Fulton County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
Fulton County Bail and Pretrial Release
Bail and release for anyone arrested in Fulton County start at the Fulton County Detention Center (2010 South Seventh Street, Hickman, KY 42050; 270-236-2405), which books every Fulton arrest. Bail goes through the circuit clerk at the Fulton County Courthouse, 114 E. Wellington St., Hickman, KY 42050 (270-236-3944). Fulton is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit, whose Commonwealth's Attorney works from Bardwell.
What's the quickest way to learn a Hickman bond amount?
Call the jail at 270-236-2405 with the person's legal name and birthday. The inmate roster may show the bond as well. A blank bond line can mean the release decision is still pending; try again later in the day.
↑ Back to the question listWhere is bond paid in Fulton County?
Fulton bonds go to the circuit clerk's office inside the Fulton County Courthouse, 114 E. Wellington St., Hickman, KY 42050. Phone 270-236-3944 beforehand to confirm the amount and which kinds of payment the office accepts. Take photo ID and, if you have it, the case number. Bond is not paid at the jail.
↑ Back to the question listAre bail bondsmen allowed in Fulton County?
No. Pay the Wellington Street clerk (270-236-3944) or the Seventh Street jail (270-236-2405). For-profit bail is against Kentucky law (KRS 431.510), so families post bail with the clerk on their own. Show up to every hearing and the deposit, minus the clerk's fee, will be refunded when the case ends.
↑ Back to the question listWho decides if a Fulton defendant is low risk?
Pretrial Services interviews the person after booking. The officer checks address, job and criminal history, then scores the risk of missing court or committing a new offense (KRS 431.515). A judge weighs that score, and low-risk people can go home without posting money (KRS 431.066).
↑ Back to the question listWhat bail options can a Hickman judge use?
The Fulton clerk (270-236-3944) can read back the order. Possible terms are release on your word, unsecured bail, a 10 percent deposit (KRS 431.530), the entire bail in cash, or property valued at two times the bail (KRS 431.535). A relative can be named as surety and pay nothing (KRS 431.520).
↑ Back to the question listWhat rules limit bail in Kentucky?
The Hickman clerk (270-236-3944) has the amount once set. Bail should not exceed what the defendant can manage (KRS 431.525), and locking someone up for only a violation is disfavored (KRS 431.062). Nonviolent misdemeanor bail is held to the largest fine the charge allows, plus costs. A lot of Class D felonies have a preset amount (KRS 431.540), and domestic cases carry extra steps (KRS 431.064). Jail time earns $100 a day toward bail (KRS 431.066).
↑ Back to the question listWhen is a Hickman bail deposit refunded?
After the case is resolved, the clerk issues the refund. Those who made every court date get back the deposit minus 10 percent, at least $5. No fee is kept if the case ends in a dismissal or an acquittal. Fines and restitution come out first. Call 270-236-3944 to ask about timing.
↑ Back to the question listWhat conditions might come with release?
A Hickman judge may order the person to avoid contact with the alleged victim, stay away from alcohol and drugs, take tests, wear a tracking device or check in. Missing court or breaking a term puts the person at risk of a new warrant, and forfeiture can follow 20 days after notice (KRS 431.545). A defense lawyer may ask the judge to change an unworkable term.
↑ Back to the question listWho handles the legal side of a Fulton case?
The Fulton County Attorney (203 E. Moulton Street, Hickman, KY 42050 (270-236-7093)) prosecutes misdemeanors and begins felony cases. Indicted felonies are handled by the 1st Circuit Commonwealth's Attorney in Bardwell (270-628-9150). If you can't pay a lawyer, the court assigns the Paducah Trial Office of the Department of Public Advocacy (405 Clarence Gaines St., Paducah, KY 42003; 833-895-0577). Our court guide has more.
↑ Back to the question listDoes local bail help with a federal or ICE hold?
No. The U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky, 501 Broadway, Paducah, KY 42001, 270-415-6400 decides release in federal cases. When ICE has lodged a detainer, the jail may keep the person up to 48 hours after state custody ends. Ask the jail at 270-236-2405, and use the ICE locator or BOP locator.
↑ Back to the question listFulton County Detention Center
Address:
2010 South 7th Street
Hickman, KY 42050
Phone:
270-236-2405
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Fulton County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Fulton County?
Who can set bail in Fulton County?
When is bail set in Fulton County Kentucky?
Does Fulton County have bail?
Yes, Section 16 the Kentucky Constitution guarantees the right to bail for all but capital crimes. However, Kentucky does not permit bond companies to operate within the state. Any bonds would be gotten through the Fulton County court system.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Fulton County?
