Muhlenberg County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
Muhlenberg County Bail and Pretrial Release
The Muhlenberg County Detention Center, 108 Court Row, Greenville, KY 42345 (phone 270-338-2263), books Muhlenberg arrests and some from McLean County, and release on bail or bond follows payment at the circuit clerk's counter in the Judicial Building, 136 S. Main St., Greenville, KY 42345 (270-338-4850). McLean and Muhlenberg together make up the 45th Judicial Circuit.
Who can tell me the bail amount for someone held in Greenville?
The jail roster can show it, and staff at 270-338-2263 can confirm. Write down the charge, the dollar amount and the docket number before heading to South Main Street. A pretrial officer may recommend release without cash, so ask about that first.
↑ Back to the question listHow can I pay bail at the Judicial Building?
Cash, checks, money orders and online ePay are general court payment methods, so ring the circuit clerk (270-338-4850) or district clerk (270-338-0995) to make sure your choice works for a bond. Bring a photo ID.
↑ Back to the question listWill a bondsman post bail in Greenville?
No. Families in Muhlenberg take bond money to the circuit clerk (270-338-4850) on South Main Street and handle it without any middleman. No bondsmen work anywhere in Kentucky, because state law outlawed the business (KRS 431.510). The court keeps the deposit in trust and returns most of it at the end if the defendant skipped no hearings.
↑ Back to the question listWhat does pretrial screening mean for a Muhlenberg arrest?
At the Court Row jail (270-338-2263), an officer from the state's pretrial program meets each new arrestee, checks identity and records, and scores the risk (KRS 431.515). Judges use that score. Low-risk defendants can be freed on a promise to come back (KRS 431.066), while medium scores may bring supervision rather than cash.
↑ Back to the question listWhich bond types do judges here use?
Muhlenberg judges, whose orders go through the clerk at 270-338-4850, have five bond types to pick from. Own recognizance asks only for a promise, and an unsecured bond costs money only if the person skips court. A judge may also order ten percent down in cash (KRS 431.530), the full bail in cash, or land and a home put up at twice the bond (KRS 431.535).
A judge can let a relative sign as an unpaid surety (KRS 431.520).
↑ Back to the question listAre there legal caps on Kentucky bail?
A bail figure set in the Greenville Judicial Building (270-338-4850) has to fit the defendant's finances and cannot be oppressive (KRS 431.525). Jailing someone over a violation is unusual (KRS 431.062). For a misdemeanor with no injury, the bond is capped at the top fine plus costs. A state chart fixes amounts for some Class D charges (KRS 431.540). On many charges, a day in custody counts as $100 toward bail.
↑ Back to the question listHow do Muhlenberg bail refunds work?
Once every hearing has been attended and the case is done, the clerk mails back the deposit after keeping 10 percent, with a $5 minimum. Dismissed cases and acquittals get a full refund. Fines or costs still owed may be subtracted. Hold on to the receipt and call 270-338-4850 with any refund question.
↑ Back to the question listWhat conditions can come with release?
Greenville judges may bar a defendant from reaching out to the accuser, require sobriety, and add testing, electronic monitoring and reporting to pretrial staff. A missed Greenville court date brings a warrant, and forfeiture may follow 20 days after notice (KRS 431.545). Defense lawyers may ask to ease a term that keeps someone from working.
↑ Back to the question listWhich offices take part in a Greenville bail hearing?
The county attorney's office sits at 100 S. Main Street, Greenville, KY 42345, 270-338-1322. The Commonwealth's Attorney for McLean and Muhlenberg is at 110 Court Street, Greenville, KY 42345, 270-338-2240. People who cannot pay a lawyer get help from the Madisonville Trial Office (1079 Thornberry Drive, Madisonville, KY 42431; 833-254-2468), whose attorneys can argue for a lower bond. Our court guide explains each office.
↑ Back to the question listCan a Greenville bond resolve a federal case or an ICE detainer?
No. Staff at the Court Row jail (270-338-2263) know if a Marshals or immigration request rides along with the state charge, so a call before paying saves trouble. A federal case from Muhlenberg is filed at the U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky, 423 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 42301, 270-689-4400, and state bail does not touch it. An ICE detainer lets the jail hold a person 48 hours past release, and ICE's Louisville office answers at 502-625-6202. The ICE search and Bureau of Prisons locator track the person after that.
↑ Back to the question listMuhlenberg County Detention Center
Address:
108 Court Row
Greenville, KY 42345
Phone:
270-338-2263
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Muhlenberg County
Does Muhlenberg County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Muhlenberg County?
Who can set bail in Muhlenberg County?
When is bail set in Muhlenberg County Kentucky?
Does Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg County court system.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg County court system.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg County Kentucky?
Yes, your attorney can file a request for bail adjustment with the District Court Judge assigned to the case.
In Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg County Detention Center for contact information about the jails in Muhlenberg County or the Clerk of Court.
What options are there to pay bail in Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg County Detention Center for more information about the jails in Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg 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.