Liberty County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Liberty County bail and bond: the Hinesville jail and how release works
Adults arrested in Liberty County are held at the Liberty County Jail, 180 Paul Sikes Drive, Hinesville. Search for the person with Liberty County Inmate Search to see whether they are booked and what the bond is. The front office is at 912-876-6411. The Sheriff's Office posts three ways to post bail: cash, a bonding company, or a property bond. Read the answers below before you drive over, because the front office closes early on Fridays.
Is my brother in the Liberty County Jail?
Start with Liberty County Inmate Search. It shows who is booked and the bond. A fresh arrest can take a while to appear, so look again in an hour or two.
If the name still is not there, call the front office at 912-876-6411 during the day. After 5:00 p.m., the sheriff's jail page lists a separate booking line, 912-369-9271.
When can I walk in and ask about a bond?
The jail's front office opens at 8:00 a.m. It closes at 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, and it is shut on major holidays, according to the Sheriff's Office. Property bond applications are approved from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Plan a Friday trip early.
What are the ways to post bond here?
The Sheriff's Office lists three ways. You can pay the full bond with cash or a U.S. Postal money order. You can use a bonding company. Or the owner of Liberty County real estate can sign a property bond. Booking must be finished first, and a $20.00 jail fee must be paid before release. One line on the sheriff's page says cash is not accepted, but it sits inside the property bond rules, so call 912-876-6411 before you bring cash.
Which bonding companies work in Liberty County?
The jail page names four: 24/7 Bail Bonds, 912-391-8544; Fussell Bonding, 912-368-6459; Smiley Bonding, 912-977-2610; and Tri-County Bonding, 912-368-2444. The jail cannot recommend one. Call more than one and compare what they ask for.
How much can a bonding company charge in Georgia?
The ceiling is in O.C.G.A. 17-6-30(a). A bonding company may not collect more than 15 percent of the bond's face amount, though $50 per bonded charge is allowed as a floor even if it tops 15 percent. So on a $1,000 bond with one charge, the most a company may take is $150. Breaking the cap is a misdemeanor under subsection (b). Ask for the contract in writing and keep a copy.
What does the property bond require?
Per the Sheriff's Office, the signer must own land or a home in Liberty County worth at least twice the bond plus state surcharges. The signer cannot have a felony conviction or a pending felony case. The property must be in the signer's name, and every owner must agree. Land with delinquent taxes, corporations, mobile homes, and vehicles do not qualify.
A bond from $5,001 to $12,500 needs a lawyer's opinion letter on equity and lienholders. A bond above $12,500 may require a recorded Deed to Secure Debt. The forms come from the Sheriff's Office or the jail. Call the Sheriff's Office at 912-876-2131 for the Affidavit of Ownership Agreement.
Can I use a card or pay online for a bond?
The sheriff's page lists cash, a postal money order, a bonding company, and a property bond. Cards are not named for bonds. The lobby kiosk and the Jail Pack Store website take cards for commissary money only, and money on a commissary account does not buy release. A bonding company may accept cards, so ask it before you hand over any numbers.
Which judge sets the bond in Hinesville?
A judge does. The Liberty County Magistrate Court handles arrest warrant hearings and bond hearings at the Justice Center, 201 South Main Street, and at the jail. Its phone is 912-368-2063. The court is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Georgia law says a judge may not set excessive bail, and a person charged with a misdemeanor may not be refused bail (O.C.G.A. 17-6-1).
How many hours can pass before a judge reviews an arrest?
If officers arrested on a warrant, O.C.G.A. 17-4-26 requires bringing the person before a judicial officer within 72 hours. The District Attorney's site says a first appearance usually comes within 24 to 48 hours. At that hearing the judge reviews the charge, may name a public defender, and decides on bond. Call the magistrate court at 912-368-2063 to learn the time.
The record says no bond. Is that final?
Not always. A few charges, including murder, rape, armed robbery, and some drug trafficking, can be bailed only by a superior court judge (O.C.G.A. 17-6-1). You may ask that court for a hearing, and the law sets one within ten days of the request. A probation hold or a warrant from another county can also keep someone in. A lawyer can sort out which applies.
What is a "bail restricted" charge?
It is a charge on the list in O.C.G.A. 17-6-12. The list is longer than many families expect: burglary, armed robbery, aggravated assault, battery, DUI, family violence, drug sales or possession, forgery, identity fraud, and some repeat offenses. For these, a judge cannot release a person on a signature alone. Release must be secured by cash, a licensed bondsman, or property the sheriff approves. In Liberty County, the sheriff's property rules above would apply.
Does Georgia cap how many cash bonds I can post?
Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 17-6-15) caps cash bonds at three a year for any one person or group. Since July 1, 2026, that cap does not apply to a person posting a cash bond for an immediate family member. A friend or a charity still faces the limit.
We cannot afford a lawyer. What now?
Ask the judge at the first appearance to appoint one. The Atlantic Circuit Public Defender office is at 201 South Main Street, Suite 2400, Hinesville, and its phone is 912-369-6338. Weekday hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A lawyer can ask for a lower bond and bring proof of work and a home address.
What if the person was arrested by Hinesville police?
Ask the arresting department for the report number and where the person is. Hinesville police take ticket questions at 912-368-8211, and Midway police at 912-880-1000; neither number is a bond line. Adults are normally brought to the county jail on Paul Sikes Drive, so check Liberty County Inmate Search again, then call 912-876-6411.
Where would a Liberty County teenager be held?
Georgia's Department of Juvenile Justice sends Liberty County youth to the Claxton Regional Youth Detention Center, 3609 Bill Hodges Road, Claxton, GA 30417, 912-739-4807. A child's case is private, so the adult search may not show it. Ask the court clerk how a young person gets a lawyer.
What if someone misses court after bonding out?
The judge can issue an arrest order and the bond can be forfeited. A bonding company will want the person back in court quickly. Call the lawyer or the magistrate court at once and ask about resetting the date.
How do I keep from losing money to a fake bondsman?
Pay only at the jail, to a company from the jail's list, or to the court. Nobody legitimate asks for gift cards or an app transfer. Look up the phone numbers on this page yourself and dial them.
Where does the court clerk work?
Liberty County's clerk of courts is at 201 South Main Street, Suite 1200, Hinesville, GA 31313, at the same address as the Justice Center. The county directory lists 912-876-3625. The clerk keeps case files and can tell you the case number and next date. The Atlantic Circuit public defender works from the same street address in Suite 2400, so you can handle both stops in one trip.
What happens with a federal arrest?
Federal cases from Liberty County belong to the Southern District of Georgia, Savannah Division. The courthouse is 8 Southern Oaks Ct., Savannah, GA 31405 (page says mail to 124 Barnard St), and the clerk answers at 912-650-4020. A federal magistrate judge holds the first hearing and sets any release terms. The U.S. Marshals Service keeps custody before trial, so the person may sit in a local jail that rents beds to the Marshals. After sentencing, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.
Liberty County bail contacts
- Jail
- Liberty County Jail, 180 Paul Sikes Drive, Hinesville, GA 31313; front office 912-876-6411; booking after 5:00 p.m. 912-369-9271
- Bond guide
- Jail bail and bond guide
- Custody lookup
- Liberty County Inmate Search
- Sheriff
- Liberty County Sheriff's Office, 201 South Main Street, Suite 1300, Hinesville, GA 31313; 912-876-2131
- Clerk of Courts
- 201 South Main Street, Suite 1200, Hinesville, GA 31313; 912-876-3625
- Magistrate Court
- Justice Center, 201 South Main Street, Hinesville; 912-368-2063; weekdays 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
- District Attorney
- 945 Elma G. Miles Parkway, Hinesville; 912-876-4151
- Public defender
- Atlantic Circuit, 201 South Main Street, Suite 2400, Hinesville; 912-369-6338
- Youth detention
- Claxton Regional Youth Detention Center, 3609 Bill Hodges Road, Claxton, GA 30417; 912-739-4807
Hours, fees, and rules in Liberty County change from time to time, and a judge may set a different bond. Check with the jail before you pay anyone. This page explains the process in general terms and is not legal advice.
Instructions on How to Post Bond Online in Liberty County
Liberty County Jail uses an online cash bonding company called CashBondOnline.com so you don't have to bond out your inmate at the Liberty County Jail or at the Liberty 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 Liberty County Jail, or if it is not listed like that, try Liberty 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.
Liberty County Jail
Address:
180 Paul Sikes Drive
Hinesville, GA 31313
Phone:
912-876-6411
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Liberty County
Does Liberty County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Liberty County?
Who can set bail in Liberty County?
When is bail set in Liberty County Georgia?
Does Liberty County have bail?
Yes, Liberty County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Liberty 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 Liberty 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 Liberty 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 Liberty 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 Liberty 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 Liberty 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, Liberty 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 Liberty 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 Liberty County have bail?
Yes, Liberty County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Liberty 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 Liberty 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 Liberty County Georgia?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances and the judge set the initial bail, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Liberty 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 Liberty County Georgia?
Yes, Georgia does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Liberty County Jail for more information about the jails in Liberty County.
What options are there to pay bail in Liberty 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 Liberty County Jail for more information about posting bail in Liberty 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 Liberty 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 Liberty 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.