Jackson County Correctional Institution Inmate Bail & Bonds
Jackson County bail and bond: the Jefferson jail and bond conditions
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office runs the Jackson County Jail at 555 General Jackson Drive in Jefferson, and the county also lists a separate correctional institute. For custody, charges, and the bond amount, go to Jackson County Inmate Search. Whatever the search leaves out, ask the sheriff's office at 706-367-8718. A magistrate or superior court judge sets the amount, and certain bonds carry special conditions. Then you can arrange the bond.
Where do I look for a Jackson County inmate first?
Search the name on Jackson County Inmate Search. Look for the booking date, charges, and a bond line. If he or she was arrested within the last few hours, the entry may not be up, so return later in the day.
No result at all? Call the sheriff's office on 706-367-8718 and ask whether the person was sent to another jail or is still being processed.
What is the difference between the jail and the correctional institute?
The county lists two facilities. The Jackson County Jail is where arrested people wait for court and for bond. The Jackson County Correctional Institute is listed as a separate facility, and the county has its own pages for it. If you are told your person is there, call 706-367-8718 to ask why and what the bond rules are.
Where do I go in person in Jefferson?
The sheriff's office and jail address is 555 General Jackson Drive, Jefferson, GA 30549, and the phone is 706-367-8718. The county's courthouse offices are on Jackson Parkway. Before you drive, call and ask which door the public uses and what ID is needed.
Can I bond out at night or on a weekend?
No hours for bond payments are posted on the county pages or in the sheriff listings reviewed here, so do not assume a time. Call 706-367-8718 and ask whether someone can take payment at night and on weekends, what forms of payment are accepted, and what to bring.
What is a first appearance, and where does it happen?
It is the first time a judge sees the arrested person, and Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 17-4-26) requires it within 72 hours. A county notice from 2020 says Magistrate Court first appearances were held in the courtroom inside the Sheriff's Office detention center. That notice may be out of date, so confirm by calling the magistrate court at 706-387-6355.
Does a judge put rules on a bond here?
Often, yes. The county says special conditions may be added in every felony case and in some misdemeanors. The chief magistrate or an associate sets them before a person can bond out of the Jackson County Jail. Common ones are no alcohol, no guns, no drugs without a prescription, no new crimes, and, in violence cases, no contact with the victim. Breaking a rule can mean arrest and a return to jail until trial.
Are there bond amounts for common charges?
None are posted on the county pages used for this guide, so this page lists no dollar figures. A person's own amount appears on Jackson County Inmate Search once a judge has set it. If the line is blank, call the magistrate court at 706-387-6355.
Do I have to pay with cash, or can I use a bondsman?
Both are possible in Georgia. Cash bond means the full amount. A bondsman posts it for a fee, which O.C.G.A. 17-6-30(a) holds to 15 percent of the face amount, with a $50 floor on each bonded charge. Also, the sheriff of the arrest county has to approve that surety (O.C.G.A. 17-6-1). The county pages name no approved companies, so ask 706-367-8718 which ones the jail accepts and what each charges.
Can I put property up for the bond?
Georgia law lets the sheriff approve property for a bond (O.C.G.A. 17-6-12). Nothing in that section sets an equity multiple, and the county pages post none. Ask 706-367-8718 whether the land must be in Jackson County, how much equity counts, and who has to sign.
Why was bond refused?
Superior court is the only place to ask for bail on murder, rape, armed robbery, and some other offenses (O.C.G.A. 17-6-1). O.C.G.A. 17-6-12 adds a long restricted list, with burglary and DUI on it, that does not allow release on a bare promise to appear. A probation hold or a warrant from another county can also block a release.
Where does the clerk keep the file?
The Clerk of Superior Court is at 5000 Jackson Parkway, Suite 150, Jefferson, GA 30549, open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone is 706-387-6246. The clerk's office also holds the Magistrate Court's filings; its filing line is 706-387-6249.
What if Commerce or Jefferson city police made the arrest?
Ask the arresting department where the person is, and get the report number. Then watch Jackson County Inmate Search for the booking. City ordinance charges can go to a city court, so ask which court will hear it.
Who is the free lawyer for Jackson County?
The Piedmont Circuit Public Defender serves Jackson and Barrow counties. Its main office is at 5000 Jackson Parkway, Suite 270, Jefferson, GA 30549, open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone is 706-387-6317. The Barrow satellite office in Winder is 770-307-3006.
Which youth center takes a Jackson County juvenile?
The Department of Juvenile Justice sends detained youth from Jackson County to the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center, 450 Crescent Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501. The phone is 770-531-4597. Juvenile files are not public, so a child will not appear in the adult search.
What if the person skips court?
Expect a warrant and loss of the bond money. Call a lawyer and the clerk at 706-387-6246 the same day. If a bondsman posted the bond, the bondsman may try to return the person to custody.
Does putting money on the inmate account help?
No. It pays for calls and commissary, and it does not count toward a bond. If a stranger wants gift cards or an app payment for "release," stop. Dial 706-367-8718 on your own.
Is the Jackson County Prison the same as the jail?
They are different places. In Jackson, the jail is where people wait on court after an arrest. The Jackson County Prison is a state facility for sentenced inmates, and it is found through the Georgia state inmate search, not the county search.
Which federal court covers this county?
If agents such as the FBI, DEA or ATF made the arrest, the case is federal. For Jackson County, that means the Northern District of Georgia, Gainesville Division, at Sidney O. Smith Federal Building & US Courthouse, 121 Spring Street SE, Room 201, Gainesville, GA 30501-3789 (678-450-2760). 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.
Jackson County bond contacts
- Jails
- Jackson County Jail, 555 General Jackson Drive, Jefferson, GA 30549; 706-367-8718
- Bond guide
- Jackson County jails and bond help
- Custody lookup
- Jackson County Inmate Search
- Magistrate court
- Office 706-387-6355; filings through the clerk, 706-387-6249
- Clerk of Superior Court
- 5000 Jackson Parkway, Suite 150, Jefferson, GA 30549; 706-387-6246
- Public defender
- Piedmont Circuit, 5000 Jackson Parkway, Suite 270, Jefferson, GA 30549; 706-387-6317
- Youth detention
- Gainesville RYDC, 450 Crescent Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501; 770-531-4597
- State inmate search
- Georgia state inmate search (for the Jackson County Prison and other state facilities)
Hours, amounts, fees, and conditions on a bond change often, and a judge can order terms that differ from this summary. Reach the sheriff's office before sending money. This summary does not give legal advice.
How do Bail Bonds work at Jackson County Correctional Institution
The Jackson County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County Correctional Institution, or the courthouse in Jackson County where the offense took place.
Call 706-387-6460 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Jackson County inmate locator.
Jackson County Correctional Institution
Address:
265 I.W. Davis Road
Jefferson, GA 30549
Phone:
706-387-6460
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Jackson County
Does Jackson County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Jackson County?
Who can set bail in Jackson County?
When is bail set in Jackson County Georgia?
Does Jackson County have bail?
Yes, Jackson County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County Correctional Institution 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, Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County have bail?
Yes, Jackson County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County Georgia?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances and the judge set the initial bail, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Jackson 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 Jackson County Georgia?
Yes, Georgia does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Jackson County Correctional Institution for more information about the jails in Jackson County.
What options are there to pay bail in Jackson 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 Jackson County Correctional Institution for more information about posting bail in Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County Correctional Institution 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.