Wadena County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Wadena County bail and bond: the Wadena jail, the courthouse, and the first 36 hours
Adults arrested in Wadena County are booked into the Wadena County Jail, 415 South Jefferson Street, Wadena. The Sheriff's Office runs it, and the county says it is licensed for 27 inmates. Start with Wadena County Inmate Search to see if your person is in custody, what the charge is, and what bail was set. For anything the search cannot tell you, call the jail and sheriff line at 218-631-7600. A judge, not the jail, decides whether money is needed for release, and you can learn how to pay bail below.
Is my relative sitting in the Wadena jail right now?
Look the name up in Wadena County Inmate Search before you do anything else. A booking only minutes old may take a little while to appear, so try again in an hour. If the name still does not show, call 218-631-7600 and ask whether the person was moved to a different jail.
Have the full legal name and date of birth ready. The jail cannot guess which "John Smith" you mean.
How many people can the Wadena County Jail hold?
The county lists 27 beds. It houses people on work release and sentence-to-serve, and it holds minimum, medium and maximum custody inmates. A jail this size can fill quickly, so a transfer is possible. Ask the desk at 218-631-7600 whether your person is still in Wadena or was sent to a neighboring county's jail, such as the Todd County Detention Center.
Where do I take bail money in Wadena?
Call 218-631-7600 first and ask which counter takes bail for your person's case, and what hours it keeps. Court administration sits in the Wadena County Courthouse, 415 Jefferson Street South, and opens Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. That office answers at 218-631-7633.
Bring a government photo ID, the full name, and the case number if you have it. Get a receipt. You will need it for the release.
Is money I leave for an inmate the same as bail?
No. The county page says visitors may leave cash for an inmate, and that cash goes toward things the inmate buys inside. It does not open the cell door. Bail is paid for a specific case and is held by the court. Ask the jail desk before you hand over any cash, and say clearly which one you mean.
How soon must a Wadena County judge see someone who was arrested?
Under Minnesota Rule 4.02, a person arrested without a warrant must be brought before a judge within 36 hours, or as soon as a judge is available. Do not count the arrest day, any Sunday, or a legal holiday. Saturdays are counted.
A misdemeanor defendant who is not seen in time must be released on a citation. The court office at 218-631-7633 can tell you the hearing date once the case is filed.
Is there a price list that says what bail is for a charge?
Not a statewide one. Minnesota judges are told not to lean on preset schedules, and the amount can change from case to case. At the first hearing the judge weighs things like the charge, the evidence, family ties, work, past court record, and safety. Rely on the amount shown in Wadena County Inmate Search or ask the jail.
For a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor, state law caps the cash bail at double the highest cash fine for the offense, with higher multiples for a few offenses, such as some assault and domestic violence charges.
Can my relative be released without paying anything?
Often, yes. Rule 6.02 tells the judge to start from release on a promise to appear or an unsecured bond. The judge can add conditions, such as staying away from a person, travel limits, or check-ins. Money bail comes in only if release on a promise would endanger public safety or would not reasonably assure a return to court.
What does a bondsman charge, and what must I watch for?
A bail agent must hold a Minnesota insurance license and be approved by the State Court Administrator. Under chapter 60M the agent must charge the premium the surety filed with the state, with a minimum of $100, and may not give rebates. The chapter sets no percentage, so ask for the exact dollar figure in writing.
The premium is the agent's fee and is not coming back. Ask about collateral too. An agent may not take a quitclaim deed as collateral, and must return collateral within 21 days after you show proof the bond is over.
Can a house or land be used to get someone out?
Rule 6.02 allows "other security," so property is not ruled out. How much equity is needed, and whether land in another county counts, is a question for the court. Court administration, 218-631-7633, can say what the judge in your case will accept before you spend money on an appraisal.
Can the jail staff or the clerk lower the amount?
No. Only the judge can change what the judge set. Any party can ask the court to review the conditions, and a lawyer can do it with proof of a job, family, and a steady address. Court Administrator Trisha Mernitz's office, 218-631-7633, can say if a hearing is already on the calendar.
How do we get a public defender in Wadena County?
Tell the judge at the first appearance that you cannot pay for a lawyer, or fill out the online public defender application on the Minnesota Judicial Branch site. The court decides who qualifies and assigns the lawyer. You cannot choose one.
Start with court administration at 218-631-7633.
Where is a Wadena County teenager held after an arrest?
Wadena is one of the counties that signed up with the West Central Regional Juvenile Center, 729 11th Street North, Moorhead. Its desk is 218-299-5150. Juvenile records are private, so a teen will not show in the adult search. Call the Wadena court at 218-631-7633 for the hearing time, and ask the sheriff at 218-631-7600 what happens to a young person arrested late at night.
What happens if the defendant misses a court date?
If the defendant skips court, the judge may declare the bond forfeited and sign an arrest warrant. The bail agent gets written notice from the court. Call a lawyer and the bail agent that same day, because the court can sometimes reset the case. Never ignore the notice.
Who gets the cash back once the case is over?
Cash bail belongs to the defendant, even if a relative paid it. The court administrator holds it until the case is over. A judge may take out fines or restitution first, and the rest goes to the defendant or to a person the defendant names in writing. A bondsman's premium never comes back.
How can I tell a real bail call from a fake one?
The Wadena jail will not ask for gift cards or a payment app. Hang up and dial 218-631-7600 yourself. Under chapter 60M a bondsman may not call jail phones, loiter near the jail, or put money on an inmate's account, so be wary of anyone who does.
Wadena County contacts for bail questions
- Jail
- Wadena County Jail, 415 South Jefferson Street, Wadena, MN 56482; licensed for 27; 218-631-7600
- Bond guide
- Wadena County bail and bond help
- Custody lookup
- Wadena County Inmate Search
- District court
- Wadena County Courthouse, 415 Jefferson Street South, Wadena, MN 56482; Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; 218-631-7633
- Public defender
- Ask court administration, 218-631-7633
- Juvenile
- West Central Regional Juvenile Center, 729 11th Street North, Moorhead, MN 56561; 218-299-5150
Hours, fees and phone lines change without notice. Check the number on this page with the sheriff or court administration before you travel, and ask a lawyer about the charge itself.
Wadena County Jail
Address:
415 S. Jefferson St.
Wadena, MN 56482
Phone:
218-631-7600
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Wadena County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Wadena County?
Who can set bail in Wadena County?
When is bail set in Wadena County Minnesota?
Does Wadena County have bail?
Yes, Wadena County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Wadena County?
Wadena 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 Wadena 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 Wadena 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 Wadena 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 Wadena 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 Wadena 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, Wadena 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 Wadena 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 Wadena County have bail?
Yes, Wadena County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Wadena County?
Wadena 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 Wadena 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 Wadena County Minnesota?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances, let the bond officer know. Your attorney can also request a bond reduction.
In Wadena 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 Wadena County Minnesota?
Yes, Wadena County does offer online bail payment. Contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Wadena County Jail for more information about the jails in Wadena County.
What options are there to pay bail in Wadena 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 Wadena County Jail for more information about posting bail in Wadena 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 Wadena 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 Wadena 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.