Lansing Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Eaton County

Michigan • Eaton County • Bail & bond help

Eaton County bail and bond: from the Sheriff's Office in Charlotte to the courthouse on the same street

Adults arrested in Eaton County are booked by the Sheriff's Office in Charlotte, where the Eaton County Jail is listed at 1025 Independence Boulevard. Search the name on Eaton County Inmate Search to see whether the person is in custody and what bail was set. The Sheriff's Office and jail share one listed number, 517-543-3512, for anything the search leaves out.

My son was arrested near Eaton Rapids or Grand Ledge. Where is he now?

City and township officers arrest people in several places across Eaton County, and some arrests are made by another agency's officers. Ask the arresting department for its report number and where it took him. Then search Eaton County Inmate Search. If he is not listed after a few hours, call the Sheriff's Office at 517-543-3512.

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What is at 1025 Independence Boulevard?

That address is listed for both the Sheriff's Office and the county jail, in Charlotte, MI 48813. The Eaton County Courthouse is nearby at 1045 Independence Boulevard. Because the same number, 517-543-3512, is listed for both the Sheriff's Office and the jail, ask for the jail desk when you call.

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How do I find out what the court set?

Check Eaton County Inmate Search for the bail on his booking. Bail is chosen by a judge or magistrate at arraignment, so a new arrest may show no figure yet. The Probate Court at the courthouse answers at 517-543-7500, but the district court that hears criminal cases has its own line. I could not read it, so call the Sheriff's Office to learn which courtroom he will appear in.

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Where do I pay, and what hours does the window keep?

I could not read a posting guide for Eaton County, so I will not name hours or payment types. Phone 517-543-3512 and ask where bond is accepted, if that spot is open at night and on weekends, and which payment types it takes. A cash bond in a defendant's name is also applied to fines and costs first, so ask what the receipt will list.

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Can a judge send him home with no money?

Yes. Michigan Court Rule 6.106 starts with release on a written promise to appear or an unsecured bond. A judge must give reasons on the record before ordering custody or money bail. Ask for that hearing through his lawyer, because the judge also weighs his record, past court appearances, mental health and community ties.

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How does the 10 percent option work in Eaton County?

When a judge allows it, you deposit a tenth of the bail with the court, and he signs a bond for the rest. For a $2,000 bail, that is $200. The deposit can be applied to fines, costs and restitution after a conviction.

As of May 1, 2026, the court may keep 10 percent only if the case falls under MCL 780.66 and the person is convicted. Without a conviction the whole deposit returns.

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What if the judge wants a bondsman?

A court may accept a surety bond for one quarter of the full bail, written by an agent the court approves. For $8,000 bail, one quarter is $2,000, though the bondsman's own fee is separate and I found no state rule capping it. DIFS does not license bondsmen as such; agents hold insurance producer licenses. Read all terms before you sign, and report problems at 877-999-6442.

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Can somebody with two felony convictions get a 10 percent bond?

Not under the state's rules. A person who was out on bail when charged, or who has two felony convictions in the last five years, must post cash or use a non-applicant surety, according to the state court administrators' guidance on MCL 765.6a. Ask the lawyer how this applies, because the judge makes the call.

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Can I offer my home in Charlotte as the bond?

Only with the court's consent, and the judge may require proof of the home's value. I could not confirm whether property outside Eaton County is accepted. Call the Sheriff's Office at 517-543-3512 to ask who handles property bonds before you order a title search.

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Can I be kept without any bail?

In a few cases. Michigan's Constitution lets the court deny bail for murder and treason when proof is evident. It can also do so for first-degree criminal sexual conduct, armed robbery and kidnapping for extortion unless the person is shown to be no risk of flight or harm. A person with two earlier violent felony convictions in 15 years can be held too. Trial must start within 90 days or the court must hold a bail hearing.

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What if my niece is 16?

Michigan bars holding anyone under 18 in an adult jail unless sight and sound separated. The family division of the court handles youth cases. Call the Probate Court at 517-543-7500 and ask which juvenile detention center Eaton County uses and who to contact.

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Who pays for a lawyer if we cannot?

