Beltrami County Adult Corrections Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
Beltrami County bail and bond: the Bemidji jail and the new jail on the way
Adults arrested in Beltrami County are held at the Beltrami County Jail, 626 Minnesota Avenue NW in Bemidji. Sheriff Jason Riggs runs it. Use Beltrami County Inmate Search to see if the person is in custody, the charges, and the bail amount. The county is also building a new jail, so confirm the address before you go. The sheriff's office line is 218-333-9111.
Is my relative in the Bemidji jail?
Search the name on Beltrami County Inmate Search. It shows custody status and bail when a judge has set one. New bookings can take time to appear.
If the search cannot answer, call the sheriff's office at 218-333-9111. Some websites call the same building the Beltrami County Adult Corrections Center.
Is the Beltrami County jail moving to Pioneer Street?
A new jail is planned. The county board voted on November 15, 2022 to go ahead, and the new building is being designed and built at 815 Pioneer Street. The county is still weighing what to do with the old building at 626 Minnesota Avenue NW.
Until the county says the move is done, go to Minnesota Avenue. Phone 218-333-9111 to confirm the front door before you drive.
Why is Beltrami building a new jail?
The Minnesota Department of Corrections issued a Notice of Deficiency to the current jail, effective September 30, 2019, calling for large investments. The department's 2026 inspection lists 132 approved beds, with about 119 treated as the working number.
Visits and transfers can change as the project moves forward, so call ahead.
How soon will a Beltrami County judge hear the case?
Under Minnesota's rule the first appearance must come within 36 hours of arrest, with the arrest day, Sundays, and legal holidays left out. The probable-cause check has its own 48-hour limit, counting every day.
A person charged only with a misdemeanor who is not seen in time must be let out on a citation.
How do I post bail in Bemidji?
Beltrami's county pages do not publish a window, hours, or payment types. Call the sheriff at 218-333-9111 and ask three things: the exact amount, the case number, and where money is taken that day.
State law has the judge order cash bail deposited with the court administrator. Bring photo ID and keep the receipt.
What will a bondsman charge in Beltrami County?
A bail bond agent must hold a Commerce license and court approval. The fee is the surety's filed rate, never below $100. The statute names no percentage, so ask for it in writing.
An agent who takes collateral must give a numbered receipt and return it within 21 days of proof the case ended.
Can I use land near Bemidji to secure a Beltrami bond?
The rules allow security other than cash, but Beltrami's pages say nothing about property. Call the sheriff at 218-333-9111 and ask which office reviews land or a home, and whether the property must sit in the county. A bondsman cannot take a quitclaim deed as collateral, and any non-cash collateral may be sold only after 30 days' certified-mail notice.
What will bail be for a typical Beltrami charge?
There is no statewide schedule in Minnesota, and judicial policy tells courts not to rely on preset ones. A judge looks at the facts, the record, and ties to the community.
A judge can also release with no money at all. Your best source for the real number is Beltrami County Inmate Search after the first hearing.
Why does a Beltrami record show no bail or a hold?
Possible reasons: no judge has acted, a probation hold, or a warrant from another county. Minnesota has no death penalty, so bail is a right in every case, yet a judge may limit release when safety is a concern.
For a domestic assault arrest the judge reviews the facts and may order no contact and a firearms turn-in.
Where is a Beltrami County teenager taken?
The Beltrami jail has no juvenile hold authority, according to the state inspection, so a youth cannot be kept there. One regional detention center on the state's juvenile list is the Northwestern Minnesota Juvenile Center. Juvenile records are private. Call the sheriff at 218-333-9111 and ask exactly where the youth is.
What if tribal police or a city officer made the arrest?
Ask the arresting agency for its name and a report number, then search Beltrami County Inmate Search under the person's full name. If the name still does not appear, give the sheriff's office both the agency and the date.
Court dates always come from whichever court has the case.
Who is the free lawyer if we cannot hire one?
The court appoints a public defender to people who qualify, in cases where jail is possible. Ask at the first hearing, or use the state public defender page. The family cannot choose the lawyer. No district office phone is posted on Beltrami's pages, so ask the sheriff's office at 218-333-9111 for the court administration number.
