Greeley County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

A magistrate sets bond at the first appearance, which state law says must happen "without unnecessary delay" (K.S.A. 22-2901). The 25th Judicial District is based in Garden City and covers six southwest counties, so the judge may appear by video. Under K.S.A. 22-2802, the amount should be just enough to bring the person back to court and protect the public.

• Own recognizance: a signed promise, no cash.
• Surety: backed by Kansas-resident sureties or a licensed bonding agent, who keeps a fee.
• Cash: the full amount, unless the 10 percent rule below applies.
• Ten percent deposit with the clerk: only for bonds of $2,500 or less on misdemeanors and the lowest felony levels, and only for a Kansas resident with a short record, no missed court dates, no outside holds and no pending extradition or probation violation.

Hiring a bondsman for a Tribune case? The company must already be approved by the chief judge of the 25th Judicial District. Kansas law, K.S.A. 22-2809b, forbids paid sureties from posting in a district before that approval.

1. Phone the sheriff at 620-376-4233 to confirm the amount, the bond type and whether a judge has signed off.
2. Ask which payments the office accepts before you drive; Tribune is far from the nearest large town.
3. Bring photo ID to 208 E. Harper Street.
4. On weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mountain Time, the clerk of the district court (620-272-3652) can explain the bond order.
5. Save your receipt for the refund later.

To put spending money on their books, see our jail deposit page.

• Stay away from the alleged victim for at least 72 hours on a person crime, unless the judge orders otherwise.
• Limits on travel or where to live, a real issue for people who work across the line in Colorado.
• House arrest.
• Reporting to a court services officer, at up to $15 a week.
• Drug or alcohol evaluation and treatment on felony charges.

Kansas bans administrative fees on bonds.

The judge sets each amount for the case at hand. As a broad scale, from lowest to highest:

1. minor traffic and city-type offenses;
2. first misdemeanors, often released on a signature;
3. DUI and domestic cases, with added terms;
4. property and drug felonies;
5. violent felonies;
6. repeat sex crimes covered by K.S.A. 22-2802(p), which start at $750,000;
7. parole holds and fugitive warrants, which may have no bond until a hearing.

Ask the sheriff at 620-376-4233 for the exact figure.

Anyone held because they cannot meet the bond terms may apply to have them reviewed promptly by the magistrate who set them, or another magistrate in the county if that one is unavailable (K.S.A. 22-2802). A lawyer helps. Appointed counsel is paid by the Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense in Topeka, 785-296-6631, and the district court clerk at 620-272-3652 can explain how to ask for one.

Money put up in cash is repaid once the matter is finished and every appearance was kept, after the court subtracts restitution, fines, costs and fees. A missed date leads to forfeiture and an arrest warrant (K.S.A. 22-2807). If the person is returned after judgment, the law gives back 90, 75 or 50 percent depending on whether it happened within 90, 180 or 270 days. A bonding agent's premium is not refunded.

Greeley County District Court, 616 2nd Street, Tribune, KS 67879. Mailing address P.O. Box 516. Phone 620-272-3652, fax 620-376-2351, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. The 25th Judicial District office is at 425 N. 8th Street, Garden City, KS 67846, 620-272-3555.

County staff cannot release anyone on a federal charge. A U.S. magistrate judge with the District of Kansas decides at a detention hearing; the Wichita courthouse is at 401 N. Market, Room 204, Wichita, KS 67202, 316-315-4200. A federal prison sentence is served under the Bureau of Prisons; check the BOP inmate locator. For Kansas state prisoners, use the KASPER offender search.

The Kansas bond can still be paid, but a Form I-247A detainer allows Greeley staff to hold someone "up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released" (8 CFR 287.7(d)) for ICE to take custody. Many detainees end up at the Chase County Jail in Cottonwood Falls, though ICE may pick another site. The ICE detainee locator shows where they are.