Chatham County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds

Last updated by Elizabeth Boyle

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Chatham County

Georgia • Chatham County • Bail & bond help

Chatham County bail and bond: the Savannah jail, the cashier, and the fees

Adults arrested in Chatham County are held at the Chatham County Detention Center, 1050 Carl Griffin Drive, Savannah, run by the Chatham County Sheriff's Office. Start with Chatham County Inmate Search to see whether the person is booked, what the charges are, and what the bail amount is. The sheriff's bonding line is 912-652-7769. A bond is posted at the jail cashier, which is a different office from the courthouse downtown, so you may need to visit both.

Is my person at the Carl Griffin Drive jail?

Look the name up on Chatham County Inmate Search. A booking can take a few hours to appear, so check again later in the day. The sheriff also posts a public list of people booked in the last 24 hours, with the arresting agency, the charges, and the bond.

If the name never shows up, ask the arresting agency where the person was taken. The sheriff's main office line is 912-652-7634.

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Where do I pay a bond, and when is the cashier open?

Bonds are paid at the cashier inside the Detention Center, 1050 Carl Griffin Drive, Savannah, GA 31405. The sheriff's office lists hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. After the cashier booth closes, a kiosk in the front lobby takes card payments.

Bring a government photo ID. The sheriff does not take bond payments by phone. For questions, call 912-652-7769.

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What extra fee comes with every bond?

The sheriff charges a $20 bonding fee on all bonds, and it is not refunded. Paying that fee by card adds $2.50. If one card pays both the bond and the fee, the card charge is 10 percent of the total. Cash, a money order, or a cashier's check avoids the card charge.

Ask the cashier for a receipt that shows the case number.

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Can I use a credit card or pay online?

Yes, with limits. The sheriff lists Visa and MasterCard. The card must be in the name of the person posting the bond, and company cards are refused. You can also pay on the website the sheriff names, CashBondOnline, which takes cash bonds only.

Money you put on an inmate's account for phone calls or snacks is not bail and does not release anyone.

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How does a bail bondsman work in Savannah?

A bonding company must be approved by the sheriff. The company's agent brings the bond to the Detention Center cashier with a photo ID and the $20 fee. The sheriff posts the list of approved companies on its Bonding Procedures page, with a phone number for each.

Georgia law, O.C.G.A. 17-6-30, caps what a bondsman may take at 15 percent of the bond's face amount. A bondsman may still charge at least $50 for each bonded charge, even when 15 percent would be less. On a $2,000 bond, for example, the ceiling is $300. Ask any agent for the fee and the collateral in writing.

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Can a house or lot in Chatham County back the bond?

Yes, under the sheriff's rules. The property must be in Chatham County and free of liens. An attorney must run a title search. The value must be at least the bond amount, and you need a copy of the year's paid property taxes.

The sheriff then places a lien on the property. It comes off only after the case ends and the court sends the final result back. If the person skips court, the property can be lost. Call 912-652-7738 before you start.

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How much will my person's bond be?

The bond appears next to the charges on Chatham County Inmate Search. It is set by a judge, not by a family member or a bondsman. The sheriff can also set standard bonds for certain low-level charges for people with no criminal history.

Georgia law lets a person charged with a misdemeanor ask for bail, and a county bond schedule cannot be the only way a court sets it. For a number on a specific charge, call 912-652-7769.

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How soon does a Savannah judge hear the case after an arrest?

After an arrest on a warrant, O.C.G.A. 17-4-26 gives the jail 72 hours to put the person before a judge. After an arrest with no warrant, the Judicial Council of Georgia gives 48 hours. At that hearing the judge can set, change, or refuse bond.

Bond hearings for serious cases are held in Chatham Superior Court at the courthouse, 133 Montgomery Street, Savannah.

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Why does the record show $0 or no bond?

The sheriff's booking list shows $0.00 for some people, such as those held for a probation violation or for state custody. A hold from another county does the same thing. Paying on one charge will not free someone who has a hold.

For offenses like murder, armed robbery, and some drug sales, O.C.G.A. 17-6-1 allows only a superior court judge to grant bail. The person can ask that court for a hearing, and it must be set within ten days.

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What if Savannah police or a smaller town made the arrest?

Adults arrested by Savannah police, county police, and the smaller towns are booked at the Detention Center. The booking list names the arresting agency for each person.

City cases may go to a town's own court, including Pooler, Garden City, Port Wentworth, Thunderbolt, Tybee Island, and Bloomingdale. Savannah cases go to Recorder's Court at 912-652-7425. Cash bond refunds for cases ended in Bloomingdale, Garden City, Pooler, Port Wentworth, or Tybee Island must be sought from that town.

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Where are teenagers from Savannah held?

Youth in custody from Chatham County are held at the Savannah Regional Youth Detention Center, 191 Carl Griffin Drive, Savannah, run by the state Department of Juvenile Justice. To reach the Savannah center, call the state department at 404-508-6500.