Tell the judge at the first appearance. You will fill out a form about income. I did not find an Eaton County defender phone, so ask the Probate Court clerk at 517-543-7500 to route you, or contact the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission at 517-657-3066.

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What if I am sent a message asking for payment by gift card?

No court takes that. Do not pay. Call 517-543-3512 and report it.

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What do I do if he skips a court date?

The court can revoke release, order a warrant and declare bail forfeited. The notice goes by mail, and he has 28 days to turn himself in. A bondsman is told within 7 days. If he is arrested within a year and the county's costs are paid, a judge can set the judgment aside.

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Eaton County bail contacts

Jail and Sheriff
Eaton County Jail and Sheriff's Office, listed at 1025 Independence Boulevard, Charlotte, MI 48813; 517-543-3512
Custody lookup
Eaton County Inmate Search
Courthouse
Eaton County Courthouse, 1045 Independence Boulevard, Charlotte, MI 48813
Probate Court
517-543-7500
State indigent defense
Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, 517-657-3066
Agent complaints
Department of Insurance and Financial Services, 877-999-6442

Phone numbers, hours and local procedures can be changed by the county, and judges set their own conditions. Reconfirm anything that involves money with the Sheriff's Office or the court first.

Lansing Jail

Address:
120 West Michigan Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone:
517-483-4674

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Eaton County


Does Eaton County have bail?

What kind of bonds are accepted in Eaton County?

Who can set bail in Eaton County?

When is bail set in Eaton County Michigan?

 

 

Does Eaton County have bail?

Yes,  Eaton County recognizes most types of bonds.

 

 

What kind of bonds are accepted in Eaton County?

Eaton County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.

There are four types of bail available: personal recognizance bond, cash bail, ten-percent bail, and surety bond.

 

 

Who can set bail in Eaton County?

Bail is set in accordance with a bail schedule or by a judge.

 

 

When is bail set in Eaton County Michigan?

Bail is set at the first court appearance, also known as the arraignment. In most cases this hearing is required to be held within 72 hours of arrest, unless delayed by the defense.

What is Bail?

Bail is what the arrested in Eaton County must pay or do to stay out of jail until the first court appearance. 

The agreement to bail acts as a promise that the arrested will return to court for court dates and trial. Bail usually refers to a dollar amount, but bail can also mean something that has to be done, or a condition such as reporting to an officer of the court, a curfew, restraining orders or attending a treatment program. 

Bail is usually a significant enough amount of money and/or condition that the person will be negatively impacted and has incentive to return to court and not flee. A flight risk usually means that the person would flee the area, and not necessary that they are going to take an airplane. 

If a judge in Eaton County feels that the arrested will return to court for further proceedings, the arrested could be released under a conditional release without needing to pay bail money. This is called Released on Own Recognizance, or ROR.  

Conditions for ROR might be to obey all court orders and laws, maintain contact with the lawyer, report changes in residence or have no contact with the victim. Family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court. 

If the judge or bail schedule 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 Lansing Jail until the case is resolved or goes to trial. 

Bail can be denied if the defendant did not comply with bail conditions from a previous arrest. Bail is usually denied in cases of violent offenses. 

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. Think of a bond as a loan to pay for the bail.  

The bond payment is always written to the court in your municipality, Eaton County or district directly and does not go through the defendant. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.  

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.  

Payments to a bond company are not refundable. It is a long process to get back property title or money that was given to the clerk of court or bondsperson to secure the bond. This could put your loved ones into a difficult financial situation. 

Another reason not to unnecessarily rush into securing a bond is that if the court notes that you came up with the money to pay a bond company, they may assume you have resources to pay a defense attorney and decline public defense.  

On the other hand, as anyone who has ever been involved in their criminal defense understands, fighting your case while ‘out on the streets’ gives you a much better chance of either winning, or getting a more favorable sentence.  

What are the different types of bonds in Eaton County?

Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge or bail officer will determine and notify the accused of which types of bonds are available to them.

To describe the types of bonds, let’s use an example of buying your neighbor’s car. Your neighbor decides the price of the car and how they would be paid.  

Similarly, the court (meaning a police or bail officer, clerk of court, bail magistrate or judge) determines the bail amount and how it would be paid.

