Early County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Early County bail and bond: the Blakely jail and the Court Square offices
Adults arrested in Early County are taken to the Early County Jail, 18610 East South Boulevard, Blakely, run with the Early County Sheriff's Office. To see whether your person is booked, and what the bond is, type the name into Early County Inmate Search. The sheriff's office at 111 Court Square, Suite B, answers at 229-723-3214 for anything the search cannot tell you. A magistrate judge or a superior court judge sets the bond, and the clerk's office keeps the court papers. Cash bond, a bondsman, or approved property can get a person out once a bond exists.
Is my relative inside the Early County Jail on South Boulevard?
Start with Early County Inmate Search. It shows whether the person is booked and any bond amount posted. A booking that is only minutes old may not show, so look again in an hour.
If the name never appears, call the sheriff's office at 229-723-3214. Ask whether another agency took the person, such as a neighboring county or state officers.
Which Blakely office do I call for what?
The sheriff's office, 229-723-3214, covers the jail, custody, and anything about bonding in the building. The Early County Magistrate Court sits at 111 Court Square, Suite D, with a line at 229-723-3454. The Clerk of Superior Court is at 111 Court Square, Suite C, 229-723-3033.
Those are three different counters in one courthouse block, so a question about the bond amount goes to the jail first and a question about a court date goes to the clerk.
How do I learn the bond amount?
Look at Early County Inmate Search first. If the line is empty, the person may not have seen a judge yet, and Georgia lets judges set the amount at that first hearing. Call 229-723-3214 and ask whether a bond has been set on every charge, not just the first one. A person with a hold from another county will stay in even after one bond is paid.
Where do I pay bond in Blakely, and what do I bring?
Georgia law lets a person post a bond by depositing cash equal to the bond amount, and the officer taking it must give a receipt (O.C.G.A. 17-6-4). Call the sheriff's office at 229-723-3214 to ask whether the jail lobby, the magistrate court, or the clerk takes the money, what hours apply, and whether a card is taken.
Bring photo ID, the full legal name and birth date of the person in jail, and the case or booking number. Do not send money to a private person who says they work for the jail.
Can I use a bondsman instead of paying everything?
Yes, if the charge allows it. A professional bondsman, covered by O.C.G.A. 17-6-50, guarantees the bond for a fee, and that fee is the bondsman's price, not the court's. Georgia sets a ceiling: the fee may not top 15 percent of the bond's face amount, though a bondsman may charge a floor of $50 for each bonded charge (O.C.G.A. 17-6-30). Ask for the fee, the collateral, and what happens after a missed court date in writing before you sign.
The sheriff's office at 229-723-3214 can tell you which bondsmen work with the Early County Jail. A page about bail and bond for the jail also gives general steps.
Can land or a house count as security?
Sometimes. Georgia law lets the sheriff of the county where the offense happened approve property as security. In practice the sheriff checks what the property is worth, what is owed on it, and who owns it. Every owner usually has to sign, and the bond can put a claim on the property until the case ends.
Call 229-723-3214 and ask for the sheriff's property checklist, which papers to bring, and whether land outside Early County is accepted.
Who decides the bond in Early County?
For most charges a magistrate judge or other lower-court judge sets it. For a short list of serious charges, only a superior court judge can grant bail under O.C.G.A. 17-6-1(a). A person who is stuck waiting can petition the superior court, and the court must set a hearing within ten days (17-6-1(d)). The clerk at 229-723-3033 can tell you how to file.
When does the person first see a judge?
Georgia requires officers who arrest under a warrant to bring the person before a judge within 72 hours of the arrest (O.C.G.A. 17-4-26). That first look is where a judge usually learns the charges and may set bond. Arrest on a Friday night and the hearing can slip into the weekend. Ask the magistrate court at 229-723-3454 when the next first-appearance hearing is held.
Why can only some charges get out on cash, a bondsman, or approved property?
Georgia has a list of bail restricted offenses in O.C.G.A. 17-6-12. People accused of them cannot be freed on a promise to appear. They need a cash bond, a bondsman, or sheriff-approved property. The list includes armed robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, DUI, family violence crimes, and many drug charges.
A second or later failure to appear also appears on that list. If a judge issued a bench warrant for a missed court date in the past five years, that history can block release without money. A lawyer can ask the judge to review it.
