John E. Polk Correctional Facility Inmate Bail & Bonds
Seminole County bail and bond: Eslinger Way, from the jail to the courthouse
Adults arrested in Seminole County are booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility, 211 Eslinger Way, Sanford, FL 32773, a Sheriff's Office jail. Check Seminole County Inmate Search to see if the person is held and the bond. The jail answers at 407-665-1200 when the search cannot.
The Sanford Criminal Justice Center, 101 Eslinger Way, is on the same street. That is where criminal court business happens. Read on for how to pay bail and what to expect.
1. How do I know whether my brother is at the John E. Polk facility?
Search his name on Seminole County Inmate Search. The record shows booking, charges, and bond. If it has not appeared, wait and look again, because a new booking may lag. Then call 407-665-1200, and ask if another agency has him.
2. What if the bond line is blank?
A blank line or a no-bond note often means a judge must see him first, or that a hold is attached. Call 407-665-1200 with his full name and birth date to ask which. Do not pay anyone until you know.
3. What are Seminole County bonds for common charges?
Seminole is in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, which also covers Brevard County. Administrative Order 26-13, ordered February 18, 2026, is titled the bond schedule for Brevard and Seminole counties and supersedes order 24-16. For a local resident, the Seminole amounts are: second-degree misdemeanor, $250; first-degree misdemeanor without force, $500; first-degree misdemeanor with force or threat, $1,000; criminal traffic, $500; first DUI, $500; non-violent third-degree felony, $2,500; violent third-degree felony, $5,000. Felony amounts rise for people who live elsewhere in Florida, out of state, or abroad.
Booking officers use the order only before first appearance. The order itself says a judge may set any reasonable amount. Each charge gets its own bond. Ask the jail at 407-665-1200 for the figure on a specific charge.
4. Why would a person be held until a judge sees him?
The list under section 903.011(6) covers people on probation at arrest and anyone accused of homicide or trafficking. Rule 3.130 sets the first appearance at 24 hours from arrest. In Seminole County the hearing is held at the John E. Polk facility: 2:00 p.m. on weekdays, and 9:00 a.m. on weekends and holidays. In Seminole, a public defender is there, and qualifying people get appointed counsel.
5. How do I pay the bond in Sanford?
The Sheriff's website gives three ways. Pay at the Intake/Release window of the John E. Polk facility. Pay by card, online or by phone, through the outside payment service the sheriff links, up to $2,500 per charge. The card service adds a fee that is not refunded. Cash is taken for the full amount with valid photo ID, and personal checks are not taken. Have the name, birth date, and booking number ready. Each bond is paid separately.
Bail agents are another way, but only registered agents may post a surety bond, and the Sheriff will not recommend one. The posting hours are not on the Sheriff's page, so call the jail at 407-665-1200 before you drive over.
6. Does an account deposit pay the bond?
No. Deposits for phone calls, messaging, and store items go to the jail account. A bond is a separate payment that leads to release.
7. What does a bail agent in Seminole County charge?
The state Department of Financial Services puts the premium for a state bond at 10 percent of the bail set. Once the person is released, it generally stays with the agent. Seminole agents must charge the filed rate (section 648.33) and, per the state, return collateral within 21 days once the bond is discharged. In Seminole, if the person never gets out, the premium must be paid back. Keep copies of everything you sign.
To raise a concern about an agent, reach the Florida Insurance Consumer Helpline at 877-693-5236.
8. Can Seminole property cover the bond?
It may be possible, but the law sets limits. A Seminole private surety must reside in Florida or own land there (section 903.05). Seminole sureties combined must be worth at least the bond (section 903.08) and file a sworn property and debt list (section 903.09). Seminole's own equity and mobile home rules are set locally, so ask the jail first.
9. What is the best way to seek a lower bond?
In Seminole, raise it at first appearance, or have a lawyer file a motion. A Seminole judge weighs the charge, proof, local ties, record, and danger to others (section 903.046). For the hearing, bring proof of a job and home address.
10. Where is the courthouse, and who is the free lawyer?
Criminal matters are at the Sanford Criminal Justice Center, 101 Eslinger Way, Sanford. The Clerk of Court's main counter is in the same building, and the number is 407-665-4300. Civil hearings and court administration are at 301 North Park Avenue, 407-665-4200. The judge appoints a public defender at first appearance if the person cannot pay, and public defenders attend those hearings. Ask the Clerk how to reach the office.
11. What if Sanford or Lake Mary police made the arrest?
Ask the city department for its report number and for where he was taken. Then check Seminole County Inmate Search. A city may keep a person briefly before moving him to the county jail, and the Sheriff's pages do not say which do. The jail desk at 407-665-1200 can say whether he has arrived.
12. What if the person is under 18?
Juveniles do not show in the adult search. Seminole County has a Sanford Juvenile Justice Center at 190 Eslinger Way. The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice sends Seminole youth who must be held to the Orange Regional Juvenile Detention Center, 2800 S. Bumby Avenue, Orlando, 407-897-2800, which also serves Orange and Osceola. Call court administration at 407-665-4200 for the hearing and the place.
