Monona County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Monona County Bail and Bond, Onawa, Iowa
Bond and release at the Monona County Jail in Onawa are covered on this page. Ask the jail at 712-423-2525 what bail was set.
Monona County runs along the Missouri River across from Nebraska, with Interstate 29 passing Onawa and about 8,539 residents spread among Onawa, Mapleton, Whiting, Ute, Moorhead, Soldier, Blencoe and Castana. The sheriff keeps the county jail in the Public Safety Building, 909 7th Street, Onawa, IA 51040. For bond questions about a recent arrest, call 712-423-2525.
How do I know whether someone is held in Onawa?
The sheriff does not publish a roster online. Call 712-423-2525 with a name and birthday, or search VINELink. Our inmate search page lists more tools.
↑ Back to the question listIs there a set bond for the charge?
For many arrests, yes. When no judge is available, the jail can apply Iowa's uniform bond schedule: $300 for a simple misdemeanor, $1,000 for a serious one, $2,000 for an aggravated one, then $5,000 (class D felony), $10,000 (class C) and $25,000 (class B). A magistrate can change that amount at the first hearing, which Monona County often runs over a video link.
↑ Back to the question listWhich charges have no schedule amount?
Some arrests always wait for a judge: forcible felonies, domestic abuse, breaking a no-contact or protective order, and stalking, plus sexual abuse of all three degrees, meth production, sale or possession to sell, intimidating people with a dangerous weapon, and a felon in possession of a gun. Until a Third Judicial District magistrate or judge rules, the person stays at the Onawa jail.
↑ Back to the question listWhat can be used to post bond?
- Cash: the full figure, returned at the end if the defendant came to every hearing.
- Surety bond: from an insurance company authorized to write bail in Iowa. The premium is a fee the company keeps.
- Property: an Iowa resident who owns enough Iowa real estate can sign as surety.
Before bringing money, call 712-423-2525 to learn what the jail accepts at that hour and bring the person's full name and booking details.
↑ Back to the question listWhat does the court consider?
Section 811.2 of the Iowa Code lists the factors: the nature of the charge, family ties, employment, finances, character, mental condition, length of residence in the community, prior convictions and past court appearances. Conditions such as no-contact orders or pretrial supervision can be attached.
↑ Back to the question listHow did Senate File 2399 change things?
As of July 1, 2026, only simple or serious misdemeanor charges without violence or drugs can lead to release on a written promise to appear. Bail set lower than the schedule must come with a judge's written reasons. The Judicial Council will revisit the amounts for inflation before July 1, 2027.
↑ Back to the question listWhere does bond paperwork go?
The Clerk of District Court is in the Monona County Courthouse, 610 Iowa Avenue, Onawa, IA 51040. Phone 712-433-2491 or write to CountyClerk.Monona@iowacourts.gov; courthouse hours are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The clerk receives deposits and issues refunds.
↑ Back to the question listWhat happens after a no-show in court?
A warrant typically issues and the bond is declared forfeited. Under section 811.6 the clerk mails notice, and the defendant or surety has 30 days to respond before judgment is entered. Willful failure to appear is chargeable on its own, and it becomes a class D felony when the underlying case is a felony.
↑ Back to the question listHow is cash bail refunded?
When the case is finished and every court date was kept, the clerk returns the cash deposit to whoever posted it, minus anything the court applies to fines or costs. Bonding company fees are not returned. For money placed on an inmate's account, see our money guide.
↑ Back to the question listDoes a federal charge or ICE hold change this?
Yes. Only a federal magistrate can release someone on a federal charge, and Monona County falls in the Western Division of the Northern District of Iowa, 320 6th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, 712-233-3900. Chapter 27A obliges Iowa jails to honor ICE detainers; someone who makes state bond can still end up with immigration officers; see the ICE locator.
↑ Back to the question listWhat happens to a minor arrested in Onawa?
There's no adult-style bond. A youth ordered held is transported to Woodbury County Juvenile Detention Center, 822 Douglas Street, 4th Floor, Sioux City, IA 51101, 712-279-6621, and the detention is reviewed within 1 working day.
↑ Back to the question listMonona County Jail
Address:
909 7th Street
Onawa, IA 51040
Phone:
712-423-2525
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Monona County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Monona County?
Who can set bail in Monona County?
When is bail set in Monona County Iowa?
Does Monona County have bail?
Yes, Monona County recognizes most types of bonds. Bail is a Constitutional right. This means most defendants can qualify for pre-trial release on their own recognizance, cash bail, or a surety bond.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Monona County?
Iowa recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Defendants can qualify for pre-trial release on their own recognizance, cash bail, or a surety bond.
Who can set bail in Monona County?
Rates and limits vary by jail; call the jail or the provider. For more serious & violent crimes, or when the defendant does not qualify for immediate release, bail must be set by a judge.
When is bail set in Monona County Iowa?
For less serious, nonviolent crimes bail is set according to a predetermined bail schedule and this information will be available during processing. For crimes requiring a judge to set bail the defendant will usually be within 24 hours of arrest.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Monona 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 Monona 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 Monona 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, Monona 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 Monona 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 Monona County have bail?
Yes, Monona County recognizes most types of bonds. Bail is a Constitutional right. This means most defendants can qualify for pre-trial release on their own recognizance, cash bail, or a surety bond.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Monona County?
Iowa recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Defendants can qualify for pre-trial release on their own recognizance, cash bail, or a surety bond.
Who can set bail in Monona County?
Bail for less serious, nonviolent crimes are set according to a predetermined bail schedule and can range from $300-$25,000. For more serious & violent crimes, or when the defendant does not qualify for immediate release, bail must be set by a judge.
When is bail set in Iowa?
For less serious, nonviolent crimes bail is set according to a predetermined bail schedule and this information will be available during processing. For crimes requiring a judge to set bail the defendant will usually be within 24 hours of arrest.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Monona County Iowa?
Yes, your attorney can also request a bond reduction.
In Monona County Iowa, 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 Iowa could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Monona County Iowa?
Yes, Iowa does offer online bail payment. Please contact the county clerk or jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Monona County Jail for more information about the jails in Monona County.
What options are there to pay bail in Monona County Iowa?
Cash, debit card, credit card or surety. Payments may be made in person, online, or via a registered bail bond agent. In person payments may be made at the clerk of court office in the county where the defendant is being held.
A more immediate answer can be obtained by contacting the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted. Go to the Monona County Jail for more information about posting bail in Monona County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Iowa?
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 Monona 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.
You may also post collateral via a registered bail bond agent.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Iowa?
The Monona 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.