St. Tammany Parish Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

St. Tammany Parish Jail

Address:
1200 Champagne Street
Covington, LA 70433

Phone:

985-276-1000

Paying an Inmate's Bail or Bond in St. Tammany Parish

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff recommends that you use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in St. Tammany Parish.

  • You can pay a cash bond yourself, or use your home in St. Tammany Parish, or in some cases the state of Louisiana, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in St. Tammany Parish, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
  • The typical fee for a bond will be between 10-20% of the bail amount; usually 15%.  So if an offender has a bail of $10,000.00, their bond will be $1500.00.

Call 985-276-1000 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the St. Tammany Parish inmate locator.


 

Who do I call to find out the Bond for an Inmate?

Please call the jail at 985-276-1000 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at St. Tammany Parish Jail.
A bond is set according to a court-approved schedule.
The purpose of the bond is to assure the offender's appearance in court.

Instructions on how to post Bail or Bond in St. Tammany Parish

Because St. Tammany Parish and Louisiana can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the St. Tammany Parish Jail at 985-276-1000, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, right after an arrestee has been booked. 

Ask the staff at the St. Tammany Parish Jail or the St. Tammany Parish Court Clerk these specific questions:

  1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
  2. How much will the bail or bond be, and what are the additional fees?
  3. Where do I go to pay it?
  4. Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
  5. What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
  6. Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?

If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released. 

This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.

Option 1 - How to Post Bail using Cash for a Defendant at St. Tammany Parish Jail

The first option, a cash bond, is to pay the full bail amount in cash, cashier's check, or money order. Personal Checks are not accepted.

Depending on the crime, this amount could be anywhere from $100 to $75,000 or more.

To pay a cash bond, go to St. Tammany Parish Jail or to the court where the bail hearing occurred. Going directly to the jail will quicken the release of the defendant as any bail paperwork processed at the court will have to be transferred to the jail.

Cashier's Checks and Money Orders may be made out to St. Tammany Parish Jail where the defendant is being held, but usually to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office or to the St. Tammany Parish Court.

To purchase money orders visit any Western Union, Moneygram or Post Office.

Option 2 - How to Post a Private or Surety Bond for a Defendant at St. Tammany Parish Jail

In the event that someone does not have the full bond amount available to him or her, there is what is called a private bond or surety bond.

This is an agreement made with a bail agent or bondsman who will post the full bail amount. In return, the defendant and/or cosigner will pay a premium to the bail agent. This premium will be 10-15% of the full bail amount.



For example, if bail is posted at $5,000, then the premium will cost approximately $500-$750.

A bail agent will often require some form of collateral, for example, a lien on a house, a car or jewelry. This is to ensure that if the defendant skips bail, or does not appear in court, the bail agent has some sort of compensation for the full bail amount being paid.

Remember, by making an agreement with a bail agent the signatory takes responsibility for paying the full bail amount if the defendant does not appear in court.

Option 3 - How to Post a Property Bond for a Defendant at St. Tammany Parish Jail

If you are a landowner in St. Tammany Parish you may be able to post a property bond. Property within St. Tammany Parish may be used as collateral to bail someone out. All owners of the property must be present to sign the bond in order for this to happen.

To find if property located outside of St. Tammany Parish can be used as collateral, call a local bail or bond agent or contact a defense lawyer.

Click here for additional information on how to post bail at St. Tammany Parish Jail.

Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at St. Tammany Parish Jail?

Anyone over the age of 18 who can produce a valid government-issued photo ID can post bail. Accepted forms of ID include a Photo Driver's License, Passport, or Motor Vehicle issued ID.

In many circumstances, if the defendant has the resources, they can post their own cash bail from jail.

Surety Bonds are arranged by a third party, typically a Louisiana state licensed Bail Bond firm.

Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.

St. Tammany Parish Justice System Flowchart

When will the Cash Bail or Collateral be returned to me?

Money or collateral will not be returned until the defendant's court case is finished, so realistically it could take several months to years, depending on the severity of the charges. If a defendant posts his or her own bail, St. Tammany Parish Court may retain whatever amount of fines or fees have accumulated throughout the trial.

What happens to my Bail or Collateral if the Defendant misses Court?

The St. Tammany Parish Judge may order a failure to appear warrant for the person's arrest or the Judge may order a Bail Commissioner's Letter be issued that will be sent to the person with a new court date.

If cash bail was paid, the entire amount may be forfeited.

St. Tammany Parish Bail Bond Information

Because St. Tammany Parish and Louisiana can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the St. Tammany Parish Jail at 985-276-1000, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, and do this right after an arrestee has been booked. 

Ask the staff at the St. Tammany Parish Jail or the St. Tammany Parish Court Clerk these specific questions:

  1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
  2. How much will the bail or bond be, and what are the additional fees?
  3. Where do I go to pay it?
  4. Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
  5. What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
  6. Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?

If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released. 

This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.


 

St. Tammany Parish Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The St. Tammany Parish Jail allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature.

Envelopes
The St. Tammany Parish Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates.

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
JailATM-St. Tammany Parish Jail-Louisiana
2252 Tower Drive Suite 108-251
Monroe, La 71201



Legal Mail

Send all legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
St. Tammany Parish Jail
Dorm #, Cell #
P.O. Box 3135
Covington, Louisiana 70434



Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The St. Tammany Parish Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as AmazonBarnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address below.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the St. Tammany Parish Jail standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.


