Mason County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Mason County bail and bond: the Ludington jail and the courthouse on Ludington Avenue
Adults arrested in Mason County are held at the Mason County Jail, 306 North Delia Street, Ludington, which the county says has 104 beds. Check custody and bail through Mason County Inmate Search. The Mason County Sheriff is Kim Cole. Money you put on the jail kiosk is not bail. For help the search cannot give, the jail line is 231-843-3475.
How do I tell if someone is in the Ludington jail tonight?
Enter the name in Mason County Inmate Search. A booking from the last hour or two may be slow to appear, so check again later. For anything the search leaves out, the jail's listed line is 231-843-3475. Because that number comes from a directory, not the sheriff's page, confirm you reached the Mason County Jail before you give out personal details.
How big is the Mason County Jail on Delia Street?
The county says the Mason County Jail holds 104 beds. It was enlarged in 1999 from 45 beds. The mailing address for inmates is 306 North Delia Street, Ludington, MI 49431. Sentenced inmates are billed room and board of $35 per day, which is a separate debt from bail.
Who is the sheriff, and where is the sheriff's office?
The county's sheriff page says Kim Cole took office on January 1, 2013, and still serves. The office is in Ludington, the county seat, but the page prints no street number for it. The only street address on that page is the historic courthouse, 304 East Ludington Avenue. The courthouse is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where do I pay bond in Mason County?
The county's jail page covers deposits to an inmate's account, not bond. The lobby kiosk, postal money orders, and approved visitors can add money for commissary, and none of that frees anyone. To post bond, call 231-843-3475 and ask whether the jail, the 79th District Court, or a bail agent takes it for your case. The court is at the Mason County Courthouse, 304 East Ludington Avenue, Ludington, MI 49431, phone 231-843-4130.
Is money on the jail kiosk the same as bail?
No. Money on an inmate's account buys phone time and snacks. It does not reduce the bail, and the inmate cannot use it to walk out. Bond must go to the place that handles court-ordered bail. If a caller asks you to buy a prepaid card to cover bond, hang up and phone the jail yourself.
When can my husband visit with family?
The county lists visits on Saturdays and Sundays only, 8 to 11 in the morning and 1 to 4:30 in the afternoon. Each visit lasts 20 minutes. Arrive 25 minutes early, and the visitor must be on the inmate's approved list. Phone calls from inmates are collect only and may be recorded, so do not discuss the case.
Does Mason County use a bail list or does the judge decide?
Michigan law has no statewide dollar schedule. The judge or magistrate at arraignment weighs the charge, past record, past court attendance, mental health, drug use, and your family and job ties. The judge must start with release on a promise to return, and may order money only after saying why on the record. If the 79th District Court has a local policy, the clerk at 231-843-4130 can explain it.
What are the choices if money bail is set?
The court can accept a cash deposit of 10 percent of the bail, if it allows that form, or a bond from an approved agent for one quarter of the bail, or the full amount in cash. A driver's license may stand in for cash on a misdemeanor or ordinance case, and the clerk gives a receipt. A person with two recent felony convictions, or one who was out on bail when charged, may be limited to a cash bond or a bond from someone who is not a bail agent.
Can a bail agent post bond and what do they charge?
Agents are insurance producers, and the insurance regulator says it does not license them as bondsmen. The court must also approve the agent. The regulator's guidance lists no set fee, so ask for the price and every condition in writing. A complaint goes to the regulator at 877-999-6442, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or to the chief judge.
Can I use my land or house as security?
A judge must agree. The court may want proof of what the property is worth. Whether it has to lie inside Mason County is a question for the clerk, so ask first and in advance. Cash is much faster.
What does it mean if the judge denies bail?
Michigan allows it for murder, treason, first-degree sexual conduct, armed robbery, and kidnapping for extortion, when the proof is evident or the presumption great, and for some repeat violent offenders. In those cases there is a custody hearing if either side asks. Trial should start within 90 days or the judge must set bail.
What if he is arrested late on Friday?
A judge or magistrate has to be reachable every day of the year for felony arraignments, and a person held without a warrant generally cannot wait more than 48 hours for a judge to review the arrest. On a minor charge, an officer or the jail may accept a small interim bond until a court date, set between a fraction of the minimum fine and the maximum fine.
Who helps if we cannot afford a lawyer?
Ask the judge for appointed counsel at the first hearing. A financial form decides eligibility. The state's Indigent Defense Commission can point you to the county's system at 517-657-3066, and the 79th District Court clerk is at 231-843-4130.
Where is a juvenile held if arrested in Mason County?
A person under 18 cannot be held with adult prisoners in the Mason County Jail, under the Raise the Age laws in effect since October 1, 2021. Call the court at 231-843-4130 and ask which youth detention center takes Mason County children.
Mason County bail contacts
- Jail
- Mason County Jail, 306 North Delia Street, Ludington, MI 49431, 231-843-3475
- Sheriff
- Kim Cole
- Custody lookup
- Mason County Inmate Search
- District court
- 79th District Court, Mason County Courthouse, 304 East Ludington Avenue, Ludington, MI 49431, 231-843-4130
- Public defense
- Indigent Defense Commission, 517-657-3066
- Juvenile
- Ask the court at 231-843-4130 which youth center holds Mason County children
- Insurance complaints
- 877-999-6442
Hours, fees, and phone numbers shift, and judges can order what they like. Before sending cash, confirm with the jail or the court clerk. This is a guide for families, not advice from a lawyer.
Mason County Jail
Address:
306 North Delia Street
Ludington, MI 49431
Phone:
231-843-3475
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Mason County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Mason County?
Who can set bail in Mason County?
When is bail set in Mason County Michigan?
Does Mason County have bail?
Yes, Mason County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Mason County?
Mason 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 Mason County?
Bail is set in accordance with a bail schedule or by a judge.
When is bail set in Mason 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 Mason 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 Mason 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 Mason 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, Mason 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 Mason 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 Mason County have bail?
Yes, Mason County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Mason County?
Mason 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 Mason 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 Mason County Michigan?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances, let the bond officer know. Your attorney can also request a bond reduction.
In Mason 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 Mason County Michigan?
Yes, Michigan does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Mason County Jail for more information about the jails in Mason County.
What options are there to pay bail in Mason 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 Mason County Jail for more information about posting bail in Mason 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 Mason 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 Mason 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.