Jackson County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Jackson County bail and bond: the Sherman Street jail and next steps
Adults arrested in Jackson County are booked by the Sheriff's Office into the Jackson County Jail at 400 Sherman Street, Jackson. A person may also be in a nearby county's jail, so use Jackson County Inmate Search to see where the person is and what the bail is. The Sheriff's Office line is 507-847-4420. To start a bond, confirm the steps with them.
Is my husband being held in Jackson, or was he sent somewhere else?
Enter his name in Jackson County Inmate Search first. It shows people booked by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. This county is small, and one Sheriff's weekly report describes a corrections officer fetching a prisoner from the Martin County Jail, so a person can sit in a nearby county's cells.
If he is not listed, call the Sheriff's Office at 507-847-4420 and ask which jail has him.
What do I need to know about the Jackson County Jail building?
The Jackson County Jail is at 400 Sherman Street, Jackson, MN 56143, with the mailing box at PO Box 229. Sheriff Shawn Haken's office runs it, and Brandon Hendrickson is the jail administrator.
The state approves 18 secure beds. A new jail project started on August 14, 2024, to fix problems with the old building, so ask the Sheriff's Office whether visitors and bail are handled at the old or the new site.
How is bail set for someone arrested in Jackson County?
A judge sets it, not the deputy at the desk. Minnesota gives no county a fixed price list for charges, and the courts are told not to depend on one. The judge starts from release without money unless there is a danger to others or a real risk of skipping court.
Watch Jackson County Inmate Search for a posted amount, and ask 507-847-4420 if the field is blank.
Where do I take bail money in Jackson?
Call the Sheriff's Office at 507-847-4420 and ask exactly where bail is taken today. The county does not post bail hours for the public, and the building situation can shift.
The Jackson County Courthouse is at 405 Fourth Street. Court staff, at 507-800-7003, work Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Will the jail accept a check or credit card for bail?
Ask before you go. The county has not published which payment types it takes for bail.
One court note applies to money in general: the courthouse counter does not take payments after 2:30 p.m. on the last working day of each month. That rule is about fines, and a bail question still should go to 507-800-7003.
What is the typical bail for drunk driving or a drug charge here?
There is no schedule for Jackson County to quote. The judge reviews each case on its own facts.
The statutes set a ceiling for lesser offenses: cash bail for a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor may not exceed double the largest cash fine, and some offenses get a higher multiple (Minn. Stat. 629.471). Felony cases carry no formula.
How soon will a judge hear the case?
A person arrested without a warrant should appear within 36 hours. That clock skips the day of the arrest, Sundays and legal holidays (Minn. R. Crim. P. 4.02). Judges must also decide on probable cause within 48 hours, weekends included.
Call 507-800-7003 for the next hearing.
What does a bail bond cost in southwest Minnesota?
A bondsman has to charge the rate the surety company has on file, and at least $100 (Minn. Stat. 60M.02). The percentage is not fixed by the state.
Agents may not solicit inside the jail unless a family member or lawyer asked them to come. If you hand over collateral, demand a signed, numbered receipt.
Could a farm or a house be used to guarantee bail?
A judge may accept something besides cash. Jackson County gives no written property-bond steps, so ask the court clerk at 507-800-7003 who approves it.
Minnesota law also bars an agent from keeping a signed quitclaim deed to your property as collateral.
Where do Jackson County criminal cases go to court?
The Jackson County District Court sits in the Fifth Judicial District at 405 Fourth Street, Jackson. Court administrator Kayla McKinney leads the staff.
It hears adult felonies, misdemeanors and traffic matters. The state has no separate city courts, so a Jackson police ticket ends up here as well.
Why can't my relative bail out yet?
Look for a hold first. Holds come from probation, from a warrant out of another county, or from domestic-abuse arrests that need a judge's safety review. A hold can last until the first hearing.
Minnesota has no death penalty, so bail is not denied on a capital charge. The Sheriff's staff at 507-847-4420 can tell you which hold applies.
My teenager was arrested in Jackson County. What now?
By jail policy, juveniles are not kept without a judge's approval. They are brought in for fingerprinting, and the jail's state license allows a hold of up to 24 hours on weekdays.
The county does not publish its juvenile detention site, so call court administration at 507-800-7003 the same day to learn where your child is and when the detention hearing is.
How do I get a public defender in Jackson County?
Request one at the first hearing and complete the financial statement the court gives you. The judge appoints the lawyer.
For the office number, ask the clerk at 507-800-7003.
Will federal charges change the bail steps?
Yes. A federal case moves to the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, where a federal judge decides release.
County jails sometimes hold federal prisoners for a few days, so ask 507-847-4420 who has custody.
If I post bail, who gets the money later?
The defendant owns cash bail, even if you paid it. When the case closes, the court administrator pays it back to the defendant or to a person named in writing, after any fine or restitution (Minn. Stat. 629.53).
A missed court date can cause a forfeiture, so keep every hearing date written down.
How do I avoid paying a fake bondsman or fake deputy?
Real agents are on the court's approved list and cannot put money on an inmate's account. Never wire money or buy gift cards. When in doubt, call 507-847-4420 and ask.
Jackson County bail contacts
- Jail
- Jackson County Jail, 400 Sherman Street, PO Box 229, Jackson, MN 56143, 507-847-4420
- Sheriff
- Shawn Haken, Jackson County Sheriff's Office
- Custody lookup
- Jackson County Inmate Search
- Bond guide
- Jackson County bail and bond help
- District court
- Jackson County Courthouse, 405 Fourth Street, Jackson, MN 56143; 507-800-7003; Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Public defender
- Ask court administration, 507-800-7003
- Juvenile
- Ask court administration, 507-800-7003
Always double-check phone numbers, office hours and fees with the Sheriff or the court before you pay. The text is a plain guide, not legal counsel.
Jackson County Jail
Address:
400 Sherman St.
Jackson, MN 56143
Phone:
507-847-4420
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Jackson County
Does Jackson County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Jackson County?
Who can set bail in Jackson County?
When is bail set in Jackson County Minnesota?
Does Jackson County have bail?
Yes, Jackson County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Jackson County?
Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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, Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County have bail?
Yes, Jackson County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Jackson County?
Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County Minnesota?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances, let the bond officer know. Your attorney can also request a bond reduction.
In Jackson 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 Jackson County Minnesota?
Yes, Jackson County does offer online bail payment. Contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Jackson County Jail for more information about the jails in Jackson County.
What options are there to pay bail in Jackson 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 Jackson County Jail for more information about posting bail in Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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.