Greene County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

No roster is posted online, so call the Law Enforcement Center at 515-386-2136, or search VINELink, which the sheriff's page links. Because the jail is small, ask if the person stays in Jefferson or held at another county's jail. More tools are on our inmate search page.

When court is out, the jail can release on Iowa's uniform bond schedule. The figures are $300 for a simple misdemeanor, $1,000 for serious, $2,000 for aggravated, $5,000 for a class D felony, $10,000 for class C and $25,000 for class B. Once a judge sees the person, bail is set under section 811.2 and need not follow the schedule.

Forcible felonies and domestic abuse arrests are excluded from the schedule. So are stalking, sexual abuse charged as first, second or third degree, breaking a protective or no-contact order, making or selling meth, or keeping it to sell, intimidating with a dangerous weapon, plus a felon caught with a gun. A Second Judicial District magistrate or judge sets bail in those cases, without unnecessary delay.

• Cash: the full amount, handed back after the case if the defendant appeared every time.
• Insurer bond: written by an Iowa-authorized insurer; the premium paid for it is gone for good.
• Land: Iowa real estate pledged by its owner through a sworn statement.

The sheriff's office keeps business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, but the Law Enforcement Center is open around the clock. Call 515-386-2136 to ask what can be posted after hours.

Under Iowa Code 811.2 the court considers the offense, family and job ties, money, character, mental condition, how long the person has lived in Greene County, any record of convictions and any missed court dates. Release terms might add check-ins or a ban on contact with someone.

Senate File 2399, effective July 1, 2026, limits release on a signed promise to nonviolent simple and serious misdemeanors that do not involve drugs. A magistrate who goes below the schedule must explain the decision in writing. Inflation updates to the schedule are due by July 1, 2027.

The Clerk of District Court is in the Greene County Courthouse, 114 North Chestnut Street, Jefferson, IA 50129, open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 515-386-2516 or email countyclerk.greene@iowacourts.gov. Bond money and refunds go through this office.

Bond forfeiture and an arrest warrant are the usual result. The clerk must give the defendant and surety 30 days' notice under section 811.6 before the forfeiture becomes a judgment. Skipping court on purpose is a separate charge, punished as a class D felony when the case is a felony.

After the case ends with every appearance kept, the clerk refunds the deposit to the person who paid it. The clerk at 515-386-2516 can say whether costs will be deducted. A bondsman's fee is never refunded. For money on an inmate's jail account, see our money guide.

Federal charges are handled by a U.S. magistrate judge. Greene County's federal court is the Central Division of the Southern District, 111 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, 515-284-6248. Iowa Code chapter 27A makes jails hold people for ICE when a detainer is lodged, which can follow state bail being paid; the ICE locator can show where the person went.

By a judge, not by posting the schedule. When detention is ordered, youth are taken to the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center, 2317 Rick Collins Way, Eldora, IA 50627, 641-858-3852, and a hearing must follow within 1 working day.