Morgan County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Morgan County Bail and Pretrial Release
Most Morgan County arrestees wait for bail, bond and release in West Liberty at the Morgan County Jail (153 College Street, West Liberty, KY 41472; 606-743-4937), but the Rowan County Detention Center in Morehead (1075 S. Tolliver Rd., Morehead, KY 40351; 606-784-8457) also takes overflow, so families may need to call both. Bond is posted with the circuit clerk at the Morgan County Judicial Center, 261 Court St., West Liberty, KY 41472 (606-743-3763); Morgan, Carter and Elliott form the 37th Judicial Circuit.
How do I find the bail after a West Liberty arrest?
Start with the Morgan County Jail at 606-743-4937, giving the legal name and birth date. If the person isn't there, try Morehead at 606-784-8457, since Rowan also takes Morgan overflow. Either jail can confirm the booked charge and the bail once a judge sets it, and the clerk at 606-743-3763 knows when arraignment is.
↑ Back to the question listDoes the Morgan clerk require cash for bond?
Yes. Bond must be posted in cash. Fines are different: Morgan's clerk lets people pay those by personal check (bring your SSN, birthday and a phone number), money order, or card for a surcharge. Photo ID is needed to collect a released bond. Call 606-743-3763 to confirm the amount first.
↑ Back to the question listAre bail bondsmen available in Morgan County?
No. Whoever posts a Morgan bond hands it to the Court Street clerk (606-743-3763) in person, since commercial bail is illegal across Kentucky (KRS 431.510). The bulk of that money comes home once the file closes, as long as the defendant never missed a hearing.
↑ Back to the question listCan someone leave the county jail without paying bail?
Often. At the College Street jail (606-743-4937), a Pretrial Services officer interviews each arrestee, checks the details and scores the risk for the judge (KRS 431.515). A low score frequently means release on recognizance, while a moderate one may bring supervision (KRS 431.066). Police can issue citations for minor offenses instead of booking anyone.
↑ Back to the question listWhat bond types can a West Liberty judge set?
For a judge at the Judicial Center on Court Street (606-743-3763), choices range from recognizance and a signature-only unsecured bond to a 10 percent cash deposit (KRS 431.530), cash for every dollar, or land and buildings pledged at twice the figure (KRS 431.535). The court can let an approved relative act as surety at no cost (KRS 431.520).
↑ Back to the question listWhat does Kentucky law require when bail is set?
Morgan judges, whose rulings are filed with the clerk at 606-743-3763, must factor in ability to pay (KRS 431.525), and violation-only charges carry a presumption of release (KRS 431.062). Injury-free misdemeanors can't draw bail above the maximum fine plus costs. For listed Class D felonies, a statutory grid supplies the number (KRS 431.540), and domestic violence and sex cases require attention to victim safety (KRS 431.064). Each day held earns $100 of credit (KRS 431.066).
↑ Back to the question listWhen will bond money be returned?
Payout comes after the last hearing, as long as the defendant attended them all. A tenth stays with the clerk (five dollars at the least) and the balance is paid out; when prosecutors drop everything or jurors acquit, the clerk refunds every dollar. Money still owed on fines or restitution gets subtracted first. Bring photo ID to pick it up, and call 606-743-3763 about timing.
↑ Back to the question listWhat release conditions are common?
Morgan's judges can order the defendant to stay away from the accuser and sometimes tack on a urine screen, a GPS bracelet or weekly reporting. Skipping a West Liberty court date can result in a warrant, and 20 days after notice the bond can be forfeited (KRS 431.545). Defense counsel can ask to change conditions that can't realistically be met.
↑ Back to the question listWho handles prosecution and defense in Morgan?
The Morgan County Attorney (527 Main Street, West Liberty, KY 41472 (606-743-9548)) charges misdemeanors and opens each felony file; once indicted, those felonies belong to the 37th Circuit Commonwealth's Attorney in Sandy Hook (104 Hunter Street, Sandy Hook, KY 41171 (606-738-5494)). Morgan defendants too broke to hire counsel get the Morehead Trial Office of the Department of Public Advocacy (1225 US-60 West, Suite 104, Morehead, KY 40351; 833-514-8981). Our court guide lays out the process.
↑ Back to the question listDoes Morgan County bail settle a federal or ICE hold?
No. Before paying, ask the West Liberty jail (606-743-4937) or the Morehead jail (606-784-8457) whether a federal or ICE hold is listed. Federal charges stay with the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, 1405 Greenup Avenue, Ashland, KY 41101, 606-329-2465. If ICE has a detainer, either jail can keep someone up to 48 hours after the state lets go, and ICE's Louisville office answers at 502-625-6202. The ICE detainee locator and federal inmate locator track those cases.
↑ Back to the question listMorgan County Jail
Address:
153 College Street
West Liberty, KY 41472
Phone:
606-743-4937
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Morgan County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Morgan County?
Who can set bail in Morgan County?
When is bail set in Morgan County Kentucky?
Does Morgan 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 Morgan County court system.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Morgan 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 Morgan 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 Morgan 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 Morgan 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 Morgan 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 Morgan 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 Morgan 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 Morgan County court system.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Morgan 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 Morgan 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 Morgan County Kentucky?
Yes, your attorney can file a request for bail adjustment with the District Court Judge assigned to the case.
In Morgan 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 Morgan 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 Morgan County Jail for contact information about the jails in Morgan County or the Clerk of Court.
What options are there to pay bail in Morgan 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 Morgan County Jail for more information about the jails in Morgan 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 Morgan 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.