Fillmore County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Fillmore County bail and bond: the new Preston jail and what to do first
The Fillmore County Jail is at 901 Houston Street NW, Preston, in a new building the county moved into in November 2025. The Sheriff's Office runs it. It is listed on the Fillmore County jail page. Use Fillmore County Inmate Search to see if your person is in custody and what the bail is. The Sheriff and jail share one phone line, 507-765-3874. A judge sets the terms of bail, and the court office is at 507-765-6021.
Is the Preston jail the place my brother was taken?
Probably, but confirm. Search Fillmore County Inmate Search. A listing may lag behind the arrest by a few hours. Then call the Sheriff and jail line at 507-765-3874. Because Fillmore is a small jail, ask whether any inmate was sent to another county for space.
How large is the new Fillmore County jail?
The state's May 13, 2026 inspection approved 26 secure, coed beds. The building was designed for 29, and the state set a working limit of 22.1 beds based on how inmates can be separated. That small size is why a full jail may send someone elsewhere.
Why did Fillmore build a new jail?
A state review in 2017 told the county the old 1969 jail no longer met code. County leaders weighed closing it and sending people to neighboring counties, or rebuilding. The county built a new jail instead, and the state authorized its operation through May 31, 2028. News stories also mention that Dodge County has sent its inmates elsewhere.
Where do I pay bail in Fillmore County?
Lobby hours and payment types are best confirmed by phone. Call 507-765-3874 and ask three questions: the exact amount, whether you pay at the jail or the court, and which payment types are taken. Take photo ID and the full legal name of the person.
What does the Fillmore County court office handle?
Court Administrator Jordan Marcou's office answers at 507-765-6021. Call it for the date of the first appearance, for hearing times and to ask how to pay bail that the court collects. The Sheriff's line cannot change a judge's order.
Will a judge see my cousin before the weekend?
The 36-hour rule counts every day except the day of arrest, Sundays and legal holidays. Saturday counts. So an arrest early Friday can mean a hearing by Saturday or Monday. For felonies, a judge must also decide probable cause within 48 hours, and that clock includes weekends.
Can the officer let my husband go with a ticket?
Sometimes. Rule 6.01 tells officers to cite and release most misdemeanor arrests unless holding the person is needed to prevent injury or more crime, or the person likely would not respond to a citation. Gross misdemeanors and felonies may also be handled by citation at the station. A prosecutor or judge can order the release.
How does a Minnesota bondsman charge?
Licensed bail agents file their rates with the state. Chapter 60M sets the premium at that rate with a minimum of $100, and bars rebates. For a bond of $10,000 or less the agent must collect at least half before posting; the balance can go on a note due in four months, at no more than 6 percent interest a year.
Could the family pledge a farm or home?
Rule 6.02 permits "other security," but the rule does not spell out how real estate works. Ask the court at 507-765-6021 whether land must lie in Fillmore County and how it is valued. Bondsmen may not take a quitclaim deed as collateral.
Does the family get a refund?
Cash bail comes back at the end of the case, after any fine or restitution the judge orders, and it goes to the defendant or to a person the defendant names in writing. Keep the receipt. A bondsman's premium is the price of the service and stays with the agent.
Is there a free lawyer for Fillmore cases?
The court page lists the public defender in Rochester at 507-285-7370. Ask for an appointed lawyer at the first hearing, or file the online application at the Minnesota Judicial Branch. You cannot choose the lawyer.
Where is a teenager held after an arrest?
The Fillmore jail has state approval to hold a delinquent juvenile only for 6 hours. Beyond that, ask the court office, 507-765-6021, which youth facility the county will use and when the hearing is. The adult search does not list a juvenile.
What if the Preston police or a small-town officer made the arrest?
Ask the officer's agency for the report number and where the person was taken. Fillmore County has many small towns, so the arresting agency may not be the Sheriff. The prosecutor files the complaint that starts the court case.
What if my relative missed a hearing?
The court may order the bond forfeited and notify the bondsman. A judge can excuse the penalty in some cases. Get a lawyer and call the court the same day.
What if the charge involves domestic abuse?
Minnesota law has extra steps. A judge reviews the arrest facts, hears the victim's account for a crime of violence, and may order no contact, a stay-away rule and surrender of firearms before release. A person with such an order who contacts the victim can be arrested again, even after bail is paid.
Can the family put money on the account to free my son?
No. Money added to an inmate account buys phone calls and store items. Bail is paid to the court or jail for the case. A licensed bail agent may not put money on an inmate's account, either. Call 507-765-3874 if you are unsure which payment the jail wants.
What is the 90-day label I hear about the old jail?
Minnesota licenses some county lockups to hold people only up to a set number of days. News stories in 2021 described the old Preston jail as limited to 90 days. The current jail is a new building with a state authorization running to May 31, 2028, so ask the Sheriff at 507-765-3874 how long it can keep a sentenced person.
Fillmore County bail contacts
- Jail
- Fillmore County Jail, 901 Houston Street NW, Preston, MN 55965; 507-765-3874; see the jail page
- Bond guide
- Fillmore County bail and bond help
- Custody lookup
- Fillmore County Inmate Search
- Sheriff
- Fillmore County Sheriff's Office, 507-765-3874
- Court
- Fillmore County court administration, 507-765-6021
- Public defender
- Rochester office, 507-285-7370
Numbers, hours and local arrangements are taken from public pages that may be out of date. Ring the office you plan to rely on before you travel or spend money, and see a lawyer about the charge itself.
Fillmore County Jail
Address:
901 Houston Street NW
Preston, MN 55965-1080
Phone:
507-765-3874
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Fillmore County
Does Fillmore County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Fillmore County?
Who can set bail in Fillmore County?
When is bail set in Fillmore County Minnesota?
Does Fillmore County have bail?
Yes, Fillmore County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Fillmore County?
Fillmore 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 Fillmore 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 Fillmore 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 Fillmore 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 Fillmore 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 Fillmore 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, Fillmore 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 Fillmore 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 Fillmore County have bail?
Yes, Fillmore County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Fillmore County?
Fillmore 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 Fillmore 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 Fillmore County Minnesota?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances, let the bond officer know. Your attorney can also request a bond reduction.
In Fillmore 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 Fillmore County Minnesota?
Yes, Fillmore County does offer online bail payment. Contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Fillmore County Jail for more information about the jails in Fillmore County.
What options are there to pay bail in Fillmore 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 Fillmore County Jail for more information about posting bail in Fillmore 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 Fillmore 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 Fillmore 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.