13. Can bail be refused outright?
Yes in limited cases. Seminole's courts follow Article I, section 14 of the Florida Constitution: detention is allowed for capital or life cases backed by strong evidence, and when no terms can protect people, ensure attendance, or keep the case honest. If a Seminole judge finds a new crime or a violated condition, release can be revoked (section 903.0471). In Seminole, a probation hold or an outside warrant also blocks release.
14. What if he misses court?
The bond can be forfeited. Seminole's clerk mails notice, with payment due within 60 days unless the court discharges it (section 903.26). If he is returned, section 903.28 lets the court give back part of the money, and less as time passes. In Seminole, contact the lawyer and agent immediately.
15. When will bond money come back?
Seminole typically refunds court-paid cash at case end, minus fines, costs, and fees. The agent's premium stays with the agent. Save every receipt.
16. How can I spot a bail scam call in Seminole County?
Gift cards, crypto, payment apps, and orders to pay within minutes are red flags. Hang up and call the jail at 407-665-1200 yourself.
17. Does an immigration hold change bond in Seminole?
- An ICE detainer (Form I-247A) asks the Seminole jail to hold someone longer.
- In Seminole, that means up to 48 more hours.
- The Seminole clock keeps running on weekends and holidays.
- Paying a Seminole bond will not lift the detainer.
- F.S. 908.105 says the Seminole bond judge must be told.
- The Seminole prosecutor is told too.
- Florida law (F.S. 908.11) puts the Seminole sheriff in the 287(g) program.
- For Seminole, ICE's 287(g) list shows:
- Task Force Model
- Warrant Service Officer
- After ICE takes a Seminole inmate, use the online detainee locator.
Seminole County bail contacts
- Jail
- John E. Polk Correctional Facility, 211 Eslinger Way, Sanford, FL 32773; 407-665-1200
- Bond guide
- Jail bail and bond instructions
- Custody lookup
- Seminole County Inmate Search
- Sheriff's Office
- 407-665-6650
- Criminal court
- Sanford Criminal Justice Center, 101 Eslinger Way, Sanford, FL 32773
- Court administration
- 301 North Park Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771; 407-665-4200
- Clerk of Court
- 407-665-4300
- Juvenile
- Orange Regional Juvenile Detention Center, 2800 S. Bumby Avenue, Orlando, FL 32806, 407-897-2800; Sanford Juvenile Justice Center (clerk), 190 Eslinger Way
- Bail agents
- Florida Insurance Consumer Helpline, 877-693-5236
Seminole County amounts, hours, fees, and phones change, and a judge can set another bond for one person. Confirm with the Seminole jail or Clerk before paying anyone. This Seminole guide can't take the place of a lawyer.
Pay an Inmate's Bond Online
John E. Polk Correctional Facility uses a service called allpaid (also known as GovPayNet) for paying an inmate's Bail Bond online for an inmate.
Register with them online or call them at 877-392-2455 for assistance.
To make a payment, you will need the following:
- Court of Jurisdiction
- Payment Amount
- The Pay Location Code (PLC #) if you can get it. Call 407-665-1200 to ask for this.
- Name of Arrestee/Defendant for whom payment is being made
- Arrestee/Defendant's Date of Birth
- Arrestee/Defendant's Booking Number
John E. Polk Correctional Facility
Address:
211 Eslinger Way
Sanford, FL 32773
Phone:
407-665-1200
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Seminole County
Does Seminole County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Seminole County?
Who can set bail in Seminole County?
When is bail set in Seminole County Florida?
Does Seminole County have bail?
Yes, Seminole 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 John E. Polk Correctional Facility 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 Seminole County?
Florida offers bail in the form of cash bail or surety bond and bonds from a professional bondsperson.
Who can set bail in Seminole 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 Seminole 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 Seminole 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 Seminole 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 John E. Polk Correctional Facility 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, Seminole 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 Seminole 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 Seminole County have bail?
Yes, Seminole 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 Seminole County?
Florida offers bail in the form of cash bail or surety bond and bonds from a professional bondsperson.
Who can set bail in Seminole 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 Seminole 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 Seminole 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 John E. Polk Correctional Facility at 407-665-1200 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 Seminole County Florida?
Some counties do accept online payment. Other only accept cash, money orders, or cashier’s checks. Contact the John E. Polk Correctional Facility at 407-665-1200 for more information regarding accepted forms of payment.
What options are there to pay bail in Seminole 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 John E. Polk Correctional Facility for more information about posting bail in Seminole 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 Seminole 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 John E. Polk Correctional Facility 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.
Make sure to have the inmate’s information ready before proceeding to allpaid website to pay the bond.
The following information is available in the "Search for Current Inmates" option on the Sheriff’s Office website.
- The defendant’s name
- The defendant’s date of birth
- The defendant’s booking number
- Bond payment location code: A001X0
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a John E. Polk Correctional Facility inmate's bond online?
Yes, you can pay a John E. Polk Correctional Facility inmate's bond online using a third-party service called 'allpaid'. The instructions are easy... From their website, look up John E. Polk Correctional Facility or Seminole County, input the inmate's name, and then use your credit or debit card to deposit the bond amount. As soon as the payment is processed and the information is sent to the John E. Polk Correctional Facility, the jail will begin the release process. You do not have to be present for all of this to take place. Learn more about how to bail or bond out an inmate in the John E. Polk Correctional Facility, call allpaid directly at 877-392-2455, or call the jail at 407-665-1200.