Claiborne County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Claiborne County bail and bond: the Market Street jail in Port Gibson
Adults arrested in Claiborne County are booked at the Claiborne County Jail, 410 Market Street, Port Gibson. The Sheriff’s Department is at that address, and the number is 601-437-5161. The jail is small, so ask where the person is actually held.
Look up your family member with Claiborne County Inmate Search to see whether they are in custody and what the bond is. Call 601-437-5161 for anything the search leaves out.
Is my brother in the Claiborne County jail right now?
Search the name on Claiborne County Inmate Search. If the booking is new, the entry can lag by a few hours. Try again before you drive to Port Gibson.
Still nothing? Call 601-437-5161. A deputy can tell you whether he is in the building, was moved, or was taken in by Port Gibson police.
Can Claiborne County send prisoners to another jail?
Yes. A county jail with limited beds can house people elsewhere. Ask the desk at 601-437-5161 to confirm where the person is sleeping. Do the same before sending money or mail.
Which building is the jail, and is it the same as the courthouse?
The Sheriff’s Department, Chancery Clerk and Circuit Clerk are all at 410 Market Street, and the jail uses the same street number. One trip to Market Street can cover the jail and the court clerks. The Board of Supervisors’ administrator is down the street at 510 Market Street, 601-437-5216.
Who sets bail in Port Gibson, and how quickly?
A judge sets bail at the first appearance, which must happen within 48 hours of a warrantless arrest. Justice court, county, circuit and municipal judges can all do this in Mississippi, depending on the charge. For a misdemeanor, the sheriff may set bail when no judge has. For a felony, the sheriff’s power is limited to emergencies.
The circuit clerk, Gale Compton, can name the judge on a felony case at 601-437-5841.
What are bond amounts for common charges here?
Mississippi Rule 8.2 sets guideline bond ranges for every kind of charge. For a drug distribution charge the range is $5,000 to $1,000,000. For a misdemeanor DUI it is $500 to $2,000. For a fine-only offense it is $50 up to the fine and costs.
Judges can depart from the guideline. Your relative’s actual number appears in Claiborne County Inmate Search.
Where do I take bond money in Port Gibson?
The sheriff’s office at 601-437-5161 handles bond questions for this jail, and the circuit clerk at 601-437-5841 answers court-side payment questions.
How much does a Mississippi bondsman cost?
State law caps the fee at roughly 10 percent of the bond, but not less than $100. The cap is higher for capital charges and for people who live out of state. The fee is not given back, even when charges are dropped.
Before signing, ask what collateral is required and what happens if the person misses court. You can confirm that an agent is licensed by calling the state Insurance Department at 601-359-3582.
Is there a cheaper way than hiring a bondsman?
The criminal rules allow a court-side cash deposit bond for some cases. It is the larger of 10 percent of the bond or $250, and a notarized affidavit is part of it. The judge decides if the case qualifies. The circuit clerk at 601-437-5841 can tell you whether your relative’s charge qualifies.
Can I pledge land in Claiborne County?
A non-bondsman surety must swear to owning property in Mississippi that is worth the bond, over debts and exempt property. The rule does not demand that the land be in Claiborne County. Court approval takes time. Phone the circuit clerk before gathering deeds.
What if Port Gibson police arrested my relative?
Port Gibson Police Department is at 800 Farmer Street, 601-437-5101. City charges go before a municipal judge. State felony charges end up with the county. Ask the department for the report number, and ask whether the person was moved to Market Street.
Why does it say “no bond” next to his name?
A capital charge can be held without bail. A felony arrest while on release for another felony can end in revoked bonds. A parole or probation hold, or a warrant from another place, also stops release. Ask the clerk to read you the order.
Who is my lawyer if we cannot pay?
Ask the judge at the first appearance for appointed counsel. State rules require the judge to appoint a lawyer for a person who qualifies and asks. Circuit Clerk Compton at 601-437-5841 can tell you who handles those cases.
Where is a teenager held after arrest in Claiborne County?
The youth court handles those cases, and records are private. The circuit clerk at 601-437-5841 can direct you to youth court intake. A child in detention is owed a hearing within two days of intake, not counting weekends or holidays.
