Burke County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Burke County bail and bond: the Waynesboro jail and the courts behind it
Adults arrested in Burke County are held at the Burke County Detention Center, 225 Highway 24 South, Waynesboro, run by the Sheriff's Office. Start with Burke County Inmate Search to see whether your person is in custody and what the bond is. The jail desk answers at 706-554-2133 for anything the search cannot tell you. A magistrate judge sets most bonds, and the clerk of court keeps the case file, so you may need to deal with more than one office.
Is my person in the Burke County Detention Center now?
Type the name into Burke County Inmate Search. A booking that is only minutes old may not appear yet, so look again in an hour. If the name never shows up, the person may be held by another agency. Call the jail at 706-554-2133 and ask who made the arrest.
How do I find out what the bond is?
The bond amount is part of the booking record on Burke County Inmate Search. A blank line often means no judge has set a number yet. In that case, call the detention center at 706-554-2133 and ask whether the person has seen a magistrate.
Where in Waynesboro do I take bond money?
The jail is at 225 Highway 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Bring a photo ID, the full legal name of the person, and the exact amount. The sheriff's office has not published bonding-window hours, so call 706-554-2133 before you drive over and ask whether payment is taken at the jail or at the clerk's office on East 6th Street.
What kind of payment will they take?
Georgia law lets a person satisfy a bond by depositing the full amount in cash (O.C.G.A. 17-6-4), and officials must give you a receipt. Whether Burke County also accepts cards, cashier's checks, or a kiosk is a question for the desk at 706-554-2133. Do not send money to anyone who is not an employee of the jail or clerk.
A new state rule limits one person to three cash bonds a year. Since July 1, 2026, that limit does not apply to a natural person paying for an immediate family member (O.C.G.A. 17-6-15). A friend who is not family is still covered by the limit.
Which judge sets the bond?
For most charges it is a magistrate judge. Burke County Magistrate Court is led by Chief Magistrate Judge, and the court is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The mailing address is P.O. Box 401, Waynesboro, GA 30830, and the phone is 706-554-4281. Ask for first appearance times when you call.
Are there charges where a magistrate cannot grant bond?
Yes. Under O.C.G.A. 17-6-1(a), a short list of serious offenses can be bailed only by a superior court judge. The list includes murder, rape, armed robbery, kidnapping, and some aggravated assault, burglary, and drug cases. If your person is charged with one of these, the magistrate will refer it. The superior court clerk at 706-554-2279 can tell you when a judge will hear the request.
How soon will a judge see the person?
State law sets the clock. After an arrest on a warrant, the person must be brought before a judicial officer within 72 hours (O.C.G.A. 17-4-26). After an arrest without a warrant, the Georgia courts' bail guide says 48 hours. Weekends can stretch the wait in practice, so call the magistrate court at 706-554-4281 on the next business morning.
Why does the record say no bond or a hold?
A hold is not always a denial. Georgia bars release without money for people charged with a "bail restricted offense" (O.C.G.A. 17-6-12). A probation violation, a warrant from another county, or an immigration or federal hold can also stop release. Ask the jail desk at 706-554-2133 to name the exact hold, then ask the court who can lift it.
Can I use a bail bondsman in Burke County?
Georgia allows professional bondsmen, but the sheriff of the county decides which ones he will accept as surety. Ask the jail at 706-554-2133 for the agents the Sheriff's Office works with. Georgia puts a ceiling on the fee. Under O.C.G.A. 17-6-30(a), a bondsman may not charge or take more than 15 percent of the bond's face amount, but may charge at least $50 for each bonded charge. On a made-up $2,000 bond, the ceiling is $300. Get the fee, any collateral, and the missed-court terms in writing before you sign.
Can land or a house back a Burke County bond?
Yes, with limits. The Uniform Magistrate Court Rules require real estate inside Georgia with unencumbered equity worth double the bail (Rule 23.3). That means debts on the property come off first. Documents are filed through the clerk at 200 East 6th Street, 706-554-2279, and the sheriff approves the surety. Plan on several days, so ask whether a bondsman or cash is quicker.
Who is the lawyer if we cannot hire one?
Burke County Superior and State Court cases go to the Augusta Judicial Circuit public defender, 902 Greene Street, Augusta, GA 30901, 706-312-5105. The office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ask the judge for a lawyer at the first hearing. A lawyer can also ask for a lower bond.
What if Waynesboro police made the arrest?
City officers bring adult arrests to the Burke County Detention Center. If the person is not on the search yet, ask the Waynesboro officer for the report number, then call 706-554-2133. The detention center houses people arrested for misdemeanors and felonies alike.
Where do children go if they are arrested?
Juveniles who must be held go to the Augusta Regional Youth Detention Center, 3485 Mike Padgett Highway, Augusta, GA 30906, 706-771-4875. It is run by the state Department of Juvenile Justice. Juvenile records are private, so the adult search will not list the child. The clerk of juvenile court at 706-554-2279 can give the hearing date.
If my son skips his Waynesboro court date, what then?
The judge can issue a bench warrant and the bond can be forfeited. Call the clerk at 706-554-2279 to confirm the date, then talk to a lawyer the same day. Contact your bondsman too, since they are on the hook for the full amount.
Is cash bond money ever returned?
Cash that was posted for a bond can be claimed after the case ends. Under O.C.G.A. 17-6-4, a person who does not claim it within two years of the release or the end of the case can lose it to the county, and a refund request needs proof the case is finished. Keep your receipt and the case number safe.