Here are different options that the seller of the car or the court might consider:

You could pay full asking price for the car in cash. This is similar to paying cash bail. The full amount of bail would be paid to the town or county clerk or at the jail. Cash, cashier’s checks and credit cards are usually accepted.

You could sign an agreement on your own or with another person to pay for the car at a future date knowing that your neighbor would know where to find you if you stopped payment. This would be similar to a cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond which are bonds to 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. 

If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you. 

Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible for making sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up.

Surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.

You can put a deposit down for your neighbor’s car and sign an agreement that the car will be paid off at a later date. Cash percentage in lieu of bonds is when the defendant pays a percentage of the bail amount, usually 10%, to the court which then holds the money until the case is over. 

The amount is returned to the person who paid the 10% after the case is over. In most cases, the full amount is not returned if there are court fees or fines due. This is a type of surety bond if another person signs the bond paperwork.

You could sign an agreement that if the car were not paid off, that your neighbor would get your house or something of value. 

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 1 ½ - 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. This is another type of surety bond if another person or a bond company is used to secure the bond. 

You could also go to a local bank and take out a car loan offering property or anything of value for collateral. You may get someone to co-sign on the loan and offer their property. The bank charges fees, interest and could keep your property if you did not pay the loan back, or even on time.  

A professional bondsperson makes money, at least 10% of the bond amount by providing you with a “loan” called a bond. The percent that they charge is fixed by the state and cannot be negotiated. The defendant or surety does not get that 10% or more back even if the terms of the bail are met. 

With a property bond, the property deed would need to be signed over to the bondsperson and everyone on the deed would need to be involved. 

Since the bondsperson signed off, to be responsible that you show to court as your surety, they can send a bounty hunter to bring you to court if you flee.  A bondsperson does not have to give you a bond if the defendant seems to be too much of a risk.

Ask the bondsperson to explain all the costs: percentage, fees or court fees. There is never a reason to rush through signing the paperwork with a bond company. Make sure that everything told to you is in writing and that you understand what you are signing. Ask questions, and if you feel rushed or don’t understand the contract with the bond company, you might want to call another one.

(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. A bondsperson will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)

Does Eaton County have bail?  

Yes,  Eaton County recognizes most types of bonds.

What kind of bonds are accepted in Eaton County? 

Eaton County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.

There are four types of bail available: personal recognizance bond, cash bail, ten-percent bail, and surety bond.

Who can set bail in Eaton County?

Bail is set in accordance with a bail schedule or by a judge.

When is bail set in Michigan?

Bail is set at the first court appearance, also known as the arraignment. In most cases this hearing is required to be held within 72 hours of arrest, unless delayed by the defense.

Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Eaton County Michigan? 

Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances, let the bond officer know. Your attorney can also request a bond reduction.

In Eaton County Michigan, 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. A professional bondsperson who is approved by the State of Michigan could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.

Can bail be paid online in Eaton County Michigan?  

Yes, Michigan does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Lansing Jail for more information about the jails in Eaton County.

What options are there to pay bail in Eaton County Michigan? 

Most all jail and courts accept cash, a cashier or bankers’ check.  Some accept a credit card with fees. Please contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted. Go to the Lansing Jail for more information about posting bail in Eaton County.  

Will I get all my bond money back in Michigan? 

Bail money is returned to the person who paid the bail; in whole or in part once the case is finished. There may be fees, restitution (money to pay for damage caused by the crime) or fines that come out of that amount. If you used a bondsperson, you would not get your 10% back. Property is returned by the court or bondsperson after the appropriate requests and formal paperwork are completed with the court.

Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Eaton 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 (PR) 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. 

If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you. 

Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible to make sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up. A surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.

What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Michigan?  

The Lansing Jail or court in this jurisdiction can provide you with a list of approved and licensed bond companies, but they cannot recommend a specific company. You are not obligated to use the first company available and can call several companies to compare what kind of bonds that the bondsperson is willing to execute.  

The percentage of bail that the bond company can charge is set, usually at 10%, by the state and cannot be negotiated.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Eaton County

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Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.