Juvenile Court is at 197 Carl Griffin Drive. Juvenile files are sealed from the public, which is why a teenager does not show up in the adult list.

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How do we apply for a court-appointed lawyer in Savannah?

Apply in person at the Indigent Defense Unit, 133 Montgomery Street, Suite 505 (fifth floor), Savannah. The phone is 912-652-3091. The office warns that processing takes at least five business days, so go right away.

The circuit public defender's office, at 222 West Oglethorpe Avenue, answers at 912-447-4901.

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What if he skips a hearing downtown?

The judge can order his arrest and the bond can be forfeited. If a house or land was pledged, it can be lost. Call his lawyer or the court the same day, and tell the bondsman if one was used.

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How do I get a cash bond back?

Cash bond refunds are handled by the sheriff's cash bond return desk, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. The person who paid must show a photo ID and a certified copy of the judge's or clerk's final order. The check is ready two business days after the papers are checked.

You can also mail a notarized claim form, a copy of your ID, and the certified order to the Cash Bond Return desk at the jail. Georgia law, O.C.G.A. 17-6-4, sends cash that no one claims within two years to the county.

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What if the bond came from another county?

A bond from a bondsman in another county must be approved by that county's sheriff and sealed in an envelope, then brought to the Detention Center. Any fee owed to the other county is paid there first. Bring the proof to Chatham's cashier. Questions go to 912-652-7792.

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Who might try to scam us over the phone?

The sheriff does not take bond payments by phone. Anyone who asks for gift cards, crypto, or a wire to a private person is not the jail. Use the numbers on this page, and use the CashBondOnline address the sheriff names, not a look-alike.

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What happens with a federal arrest?

Federal cases from Chatham County belong to the Southern District of Georgia, Savannah Division. The courthouse is 8 Southern Oaks Ct., Savannah, GA 31405 (page says mail to 124 Barnard St), and the clerk answers at 912-650-4020. 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.

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Chatham County contacts

Jail
Chatham County Detention Center, 1050 Carl Griffin Drive, Savannah, GA 31405
Bond guide
Jail bail and bond guide
Custody lookup
Chatham County Inmate Search
Bonding questions
Sheriff's bonding line 912-652-7769; also 912-652-7738 and 912-652-7792
Sheriff's office
Main office 912-652-7634 or 912-652-7660
Bonding hours
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; lobby card kiosk after the booth closes
Courthouse
Chatham County Courthouse, 133 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA 31401; State Court, 400 West Oglethorpe Avenue
Recorder's Court
133 Montgomery Street, 1st floor, 912-652-7425
Free lawyer
Indigent Defense Unit, Suite 505, 912-652-3091; public defender 912-447-4901
Juvenile
Savannah Regional Youth Detention Center, 191 Carl Griffin Drive, Savannah; state Department of Juvenile Justice 404-508-6500

Fees, hours, and card rules at the Savannah jail change from time to time, and a judge may order a different bond. Confirm with the sheriff's bonding line before paying. This page gives general help and is not legal advice.

Instructions on How to Post Bond Online in Chatham County

Chatham County Detention Center uses an online cash bonding company called CashBondOnline.com so you don't have to bond out your inmate at the Chatham County Detention Center or at the Chatham County Courthouse.

Here's how it works:

1. Once you find out that your inmate has been arrested, go here and select Georgia.

2. Next select Chatham County Detention Center, or if it is not listed like that, try Chatham County.

3. Next, input your inmate's name or ID Number and then click 'Find'.

4. If your inmate is elegible for a cash bond, the amount will be noted next to their criminal charges.

  • You can only use one credit card, so make sure you have enough available credit on it, and the only acceptable cards are Visa, Mastercard and Discover.
  • You will need an email to do this online, but if you don't have an email, call CashBondOnline at 888-726-6301 and you can process the bond over the phone.
  • If you want to contact support by email, their address is: info@cashbondonline.com.

Chatham County Detention Center

Address:
1050 Carl Griffin Drive
Savannah, GA 31405
Phone:
912-652-7700

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Chatham County


Does Chatham County have bail?

What kind of bonds are accepted in Chatham County?

Who can set bail in Chatham County?

When is bail set in Chatham County Georgia?

 

 

Does Chatham County have bail?

Yes, Chatham County recognizes most types of bonds.

 

 

What kind of bonds are accepted in Chatham 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 Chatham 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 Chatham 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 Chatham 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 Chatham 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 Chatham County Detention Center 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, Chatham 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 Chatham 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 Chatham County have bail?  

Yes, Chatham County recognizes most types of bonds.

What kind of bonds are accepted in Chatham 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 Chatham 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 Chatham County Georgia? 

Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances and the judge set the initial bail, your attorney can request a bond reduction.

In Chatham 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 Chatham County Georgia?  

Yes, Georgia does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Chatham County Detention Center for more information about the jails in Chatham County.

What options are there to pay bail in Chatham 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 Chatham County Detention Center for more information about posting bail in Chatham 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 Chatham 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 Chatham County Detention Center 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.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Chatham County

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Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.