Butts County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Butts County bail and bond: the Jackson jail, the Third Street courthouse, and your next steps
People arrested in Butts County are held at the Butts County Jail, also called the detention center, at 835 Ernest Biles Drive in Jackson. The Sheriff's Office runs it. Use Butts County Inmate Search to see if your family member is in custody, then read the bond steps on this page. The jail office is at 770-775-8216. Bond is set by a judge at the courthouse, 625 West Third Street, so the jail and the court are two different stops.
1. Is she booked into the Jackson jail yet?
Look her up on Butts County Inmate Search. New bookings can take a while to post. Georgia state prisons also sit in Butts County, but those hold people who were already sentenced by a court. An arrest this week will not be in one of them. If the search shows nothing after a few hours, call 770-775-8216 and ask which agency made the arrest.
2. Where can I read the bond amount?
The amount, when a judge has set one, shows on Butts County Inmate Search. If there is no figure, the person may not have seen a judge. Ask the jail office at 770-775-8216 when first appearance is scheduled, and call the magistrate court at 770-775-8220 for the time slot.
3. Where do I go to pay?
Two places matter. The jail is at 835 Ernest Biles Drive, Jackson, GA 30233. The clerk of superior court is in the Butts County courthouse at 625 West Third Street, 770-775-8215. The Sheriff's Office does not list bonding hours online, so ask the jail office at 770-775-8216 which door takes the payment for your person, and what time it closes.
4. What forms of payment are safe to use?
Georgia law says a cash deposit of the full bond amount satisfies a bond, and you must get a receipt that lists the case (O.C.G.A. 17-6-4). Ask the jail whether it also takes a cashier's check, a money order, or a card. Never wire money, buy gift cards, or send a payment app transfer to someone who says they are a deputy.
There is also a limit of three cash bonds a year per person. Immediate family members posting for each other are exempt from it starting July 1, 2026 (O.C.G.A. 17-6-15).
5. Who sets bond and when is the court open?
The Butts County Magistrate Court, led by Chief Magistrate Judge, handles first appearances for most charges. It is in Suite 11 of 625 West Third Street, 770-775-8220, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays. Call ahead if you must travel, because court schedules can change those hours.
6. Which charges need a superior court judge?
A few. Georgia lists offenses, such as murder, rape, armed robbery, and kidnapping, that can be bailed only by a superior court judge (O.C.G.A. 17-6-1(a)). A magistrate cannot set bond on those. The clerk of superior court at 770-775-8215 can tell you the date of the next bond hearing before that judge.
7. How long can they keep him before a judge sees him?
The law gives a deadline. A person arrested on a warrant must be presented to a judicial officer within 72 hours (O.C.G.A. 17-4-26), and the Georgia courts' bail guide gives 48 hours after an arrest with no warrant. If a weekend is in the way, ask the jail office at 770-775-8216 whether a judge hears cases on Saturday.
8. What does "no bond" mean on his record?
It can mean he has not been seen by a judge, or it can mean a hold. Georgia keeps a list of "bail restricted" charges for which a judge cannot grant release without money (O.C.G.A. 17-6-12). A parole or probation hold, or a warrant from another county, can also keep a person in. The jail office at 770-775-8216 can name the hold.
9. Do I need a bondsman, and how is one picked?
Not always. If you can pay the full cash bond, you do not need one. A professional bondsman charges a fee for posting the bond, and in Georgia the sheriff must accept the bondsman as surety. State law sets the top of that fee at 15 percent of the bond amount, and $50 is the least a company may charge per bonded charge (O.C.G.A. 17-6-30(a)). Ask the jail office at 770-775-8216 which agents work in Butts County, and get the fee, collateral, and missed-court terms on paper before you sign.
10. Can we use our land for the bond?
The Uniform Magistrate Court Rules allow real estate in Georgia with equity, free of debts, worth double the bail (Rule 23.3). Debts on the land come off first, and what is left must be twice the bond. The sheriff in the county where the offense happened approves the surety (O.C.G.A. 17-6-1). Start with the clerk at 770-775-8215, and expect it to take days.
