Hopkins County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Hopkins County Bail and Pretrial Release
Bail for a Madisonville or Hopkins County arrest must be cash and is paid at the Madisonville Justice Center downtown; release then comes from the Hopkins County Jail, 2250 Laffoon Trail, Madisonville, KY 42431. The jail answers 270-821-6704 on weekdays from 8 to 4.
What do I do first when someone is jailed in Madisonville?
Look the person up on the jail roster to confirm the booking. During weekday office hours, call 270-821-6704 to ask about the bond amount and type. Inmates there cannot take incoming calls, so leave your name and number if the message is urgent. A judge may need to review the case before a bond is set.
↑ Back to the question listWhere do I pay a bond, and in what form?
Carry cash to the circuit clerk, whose counter is in the Hopkins County Justice Center, 120 East Center Street, Madisonville, KY 42431. For circuit criminal cases call 270-824-7501; for district criminal cases call 270-824-7507. Hopkins takes checks and money orders for some bills, but bonds and restitution must be paid in cash. Get a receipt for the refund.
↑ Back to the question listCan a bail agent help?
No. In Madisonville, the defendant or a relative pays the bail directly to the circuit clerk (270-824-7501), because bail bonding for money is illegal in Kentucky (KRS 431.510). The and bulk of the deposit can be recovered when the case closes.
↑ Back to the question listHow does pretrial screening work?
At the Laffoon Trail jail (270-821-6704), pretrial services interviews each new booking, reviews criminal history and local ties, and gives the judge a risk score (KRS 431.515). Kentucky law favors releasing low-risk people without cash (KRS 431.066). Judges can add supervision or set money bail for higher risks.
↑ Back to the question listWhat bond types can a judge order?
Judges at the Center Street justice center can release on a person's own promise to appear, or on unsecured bail that is owed only after a failure to appear. They can also require ten percent paid in cash (KRS 431.530), cash for the full bail, or real property worth twice the amount (KRS 431.535).
A family member can be a free surety with the court's consent (KRS 431.520).
↑ Back to the question listHow is the amount set?
A district or circuit judge in the Hopkins County Justice Center, 120 East Center Street, Madisonville, KY 42431 picks the figure; the clerks answer at 270-824-7501 and 270-824-7507. The amount must be fair for the defendant's means (KRS 431.525). A violation charge alone rarely means jail (KRS 431.062). For a misdemeanor without injury, bail cannot go above the possible fine and costs. Many lower felonies carry a preset figure under state rules (KRS 431.540). Judges weigh victim safety in domestic violence cases (KRS 431.064). On many charges, a $100 credit applies for each day in jail.
↑ Back to the question listDo I get the bail money back?
If all court dates were kept, yes. The clerk mails back 90 percent once the case wraps up, keeping a fee of no less than $5. If charges are dropped or the defendant is found not guilty, the whole deposit comes back. Money owed to the court may be taken out first; call 270-824-7501.
↑ Back to the question listWhat conditions can come with release in this county?
Conditions can mean staying away from a victim, avoiding alcohol and drugs, testing, a GPS monitor, or check-ins with pretrial officers. An absence from court sets off a warrant in Madisonville, and forfeiture can follow 20 days after notice (KRS 431.545). Ask a lawyer to seek a change if a condition cannot be met.
↑ Back to the question listWho are the attorneys in local cases?
Hopkins is the only county in the 4th Judicial Circuit. The county attorney's office is at 25 East Center Street, Madisonville, KY 42431 (270-821-3164), and the Commonwealth's Attorney is at 52 East Broadway, Madisonville, KY 42431 (270-824-7018). People who cannot pay a lawyer can get the Madisonville Trial Office (1079 Thornberry Drive, Madisonville, KY 42431; 833-254-2468), which can argue for lower bail.
↑ Back to the question listDoes Hopkins bail cover a federal case or ICE hold?
No. Before paying, call the Laffoon Trail jail (270-821-6704) to ask about other holds, since federal cases from Hopkins are heard at the U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky, 423 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 42301, 270-689-4400 and state bail has no effect on them. Laffoon Trail holds people for ICE as well, and such a hold may add as much as 48 hours past release. Ask about holds before paying, and use the ICE finder and federal prison locator. See our court guide.
↑ Back to the question listHopkins County Jail
Address:
2250 Laffoon Trail
Madisonville, KY 42431
Phone:
270-821-6704
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Hopkins County
Does Hopkins County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Hopkins County?
Who can set bail in Hopkins County?
When is bail set in Hopkins County Kentucky?
Does Hopkins 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 Hopkins County court system.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Hopkins 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 Hopkins 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 Hopkins 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 Hopkins 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 Hopkins County Jail 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 Hopkins 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 Hopkins 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 Hopkins County court system.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Hopkins 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 Hopkins 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 Hopkins County Kentucky?
Yes, your attorney can file a request for bail adjustment with the District Court Judge assigned to the case.
In Hopkins 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 Hopkins 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 Hopkins County Jail for contact information about the jails in Hopkins County or the Clerk of Court.
What options are there to pay bail in Hopkins 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 Hopkins County Jail for more information about the jails in Hopkins 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 Hopkins 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.