What happens if a Beltrami County defendant misses court?
If someone misses a Beltrami hearing, the court can order the bond forfeited and issue a warrant. The court must give the bondsman notice within 30 days, and a judge may forgive part of the penalty in some cases. Call your lawyer and the bondsman right away. A bondsman can also bring the person to court under state law, with a hearing on discharge. Sheriff's dispatch at 218-333-9111 can tell you if a warrant has been entered.
Does cash bail come back in Beltrami County?
Yes, usually. Cash bail belongs to the defendant. The court holds the money to the end of the case. A judge may apply it to a fine or restitution, then pay the rest to the defendant or to someone named in writing. Bondsman fees are not returned. Keep the receipt from Beltrami's court administrator and the case number in one folder.
How do I avoid a bail scam in the Bemidji area?
Never pay by gift card or an app to someone who phones you. A deputy or clerk will not ask for that. Look up the sheriff yourself and call 218-333-9111.
Bondsmen may not walk the jail looking for clients.
Will someone from corrections interview my relative before court?
For some charges, such as crimes of violence and certain domestic assault cases, state law has the local corrections department prepare a pretrial bail evaluation before the first hearing. It can include a financial statement if the person asks for a lawyer. The judge reads it.
The form carries no bail amount. If your relative is asked questions, they should answer truthfully and ask the lawyer later about what was written.
Beltrami County bail and bond contacts
- County jail
- Beltrami County Jail, 626 Minnesota Avenue NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
- Bond guide
- Jail bail and bond guide
- Custody lookup
- Beltrami County Inmate Search
- Sheriff
- Jason Riggs; 218-333-9111
- New jail site
- 815 Pioneer Street, Bemidji (under construction)
- Public defense
- Ask at the first hearing or call 218-333-9111
- Juvenile
- No youth hold at the jail; ask the sheriff at 218-333-9111
Numbers, hours, and the jail's location may change as the new building opens. Always confirm with the sheriff before paying.
Beltrami County Adult Corrections Center
Address:
626 Minnesota Ave NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
Phone:
218-333-4189
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Beltrami County
Does Beltrami County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Beltrami County?
Who can set bail in Beltrami County?
When is bail set in Beltrami County Minnesota?
Does Beltrami County have bail?
Yes, Beltrami County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Beltrami County?
Beltrami County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Minnesota offers several types of pre-trial release including unconditional, conditional, or cash/surety bail.
Who can set bail in Beltrami County?
Depending on the charge(s) bail may be set according to a bail schedule or at the discretion of the judge.
When is bail set in Beltrami County Minnesota?
Bail is set at the defendant’s first court hearing, or arraignment. State law requires this hearing be scheduled within 48 hours of arrest, except for weekends or holidays.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Beltrami 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 Beltrami 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 Beltrami County Adult Corrections Center 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, Beltrami 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 Beltrami 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 Beltrami County have bail?
Yes, Beltrami County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Beltrami County?
Beltrami County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Minnesota offers several types of pre-trial release including unconditional, conditional, or cash/surety bail.
Who can set bail in Beltrami County?
Depending on the charge(s) bail may be set according to a bail schedule or at the discretion of the judge.
When is bail set in Minnesota?
Bail is set at the defendant’s first court hearing, or arraignment. State law requires this hearing be scheduled within 48 hours of arrest, except for weekends or holidays.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Beltrami County Minnesota?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances, let the bond officer know. Your attorney can also request a bond reduction.
In Beltrami County Minnesota, 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 Minnesota could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Beltrami County Minnesota?
Yes, Beltrami County does offer online bail payment. Contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Beltrami County Adult Corrections Center for more information about the jails in Beltrami County.
What options are there to pay bail in Beltrami County Minnesota?
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 Beltrami County Adult Corrections Center for more information about posting bail in Beltrami County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Minnesota?
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 Beltrami 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 Minnesota?
The Beltrami County Adult Corrections Center 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.