11. Who defends someone who cannot pay a lawyer?
The Towaliga Judicial Circuit public defender serves Butts County. The listed office is at 135 L. Cary Bittick Drive, Forsyth, GA 31029, 478-994-0040, open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tell the judge at the first hearing that you need appointed counsel.
12. Where is a child held after an arrest?
Butts County youth who must be held go to the state's Macon Regional Youth Detention Center, 4164 Riggins Mill Road, Macon, GA 31217. Its phone is 478-751-3407. Butts County Juvenile Court is in Suite 6 of the Third Street building, 678-774-8595. The adult search will not show a child.
13. My son was stopped by Jackson police. Where does he go?
Adult arrests in Butts County are processed at the county jail, and officers from the Jackson Police Department bring people there. Ask the officer for the report number. Then use Butts County Inmate Search, and call 770-775-8216 if he is not listed.
14. What if the defendant does not show up in court?
The court may issue a warrant and the bond may be called in. Find the next date with the clerk at 770-775-8215 before it passes. If a bondsman is involved, tell the agent right away, since the agent has a stake in the bond too.
15. Is the cash bond refunded?
Cash posted as a bond is generally claimed back when the case is over, and you need proof that the case ended. If nobody claims it within two years, Georgia law lets the county keep it (O.C.G.A. 17-6-4). Keep the receipt. Questions go to the clerk at 770-775-8215.
Which federal court covers this county?
If agents such as the FBI, DEA or ATF made the arrest, the case is federal. For Butts County, that means the Middle District of Georgia, Macon Division, at William A. Bootle Federal Building & US Courthouse, 475 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201 ((478) 752-3497). A federal magistrate judge, not a county judge, rules on bail. People held before trial are in the custody of the U.S. Marshals, who may place them in a county jail. People serving a federal sentence show up on the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.
Butts County bond contacts
- Jail
- Butts County Jail, 835 Ernest Biles Drive, Jackson, GA 30233; 770-775-8216
- Bond guide
- Butts County jail bond instructions
- Custody lookup
- Butts County Inmate Search
- Clerk of superior court
- 625 West Third Street, Jackson, GA 30233; 770-775-8215
- Magistrate court
- 625 West Third Street, Suite 11, Jackson, GA 30233; 770-775-8220; weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Juvenile court
- 625 West Third Street, Suite 6, Jackson, GA 30233; 678-774-8595
- Public defender
- Towaliga Circuit, 135 L. Cary Bittick Drive, Forsyth, GA 31029; 478-994-0040
- Youth detention
- Macon Regional Youth Detention Center, 4164 Riggins Mill Road, Macon, GA 31217; 478-751-3407
Phone numbers, hours, fees, and payment rules can change, and a judge may order something different for your case. Check with the jail or the clerk before you pay anyone. A lawyer who knows your case can give advice that this page cannot.
How do Bail Bonds work at Butts County Jail
The Butts County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Butts 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 Butts 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 Butts 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 Butts County Jail, or the courthouse in Butts County where the offense took place.
Call 770-775-8216 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Butts County inmate locator.
Butts County Jail
Address:
835 Ernest Biles Drive
Jackson, GA 30233
Phone:
770-775-8216
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Butts County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Butts County?
Who can set bail in Butts County?
When is bail set in Butts County Georgia?
Does Butts County have bail?
Yes, Butts County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Butts 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 Butts 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 Butts 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 Butts 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 Butts 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 Butts 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, Butts 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 Butts 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 Butts County have bail?
Yes, Butts County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Butts 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 Butts 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 Butts County Georgia?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances and the judge set the initial bail, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Butts 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 Butts County Georgia?
Yes, Georgia does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Butts County Jail for more information about the jails in Butts County.
What options are there to pay bail in Butts 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 Butts County Jail for more information about posting bail in Butts 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 Butts 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 Butts 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.