Washington County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Washington County bail and bond: the Weiser jail and East Court courthouse
The jail that serves Washington County is listed as the Washington County Jail, 262 East Court Street in Weiser, run by the Sheriff. Begin with Washington County Inmate Search. It shows whether the arrested person is held in Washington County and what the bail is. The Washington County jail information line, 208-414-2124, covers anything the search leaves out. Court business is on the same street at 256 East Court, where the magistrate sets or changes the amount.
1. My cousin was picked up in Weiser. Is he in the county jail?
Put his name into Washington County Inmate Search. If it comes up empty, give the system a few hours to catch up with a new booking. Then call the jail line at 208-414-2124 with the full name and birth date. Ask whether he was moved to another place.
2. What are the main numbers for Washington County?
Keep these three together: the jail line 208-414-2124, the Sheriff's number 208-414-2121, and the court number 208-414-2092. The magistrate's line is 208-414-2232. Jail staff speak to inmate-status questions; court staff speak to hearing dates and judge orders.
3. Where is the bail amount listed?
Check Washington County Inmate Search first, since the amount shows there when one is set. Under Idaho Criminal Rule 5(f) the magistrate sets bail at the Washington County first appearance, after reading the person their rights. Without a number, call 208-414-2124 and ask whether a warrant carries one or the standard list applies.
4. Do I hand money to the jail or the clerk?
Ask the jail whether cash bonds go to its bonding window or to the clerk of court, and bring a money order, cash, or a cashier's check. For window hours, call 208-414-2124 first. Idaho's misdemeanor rule also names a surety bond as a normal form. Ask about cards, because acceptance may vary.
5. What do misdemeanors usually cost in bail?
Idaho courts publish a statewide misdemeanor schedule, dated January 4, 2023. A first DUI is $500 for an Idaho resident and $2,000 for a nonresident; a second is $1,000 and $3,000. A charge of resisting or obstructing an officer carries $300. The entry for hunting trespass is $200 for a resident and $300 for a nonresident. Disturbing the peace is "Book & Release." Domestic battery and no-contact violations are marked "no bond until court appearance."
Think of these as the starting point. A magistrate who reviews the case can move the number up, down, or to nothing.
6. What if he is charged with a felony?
No county-level felony list is posted. The magistrate chooses the amount at the first appearance. A defense attorney can ask for a bail hearing, and the clerk at 208-414-2092 can tell you when the court will take it up.
7. Can I avoid putting up all the cash?
Yes. Idaho Code 19-2907 bars forcing a defendant to post bail in cash. You can use a licensed bail agent, a Washington County property bond, or a cash deposit. For the deposit, currency, a money order, and a cashier's check all qualify.
8. What should I watch for with a bail bond company?
First confirm the license with the Idaho Department of Insurance, 208-334-4250. The state consumer page names no set percentage, so insist on the premium in dollars, in writing. Installment deals require a signed credit agreement showing interest. Collateral should come back within 14 days after the bond ends, with a detailed receipt. An agent should not solicit inside the courthouse.
9. Does a farm or home in Washington County work as security?
It can. Idaho Code 19-2909 allows real estate in Idaho with equity, after liens, enough to cover the Washington County bail and likely collection costs. The judge may say no, and the poster pays the fees. A magistrate must approve any property bond on a misdemeanor. Ask the clerk at 208-414-2092 for forms.
10. When does the first hearing happen?
The date depends on the charge and the court calendar, so ask 208-414-2092. The magistrate's office is 208-414-2232. Idaho Criminal Rule 5(b) puts the limit at 24 hours after a Washington County arrest, counting only business days. Hearings take place at the courthouse, 256 East Court, Weiser.
11. Why would a bail amount say none?
Idaho Const. art. I, sec. 6 and Idaho Code 19-2903 allow denying bail as of right only in capital cases with strong proof. A judge decides after a plea, in a probation case, or after a release violation. A domestic battery arrest may say no bond until court. If another county or agency has a hold, the jail at 208-414-2124 can say so.
12. What if the Weiser police or a smaller town made the arrest?
Ask the agency if it keeps its own holding cell, where your loved one is now, and for the report number. The Weiser jail can say whether it is holding the person for another agency.
13. My teenager is in trouble. Who do I call?
The adult search will not show a minor. Washington County Juvenile Probation, 256 East Court, answers at 208-414-0606, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Third Judicial District youth are often held at the Southwest Idaho Juvenile Detention Center in Caldwell, 208-454-7353, but ask juvenile probation which facility holds county youth before you drive there.
