Chippewa County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Chippewa County bail and bond: what to do after an arrest in Montevideo
If someone was arrested in Chippewa County, start with Chippewa County Inmate Search. It shows whether the person is in custody and how much bail was set. The Sheriff's Office sits inside the courthouse at 629 N. 11th Street, Suite 14, Montevideo. We could not confirm which building holds prisoners, so this page speaks of the jail that serves Chippewa County and tells you whom to ask. Read more on the county jail listing.
Court happens in the same building. Court Administration answers at 320-269-7774 on weekdays.
Where do I look first when a Chippewa County arrest happens late at night?
Search the name at Chippewa County Inmate Search. If nothing appears, call the Sheriff's Office after-hours voice line at 320-269-2121. The office says its service runs around the clock every day, while the administrative desk works weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Give the full name and birth date, and ask which agency made the arrest.
Does Chippewa County keep prisoners in Montevideo?
The Sheriff's Office listing does not describe a jail, and we did not confirm a bed count. Some small Minnesota counties send prisoners to another county's jail and pay by the day. Do not guess. Ask the sheriff's line, 320-269-2121, where your person sleeps tonight, and write down the answer with the name of the person who gave it.
What are the courthouse hours for bail paperwork?
Chippewa County District Court is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 629 N. 11th Street. Free public parking is on site. The court's page links to fine and fee payments but does not list bail. Call 320-269-7774 and ask whether bail is taken at the court counter or at the jail, and which forms of payment each one accepts.
How do I find my brother's hearing on the court calendar?
The court posts its calendar by 7:00 a.m. on each business day and updates it hourly. Confidential cases and ones that cannot be viewed remotely may not appear, so a missing name does not mean the hearing was canceled. Call 320-269-7774 to confirm the time and room.
Who is the court administrator, and what can that person tell me?
Lindsay Listul is listed as the Chippewa County court administrator. Staff can tell you the next date, the judge, and whether a bail order is on file. They cannot give legal advice or lower the amount. Only a judge can change bail, and a lawyer usually makes the request.
How long before a judge sets bail?
Within 36 hours of arrest if the person stays in custody, with the day of arrest, Sundays, and holidays left out of the count. Rule 4.02 adds that a misdemeanor suspect still waiting after that time goes home on a citation. A judge must also find probable cause within 48 hours of arrest, counting weekends.
Can he come home without paying bail?
Maybe. The rule says to start with release on a promise to appear or an unsecured bond. A judge who worries about safety or missed court can set the least restrictive limits that will work, and may add money. A judge can write two choices, for example a higher cash amount with no conditions or a lower one with conditions, and the family picks.
What is the bondsman premium for a Chippewa County bond?
Minnesota bail agents must be licensed by the Department of Commerce and approved by the State Court Administrator. Under chapter 60M, they charge the premium rate their surety filed, with a minimum of $100. There is no single state percentage. Before you sign, ask for the rate, the collateral, and what happens if the bond is forfeited, all in writing.
Can I post farmland as security?
For an agricultural county like this one, many families ask. A judge may accept other security besides cash, but we did not find a Chippewa County rule on farmland, and we did not confirm whether land outside the county counts. Ask Court Administration at 320-269-7774 before you bring a deed. A quitclaim deed is off limits as bondsman collateral.
Can a no-contact order keep him in custody?
In a domestic abuse or harassment case, the judge must look at whether release puts the victim or the public at risk, and may order no contact, a stay-away zone, or limits on weapons or alcohol. Ask the court which order applies and what it requires before you pay anything.
Where would a Chippewa County teenager be held?
We did not confirm which juvenile detention center Chippewa County uses. Juvenile cases are private, and the adult search will not list a child. Call the Sheriff's Office at 320-269-2121 and ask which facility holds a young person from this county, then ask Court Administration at 320-269-7774 when the hearing is.
How do I request a public defender in Montevideo?
Tell the judge at the first appearance that you cannot afford a lawyer. You may also use the Online PD Application on the Minnesota courts website. The court appoints the lawyer. The court's number, 320-269-7774, is the one to call for the next step in this county.
What happens if he misses a Chippewa County court date?
The judge may order the bond forfeited and sign an arrest warrant. If a bail agent posted the bond, the court has to notify the surety in writing, and the agent can bring the person back. Call a lawyer right away.
When does cash bail come back to the family?
It is the arrested person's money. The court keeps it until the case is finished, then hands it to him or to whomever he names in writing. A judge may first subtract a fine or restitution. A bondsman's premium is a fee, and fees are not refunded unless the contract says so.
What if someone says I must wire money to free him?
Do not pay. Courts and jails do not ask for payment apps or prepaid cards. Hang up and call 320-269-2121 or the court at 320-269-7774.
Chippewa County bail contacts
- Sheriff's Office
- Chippewa County Courthouse, 629 N. 11th Street, Suite 14, Montevideo, MN 56265; voice and after-hours line 320-269-2121
- Jail
- The jail that serves Chippewa County; ask the Sheriff's Office; county jail listing
- Custody lookup
- Chippewa County Inmate Search
- District court
- 629 N. 11th Street, Montevideo, MN 56265; 320-269-7774; Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Court administrator
- Lindsay Listul, through the court line above
- Public defender
- Request at first appearance; court line 320-269-7774
- Juvenile
- Ask the Sheriff's Office at 320-269-2121 which youth facility the county uses
Check every hour, fee, and number with the office listed before you act. Rules change, and a judge's order on your case outranks anything printed here. For legal advice, talk with a lawyer licensed in Minnesota.
Chippewa County Jail
Address:
629 N 11th Street
Montevideo, MN 56265
Phone:
320-269-2121
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Chippewa County
Does Chippewa County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Chippewa County?
Who can set bail in Chippewa County?
When is bail set in Chippewa County Minnesota?
Does Chippewa County have bail?
Yes, Chippewa County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Chippewa County?
Chippewa 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 Chippewa 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 Chippewa 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 Chippewa 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 Chippewa 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 Chippewa 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, Chippewa 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 Chippewa 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 Chippewa County have bail?
Yes, Chippewa County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Chippewa County?
Chippewa 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 Chippewa 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 Chippewa County Minnesota?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances, let the bond officer know. Your attorney can also request a bond reduction.
In Chippewa 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 Chippewa County Minnesota?
Yes, Chippewa County does offer online bail payment. Contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Chippewa County Jail for more information about the jails in Chippewa County.
What options are there to pay bail in Chippewa 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 Chippewa County Jail for more information about posting bail in Chippewa 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 Chippewa 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 Chippewa 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.