Address:
1580 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033
Phone:
651-438-4700
You can pay a cash bail for inmates charged for a crime in Dakota County at the District Court:
1560 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033
Bail payments can only be made Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., except for holidays.
For Dakota County charges, cash, and only in the exact amount, will be accepted at the jail lobby after 4:30 p.m. and on weekends and holidays.
Bail for 'out of county warrants' will only be accepted at the jail if the subject of the warrant is in custody in the Dakota County Jail.
You can also use a bail bonding agent. Search online for 'Dakota County Bail Bond Agent'.
If you have additional questions or need to know the exact amount needed to bail or bond an inmate, call 651-438-4700.
Please call the jail at 651-438-4700 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Dakota County Jail.
A bond is set according to a court-approved schedule.
The purpose of the bond is to assure the offender's appearance in court.
Instructions on how to post Bail or Bond in Dakota County
Because Dakota County and Minnesota can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Dakota County Jail at 651-438-4700, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, right after an arrestee has been booked.
Ask the staff at the Dakota County Jail or the Dakota County Court Clerk these specific questions:
If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released.
This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.
Option 1 - How to Post Bail using Cash for a Defendant at Dakota County Jail
The first option, a cash bond, is to pay the full bail amount in cash, cashier's check, or money order. Personal Checks are not accepted.
Depending on the crime, this amount could be anywhere from $100 to $75,000 or more.
To pay a cash bond, go to Dakota County Jail or to the court where the bail hearing occurred. Going directly to the jail will quicken the release of the defendant as any bail paperwork processed at the court will have to be transferred to the jail.
Cashier's Checks and Money Orders may be made out to Dakota County Jail where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Dakota County Sheriff's Office or to the Dakota County Court.
To purchase money orders visit any Western Union, Moneygram or Post Office.
Option 2 - How to Post a Private or Surety Bond for a Defendant at Dakota County Jail
In the event that someone does not have the full bond amount available to him or her, there is what is called a private bond or surety bond.
This is an agreement made with a bail agent or bondsman who will post the full bail amount. In return, the defendant and/or cosigner will pay a premium to the bail agent. This premium will be 10-15% of the full bail amount.
For example, if bail is posted at $5,000, then the premium will cost approximately $500-$750.
A bail agent will often require some form of collateral, for example, a lien on a house, a car or jewelry. This is to ensure that if the defendant skips bail, or does not appear in court, the bail agent has some sort of compensation for the full bail amount being paid.
Remember, by making an agreement with a bail agent the signatory takes responsibility for paying the full bail amount if the defendant does not appear in court.
Option 3 - How to Post a Property Bond for a Defendant at Dakota County Jail
If you are a landowner in Dakota County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Dakota County may be used as collateral to bail someone out. All owners of the property must be present to sign the bond in order for this to happen.
To find if property located outside of Dakota County can be used as collateral, call a local bail or bond agent or contact a defense lawyer.
Click here for additional information on how to post bail at Dakota County Jail.
Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Dakota County Jail?
Anyone over the age of 18 who can produce a valid government-issued photo ID can post bail. Accepted forms of ID include a Photo Driver's License, Passport, or Motor Vehicle issued ID.
In many circumstances, if the defendant has the resources, they can post their own cash bail from jail.
Surety Bonds are arranged by a third party, typically a Minnesota state licensed Bail Bond firm.
Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.
When will the Cash Bail or Collateral be returned to me?
Money or collateral will not be returned until the defendant's court case is finished, so realistically it could take several months to years, depending on the severity of the charges. If a defendant posts his or her own bail, Dakota County Court may retain whatever amount of fines or fees have accumulated throughout the trial.
What happens to my Bail or Collateral if the Defendant misses Court?
The Dakota County Judge may order a failure to appear warrant for the person's arrest or the Judge may order a Bail Commissioner's Letter be issued that will be sent to the person with a new court date.
If cash bail was paid, the entire amount may be forfeited.
Postcards
The Dakota County Jail allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature.
Envelopes
The Dakota County Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates.
Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
(Inmate Name)
Dakota County Law Enforcement Center
P.O. Box 247J
Hastings, MN 55033
Legal Mail
Send all legal Mail to this Address:
(Inmate Name)
Dakota County Law Enforcement Center
P.O. Box 247J
Hastings, MN 55033
Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.
Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.
Books
The Dakota County Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address below.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Dakota County Jail standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.
All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
(Inmate Name)
Dakota County Law Enforcement Center
P.O. Box 247J
Hastings, MN 55033
To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from Dakota County do the following:
1. Enroll in an account with Securus Technologies.
2. Choose one of three account types, Securus Debit, Advance Connect or Direct Bill.
3. Choose [facility_name_1}, then connect with your inmate.
4. If you have any questions, call Securus: 972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591.
To find out fees, how to's, calling times, limits on phone calls and other systems Securus has do that you can communicate with your Dakota County inmate, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: All of your inmate's phone calls are recorded and stored. It is advised not to discuss their pending case.
To register and sign up for a remote visitation account with Inmate Canteen to communicate with your Dakota County Jail inmate, follow the instructions below:
For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues regarding visiting with an inmate (both at the facility and remotely) in Dakota County, visit our full page guide.
NOTE: All video visits are recorded and stored. Whatever you talk about, can and will be used against your inmate in court. Never discuss their pending criminal case!
Also, be warned that some video visits providers are collecting voice prints for a database which law enforcement agencies are building.
To register and sign up for a remote visitation account with Inmate Canteen to communicate with your Dakota County Jail inmate, follow the instructions below:
Instructions for Inmate Video Visitation:
- Register or Log in to your account
- Select Dakota County Jail and the inmate you wish to visit.
- Select the "Video Visit an Inmate" option
- Follow the prompts on screen to schedule the visit.
For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues regarding visiting with an inmate (both at the jail and remotely) in Dakota County, visit our full page guide.
NOTE: All video visits are recorded and stored. Whatever you talk about, can and will be used against your inmate in court. Never discuss their pending criminal case!
Also, be warned that some video visits providers are collecting voice prints for a database which law enforcement agencies are building.
To send a secure email message to an inmate in Dakota County Jail follow these steps:
For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Dakota County Jail, the costs, rules, policies and more check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Dakota County.
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Dakota County Jail follow these steps:
For all information, tips and to see the hundreds of available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Dakota County Jail, or to see how deposit money so that your inmate can purchase their own commissary, check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Dakota County.
For all information, tips and to see the hundreds of available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Dakota County Jail, or to see how deposit money so that your inmate can purchase their own commissary, check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Dakota County.
