Lumpkin County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
Lumpkin County bail and bond: the Dahlonega Detention Center and nearby courts
People arrested in Lumpkin County are held at the Lumpkin County Detention Center, 385 East Main Street, Dahlonega, next to the Sheriff's Office. Start with Lumpkin County Inmate Search to see if the person is booked, what the charges are, and whether a bond has been set. Questions the search cannot answer go to 706-864-0412. The jail also houses prisoners for other counties, so a Lumpkin address on the paperwork does not always mean a Lumpkin case.
1. Is she inside the Dahlonega detention center?
Check Lumpkin County Inmate Search with her full name. If she was arrested only minutes ago, wait and try again. Georgia's Department of Corrections lists the detention center at 385 East Main Street with the phone 706-864-0412, and the Sheriff's Office main line is 706-864-0414. Use either one for anything the search leaves out.
2. Why might a Lumpkin jail booking be for another county?
Sheriff office says the jail houses inmates for other counties and agencies. So a person may be sitting here on a charge that belongs to a different court. Ask the desk which agency holds the charge, and who to call about its bond.
3. Where in Dahlonega is a bond paid?
The jail is at 385 East Main Street, Dahlonega, GA 30533, beside the Sheriff's Office. A cash bond is normally paid there or through the Clerk of Superior Court, but the exact window, hours, and payment types are set by the jail, not by this page. Phone 706-864-0412 before you travel and ask three things: where to go, what time the bond desk closes, and which payments it takes.
4. Can a card pay the bond?
For a bond, ask the jail first: 706-864-0412. A lobby kiosk and the JailATM service take cards for inmate spending money, and that money is not bond money. A bonding company may take a card; ask whether it adds a fee, and get the total in writing before you give your number.
5. Where is the court clerk, and what are the hours?
The Clerk of Superior Court is at 325 Riley Road, Room 108, Dahlonega, GA 30533, and answers at 706-864-3736. The state clerks' directory lists Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays. The clerk can give a case number and the next hearing date.
6. Who sets the amount?
A judge does. Magistrate Court sits at the Lumpkin Justice Center in Dahlonega and handles arrest warrant requests and first appearances; its chief judge is the chief magistrate. Georgia law says a misdemeanor charge may not be refused bail and that bail may not be excessive (O.C.G.A. 17-6-1). For the magistrate clerk's direct line, ask the Clerk of Superior Court at 706-864-3736.
7. What is the longest wait before a judge hears the case?
If an officer arrested on a warrant, O.C.G.A. 17-4-26 says the person must go before a judicial officer within 72 hours. Weekend arrests can use most of that time. Ask the jail when the hearing is.
8. Why are my relative's charges marked no bond?
Murder, rape, armed robbery, aggravated sexual battery, and some drug trafficking offenses are bailable only before a superior court judge (O.C.G.A. 17-6-1). The Enotah Circuit superior court must set a hearing within ten days after a petition. Probation holds and warrants from other places can also stop release.
9. What is the rule for burglary and similar charges?
Burglary is on Georgia's "bail restricted" list in O.C.G.A. 17-6-12, and so are battery, DUI, family violence, drug sales or possession, forgery, and identity fraud, among many others. A judge cannot release these people on a signature alone. The release has to be secured: cash, a licensed bondsman, or property approved by the sheriff in the county where the offense occurred.
10. What does a bonding company cost?
A bondsman's price has a legal ceiling. O.C.G.A. 17-6-30(a) bars a surety from taking more than 15 percent of the bond's face amount, but allows at least $50 for each bonded charge. On a $5,000 bond with two charges, 15 percent is $750. Ask the jail desk at 706-864-0412 which companies it accepts, then compare quotes.
11. Can I post a lot of cash bonds for people?
Not many. O.C.G.A. 17-6-15 allows three cash bonds a year per person or group. Starting July 1, 2026, a natural person posting for an immediate family member is outside that cap.
