Winneshiek County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Winneshiek County Bail and Bond, Decorah, Iowa
Bail lets someone held at the Winneshiek County Jail in Decorah go home until court. Phone 563-387-4096 to confirm the bond.
Winneshiek County, in Iowa's northeast corner, has its seat in Decorah, home of Luther College. Its 40-bed jail opened in October 2000 at 400 Claiborne Drive, Decorah, IA 52101, and holds people awaiting trial or serving state, county and city sentences, plus overflow inmates from other agencies. Jail staff answer 563-387-4096; the sheriff's office is 563-382-4268.
Finding out about an arrest in Decorah
Call the jail, 563-387-4096, to ask whether a person is held and what bond applies. Iowa custody status is also searchable on VINELink; our inmate search page lists more tools.
↑ Back to the question listBond schedule figures
The uniform bond schedule sets $300 for simple misdemeanors, $1,000 for serious and $2,000 for aggravated. Felony bonds start at $5,000 for class D and rise to $10,000 for class C and $25,000 for class B. Magistrates of the First Judicial District can adjust them case by case.
↑ Back to the question listOffenses with no scheduled bond
Bond is left to the magistrate for domestic abuse assault, stalking, any forcible felony, or breach of a protective or no-contact order. Add to that sexual abuse (first through third degree), intimidation with a dangerous weapon, firearm possession by a felon, and manufacturing, delivering or intending to deliver methamphetamine.
↑ Back to the question listWhat the jail accepts
According to the jail's page, it takes cash, money orders and cashier's checks, but never personal checks. Call 563-387-4096 to confirm the amount before you go. A bondsman can also post a surety bond; bonding agencies operate separately from the sheriff's office, so contact one directly. Property bonds need a judge's approval.
↑ Back to the question listThe July 2026 bail law
Senate File 2399, effective July 1, 2026, limits written-promise release to simple or serious misdemeanors without violent or drug-related conduct, or when a defendant has medical needs. Decorah judges must also give written reasons for bail lower than the schedule, or for any other kind of release. Inflation adjustments to bond figures are the subject of a Judicial Council report due July 1, 2027.
↑ Back to the question listClerk of District Court
201 West Main Street, Decorah, IA 52101, in the courthouse. Phone 563-382-2469; email countyclerk.winneshiek@iowacourts.gov.
↑ Back to the question listAfter a missed appearance
A warrant and bond forfeiture are likely; Iowa Code 811.6 gives a surety 30 days from notice to surrender the defendant. Section 811.2(8) treats failure to appear as an offense too. Most cases make it a serious misdemeanor; felony defendants face a class D felony, as do people who were out pending sentencing or appeal.
↑ Back to the question listCash bond refunds in Decorah
Once the case is over, and provided the defendant came to every hearing, the person who posted cash gets it back from the clerk, less any fines, court costs or restitution. A bondsman's charge is not refundable. Inmate account questions are in our money guide.
↑ Back to the question listFederal charges and ICE detainers
For federal prosecutions, Winneshiek is handled by the Northern District of Iowa's Eastern Division court, 111 7th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, 319-286-2300. Iowa Code chapter 27A makes jails comply with ICE detainers, so an immigration hold can outlast state bond. The ICE locator lists detainees.
↑ Back to the question listWhat if a Decorah teen is arrested?
Juvenile court handles it, with no bond schedule. A detained youth goes to North Iowa Juvenile Detention Services, 1440 West Dunkerton Road, Waterloo, IA 50703, 319-291-2455, and a hearing must be held within 1 working day.
↑ Back to the question listWinneshiek County Jail
Address:
400 Claiborne Drive
Decorah, IA 52101
Phone:
563-387-4096
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Winneshiek County
Does Winneshiek County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Winneshiek County?
Who can set bail in Winneshiek County?
When is bail set in Winneshiek County Iowa?
Does Winneshiek County have bail?
Yes, Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek 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, Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek County have bail?
Yes, Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek County Iowa?
Yes, your attorney can also request a bond reduction.
In Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek County Jail for more information about the jails in Winneshiek County.
What options are there to pay bail in Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek County Jail for more information about posting bail in Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek 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.