Madison County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
Madison County Bail and Pretrial Release
This page covers bail, bonds and release after an arrest in Richmond, Berea or anywhere in Madison County. The county's own jail is the Madison County Detention Center, 107 West Irvine Street, Richmond, KY 40475, 859-624-4710; its office is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some people are held as overflow at the Three Forks Regional Jail in Lee County. Wherever the person sits, the circuit clerk in the Madison County Courthouse, 101 West Main Street, Richmond, KY 40475, 859-624-4713, accepts bond.
Which jail holds Madison arrests?
The Madison County Detention Center at 107 West Irvine Street, Richmond, KY 40475 is the county's own jail and the first stop after booking. When it is short of beds, people may be moved to the Three Forks Regional Jail as overflow. Either way the bond process is the same, and the Madison jail at 859-624-4710 can say where someone is.
↑ Back to the question listHow can I find out the bond?
Search the jail roster for the name, then call 859-624-4710 during office hours to check the bond and any hold. If the person was sent to Beattyville as overflow, the roster or the Madison jail can confirm that. Keep the booking number handy for every call.
↑ Back to the question listWhere is bond paid?
Bond goes to the Madison circuit clerk's office in the Madison County Courthouse, 101 West Main Street, Richmond, KY 40475, 859-624-4713. The clerk takes several payment types for fines. Bring a photo ID and ask for a receipt that shows the case number.
↑ Back to the question listAre bail agents allowed?
No. In Madison County you deal with the circuit clerk at the courthouse, 101 West Main Street, Richmond, KY 40475 (859-624-4713), directly, because Kentucky law outlaws for-profit bail bonding (KRS 431.510). There is no fee to an agent, and money posted is returned at the end once all hearings were attended, less any costs the judge orders.
↑ Back to the question listHow does pretrial screening work?
After booking at the Madison County Detention Center on West Irvine Street (859-624-4710), pretrial staff ask a short set of questions and assess risk (KRS 431.515). Low-risk defendants are commonly freed without posting money (KRS 431.066). The judge sees the score before deciding, often within a day of the arrest.
↑ Back to the question listWhat bond choices does a judge have?
A Madison judge can release the person on their word, or on a bond that costs nothing unless the person fails to appear. Stricter choices are a 10 percent cash deposit (KRS 431.530), full cash, or putting up real property (KRS 431.535).
The order says which one applies.
↑ Back to the question listHow is the amount set?
The judge at the Madison County Courthouse in Richmond sets the amount, and the circuit clerk (859-624-4713) can give it to a caller. That judge must weigh what the person can afford (KRS 431.525). Violation-only charges rarely lead to jail time before trial (KRS 431.062). A uniform schedule sets bail for many low-level felonies (KRS 431.540), and victims come first in domestic cases (KRS 431.064). For many charges, a $100 credit toward bail builds up for each day the person sits in jail.
↑ Back to the question listWhat release terms are common?
Terms might include home monitoring, testing or no contact. The jail also offers home incarceration for some people. A missed date leads to a warrant and bond forfeiture 20 days after notice (KRS 431.545), so update your address with the clerk.
↑ Back to the question listWho handles the case in court?
Madison and Clark make up the 25th Judicial Circuit. The county attorney is at 135 West Irvine Street, Suite 202, Richmond, KY 40475 (859-624-4777); the Commonwealth's Attorney is at 101 North First Street, Richmond, KY 40475 (859-624-4728). Ask the court for the Richmond Trial Office of the public defender (116 North Second Street, Richmond, KY 40475; 833-895-0580) if you cannot hire counsel. That lawyer may ask for a bond review.
↑ Back to the question listDo federal or ICE holds affect bail?
Yes. The jail holds federal and state inmates as well as county ones. Federal cases go to the Lexington court, the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, 101 Barr Street, Lexington, KY 40507, 859-233-2503. An ICE hold may add up to 48 hours past release, so ask the jail first. See the ICE finder, the federal prison locator or our court guide.
↑ Back to the question listUsing GTL/gettingout to make bail payments
How to make a bail payment using gettingout.com/Viapath
- gettingout.com/Viapath assists you in using their banking system to make bail payment for your inmate.
- You can call them at 866-516-0115.
- Gettingout, also known as Viapath, limits your 24 hour online deposit to $3,000.00. So if the bail is higher, it may take multiple deposits over the same number of days.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Madison County
Does Madison County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Madison County?
Who can set bail in Madison County?
When is bail set in Madison County Kentucky?
Does Madison 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 Madison County court system.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison County court system.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison County Kentucky?
Yes, your attorney can file a request for bail adjustment with the District Court Judge assigned to the case.
In Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison County Detention Center for contact information about the jails in Madison County or the Clerk of Court.
What options are there to pay bail in Madison 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 Madison County Detention Center for more information about the jails in Madison 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 Madison 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.