14. How do we get a public defender?
Since October 2024 the State Public Defender has run public defense. Washington County is in the Third Judicial District and served by contract public defenders. Call the State Public Defender at 208-605-4575. At the first hearing, tell the judge you cannot afford a lawyer and ask for an appointment.
15. What if he misses a hearing?
Under Idaho Code 19-2915 the court forfeits the bail and orders a bench warrant. Notice goes by mail to the Washington County poster within five business days. A warrant quashed inside 180 days undoes the forfeiture. Contact the lawyer or the bondsman right away.
16. How is the cash returned?
At the end of the case, Idaho Code 19-2908 applies any cash deposit to fines, costs, and fees, then returns the surplus to the payer. The premium paid to a bond company stays with the company. Keep the receipt with the case number.
17. What are bail-scam red flags in Weiser?
Anyone asking for gift cards, a money app, or crypto is not the jail. Hang up and call 208-414-2124 or 208-414-2092 using the numbers on this page.
18. Does Washington County bail cover a federal charge?
Federal rules replace Weiser bail. A federal warrant served in Washington County gets no amount from the Washington County bail chart, and Washington deputies cannot set an amount for it. Washington County federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, Southern Division, James A. McClure Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 550 W. Fort St., Boise; and Washington County families can reach the clerk at 208-334-1361.
- The federal magistrate calls the Washington County case first for a Washington County arrest, normally within a day or two.
- No money chart applies to Washington federal cases. Following 18 U.S.C. 3142, the judge can release the Washington defendant on conditions or order detention.
- When detention is requested in a Weiser case, the hearing for the Washington County defendant follows soon, unless a Washington party asks to delay it.
- The U.S. Marshals Service has custody before trial, so a Washington prisoner may be housed in a county jail that rents beds; ring 208-414-2124 to ask whether Washington County holds them.
- After a federal sentence on a Washington case, the Federal Bureau of Prisons picks the prison, which the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator will list.
19. What happens to a Washington County bond when ICE files a detainer?
You may post the Washington County bail, but Weiser release may be slowed at Washington County Jail. For a Washington booking, expect these steps:
- When the person is booked in Washington County, Idaho Code 18-9008 has the jail check whether the Washington prisoner is foreign-born and, in Washington County, notify the Department of Homeland Security within 48 hours.
- ICE can issue a Form I-247A detainer to the Washington County jail staff.
- A reasonable detainer must be honored in Washington County under Idaho Code 18-9005(4) once the Washington case's state-ordered confinement is over, and Washington staff must tell the person about it.
- After the Washington County bail is posted, the Washington jail may keep the person 48 hours, including weekends and holidays.
- Deportation officers from the ICE Boise office, 1185 S. Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 83709, 208-685-6635, collect the person from the Washington County jail; people taken from Weiser may go to the Elmore County Detention Center in Mountain Home or, from Washington County, to facilities in other states.
- Search the ICE Online Detainee Locator System with the Washington detainee's A-number, or the Washington County person's name and birth country.
Get legal advice before posting in Weiser, because the bond only covers the Washington County charge.
20. How do I find someone in Washington County custody, state prison, or federal prison?
- In the county jail: search Washington County Inmate Search , or phone 208-414-2124.
- Status alerts: VINELink lists Washington custody status and sends release notices.
- After a state sentence: search the Idaho Department of Correction Resident/Client Search, or see our Idaho state prisons guide.
- Federal custody: search the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.
- ICE custody: the ICE Online Detainee Locator System.
- Case lookups: Idaho iCourt case search, or the Washington County courthouse at 208-414-2092.
Washington County bail contacts
- Jail
- Washington County Jail, 262 East Court Street, Weiser, ID 83672; information line 208-414-2124
- Bail guide
- Jail bond and bail instructions
- Custody lookup
- Washington County Inmate Search
- Sheriff
- Washington County Sheriff, 208-414-2121
- Courthouse
- 256 East Court, PO Box 670, Weiser, ID 83672; 208-414-2092; magistrate 208-414-2232
- Juvenile
- Juvenile Probation, 256 E Court Street, Weiser, 208-414-0606; Southwest Idaho Juvenile Detention Center, 222 12th Avenue North, Caldwell, 208-454-7353
- Public defense
- State Public Defender, Boise, 208-605-4575
- Insurance
- Idaho Department of Insurance, consumer affairs 208-334-4250
Amounts, hours, payment methods, and Washington County phone numbers can change, and judges in Weiser decide each case on its facts. Call the Washington County jail or the court before you pay in Washington County. This guide is general information, so see a lawyer for advice about your situation.
