Clearwater County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Clearwater County bail and bond: the Bagley jail and the courthouse next door
The county refers to a jail in Bagley, so that is where to start. Use Clearwater County Inmate Search to find out if a person is in custody and what bail was set. The Sheriff's Office answers at 218-694-6226. We did not confirm a street address, hours for posting bail, or the payment types the jail accepts, so this page says plainly whom to call. Background is on the county jail listing.
Court Administration is a second office with its own number, 218-935-4020. Keep both handy.
Is Clearwater County holding my son in Bagley?
Run his name through Clearwater County Inmate Search. County material refers to the Clearwater County jail in Bagley, though the page we read gave no street address. If the search is blank, call the Sheriff's Office at 218-694-6226 and ask if he was booked, moved, or released.
Which office do I phone for bail, the sheriff or the court?
Try the sheriff first, 218-694-6226, because jail staff know whether bail is posted at the jail window or through the court. Then call Court Administration at 218-935-4020 for case numbers, hearing dates, and any order the judge signed. Both offices keep weekday hours; the county lists business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
What forms of payment does the Bagley jail take?
The county pages we read do not say. Ask before you carry cash across the county. Bring photo ID, the person's full name, and the case number if you have one. Request a written receipt, and keep it until the court closes the case.
Will a Clearwater County judge follow a schedule?
No schedule was found for this county, and Minnesota has none statewide. Policy 524 tells courts not to rely on preset ones. The judge weighs the charge, the evidence, family ties, work, money, record, and safety. By rule, bail should be the lowest level needed to get him back to court.
What happens in the first 36 hours?
After arrest, a person who is not released must see a judge without unnecessary delay and within 36 hours, not counting the day of arrest, Sundays, or holidays. For a misdemeanor with no judge available in time, the rule is release on a citation. A separate 48-hour probable-cause deadline counts all days.
Can my nephew be freed on a promise instead of money?
Many people are. The rule starts with release on a promise to appear or an unsecured bond. A judge who sees a risk may add conditions like supervision, travel limits, or a place to live. The judge may also offer two options and let the family choose between them.
How does a bail bondsman work for a Clearwater County bond?
Agents hold a Department of Commerce license and court approval. Their premium follows the surety's filed rate with a $100 minimum, and no flat state percentage applies. They cannot approach you at the jail or call inmates on the jail phones. Collateral needs a numbered receipt, and returns are due within 21 days after you show proof the bond ended.
Can I offer a cabin or farm as security?
A judge can take security other than cash. We found no Clearwater County rule on land, and we did not confirm whether out-of-county property counts. Ask Court Administration, 218-935-4020, before you collect deeds. Bondsmen are barred from taking a quitclaim deed.
Why does the booking show a hold with no amount?
No amount may mean the judge has not acted. A hold can also come from another county's warrant, a probation matter, or a no-contact order. Minnesota allows bail in every case since it has no death penalty. Call 218-694-6226 to learn which applies.
Which Clearwater County agency made the arrest?
Sheriff's deputies, city police, or state patrol officers may make arrests. Ask the officer for the report number and the agency's name. With that, the jail desk can find a booking faster than from a name alone.
Where is a Clearwater County juvenile held?
We did not confirm which youth detention center the county uses. A child's case is private and will not show in the adult search. Phone the Sheriff's Office at 218-694-6226 to learn where the child is, then Court Administration at 218-935-4020 for the hearing.
How do I get a court-appointed lawyer in Clearwater County?
Say at the first hearing that you cannot afford a lawyer, or apply on the Online PD Application. The court appoints and assigns the lawyer. For questions on the court side, use Court Administration at 218-935-4020.
What if he fails to appear?
The bond may be forfeited and a warrant issued. For an agent's bond, the court has 30 days to notify the surety. Reach the lawyer and the agent right away.
Will I get the cash back?
Cash bail is the arrested person's property. Once the case ends, the court pays him or someone he names in writing, after any fines or restitution. Premiums paid to an agent are fees.
How can I tell a fake release call?
A real jail or court will not demand a gift card, app payment, or wire to a stranger. Hang up and call 218-694-6226.
Clearwater County bail numbers
- Jail
- Clearwater County jail, Bagley, MN; ask the Sheriff's Office for the address; 218-694-6226; jail listing
- Sheriff's Office
- 218-694-6226
- County offices
- 213 Main Avenue North, Bagley, MN 56621; weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Court Administration
- 218-935-4020
- Custody lookup
- Clearwater County Inmate Search
- Public defender
- Ask the judge at first appearance; Court Administration 218-935-4020
- Juvenile
- Ask the Sheriff's Office, 218-694-6226, which youth facility is used
Numbers here come from county pages that are not dated, so numbers and hours may differ today. Confirm each item and talk to a Minnesota lawyer about your own case.
Clearwater County Jail
Address:
Clearwater County Courthouse
213 Main Avenue N.
Bagley, MN 56621
Phone:
218-694-6226
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Clearwater County
Does Clearwater County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Clearwater County?
Who can set bail in Clearwater County?
When is bail set in Clearwater County Minnesota?
Does Clearwater County have bail?
Yes, Clearwater County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Clearwater County?
Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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, Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater County have bail?
Yes, Clearwater County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Clearwater County?
Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater County Minnesota?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances, let the bond officer know. Your attorney can also request a bond reduction.
In Clearwater 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 Clearwater County Minnesota?
Yes, Clearwater County does offer online bail payment. Contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Clearwater County Jail for more information about the jails in Clearwater County.
What options are there to pay bail in Clearwater 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 Clearwater County Jail for more information about posting bail in Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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.