Magoffin County bail and bond: the Paintsville regional jail and the Salyersville clerk
Magoffin County does not run a jail of its own. The county belongs to the four-county authority that runs the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville, with Johnson, Lawrence, and Martin, so people arrested in Salyersville are held in another county. Use Magoffin County Inmate Search to see whether your person is booked and what the bail is. The jail desk in Paintsville answers at 606-297-5245. The circuit clerk, Tonya Ward, takes court money at the Magoffin County Justice Center and answers at 606-349-2215.
Where is my brother held if he was arrested in Salyersville?
Magoffin County sends adult prisoners to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, 904 Third Street, Paintsville, one of four member counties that share it. A 2026 news report from Paintsville confirms Magoffin sits on the jail board with Johnson, Lawrence, and Martin.
Look for him on Magoffin County Inmate Search. If the search is empty, call 606-297-5245 and ask whether he was booked there or is still with the arresting agency.
How do I learn what bail was set?
The booking record on Magoffin County Inmate Search shows an amount when one exists. Plenty of people never get a dollar figure because Pretrial Services can release them on a promise to appear.
For an amount that is missing, ask the Paintsville desk at 606-297-5245, or call the Magoffin circuit clerk at 606-349-2215 to see whether a judge has acted.
Where in Salyersville is bond money accepted?
The clerk's office is in the Magoffin County Justice Center, 100 East Maple Street, Salyersville, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A second clerk line is 606-349-4050.
Evenings and weekends are the hard part. The jail does not post a bond window schedule, so call the Paintsville desk before you drive and ask who can take a payment at that hour.
What payment does the clerk accept?
The state's Magoffin County page says cash is required for a bond. Other court fees can be paid by check, money order, or credit or debit card with a fee, and ePay is open online.
Bring photo ID and the full legal name. Keep the receipt. A check will not work for a bond.
Is there a chart of bail amounts by charge in Magoffin County?
No chart of dollar amounts turned up for this county. Kentucky has no statewide chart either; the Supreme Court's release order works from a risk score and a list of eligible offenses.
A judge or trial commissioner chooses the figure for each person, so do not trust a number a friend heard about a similar case.
Can he get out without putting up money?
Pretrial Services runs around the clock in every Kentucky county. A specialist interviews arrested people within 24 hours, checks their record, and scores the chance of a missed court date or new offense.
People who score low or moderate on many non-violent misdemeanors and some Class D felonies can sign a promise to appear and go home. A person who says no to the interview waits for a judge. Drug felonies rated moderate on either scale are not eligible.
How does a ten percent deposit work, and can jail days count?
A court may take a cash deposit of one tenth of the bond, never under $10. It does not apply to scheduled amounts for traffic, boating, or fish and wildlife offenses.
Kentucky also gives $100 of credit for each day or part of a day held after booking (KRS 431.066), until the credit covers the bail. The credit does not apply to people convicted of certain sex and violent offenses, or to someone the judge finds is a flight risk or a danger.
Can we post land or a house?
Yes, if it is Kentucky real estate worth at least twice the bail, with free equity. The owner signs a sworn schedule listing the legal description, debts, and ownership. It must say the property was not used for bail in Kentucky in the last 12 months, apart from exceptions for the defendant's own land and certain relatives.
The circuit clerk sends a certified copy to the county clerk where the property is. The Commonwealth keeps a lien until the case is over. Ask the Magoffin clerk at 606-349-2215 for the forms first.
Is a paid bondsman the answer for Magoffin families?
Be careful. KRS 431.510 describes a bail bondsman as a for-profit person or business, and it bars giving bail or surety for pay outside a licensed bondsman's business. Charitable bail groups cannot bail anyone for $5,000 or more, or anyone accused of a violent offense or domestic violence.
We do not suggest hiring one. Try Pretrial Services, the ten percent deposit, and jail credit, and ask the clerk what your judge allows.
Which court sees him first, and how fast?
Magoffin County cases go through the Justice Center in Salyersville. District Court deals with misdemeanors and the first step in felonies. A grand jury and Circuit Court take over later for felonies.
Pretrial Services must give a judge or trial commissioner its recommendation within 24 hours of booking. A person still held after 24 hours because release terms cannot be met can ask for a review, and a judge who refuses to change them must put the reason in writing.
Why might he be held with no bail at all?
The constitution lets a court refuse bail in capital cases when the proof is evident or the presumption great. Charges of assault, sexual offenses, or violating a protective order bring a judge's review of danger to the victim before release.
Other reasons are a probation or parole warrant, an arrest from another state, a new arrest while already on release, or a missed court date. Public drunkenness holds are brief. Someone arrested for a first drunk-driving offense stays at least 6 hours.
Who handles an arrest by the sheriff or state police?
The Magoffin County Sheriff, Carson Montgomery, can be reached at 606-349-2914. Deputies and state troopers arrest in the county, then take adults to the Paintsville regional jail. We found no city lockup in the county.
Ask the arresting officer for a report number, because it will help the jail find the booking.
What happens to a teenager who is picked up?
A juvenile case is separate from the adult search. Kentucky law lets the court hold a child accused of a public offense for up to 48 hours, not counting weekends and holidays, before a detention hearing, and 24 hours for a status offense. Capital offenses and Class A or B felonies can bring secure detention until the next court date.
The state's regional centers take youth from every county. Breathitt in Jackson is a boys' center in eastern Kentucky, and Boyd in Ashland takes girls. The court-designated worker and the clerk at 606-349-2215 can tell you where a child is.
Can we get a free lawyer?
The Department of Public Advocacy's Prestonsburg Trial Office covers Magoffin, Floyd, Johnson, and Martin counties. It is at 123 East Court Street, Prestonsburg, phone 833-895-0579.
At his first appearance, tell the judge the family needs an appointed lawyer. A lawyer can press for a lower amount or a release with conditions.
What if federal agents made the arrest?
Magoffin County lies in the Eastern District of Kentucky, which sits at Pikeville, Ashland, Lexington, and other cities. A federal case follows federal bail rules, not the county's.
Those prisoners show up in the federal inmate locator, not in the county search. Ask the federal court clerk or a court-appointed lawyer about release.
Is a jail account deposit the same as paying bail?
No. Money for phone calls or commissary does not free anyone. Be wary of calls demanding gift cards or app payments right now to release a relative. Call 606-297-5245 yourself and ask.
Magoffin County contacts
- Jail
- Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, 904 Third Street, Paintsville, KY 41240, 606-297-5245
- Custody lookup
- Magoffin County Inmate Search
- Circuit clerk
- Tonya Ward, Magoffin County Justice Center, 100 East Maple Street, Salyersville, KY 41465; 606-349-2215 or 606-349-4050; Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sheriff
- Carson Montgomery, Salyersville; 606-349-2914
- Jailer
- Bryan Montgomery is the elected Magoffin County jailer, P.O. Box 430, Salyersville
- Public defense
- Prestonsburg Trial Office, 123 East Court Street, Prestonsburg; 833-895-0579
- Youth detention
- State regional centers: Breathitt (Jackson) for boys, Boyd (Ashland) for girls
- Pretrial Services
- Court of Justice statewide office, 502-573-2350
Amounts, hours, and numbers can change, and the judge on your case may order something different. Confirm with the clerk before paying anyone.