Fulton County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Fulton County bail and bond: the Rice Street jail and the Justice Center bond office
Adults arrested in Fulton County are held in the Fulton County Jail system run by the sheriff: the Main Jail on Rice Street in Atlanta, the Marietta Annex, and the South Annex in Union City. Use Fulton County Inmate Search to see if the person is in custody and what the bond is. You can post bail in cash around the clock, with the Bond Administration Unit at the Justice Center Tower handling bond paperwork. People arrested by Atlanta police on city charges may be held at a separate jail, the Atlanta City Detention Center at 254 Peachtree Street SW. It is part of Fulton County but is run by the City of Atlanta, and the county search does not cover it, so call 404-865-8001 to ask about someone held there. For anything the county search cannot answer, call the county jail at 404-613-2000.
1. How do I tell if my relative is in the Fulton County Jail?
Enter the name in Fulton County Inmate Search. Charges and bonds also come up through the county's Arrest Inquiry link, by phone at 404-613-2002, or at the front desk of the main jail, which the sheriff says is open 24 hours a day. If the arrest was by Atlanta police on a city charge, the person may be in the city jail instead. That jail has its own phone line, 404-865-8001, and the county search will not list the person.
2. Which Fulton jail building is he in?
The sheriff lists three. The Main Jail is at 901 Rice Street NW, Atlanta, 404-613-2000, and is where arrestees are first taken for intake and a warrant check. The Marietta Annex is at 781 Marietta Boulevard, 404-613-2149. The South Annex is at 6500 Watson Street, Union City, 404-613-6637. The county page does not say who is held in which building, so use the search first. A fourth jail inside Fulton County, the Atlanta City Detention Center, belongs to the city and not the sheriff (see the question about Atlanta police).
3. Where do I take money for a cash bond, and is it open all night?
The sheriff's Bond Administration Unit is on the 9th floor of the Justice Center Tower, 185 Central Avenue, Atlanta, 404-612-5136. The sheriff's jail page says cash bonds are processed 24 hours a day. Call before a long drive.
4. What kinds of payment does Fulton take?
Two county pages tell it a little differently. The Bond Administration page says cash is accepted at the facility and names checks and credit cards as refused there. The sheriff's jail page lists cash, cashier's checks, and postal money orders, and the check must be made out to Fulton County Sheriff's Office in care of the person's name and booking number. It also says a card works online through cashbondonline.com. Ask 404-612-5136 which version applies to you.
5. What fees come on top of the bond?
The sheriff charges a $20 non-refundable fee for each bond, plus surcharges. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 17-6-30) stops a bonding company at 15 percent of the bond's face amount, yet lets it set a $50 floor on each charge. Ask the company whether any part of its fee can come back, and get the answer in writing. Cash paid as the bond itself comes back only after the case is over.
6. What is the bond on a common charge in Fulton?
No price list for common charges appeared on the sheriff, clerk, or court pages reviewed for this guide, so this page gives no figures. The bond on the person's record is the one that counts, and a judge sets it.
7. When does a judge see someone arrested here?
The sheriff says people who do not bond out usually see a judge within 24 hours, and weekend arrests see one on Monday. First appearance hearings are a Magistrate Court duty, and that court answers at 404-613-9071. State law (O.C.G.A. 17-4-26) sets 72 hours as the outer limit when police arrest on a warrant. Ask the jail's records line at 404-613-2002 whether a hearing has happened.
8. Can I put up a house for the bond?
Residential property in Fulton County works, and everyone named on the deed must come and sign. Bring the deed, the current tax bill, the current mortgage statement, and a government photo ID. To lift the lien later, take the case result to the Bond Administration Unit. The unit is at 404-612-5136.
9. My property is in another Georgia county. Is that enough?
Yes, but not directly. The Fulton sheriff says that county's sheriff must prepare the paperwork and send it in a sealed envelope. Papers that arrive any other way will not be accepted. Before you start, phone 404-612-5136.
10. How are bonding companies checked in Fulton?
A company has to be registered and authorized by the sheriff, who can suspend one under published rules. The sheriff posts an approved list as a PDF and recommends no one. Avoid any company not on it.
11. Why does a record say no bond, and what are the limits?
Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 17-6-1) reserves bail for a superior court judge on charges like murder, rape, and armed robbery. A person charged with a bail restricted offense under O.C.G.A. 17-6-12 may not leave on a signature alone and must post a secured bond. A hold from probation or another county also keeps someone in custody.
12. How do I ask for a lower bond or release before trial?
Only a judge can change it. The sheriff's page says county Pretrial Services may interview eligible detainees and recommend release, which can lower a bond or add supervision. A lawyer can also file a motion.
13. Who is the free lawyer in Fulton County?
The Atlanta Judicial Circuit Public Defender serves Fulton County. The Adult Division is at 100 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 1600, 404-612-5200, and the Jail Division is at 404-613-2232. The State and Magistrate Court Division is at 160 Pryor Street SW, Suite J-210, 404-612-5419. Applicants must fill out a form and qualify.