How do I avoid being scammed?
Money put on a jail phone or store account is not bail and does not free anyone. Never pay by gift card, crypto, or a payment app to a stranger who says they work for the jail. Look up the number yourself and use 706-554-2133 for the jail or 706-554-2279 for the clerk.
What happens with a federal arrest?
Federal cases from Burke County belong to the Southern District of Georgia, Augusta Division. The courthouse is 600 James Brown Blvd., Augusta, GA 30901, and the clerk answers at 706-849-4400. A federal magistrate judge holds the first hearing and sets any release terms. The U.S. Marshals Service keeps custody before trial, so the person may sit in a local jail that rents beds to the Marshals. After sentencing, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.
Burke County bond contacts
- Jail
- Burke County Detention Center, 225 Highway 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830; 706-554-2133
- Bond guide
- Burke County jail bond instructions
- Custody lookup
- Burke County Inmate Search
- Clerk of court
- Burke County Judicial Center, 200 East 6th Street, Waynesboro, GA 30830; 706-554-2279; weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Magistrate court
- P.O. Box 401, Waynesboro, GA 30830; 706-554-4281; weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Public defender
- Augusta Circuit, 902 Greene Street, Augusta, GA 30901; 706-312-5105
- Youth detention
- Augusta Regional Youth Detention Center, 3485 Mike Padgett Highway, Augusta, GA 30906; 706-771-4875
Hours, fees, payment types, and phone numbers change, and a judge may order something different in your case. Check with the jail or the clerk before you hand over money. Nothing here replaces advice from a lawyer who knows your case.
How do Bail Bonds work at Burke County Jail
The Burke County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Burke 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 Burke County, or in some cases the state of Georgia, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Burke County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
- The typical fee for a bond in Georgia 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 $1500.00.
- Pay by cash, cashier's check, money order or credit card at the Burke County Jail, or the courthouse in Burke County where the offense took place.
Call 706-554-2133 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Burke County inmate locator.
Burke County Jail
Address:
225 Highway 24 South
Waynesboro, GA 30830
Phone:
706-554-2133
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Burke County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Burke County?
Who can set bail in Burke County?
When is bail set in Burke County Georgia?
Does Burke County have bail?
Yes, Burke County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Burke County?
Georgia offers several types of pre-trial release including own recognizance, cash bond, property bond & surety. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
Who can set bail in Burke County?
In many cases Georgia follows a pre-set bail schedule, so sheriffs & constables are able to accept bail immediately after processing. For those offense where immediate release in not permitted, or when a defendant does not qualify for immediate release, bail will be determined by a judge.
When is bail set in Burke County Georgia?
Georgia uses a pre-set bail schedule, meaning the bail is set based on the offense and thus us know to police at the time of arrest. In cases where bail is not pre-set, or the defendant does not qualify for immediate release, a judge of the superior court will determine bail at a bail hearing. This hearing shall be scheduled with 48 – 72 hours depending on the classification of the crime the defendant is accused.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Burke 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 Burke 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.
A bond proceeding is the determination of how much bail is to be paid and usually happens before arraignment. A Bond hearing is a determination by a magistrate to determine an amount a person may pay to be released while the case is pending. Sometimes certain crimes will have preset bonds, that can become payable the moment an arrest is made.
The minimum bond in Georgia is $1,000. If a court seeks a bond lower than that then it must be an OR bond, meaning the accused shall be released on their own recognizance, with no money down. During bond proceedings, the defendant is not required to have an attorney but has the right to an attorney if the defendant want one.
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 Burke 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, Burke 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 Burke 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.
You could sign an agreement on your own or with another person to pay for the car at a future date knowing that your neighbor would know where to find you if you stopped payment.
This would be similar to a cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond which are bonds to where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front.
If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible for making sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up.
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.
Since the bondsperson signed off, to be responsible that you show to court as your surety, 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 Burke County have bail?
Yes, Burke County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Burke County?
Georgia offers several types of pre-trial release including own recognizance, cash bond, property bond & surety. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
Who can set bail in Burke County?
In many cases Georgia follows a pre-set bail schedule, so sheriffs & constables are able to accept bail immediately after processing. For those offense where immediate release in not permitted, or when a defendant does not qualify for immediate release, bail will be determined by a judge.
When is bail set in Georgia?
Georgia uses a pre-set bail schedule, meaning the bail is set based on the offense and thus us know to police at the time of arrest. In cases where bail is not pre-set, or the defendant does not qualify for immediate release, a judge of the superior court will determine bail at a bail hearing. This hearing shall be scheduled with 48 – 72 hours depending on the classification of the crime the defendant is accused.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Burke County Georgia?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances and the judge set the initial bail, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Burke County Georgia, who can pay bail for me?
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 Georgia could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Burke County Georgia?
Yes, Georgia does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Burke County Jail for more information about the jails in Burke County.
What options are there to pay bail in Burke County Georgia?
Cash or security; credit card in some counties. The security may be either cash or property. Bail may be posted at the appropriate county jail or sheriff’s office in which the defendant is charged.
Please contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted. Go to the Burke County Jail for more information about posting bail in Burke County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Georgia?
Bail 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 Burke County?
The judge or officer who sets bail determines which kind of bail will be an option for you, but a cash bond and PR bonds usually do not require cash down, though you might have to pay court fees.
A cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond are bonds where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front.
If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible to make sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up. A surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Georgia?
The Burke 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.