Kentucky offers several options when it comes to paying bail including release on own recognizance, cash bail, percentage bond, property bond, surety bond or unsecured bond.
Who can set bail in Fulton County?
Pretrial officers are mandated to conduct an interview and assessment within 12 hours of arrest on individuals arrested on bailable offenses. If a defendant does not qualify for administrative release, pretrial officers then present the findings to a judge, who makes the decision about pretrial release.
When is bail set in Fulton County Kentucky?
Bail is set either the day of the arrest or by a judge at the arraignment, which is when the defendant will also enter a plea. In most cases the arraignment will occur the morning following arrest.
What is Bail?
Bail is money paid that is held by the Fulton County or municipal court to make sure that the arrested does not flee the area before their trial. Bail amounts and other conditions are determined at the arraignment.
The State of Kentucky has banned commercial bail by a bail bond company.
Pretrial officers are mandated to conduct an interview and assessment within 12 hours of arrest on individuals arrested on bailable offenses. If a defendant does not qualify for administrative release, pretrial officers then present the findings to a judge, who makes the decision about pretrial release.
It is always important to have family involvement after being arrested. Not only can they make calls and communicate on your behalf, but family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court, not only for the defendant’s own good, but because they may have signed bond paperwork and responsible to pay if the defendant does not show in court.
(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. There are no bond companies in Kentucky.)
If the pretrial officer and judge 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 Fulton County Detention Center until the case is resolved or goes to trial. Bail can also be denied if the defendant did not comply with bail conditions from a previous arrest.
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.
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.
What are the different types of bonds in Fulton County?
Based on a review of information from the pretrial officer, the judge will determine and notify the accused of which types of bonds are available to them.
These are the bonds that the Clerk of Court can process in Kentucky:
For minor offenses, the defendant, friend, or family can pay the full amount of bail.
A personal recognizance bond is where the defendant or someone representing the defendant signs paperwork which only requires a signature and promise from the defendant to return to court. If the defendant does not return to court, a warrant for arrest and detention can follow.
An unsecured release requires the defendant’s signature and conditions to be met. If the defendant does not return to court, the bail amount would need to be paid.
Cash percentage bond. If the bond order permits, the defendant pays 10% to the court, which then holds the money until the case is over. 10% of the 10% paid remains with the court and in most cases, there are court fees or fines due in addition, so if the defendant returns to all court hearings, 90% of the money paid to the court will be returned but additional fines and fees might be owed.
Third-party surety release requires another person called a surety to sign with the defendant. The other person would need to put up property or partial money. Surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.
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 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, although the court generally does not start the process to acquire the deed unless the defendant does not show to a court appearance.
Does Fulton County Kentucky have bail?
Yes, Section 16 the Kentucky Constitution guarantees the right to bail for all but capital crimes. However, Kentucky does not permit bond companies to operate within the state. Any bonds would be gotten through the Fulton County court system.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Fulton County?
Kentucky offers several options when it comes to paying bail including release on own recognizance, cash bail, percentage bond, property bond, surety bond or unsecured bond.
Who can set bail in Fulton County?
Pretrial officers are mandated to conduct an interview and assessment within 12 hours of arrest on individuals arrested on bailable offenses. If a defendant does not qualify for administrative release, pretrial officers then present the findings to a judge, who makes the decision about pretrial release.
When is bail set in Kentucky?
Bail is set either the day of the arrest or by a judge at the arraignment, which is when the defendant will also enter a plea. In most cases the arraignment will occur the morning following arrest.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Fulton County Kentucky?
Yes, your attorney can file a request for bail adjustment with the District Court Judge assigned to the case.
In Fulton County Kentucky, 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.
Can bail be paid online in Fulton County Kentucky?
Kentucky does not have an online bail payment system; however, you can add funds to an inmate’s spending account which can then be used to post bail. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Fulton County Detention Center for contact information about the jails in Fulton County or the Clerk of Court.
What options are there to pay bail in Fulton County Kentucky?
Most all jail and courts accept cash, a cashier or bankers’ check. Some accept a credit card with fees. Contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted: Go to the Fulton County Detention Center for more information about the jails in Fulton County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Kentucky?
Bail money is returned to the person who paid the bail; in whole or in part once the case is finished. Not all money is returned due to bond percentages and court fees.
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Fulton 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 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.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Kentucky?
Kentucky does not allow bond companies to operate in the state. The bond is acquired through the courts. A cash bond or a personal recognizance bond does not require money down.