All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
St. Tammany Parish Jail
Dorm #, Cell #
P.O. Box 3135
Covington, Louisiana 70434


 

How to Deposit Money into an Inmate's Account in St. Tammany Parish Jail

To deposit money into the account of an inmate in St. Tammany Parish, follow these instructions:

  • Create an account with Touchpay Services, a GTL company.
  • Select Louisiana.
  • Select St. Tammany Parish Jail
  • Enter the Inmate ID of your inmate.  This can be found by calling 985-276-1000 or by looking up the inmate's name in the Inmate Search link.
  • Enter your billing information and send money.
  • You can also deposit cash using the kiosk at the St. Tammany Parish Jail.  To do this you need the Inmate's ID Number and the Facility Locator Number for St. Tammany Parish.

For all the information you need regarding making an inmate deposit, what it costs, how much you can send, how long it takes for your inmate to receive funds and more, and to get the Facility Locator Number, check out our Send Money Page.


 

How to Email an Inmate at St. Tammany Parish Jail

Using Jail ATM Digital Messaging with an Inmate at St. Tammany Parish Jail - Sending and Receiving Messages.



How It Works:

Once you sign up with Jail ATM instant Messaging you can you can send texts from the cell phone associated with the mobile number you provided at sign-up, and receive text messages from the inmate on the same cell phone. You can only use the phone number you signed up with or it won't work.

To learn more about this email service, check out our full instructions, including fees at our emailing and texting page.


 

How to visit an inmate in St. Tammany Parish Louisiana using Remote Video Visitation 

To visit an inmate in St. Tammany Parish follow these steps:

  • In addition to visiting inmates at the jail, St. Tammany Parish Jail uses a video visitation service called JailATM.
  • In order to visit with your inmate online or at the St. Tammany Parish Jail Video Kiosk, you must first register with JailATM.
  • Once you register, choose the option for 'Video Calls' or Video Visits and you will be prompted for the information required, which will include copies of your state issued ID and more. 
  • Note: While JailATM also offers the following inmate services, St. Tammany Parish Jail may or may not allow all of them. Check on the JailATM website to confirm.
  • Services available through JailATM are subject to change with no notice.
    1.  You Can Send Money
         St. Tammany Parish Jail may have an agreement with JailATM so that you can deposit money online or using the kiosk in the St. Tammany Parish Jail lobby.
    2.  You Can Send Gift Packs
         St. Tammany Parish Jail may have an agreement with JailATM, which ships predetermined Gift Packs of candy, snacks and hygiene products to your inmate. Check the JailATM website to see if they allow these to be sent to your inmate.
    3.  You Can Email Inmate
         St. Tammany Parish Jail may have an agreement with JailATM which handles secure messaging between you and your inmate. Check the JailATM website to see if they allow emailing your inmate.
  • Customer Support: 877-810-0914.

For full instructions on all the benefits of using JailATM to visit a St. Tammany Parish inmate, visiting an inmate at the jail itself, rates, policies, rules, dress codes, bringing children, attorney and clergy visits and more, go to our official Visit Inmate Page. 


 

How Does an Inmate Make Phone Calls in St. Tammany Parish Jail?

To receive phone calls from an inmate in St. Tammany Parish follow these instructions:

St. Tammany Parish Jail uses the services of NCIC for inmate phone calling. It is called a ‘friends & family account”.

In order to receive phone calls from your inmate, you need to do the following:

  • Register here, or by phone 800-943-2189
  • Choose Louisiana.
  • Choose St. Tammany Parish Jail
  • Select your Inmate.
  • Enter the phone number your Inmate will be calling.
  • Fund your Account. ($10-$100 at a time)

NOTE:
1.   You cannot receive any calls to your phone number from your inmate until both you and your phone number are registered.
2.  When you do receive a call, the number you will view on your phone from the incoming call is: 800-943-2189.
3.  When allowed by St. Tammany Parish Jail, families can also leave secure voicemails for inmates to listen to.

Fees

  • Adding funds to your account - $3.00 
  • Cost of phone call of a Prepaid Collect Account - $0.21 per minute
  • Cost of an interstate (ex. Louisiana to a different state) phone call NOT Prepaid - $0.25 per minute
  • Cost of an intrastate (ex. Louisiana to Louisiana) phone call NOT Prepaid - $0.25 per minute
  • Cost if you set up your account (or fund it) by phone using a live agent, you will be charged a one-time fee of $5.95.

NCIC Customer Service
Phone - 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069
Email – [email protected]
Full list of participating jails.

For all the information regarding phone calls with St. Tammany Parish inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, fees, limits and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.


 

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in St. Tammany Parish

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in St. Tammany Parish Jail follow these steps:

  • Select Louisiana, then select St. Tammany Parish Jail, and then select the 'Send a Package Order' option.
  • Register and create an account with Access Securepak, for St. Tammany Parish.
  • Choose the inmate and the products you want shipped to them, and input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in St. Tammany Parish at any one time.

For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in St. Tammany Parish Jail check out our Commissary Instructions Page for St. Tammany Parish.


 

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