Lamar County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
Lamar County bail and bond: the Barnesville detention center, step by step
Adults arrested in Lamar County are held at the Lamar County Detention Center, 121 Roberta Drive, Barnesville. On the same campus sits the Magistrate Court, the first stop for most bond questions. To find out where your person is and what bond applies, use Lamar County Inmate Search. Then call the Sheriff's Office at 770-358-5159 for anything the screen does not explain. Most families need three offices: the jail, the magistrate, and the clerk of Superior Court on Thomaston Street.
1. Where do I look first after an arrest in Barnesville?
Open Lamar County Inmate Search and enter the name. A match means the booking is done, and the record should list the charges and any bond. If you get no match, give the system a few hours.
After that, call the Sheriff's Office at 770-358-5159 or 770-358-5377. Mention which agency made the arrest.
2. Where is the detention center, and who runs it?
The Lamar County Sheriff's Office runs the detention center at 121 Roberta Drive, Barnesville, GA 30204. The county lists the Sheriff's Office at that address and the Magistrate Court there too, so you can plan a single stop for jail and judge questions.
The main number is 770-358-5159.
3. Does a Barnesville police arrest go to a city jail?
The Barnesville Police Department is at 100 Mill Street. The department's web page says nothing about a holding cell. Its phone is 770-358-1244, and after 4:30 p.m., on weekends, and on holidays you can reach it at 770-358-1246. Ask the officer for the report number, then check Lamar County Inmate Search. Most adult arrests are booked at the county detention center.
4. How quickly does a judge see the person?
Under O.C.G.A. 17-4-26, a warrant arrest means a judicial officer must see the person inside 72 hours. In Lamar County, the Magistrate Court handles warrants, and the county page says the judges are on call for emergencies.
The Magistrate Court's number is 770-358-5154, and it is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
5. I cannot see a bond amount. Is something wrong?
Probably not. The amount posts after a judge sets it or the booking finishes. Recheck Lamar County Inmate Search later, and then ask the Magistrate Court at 770-358-5154 whether bond has been set on each charge.
No posted Lamar County bond schedule turned up on the county site, so this page lists no amounts.
6. Where is the window for paying the bond?
Phone the Sheriff's Office at 770-358-5159 and ask where bonds are taken, what the hours are, and whether the clerk or the jail handles the paperwork. The Clerk of Superior Court is at 326 Thomaston Street, Barnesville, and answers at 770-358-5145 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Take photo ID, the full name, and the charge.
7. Cash, card, or money order?
Money orders and cashier's checks are the usual safe choices for a bond, along with cash. Other forms, such as a card or a personal check, should be cleared with the jail at 770-358-5159 first. Never send a payment to a person who asks you to use an app.
8. What does a bondsman do, and what does one cost?
A bondsman posts the bond for you in exchange for a fee. Georgia code section 17-6-30(a) sets the ceiling at 15 percent of the face amount, and it lets a bondsman take $50 per bonded charge when that is more. The Georgia Department of Insurance regulates professional bondsmen. Ask for the fee, any extra charges, and the contract in writing before you sign.
Ask the Sheriff's Office at 770-358-5159 whether a company is approved for the detention center. Jail staff may not recommend names.
9. May I use a house or land instead of money?
Sometimes. Under O.C.G.A. 17-6-12, secured release can be backed by property that the sheriff of the county where the offense was committed has approved.
The code gives no checklist. Call 770-358-5159. Ask about equity, deed copies, whether the land must be in Lamar County, and whether every owner has to sign.
10. What if bond is denied outright?
Some offenses can only be bailed by a superior court judge under O.C.G.A. 17-6-1. They include murder, rape, armed robbery, and some drug trafficking charges. Another list, in 17-6-12, covers bail restricted offenses, and no judge may release those people on a promise alone.
A probation hold, or a warrant from a different county, can keep him in as well. The clerk at 770-358-5145 can tell you where a request must be filed.
11. Can a deputy cut the bond if we ask nicely?
No. Only a judge can change a bond; deputies follow the order they are given. A lawyer can ask for a bond hearing with proof of work, family, and a local address.
12. How does a person without money get a lawyer?
Lamar County is in the Towaliga Judicial Circuit. The public defender office is in Forsyth at 135 L. Cary Bittick Drive, GA 31029, phone 478-994-0040, open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office list shows no branch in Barnesville. Ask the magistrate or superior court judge to appoint counsel.
13. What about a teenager who is arrested?
The state sends Lamar County youth to the Macon Regional Youth Detention Center, 4164 Riggins Mill Road, Macon, GA 31217. The Department of Juvenile Justice answers at 404-508-6500. Adults can look up adults only, since a child's file is sealed. Phone the clerk at 770-358-5145 to ask which court has the case.
14. If he misses the hearing, who do I call?
Expect an arrest order and a possible bond forfeiture. Call the clerk at 770-358-5145 on the same day, and tell your lawyer or bondsman. Acting at once keeps more options open.
15. When will my cash bond be returned?
After the case ends, the judge's order decides what happens to cash held by the court, and fines and costs can be taken from it. Ask the clerk at 770-358-5145 how to request any return and hold on to the receipt.
16. How do I avoid a fake bail call?
Courts and jails do not take gift cards or crypto. Pressure to pay within minutes is the warning sign. Hang up and call the Sheriff's Office at 770-358-5159.
What happens with a federal arrest?
Federal cases from Lamar County belong to the Middle District of Georgia, Macon Division. The courthouse is William A. Bootle Federal Building & US Courthouse, 475 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201, and the clerk answers at (478) 752-3497. 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.
Lamar County bond contacts
- Jail
- Lamar County Detention Center, 121 Roberta Drive, Barnesville, GA 30204; 770-358-5159
- Bond guide
- Detention center bond guide
- Custody lookup
- Lamar County Inmate Search
- Magistrate Court
- 121 Roberta Drive, Barnesville, GA 30204; 770-358-5154; Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Clerk of Superior Court
- 326 Thomaston Street, Barnesville, GA 30204; 770-358-5145
- City police
- Barnesville Police Department, 100 Mill Street, Barnesville, GA 30204; 770-358-1244
- Public defender
- Towaliga Circuit, 135 L. Cary Bittick Drive, Forsyth, GA 31029; 478-994-0040
- Youth detention
- Macon Regional Youth Detention Center, 4164 Riggins Mill Road, Macon, GA 31217; state line 404-508-6500
Fees, hours, and phone numbers can change, and a judge may order a different amount. Phone the jail or the clerk before any money changes hands. The page offers plain-language guidance, not legal advice.
How do Bail Bonds work at Lamar County Detention Center
The Lamar County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Lamar 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 Lamar 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 Lamar 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 Lamar County Detention Center, or the courthouse in Lamar County where the offense took place.
Call 770-358-5159 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Lamar County inmate locator.
Lamar County Detention Center
Address:
121 Roberta Drive
Barnesville, GA 30204
Phone:
770-358-5159
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Lamar County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lamar County?
Who can set bail in Lamar County?
When is bail set in Lamar County Georgia?
Does Lamar County have bail?
Yes, Lamar County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lamar 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 Lamar 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 Lamar 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 Lamar 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 Lamar 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 Lamar 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, Lamar 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 Lamar 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 Lamar County have bail?
Yes, Lamar County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lamar 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 Lamar 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 Lamar County Georgia?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances and the judge set the initial bail, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Lamar 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 Lamar County Georgia?
Yes, Georgia does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Lamar County Detention Center for more information about the jails in Lamar County.
What options are there to pay bail in Lamar 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 Lamar County Detention Center for more information about posting bail in Lamar 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 Lamar 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 Lamar 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.