Using GTL/gettingout to make bail payments
How to make a bail payment using gettingout.com/Viapath
- gettingout.com/Viapath assists you in using their banking system to make bail payment for your inmate.
- You can call them at 866-516-0115.
- Gettingout, also known as Viapath, limits your 24 hour online deposit to $3,000.00. So if the bail is higher, it may take multiple deposits over the same number of days.
Washington County Jail
Address:
262 E. Court
Weiser, ID 83672
Phone:
208-414-2124
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Washington County
Does Washington County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Washington County?
Who can set bail in Washington County?
When is bail set in Washington County Idaho?
Does Washington County have bail?
Yes, Washington County recognizes most types of bonds.
Unless the defendant is deemed a flight risk, accused of a capital crime, or had previously failed to appear, bail is considered a right.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Washington County?
Idaho will consider a bail bond, property bail bond or cash deposit which also includes check or money order. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
Who can set bail in Washington County?
Idaho uses a Bail Bond Schedule which lists the predetermined bail for most nonviolent crimes. For those crimes not listed on the schedule, or when the defendant does not qualify for immediate release, bail must be set by a judge.
When is bail set in Washington County Idaho?
For most nonviolent crimes bail is set automatically in accordance with a Bail Bond Schedule. For those crimes not listed on the schedule, or when the defendant does not qualify for immediate release, a hearing called first appearance will be scheduled on the first available court date. Bail will be determined at this hearing.
A bond proceeding is the determination of how much bail is to be paid and usually happens at the same time as an initial appearance or arraignment. During bond proceedings, the defendant can have an attorney present but does not have the right to an attorney. A judge or court officer in the {county extended} or magistrate court sets bail.
Judges in Idaho rely on a statewide bail schedule, which sets out a recommended range of bail amounts for different offenses. Judges can still exercise discretion in setting bail above or below the recommended range.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Washington 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 Washington 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.
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 Washington 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, Washington 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
What are the different types of bonds in Washington 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 Washington County have bail?
Yes, Washington County recognizes most types of bonds.
Unless the defendant is deemed a flight risk, accused of a capital crime, or had previously failed to appear, bail is considered a right.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Washington County?
Idaho will consider a bail bond, property bail bond or cash deposit which also includes check or money order. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
Who can set bail in Washington County?
Idaho uses a Bail Bond Schedule which lists the predetermined bail for most nonviolent crimes. For those crimes not listed on the schedule, or when the defendant does not qualify for immediate release, bail must be set by a judge.
When is bail set in Idaho?
For most nonviolent crimes bail is set automatically in accordance with a Bail Bond Schedule. For those crimes not listed on the schedule, or when the defendant does not qualify for immediate release, a hearing called first appearance will be scheduled on the first available court date. Bail will be determined at this hearing.
A bond proceeding is the determination of how much bail is to be paid and usually happens at the same time as an initial appearance or arraignment. During bond proceedings, the defendant can have an attorney present but does not have the right to an attorney. A judge or court officer in the {county extended} or magistrate court sets bail.
Judges in Idaho rely on a statewide bail schedule, which sets out a recommended range of bail amounts for different offenses. Judges can still exercise discretion in setting bail above or below the recommended range.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Washington County Idaho?
Yes, a judge may reduce or increase bail upon a showing of good cause. Your attorney or public defender can request a hearing for this purpose.
In Washington County Idaho, who can pay bail for me?
The defendant can post cash bail or 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 Idaho could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Washington County Idaho?
Yes, Idaho does offer online payment of bail. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Washington County Jail for more information about the jails in Washington County.
What options are there to pay bail in Washington County Idaho?
A cash deposit can be made as well as checks or money order. Each area varies with regards to accepting credit cards. Contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted. Go to the Washington County Jail for more information about posting bail in Washington County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Idaho?
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 Washington County?
Cash bond requires a minimum amount of money be paid prior to the defendant’s release. Even if you use a bail bond agent the state requires a down payment of 15%.
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 Idaho?
The Washington 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 by the state and cannot be negotiated.
Detailed information regarding bail and bond procedures in Idaho.