12. Can my land or house back the bond?
Possibly, if the sheriff approves it. Georgia treats sheriff-approved property in the county where the offense happened as a form of bail (O.C.G.A. 17-6-1). The Sheriff's Office, 706-864-0414, can tell you what deeds, tax records, and equity it wants and which owners must sign. Allow extra days compared with cash.
13. Is there a free defender for Lumpkin County cases?
The Enotah Circuit Public Defender has a Lumpkin office at 194 Courthouse Hill, Annex B, Dahlonega, GA 30533, 706-864-1555. The main office is in Cleveland, 706-348-8577. The judge normally appoints the office at first appearance.
14. What if Dahlonega city police arrested him?
Ask the officer for the report number and the place of booking. Adults arrested in Lumpkin County are generally brought to the county detention center, so search Lumpkin County Inmate Search after an hour, then call 706-864-0412. Dahlonega city police can tell you the report number at the same time.
15. Where is a teen held after arrest?
Lumpkin County youth who are detained go to the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center, 450 Crescent Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501, 770-531-4597. A minor will not appear in the adult list, so call the center and the court.
16. What if he is not in the courtroom on the date?
The judge can issue an arrest order and keep the bond money. A bonding company may bring him in. Contact his lawyer or the clerk right away.
17. How do I know a Lumpkin payment request is legitimate?
Hang up on anyone demanding a gift card or transfer app. Look up the jail yourself, and use 706-864-0412 or the clerk's 706-864-3736.
18. What does the judge consider about my brother?
The test in O.C.G.A. 17-6-1 is whether letting him go creates a real risk that he will run, hurt someone, commit a felony, or interfere with a witness. The judge also considers what he earns and owes. A letter from his employer and proof of a Dahlonega-area address make the case stronger. Special rules apply to DUI with a high alcohol reading and to family violence arrests, where a judge must see him first.
What happens with a federal arrest?
Federal cases from Lumpkin County belong to the Northern District of Georgia, Gainesville Division. The courthouse is Sidney O. Smith Federal Building & US Courthouse, 121 Spring Street SE, Room 201, Gainesville, GA 30501-3789, and the clerk answers at 678-450-2760. 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.
Lumpkin County bail contacts
- Jail
- Lumpkin County Detention Center, 385 East Main Street, Dahlonega, GA 30533; 706-864-0412; Sheriff's Office and inmate information 706-864-0414
- Bond guide
- Detention center bail and bond guide
- Custody lookup
- Lumpkin County Inmate Search
- Sheriff
- Sheriff, Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office, 385 East Main Street, Dahlonega; 706-864-0414
- Magistrate Court
- Lumpkin Justice Center, Dahlonega; ask the clerk of court, 706-864-3736, for the direct line
- Clerk of Superior Court
- 325 Riley Road, Room 108, Dahlonega, GA 30533; 706-864-3736; Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Public defender
- Enotah Circuit, 194 Courthouse Hill, Annex B, Dahlonega, GA 30533; 706-864-1555
- Youth detention
- Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center, 450 Crescent Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501; 770-531-4597
Bond fees, jail hours, and contact numbers in Lumpkin County are not fixed and may be different by the time you read this. Confirm with the detention center before you pay. This overview is informational only and does not replace advice from an attorney.
How do Bail Bonds work at Lumpkin County Detention Center
The Lumpkin County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin County Detention Center, or the courthouse in Lumpkin County where the offense took place.
Call 706-864-0412 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Lumpkin County inmate locator.
Lumpkin County Detention Center
Address:
385 E. Main Street
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Phone:
706-864-0412
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Lumpkin County
Does Lumpkin County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lumpkin County?
Who can set bail in Lumpkin County?
When is bail set in Lumpkin County Georgia?
Does Lumpkin County have bail?
Yes, Lumpkin County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin 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, Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin County have bail?
Yes, Lumpkin County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin County Georgia?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances and the judge set the initial bail, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin County Georgia?
Yes, Georgia does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Lumpkin County Detention Center for more information about the jails in Lumpkin County.
What options are there to pay bail in Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin County Detention Center for more information about posting bail in Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin 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.