Northwest Regional Corrections Center Inmate Bail & Bonds

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Polk County

Minnesota • Polk County • Bail & bond help

Polk County bail and bond: the Crookston corrections center and Justice Center

Adults arrested in Polk County are held in Crookston at the Northwest Regional Corrections Center, 816 Marin Avenue, Suite 110. News reports say it also serves Norman and Red Lake counties, so your relative may share the building with prisoners from those counties. Use Polk County Inmate Search to see if your person is booked and what the bail is.

For jail questions the center takes calls at 218-470-8100; the Red Lake County sheriff says to choose option 3 for prisoners. The Polk Sheriff's Office is 218-281-0431. The court sits in the same Justice Center address, upstairs in Suite 210. Ask staff how bail is taken before you drive.

Is my brother held in Crookston or somewhere else?

Search his name with Polk County Inmate Search first. The Northwest Regional Corrections Center in Crookston serves Polk, Norman and Red Lake counties, so a Polk arrest usually ends there. If the search shows nothing, call 218-470-8100.

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Why do two names appear for the Crookston jail?

News reports call it the Northwest Regional Corrections Center. The Red Lake County sheriff's page calls the place that houses its prisoners the Tri-County Community Correctional Facility, with the same Crookston phone number. A state report also lists Tri-County Community Corrections as the holder of the juvenile center license. Treat them as local names for the Crookston operation, and ask staff if you are unsure.

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Who runs the corrections center?

News stories about the center do not say which agency runs it, and the county pages do not list a director. The Polk County Sheriff's Office handles investigations at the center. For questions about who is in charge, call the sheriff at 218-281-0431.

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Where do I pay bail in Crookston?

No posted window, hours or payment list turned up for the center. Phone 218-470-8100 and ask where to bring the money, which forms are taken, and whether staff need a case number. The court clerk in Suite 210 is another place to ask: 218-281-2332.

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When is the Polk County court open?

The District Court office is in the Justice Center, 816 Marin Avenue, Suite 210, Crookston, open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The phone is 218-281-2332 and the fax is 218-281-2204. The court page lists only the Crookston location, so ask the clerk before you head to any other town.

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What happens before the first hearing?

Police must bring a person arrested without a warrant to a judge within 36 hours, leaving out the arrest day, Sundays and holidays. The judge decides whether to release the person and on what terms. For a felony or gross misdemeanor, a judge also has to find probable cause within 48 hours, counting weekends.

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Is there a list of bail amounts for Polk County?

None was posted for Polk, and Minnesota has no statewide list. A state policy tells courts not to depend on preset schedules. A judge sets conditions after hearing from both sides. Expect the number to follow the charge, the person's record and ties to the community.

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Can I pay a bondsman a small amount down?

Sometimes. For a bond of $10,000 or less the agent must collect at least half of the premium before posting and may take the balance on a note due within four months. Interest on the note cannot exceed 6 percent a year. Premiums can never be discounted under the surety's filed rate, and the lowest premium is $100.

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What if the bondsman asks for my truck or land?

Collateral needs a signed, numbered receipt. It cannot be worth more than the bond, and the agent may not use it for personal gain. A deed of the quitclaim type is not an allowed form of collateral. Ask the court clerk at 218-281-2332 whether property from outside Polk County could be offered to the court instead.

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Can someone else pay the bail for my husband?

Yes. Cash bail is the defendant's money even when a relative or friend hands it over. If the judge orders a fine or restitution after a conviction, it can be taken from the bail before the rest is returned.

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Who is the free lawyer in Polk County?

The Ninth Judicial District has public defender offices in Crookston and Thief River Falls, but no phone for them was published in the sources checked. Ask the judge for a public defender at the first hearing, apply on the Minnesota courts website, or call the clerk at 218-281-2332 for the office number.

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Where is a juvenile held after a Polk arrest?

The Red River Valley Juvenile Center, 600 Bruce Street, Crookston, has eight secure and eight non-secure beds, according to its 2024 state inspection. The report does not list which counties send children there, so ask the clerk where a particular child is. Juvenile cases do not show up in the adult search.

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Is there a ceiling on cash bail for a misdemeanor?

Often there is. State law caps cash bail on a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor at double the highest cash fine for the offense. Some charges get a higher multiple: four times for certain driving offenses, six times for some assaults, and ten times for protection-order and domestic assault charges. A judge may still use non-cash conditions.

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Why does the search show a hold and no bail?

Common reasons are a probation hold, a warrant from another county or an order for protection. A judge can also restrict release if freedom would endanger public safety or not reasonably assure a return to court. In domestic cases the judge reviews the victim's situation and can order no contact.

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What if he skips court?

The judge can issue a warrant and start forfeiture of the bond. The court must tell the surety within 30 days of the missed date. Call his lawyer, and the bondsman if one is involved, the same day.

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Polk County contacts for bail and bond

Jail
Northwest Regional Corrections Center, 816 Marin Avenue, Suite 110, Crookston, MN 56716; 218-470-8100
Bond guide
Polk County jail bail and bond help
Custody lookup
Polk County Inmate Search
Sheriff's Office
218-281-0431
District Court
Polk County Justice Center, 816 Marin Avenue, Suite 210, Crookston, MN 56716; 218-281-2332; Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Public defender
Ask the court clerk at 218-281-2332
Youth detention
Red River Valley Juvenile Center, 600 Bruce Street, Crookston

Hours, addresses and phone numbers come from court, state and news sources that may be dated, and a judge can order different terms. Confirm with the center or the clerk before you pay or travel. A lawyer can explain your rights.

Northwest Regional Corrections Center

Address:
816 Marin Avenue
Crookston, MN 56716
Phone:
218-470-8100

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Polk County


Does Polk County have bail?

What kind of bonds are accepted in Polk County?

Who can set bail in Polk County?

When is bail set in Polk County Minnesota?

 

 

Does Polk County have bail?

Yes,  Polk County recognizes most types of bonds.

 

 

What kind of bonds are accepted in Polk County?

Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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 Northwest Regional Corrections Center 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, Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk County have bail?  

Yes,  Polk County recognizes most types of bonds.

What kind of bonds are accepted in Polk County? 

Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk County Minnesota? 

Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances, let the bond officer know. Your attorney can also request a bond reduction.

In Polk 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 Polk County Minnesota?

Yes, Polk County does offer online bail payment. Contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Northwest Regional Corrections Center for more information about the jails in Polk County.

What options are there to pay bail in Polk 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 Northwest Regional Corrections Center for more information about posting bail in Polk 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 Polk 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 Northwest Regional Corrections Center 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.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Polk County

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Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.