14. Atlanta police arrested her. Is she in the city jail?
Yes, it can be. The Atlanta City Detention Center, at 254 Peachtree Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303, is a separate jail run by the City of Atlanta Department of Corrections. It sits inside Fulton County, but the sheriff does not run it. To ask whether someone is held there, call 404-865-8001 (the department also lists 404-865-8010). The Fulton County Inmate Search covers the county jails, so a name that is missing there may still be in the city jail.
You can pay a city jail bond online or in person. The Atlanta Department of Corrections online bail payment page asks you to accept its terms, find the person by booking number or by name and date of birth, pay, and keep the receipt. If it does not show, call 404-865-8010. In person, per the city's bond page, pay in cash only. No personal, government, or employer checks are accepted. The person paying needs one picture ID that shows a full name and signature, such as a Georgia driver's license, a school or work ID, or a professional membership card. The city lists added charges on a cash bond, including a 5 percent state fee on bonds of $100 or more and $3 per offense for victims; ask the jail for the full list and total.
A property bond starts at a sheriff's office, not the jail. Take the warranty deeds to the sheriff of the county where the land sits, which must be in Georgia. Every owner must be there. The sheriff checks the charges with the city jail and hands you a sealed envelope to carry there for release. Bring the approved property affidavit and two IDs, one with a recent photo and one showing a date of birth, plus any paper proving a name change.
The city says a cash bond is refunded in full by the City Bond Administrator at Atlanta City Court, 104 Trinity Avenue SW, about 30 days after the case is settled. Money you put on a detainee's account for phone or store use, which the city lists at inmatedeposits.com and at a lobby kiosk, is not bond.
15. Where is a juvenile held?
The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice sends Fulton County youth to Metro Regional Youth Detention Center, 1300 Constitution Road SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, 404-635-4400. The public defender's Juvenile Division is at 395 Pryor Street SW, 404-612-4410. Children's records may not show in the adult search.
16. When can I get cash bond money back?
Only after the case is finished: the person appeared, was sentenced, was found not guilty, or the case was dismissed. The person named as surety on the receipt must come in with the refund notice, the original receipt, an unexpired photo ID, and the final result. Online payments name the defendant as surety, so only the defendant can collect.
17. Is that call or text about a bond a scam?
Anyone asking for gift cards, wire transfers, or an app payment is not the jail. Money put on an inmate's account, for example by kiosk or by phone, is not bond. Use 404-613-2000 to confirm.
What if the charge is federal?
A federal charge goes to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, not to a county court. Fulton County cases are heard in the Atlanta Division, Richard B. Russell Federal Building & US Courthouse, 75 Ted Turner Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30303-3309; the clerk's line is 404-215-1600. A federal magistrate judge decides on release, often within a day or two of arrest. Deputy U.S. Marshals move people to and from court, and the person may be housed in a county jail under contract. Once sentenced, look the person up with the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.
Key contacts for Fulton County bond questions
- Jails
- Fulton County Jail: Main Jail, 901 Rice Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, 404-613-2000; Marietta Annex, 781 Marietta Boulevard, 404-613-2149; South Annex, 6500 Watson Street, Union City, GA 30291, 404-613-6637
- Bond office
- Sheriff's Bond Administration Unit, Justice Center Tower, 9th Floor, 185 Central Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30303; 404-612-5136
- Custody lookup
- Fulton County Inmate Search
- Bond status by phone
- 404-613-2002
- Public defender
- Atlanta Judicial Circuit: adult 404-612-5200; jail 404-613-2232; juvenile 404-612-4410
- Juvenile
- Metro Regional Youth Detention Center, 1300 Constitution Road SE, Atlanta, GA 30316; 404-635-4400
- City jail
- Atlanta City Detention Center, 254 Peachtree Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303, run by the City of Atlanta Department of Corrections; 404-865-8001 or 404-865-8010. Call to ask about an inmate or a bond. Pay a city bond online. City bond refunds: Atlanta City Court, 104 Trinity Avenue SW.
Fulton County may change its fees, forms, and phone numbers at any time, and a judge can order a different bond. Phone the sheriff before you pay. This page is general guidance, not legal advice.
Instructions on How to Post Bond Online in Fulton County
Fulton County Jail uses an online cash bonding company called CashBondOnline.com so you don't have to bond out your inmate at the Fulton County Jail or at the Fulton 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 Fulton County Jail, or if it is not listed like that, try Fulton 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.
Fulton County Jail
Address:
901 Rice Street, NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone:
404-613-2024
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Fulton County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Fulton County?
Who can set bail in Fulton County?
When is bail set in Fulton County Georgia?
Does Fulton County have bail?
Yes, Fulton County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton 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, Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton County have bail?
Yes, Fulton County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton County Georgia?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances and the judge set the initial bail, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Fulton 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 Fulton County Georgia?
Yes, Georgia does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Fulton County Jail for more information about the jails in Fulton County.
What options are there to pay bail in Fulton 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 Fulton County Jail for more information about posting bail in Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton 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.