Houston County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Houston County bail and bond: the Caledonia jail and what happens next
Adults arrested in Houston County are held at the Houston County Jail, inside the Justice Center at 306 South Marshall Street in Caledonia. Use Houston County Inmate Search to see if the person is in custody and whether bail is listed. The jail desk is 507-725-3379. In Minnesota a judge sets the terms, and you can pay bail after the jail tells you the steps.
Is my family member inside the Caledonia jail?
Start with Houston County Inmate Search. It shows who is booked into the jail run by the Houston County Sheriff's Office and, when it is posted, the bail. A fresh arrest can take a while to appear, so look again later in the day.
If the name still does not show, call the jail desk at 507-725-3379. Give the full name and date of birth.
Where is the Houston County Jail and who runs it?
The Houston County Jail is inside the Justice Center at 306 South Marshall Street, Suite 1100, Caledonia, MN 55921. Sheriff Brian L. Sweberg runs it, and the county lists a jail administrator, Rachel Meyer.
The courthouse sits at the same street address. Park once and you are close to both the jail and the court counter.
Will I see a bail amount, or does a judge pick one?
Minnesota has no statewide price list for charges, and the state's court policy tells judges not to lean on preset schedules. A judge looks at the person's ties, record, safety concerns and chance of showing up, then picks the release terms.
Check Houston County Inmate Search for any amount already posted. Ask 507-725-3379 whether the figure is final or will be reviewed at the first hearing.
How do I post bail for someone held in Houston County?
Call the jail first at 507-725-3379 and give the full name and the case or booking number. The jail desk sets the window, the hours and the door to use, so ask before you leave home.
A bail bond agent is another route. The agent does the paperwork with the jail and the court.
What forms of payment does the jail take for bail?
Ask the jail at 507-725-3379 which payment types it takes for bail before you bring money. Bring photo ID, the person's full name and the case number.
Money put on an inmate's canteen or phone account at the lobby kiosk is not bail. It buys snacks and calls, and it will not open the door.
Is there a price list for common charges in Houston County?
No. Houston County does not publish a per-charge list, so this page quotes no dollar amounts for specific crimes.
State law does set one ceiling. For a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor, the cash bail cannot go past double the top cash fine for that offense (Minn. Stat. 629.471). Some offenses, such as certain domestic assault and DWI charges, have higher multiples, and the court can add conditions. Felonies have no such ceiling.
How fast does someone arrested here see a judge?
Within 36 hours, or as soon as a judge is available. The count leaves out the day of arrest, Sundays and legal holidays, but Saturdays count (Minn. R. Crim. P. 4.02). A separate rule requires a judge to review the facts within 48 hours, weekends included.
A misdemeanor suspect who misses that window is released on a citation. For hearing dates, call court administration at 507-724-7002.
What does a bail bond agent charge in Houston County?
Agents are licensed by the state Department of Commerce and approved by the State Court Administrator. By law an agent charges the rate the surety company filed, with a $100 minimum premium (Minn. Stat. 60M.02). The state does not set one flat percentage.
Ask for the rate in writing. Agents may not solicit inside the jail unless you asked them to.
Can I use my house or land to bail someone out?
A judge may accept security other than cash, but the county publishes no property rule. A bondsman cannot take a quitclaim deed as collateral, and must give you a signed receipt for anything you hand over.
Call court administration at 507-724-7002 and ask who reviews property offered for a bond.
Which court hears a Houston County criminal case?
Everything starts in the Houston County District Court, Third Judicial District, at 306 S. Marshall Street, Caledonia. It is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the main line is 507-724-7002.
Minnesota has no separate city or municipal courts. Misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors and felonies are all handled by the district court, and juvenile cases go to its juvenile division.
Why does the record say the person is being held without bail?
A person can be held until the first court date even when bail is possible later. Domestic abuse and order-for-protection arrests often get a hold so a judge can look at victim safety first. A probation or out-of-county warrant can hold someone too.
Minnesota has no death penalty, so the old rule denying bail for capital crimes never applies here. For the reason on one person's record, call 507-725-3379.
What if police from La Crescent or Caledonia made the arrest?
Ask the arresting department where the person is and for the report number. Then check Houston County Inmate Search to see whether the booking has reached the county jail.
If the person cannot be found, the Sheriff's Office at 507-725-3379 can tell you which agency has custody.
Where do teenagers arrested in Houston County go?
The Houston County Juvenile Center is at 304 S. Marshall Street, Caledonia. The state licensed it in 2024 for eight secure beds. A child's case is confidential, so you will not see it on the adult search.
Call 507-725-3379 for a young person's status, or court administration at 507-724-7002 for the hearing date.
How do we get a free lawyer in Houston County?
Ask the judge for a public defender at the first hearing. You may need to fill out a financial form. The court page lists a public defender office in Rochester at 507-285-7370.
A lawyer can ask the judge to lower bail or remove a hold.
What if a federal agency is involved?
Federal crimes go to the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, not the county court. A federal judge decides release under federal rules, which differ from the state steps on this page.
Your family member may still sit in a county jail for a short time first. The sheriff's jail desk at 507-725-3379 can say which agency holds the person.
What happens to bail money after the case ends?
Cash bail belongs to the defendant even if you paid it. The court administrator holds it until the case is done, then it goes back to the defendant or to a person named in writing. The judge may first take out a fine or restitution (Minn. Stat. 629.53).
A bondsman's fee is not returned. Keep every receipt.
Who can I trust to take bail money?
Only the jail, the court administrator, or a licensed bail agent. Nobody legitimate asks for gift cards, wire transfers or crypto. A bondsman may not put money on an inmate's account or call the jail phones to find clients.
If a caller pushes you to pay fast, hang up and call 507-725-3379 yourself.
Houston County bail contacts
- Jail
- Houston County Jail, 306 South Marshall Street, Suite 1100, Caledonia, MN 55921, 507-725-3379
- Sheriff
- Brian L. Sweberg, Houston County Sheriff's Office
- Custody lookup
- Houston County Inmate Search
- Bond guide
- Houston County bail and bond help
- District court
- Houston County Courthouse, 306 S. Marshall Street, Caledonia, MN 55921; 507-724-7002; Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Public defender
- Rochester office, 507-285-7370
- Juvenile
- Houston County Juvenile Center, 304 S. Marshall Street, Caledonia, MN 55921
- Victim services
- 507-725-5831
Hours, rules and phone numbers change, and a judge may order terms not described here. Confirm details with the jail or court before paying anyone. This is a plain-language guide, not a lawyer's opinion.
Houston County Jail
Address:
304 South Marshall Street
Caledonia, MN 55921
Phone:
507-725-3379
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Houston County
Does Houston County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Houston County?
Who can set bail in Houston County?
When is bail set in Houston County Minnesota?
Does Houston County have bail?
Yes, Houston County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Houston County?
Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston 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, Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston County have bail?
Yes, Houston County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Houston County?
Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston County Minnesota?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances, let the bond officer know. Your attorney can also request a bond reduction.
In Houston 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 Houston County Minnesota?
Yes, Houston County does offer online bail payment. Contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Houston County Jail for more information about the jails in Houston County.
What options are there to pay bail in Houston 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 Houston County Jail for more information about posting bail in Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston 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.