Iosco County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Iosco County bail and bond: the Tawas City jail and what to ask before paying
Adults arrested in Iosco County are held at the Iosco County Jail, 428 West Lake Street, Tawas City. Look up your person with Iosco County Inmate Search to see custody, charges and the bail amount. The jail number is 989-362-6164. Staff there can give status and the bond amount, but the county has not posted a payment window, so call before you bring money.
My son was arrested near Tawas. Is he in the Iosco County Jail?
Type his name into Iosco County Inmate Search. It shows custody status, the charge and the bail on record. The county jail is at 428 West Lake Street in Tawas City. If the name does not show up yet, call 989-362-6164 and ask the desk.
What can the jail tell me over the phone?
A listing for the jail says staff answer day or night, but give out only whether a person is in custody and the bond amount. They will not discuss the case. Keep the full legal name and birth date ready, and have a pen to write down the amount and the case number.
How do I pay the bond in Tawas City?
Iosco County has not published a bond window, kiosk or website in the pages reviewed. Call 989-362-6164 and ask three things: where the money goes, which forms of payment are taken, and which court's bond it is. Circuit Court matters are heard at 422 West Lake Street, 989-362-3497, so that office can also tell you who holds the paperwork.
Is putting money on the inmate's account the same as bond?
No. Deposits for phone calls, tablets and commissary are a separate service from bond. Money sent that way stays on the account and does not free the person. If a deposit was sent by mistake, ask the jail how to get it applied or returned.
How long can police keep someone before a judge looks at the case?
Michigan's rule is arraignment without unnecessary delay. For an arrest without a warrant, courts treat more than 48 hours without a judge's finding of probable cause as presumptively too long, a rule that comes from a U.S. Supreme Court decision. A judicial officer must be available every day of the year, so weekends should not stop a first appearance for long.
Will the judge start with money?
The court rule says no. The default is release on personal recognizance or an unsecured bond with the usual conditions: show up, stay in Michigan unless allowed, and commit no new crime. Extra conditions such as testing, treatment, a curfew or staying away from a named person may be added. Money comes in only if the judge states on the record why nothing else is enough.
What did the new 2026 change do to ten percent bonds?
From May 1, 2026, the Michigan Supreme Court changed Rule 6.106 so that the court may keep 10 percent of a deposit only if the case ends in a conviction under MCL 780.66. If the person is discharged without being convicted, the court must return the whole deposit. Older court web pages that say the court always keeps ten percent are out of date.
Can my driver's license be used instead of cash?
For a misdemeanor or an ordinance violation, Michigan law lets a person hand over a valid driver's license as security or as a personal recognizance condition. A receipt is given and the license is returned at trial or sentencing. Whether the judge in your case allows it is a question for the court at 989-362-3497.
What should I know before signing with a bondsman in Iosco County?
Michigan sets no bondsman price that turned up in the state's own pages. The insurance department says its licensing covers insurance producers, not bondsmen as such, and each court approves agents on its own. When a judge allows it, a surety bond is written on one quarter of the bail, not the full amount. Get every promise in writing, and report problems to DIFS at 877-999-6442.
Can the family use land or a home?
With the court's consent and proof of value, real property is a permitted form of security under the court rule. How much equity counts, and whether land outside Iosco County qualifies, is something the court sets, so ask the circuit court at 989-362-3497 before ordering an appraisal. Online guides that give a fixed multiple are not backed by state sources.
What can stop release even after the bond is paid?
A hold from another county, a warrant elsewhere or a probation or parole detainer can keep someone in. Also, a person charged while already out on bail, or with two felony convictions within five years, may be required to use a cash bond or a non-applicant surety. The jail desk can tell you if a hold is listed.
Which cases are not eligible for bail?
Under the Michigan Constitution, a court may deny bail for murder and treason, and, where the proof is evident or the presumption great, for first-degree criminal sexual conduct, armed robbery and kidnapping for ransom. It also reaches some violent felonies when the person has two earlier violent convictions in 15 years or was on release. A person held without bail is owed a trial within 90 days.
Where is a juvenile arrested in Iosco County taken?
A person under 18 cannot be kept with adult prisoners. Juvenile cases go to the family division of the 23rd Circuit Court, 989-362-3497. The pages reviewed do not name the detention center used, so ask the court which facility holds a particular young person and when the hearing is.
Who pays for a lawyer if the family cannot?
Ask the judge at the first appearance, where counsel must be offered. The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, 517-657-3066, can tell you how Iosco County provides appointed counsel.
What if the bond was paid and the person misses court?
The court may order the bond forfeited and issue an arrest warrant. The defendant gets 28 days after notice to surrender before a judgment can be entered. A surety is told within seven days. The money can sometimes be recovered if the person is found within a year and the county's costs are paid.
Key contacts for Iosco County bond questions
- County jail
- Iosco County Jail, 428 West Lake Street, Tawas City, MI 48763; 989-362-6164
- Custody lookup
- Iosco County Inmate Search
- Circuit court
- 23rd Circuit Court, 422 West Lake Street, Tawas City, MI 48764; 989-362-3497
- Bond payment
- Ask the jail line, 989-362-6164, where and how to pay
- Appointed lawyers
- Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, 517-657-3066
- Youth
- Family division of the 23rd Circuit Court, 989-362-3497
- Insurance complaints
- DIFS Consumer Assistance, 877-999-6442
Phone numbers, hours and payment practices are set by the local offices and can change. Please verify them with the jail or the court before paying anything, and ask an attorney about your specific charge.
Iosco County Jail
Address:
428 W. Lake Street
Tawas City, MI 48763
Phone:
989-362-6164
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Iosco County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Iosco County?
Who can set bail in Iosco County?
When is bail set in Iosco County Michigan?
Does Iosco County have bail?
Yes, Iosco County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Iosco County?
Iosco 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 Iosco County?
Bail is set in accordance with a bail schedule or by a judge.
When is bail set in Iosco 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 Iosco 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 Iosco 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 Iosco County 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, Iosco 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 Iosco 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 Iosco County have bail?
Yes, Iosco County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Iosco County?
Iosco 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 Iosco 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 Iosco County Michigan?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances, let the bond officer know. Your attorney can also request a bond reduction.
In Iosco 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 Iosco County Michigan?
Yes, Michigan does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Iosco County Jail for more information about the jails in Iosco County.
What options are there to pay bail in Iosco 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 Iosco County Jail for more information about posting bail in Iosco 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 Iosco 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 Iosco County 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.