these models for Okeechobee:
  • Jail Enforcement Model
  • Task Force Model
  • Warrant Service Officer
• If ICE takes someone from Okeechobee, search the ICE detainee locator.

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