Who can bring this Early County bond down?
Only a judge can change it, not the deputies. Hire a lawyer, or ask for one at the first hearing, then bring proof of a job, family nearby, and a steady address. The Georgia Constitution bars excessive bail (Article I, Section I, Paragraph XVII), which is the rule a lawyer relies on when a bond is out of reach.
What if the Blakely police made the arrest?
A city arrest still ends in a county jail booking in most cases. Ask the Blakely officers where the person is and for the report number, then check Early County Inmate Search for the booking. City ordinance cases go to the city court, so ask the arresting officer which court date was written on the ticket.
Where does Early County send a teenager held for court?
Children are not shown on the adult search. The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice sends Early County youth to the Terrell Regional Youth Detention Center, 1666 Albany Highway, Dawson, GA 39842, at 229-995-8550. Call that number to confirm a child is there. The Clerk of Superior Court at 229-723-3033 can give the hearing date.
Does Early County have a public defender in Blakely?
The Pataula Judicial Circuit Public Defender's main office is in Blakely, at 575 College Street, 229-758-6236. It is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office also serves Clay, Miller, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, and Terrell counties. Ask for a public defender at the first hearing if you cannot hire a lawyer.
What happens if the person misses court?
The judge can issue an arrest order, and a bondsman or cash bond can be lost. Georgia law says the court must issue that order when a released person does not appear without a good excuse (O.C.G.A. 17-6-12(e)). A missed date can also make the next bond harder to get. Call a lawyer or the clerk at 229-723-3033 the same day.
Do I get my cash back?
Cash paid to the court is normally returned when the case ends, less any fines and fees the judge orders. Cash bail that no one claims goes to the county general fund after two years, once notice is mailed and 90 more days pass (O.C.G.A. 17-6-4). Keep the receipt and keep your mailing address current with the clerk.
What bond scams target Blakely families?
Hang up on anyone who wants gift cards, crypto, or an app transfer. Look up the sheriff's office at 229-723-3214 and the clerk at 229-723-3033 yourself. Money you put on a jail account for calls or store items is a deposit, not bail, and does not free anyone.
What happens with a federal arrest?
Federal cases from Early County belong to the Middle District of Georgia, Albany Division. The courthouse is 201 West Broad Avenue, Albany, GA 31701, and the clerk answers at (229) 430-8432. 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.
Early County bail contacts
- Jail
- Early County Jail, 18610 East South Boulevard, Blakely, GA 39823
- Bond guide
- Jail bail and bond guide
- Custody lookup
- Early County Inmate Search
- Sheriff's office
- 111 Court Square, Suite B, Blakely, GA 39823; 229-723-3214
- Superior court clerk
- 111 Court Square, Suite C, Blakely, GA 39823; 229-723-3033
- Magistrate court
- 111 Court Square, Suite D, Blakely, GA 39823; 229-723-3454
- Public defender
- Pataula Circuit, 575 College Street, Blakely, GA 39823; 229-758-6236
- Juvenile
- Terrell Regional Youth Detention Center, 1666 Albany Highway, Dawson, GA 39842; 229-995-8550
Hours, fees, and phone numbers for the Early County offices can change, and a judge can order a different amount. Call before you carry cash anywhere. This page is a general guide, not legal advice.
How do Bail Bonds work at Early County Jail
The Early County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Early 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 Early 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 Early 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 Early County Jail, or the courthouse in Early County where the offense took place.
Call 229-723-3150 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Early County inmate locator.
Early County Jail
Address:
18610 East South Blvd.
Blakely, GA 39823
Phone:
229-723-3150
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Early County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Early County?
Who can set bail in Early County?
When is bail set in Early County Georgia?
Does Early County have bail?
Yes, Early County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Early 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 Early 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 Early 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 Early 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 Early 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 Early 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, Early 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 Early 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 Early County have bail?
Yes, Early County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Early 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 Early 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 Early County Georgia?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances and the judge set the initial bail, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Early 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 Early County Georgia?
Yes, Georgia does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Early County Jail for more information about the jails in Early County.
What options are there to pay bail in Early 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 Early County Jail for more information about posting bail in Early 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 Early 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 Early 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.