Lake of the Woods County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Lake of the Woods County bail and bond: Baudette and the beds in Thief River Falls
Where is the person I am looking for tonight?
Check Lake of the Woods County Inmate Search first. Lake of the Woods County has a small jail in Baudette, but the county has also paid another county to hold some of its prisoners, so a name may show up under a different facility or not at all for a few hours. If you cannot find it, call the Sheriff's Office at 218-634-1143 and ask both where the person was booked and where they sleep tonight.
Is it true Lake of the Woods inmates are sent to Thief River Falls?
A November 2025 news report says the county signed a deal with Pennington County, starting September 1, 2025 and running to September 1, 2026, to rent three jail beds a day at $70 each, or $150 for a person with special needs. That year has now ended, so ask the Baudette deputies at 218-634-1143 whether the same arrangement is still in place. Keep in mind that the Baudette jail may be able to hold people only a short time, perhaps up to 72 hours.
What is the address of the Sheriff's Office?
It is the Law Enforcement Center at 206 8th Avenue SE, Suite 300, Baudette, MN 56623, and the main number is 218-634-1143. The county's Government Center lists weekday hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those hours were given for the building, so check whether the jail window keeps the same schedule.
Where do I take bail money in Baudette?
The county has not put a bail-window schedule on its website, so call 218-634-1143 before you go. Ask three things: which door, which hours, and whether cash, a money order or a bondsman's form is accepted. If the person is being kept in Thief River Falls, ask who will accept the payment and how the release paperwork travels.
How soon must a judge see someone arrested in Baudette?
A judge must see a jailed person within 36 hours of arrest, not counting the day of arrest, Sundays or holidays. Saturday is counted. A different rule, probable cause, must be decided in 48 hours with weekends counted. A misdemeanor defendant who is not seen in time must be let go on a citation.
Who decides the amount and what are the choices?
The judge decides. Under Minnesota's rule the start point is release on a promise to appear or an unsecured bond. If the judge worries about safety or no-shows, the next step is the mildest condition that works: a supervisor, travel limits, or money bail. Factors include family ties, work, past court record and the safety of others.
Is there a Lake of the Woods bail price list?
The county has not published amounts for common charges, and Minnesota has no statewide list. The state courts' own policy warns judges against leaning on preset bail schedules. Because of that, any figure from a website or caller is a guess. Ask the court clerk at the Government Center, or check the record in Lake of the Woods County Inmate Search.
How do bail agents work in Minnesota?
A bail agent holds a state insurance license and also needs court approval. The agent charges the premium its surety filed with the state, no less than $100, and may not give rebates. Down-payment rules apply: on a bond of $10,000 or less the agent must collect at least half of the premium before posting. Ask for a copy of every paper you sign.
If I post cash, will it come back?
Yes, in most cases. Cash bond belongs to the accused, even if you paid it, and the court keeps it in trust until the case is finished. A judge can apply it to a fine or restitution, then the rest is released to the defendant or a person named in writing. Save your receipt.
Can I offer land near Lake of the Woods instead of cash?
Possibly, since the rule allows "other security." Whether the court accepts land, what value it needs and whether it must lie in the county are questions only the court administrator can answer. Ask first at the Government Center through the county's main line, or ask the deputies at 218-634-1143 who to call.
What does "held without bail" mean here?
Usually it means no amount has been set yet or another reason keeps the person in. Minnesota has no death penalty, so no charge is automatically barred from bail. Probation holds, out-of-county warrants and a judge's safety finding can keep someone inside. Domestic cases may add no-contact and weapons conditions.
What happens to a teenager arrested here?
Youth cases are private, so Lake of the Woods County Inmate Search will not list a minor. The jail may hold a juvenile only for a short time under state rules, and a longer stay needs a youth facility. Ask the deputies at 218-634-1143 which facility is being used, and ask the court how to reach the probation officer.
Can I get a free lawyer in Baudette?
Tell the judge at the first hearing that you cannot afford one and complete the financial statement. The court appoints a public defender if jail is possible, and you cannot choose the person. The Lake of the Woods court office will tell you how to apply. The county sheriff at 218-634-1143 can point you to the right desk.
What if my relative misses a hearing?
A missed hearing may lead to a warrant and a forfeited bond. State law gives the court 30 days to notify the bondsman. Call the court the same day and ask about a new date.
How do I avoid a payment scam?
A caller who says your cousin is in the Baudette jail and needs a gift card is lying. Ring the Sheriff's Office on 218-634-1143 yourself before you send a cent.
Lake of the Woods County bail contacts
- Jail
- Lake of the Woods County jail pages (the jail that serves this county)
- Bond help
- Lake of the Woods bail and bond pages
- Sheriff's Office
- Law Enforcement Center, 206 8th Avenue SE, Suite 300, Baudette, MN 56623; 218-634-1143
- Custody lookup
- Lake of the Woods County Inmate Search
- Government Center
- Weekday hours 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. as listed by the county; court clerk questions can start at 218-634-1143
- Prisoner housing
- Pennington County Jail, Thief River Falls, under a county contract that ran September 2025 to September 2026
- Public defender
- Request at the first hearing; ask the court office how to apply
Rates, contracts, hours and phone numbers change often in small counties. Ask the sheriff before you travel or pay, and talk to a lawyer about your own case. Nothing here is a promise of release.
Lake of the Woods County Jail
Address:
206 8th Ave SE
Baudette, MN 56623
Phone:
218-634-1143
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Lake of the Woods County
Does Lake of the Woods County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lake of the Woods County?
Who can set bail in Lake of the Woods County?
When is bail set in Lake of the Woods County Minnesota?
Does Lake of the Woods County have bail?
Yes, Lake of the Woods County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lake of the Woods County?
Lake of the Woods 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 Lake of the Woods 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 Lake of the Woods 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 Lake of the Woods 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 Lake of the Woods 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 Lake of the Woods 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, Lake of the Woods 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 Lake of the Woods 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 Lake of the Woods County have bail?
Yes, Lake of the Woods County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lake of the Woods County?
Lake of the Woods 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 Lake of the Woods 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 Lake of the Woods County Minnesota?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances, let the bond officer know. Your attorney can also request a bond reduction.
In Lake of the Woods 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 Lake of the Woods County Minnesota?
Yes, Lake of the Woods County does offer online bail payment. Contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Lake of the Woods County Jail for more information about the jails in Lake of the Woods County.
What options are there to pay bail in Lake of the Woods 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 Lake of the Woods County Jail for more information about posting bail in Lake of the Woods 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 Lake of the Woods 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 Lake of the Woods 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.