If a Port Gibson defendant misses court, what is lost?
The court can declare the bond forfeited. State law gives a surety a way to undo that by surrendering the person or showing they are held elsewhere. Money paid to the clerk comes back when the judge cancels the bond. The bondsman’s cut does not.
Who might try to cheat a Claiborne County family?
Anyone who demands a gift card is lying. Verify with the jail at 601-437-5161.
Claiborne County bond contacts
- Jail and sheriff
- Claiborne County Jail and Sheriff’s Department, 410 Market Street, Port Gibson, MS 39150; 601-437-5161
- Bond guide
- Claiborne County jail bail and bond page
- Custody lookup
- Claiborne County Inmate Search
- Circuit clerk
- Gale Compton, 410 Market Street, Port Gibson (P.O. Box 549); 601-437-5841
- Chancery clerk
- 410 Market Street; 601-437-4992
- City police
- Port Gibson Police Department, 800 Farmer Street; 601-437-5101
- County administrator
- 510 Market Street, Port Gibson; 601-437-5216
- License check
- Mississippi Insurance Department, 601-359-3582
Each judge orders the amount and conditions for a case, so confirm them with the jail or the circuit clerk before you pay anyone. This guide gives general information and does not replace a lawyer.
Claiborne County Jail
Address:
410 Market Street
Port Gibson, MS 39150
Phone:
601-437-5161
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Claiborne County
Does Claiborne County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Claiborne County?
Who can set bail in Claiborne County?
When is bail set in Claiborne County Mississippi?
Does Claiborne County have bail?
Yes, Claiborne County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Claiborne County?
Claiborne County courts will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Bail is available in several forms including personal recognizance bond, cash bail, property bond, and surety bond.
Who can set bail in Claiborne County?
For minor, non-violent crimes bail is preset and can be set by the arresting officer. More serious crimes require bail be set by a judge.
When is bail set in Claiborne County Mississippi?
For minor, non-violent crimes bail is preset and that information will be available during the booking process. More serious crimes require the defendant to appear before a judge. This bail hearing is required to take place within 48 hrs. of arrest, not counting weekends or holidays.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Claiborne 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 Claiborne 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 Claiborne 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, Claiborne 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.
The following is a general guideline to bail amounts in Mississippi:
- Manslaughter –$10,000 to $1,000,000
- Drug Distribution and Trafficking -$5,000 to $1,000,000.
- All other non-capital felonies- $5,000 to $250,000
- Misdemeanors - $50 to $2000 plus fines or court costs.
- Misdemeanor DUI and DWLs $500 to $2000.
- Municipal Ordinance Violation: $100 to $1000.
What are the different types of bonds in Claiborne 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 Claiborne County have bail?
Yes, Claiborne County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Claiborne County?
Claiborne County courts will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Bail is available in several forms including personal recognizance bond, cash bail, property bond, and surety bond.
Who can set bail in Claiborne County?
For minor, non-violent crimes bail is preset and can be set by the arresting officer. More serious crimes require bail be set by a judge.
When is bail set in Mississippi?
For minor, non-violent crimes bail is preset and that information will be available during the booking process. More serious crimes require the defendant to appear before a judge. This bail hearing is required to take place within 48 hrs. of arrest, not counting weekends or holidays.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Claiborne County Mississippi?
Yes, your attorney may request a bail reduction at any time prior to the trial.
In Claiborne County Mississippi, 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 Mississippi could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Claiborne County Mississippi?
Yes, Mississippi counties do offer online bail payment. Contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Claiborne County Jail for more information about the jails in Claiborne County.
What options are there to pay bail in Claiborne County Mississippi?
Most all jail and courts accept cash, a cashier or bankers’ check. Some accept a credit card with fees. Please contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted. Go to the Claiborne County Jail for more information about posting bail in Claiborne County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Mississippi?
Yes. You will get it back from the court or bondsperson after the appropriate requests and formal paperwork are completed with the court, less fees or percentages kept by the bail bondsman.
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Claiborne County?
No, Mississippi law does not allow 'no money down' bail or bonds. Unless you are released on personal recognizance you can expect to pay at least 10%.
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 Mississippi?
The Claiborne 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.