Sunflower County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Sunflower County

Mississippi • Sunflower County • Bail & bond help

Sunflower County bail and bond: Allen Road in Indianola

Adults arrested in Sunflower County are held at the Sunflower County Jail, run by Sheriff James Haywood, whose office is at 1300 Allen Road, Indianola. The sheriff's office answers at 662-887-2121. Look the person up on Sunflower County Inmate Search to see if they are in custody and what the bail is. The circuit clerk, Carolyn Hamilton, is at 662-887-1252. A judge sets the amount; ask the sheriff's office where to post bail.

Is my daughter in the Indianola jail?

Start with Sunflower County Inmate Search. If her booking has posted, you will see the charge and bail. If not, call the sheriff's office at 662-887-2121 and give her full name and birth date.

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Who runs the Sunflower County jail?

Sheriff James Haywood runs it. The sheriff's office is at 1300 Allen Road, Indianola, MS 38751, and answers at 662-887-2121. Ask the sheriff's office who takes the bond and whether any other agency has a hold on the person.

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Who do I talk to about the court papers?

The circuit clerk, Carolyn Hamilton, 200 Main Street, Indianola, 662-887-1252, keeps the felony case file and the court calendar. The courthouse is the same 200 Main Street address. Call the clerk for case numbers, dates, and the name of the judge.

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Who hears the lower-level cases?

Two justice court judges serve the county: Lisa Bell, in Ruleville, 662-756-2835, and Gwendolyn Pernell, in Indianola, 662-887-2926. Justice court may handle the first appearance. Ask the circuit clerk which judge has your person's file.

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Where on Allen Road or Main Street do I take bail money?

Call the sheriff's office at 662-887-2121 and ask, "Who takes a bond for this person, and until what time?" Ask which forms of payment are accepted. Bring photo ID, the booking name, and the amount, and get a receipt with the case number.

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What amounts do Delta judges set?

The state court rules offer guide ranges, and a judge may go above or below them. Misdemeanors that can bring a year in jail are guided at $500 to $2,000. A felony with a top sentence of 10 to 20 years runs $10,000 to $100,000. A non-capital loss-of-life crime runs $10,000 to $1,000,000. The actual amount shows on Sunflower County Inmate Search once a judge sets it.

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Does a person have to pay everything?

A judge may allow a cash deposit bond of 10 percent of the bond or $250, whichever is greater. A licensed bail agent will post the whole bond for a fee that state law caps at 10 percent of the bond, with a $100 minimum, plus a $50 processing fee.

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How can I check an Indianola bondsman?

A bail agent must be licensed by the Mississippi Insurance Department. Ask for the agent's license number and confirm it with the department. Make sure the fee, collateral, and missed-court costs are in writing.

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Can we use land near Indianola?

Yes, with a sworn statement that Mississippi property is worth the bond after debts and exempt property, plus a list of other bonds. The land does not have to be in Sunflower County, but it has to be in Mississippi. Ask the circuit clerk at 662-887-1252 for the papers.

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How fast does a judge see someone?

Without a warrant, the first judge visit is due inside 48 hours. Four circuit judges serve the Fourth Circuit District, which sits for terms in February, June, and October.

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Can the sheriff change the bond?

Mostly no. The state Attorney General has advised that a sheriff may set bond for a misdemeanor if no judge has, but for a bailable felony only in an emergency when a judge cannot be reached in time. For most cases the judge has the last word.

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Is a Sunflower County "no bond" entry final?

Often it is not. A new booking may be waiting for a hearing, or a probation, parole, or other-county hold may be blocking release. Domestic violence arrests wait for a judge. Capital murder is the charge most likely to bring no bail.

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What happens to a Sunflower County child who is arrested?

Youth court handles it, and the adult search does not list a child. Call the circuit clerk at 662-887-1252 to ask which judge has the case and where the child is held.

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Who is the appointed lawyer in Sunflower County?

At the first appearance, tell the judge you cannot afford a lawyer, and the judge appoints one under Rule 5.2. Call the clerk at 662-887-1252 for who takes those cases.

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What if he does not come back to court?

The judge can declare the bond forfeited and sign a warrant. The bail agent can bring him in. A cash bond can be refunded within 18 months when he is surrendered, appears, or is jailed elsewhere with a hold.

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How do I avoid fake Indianola bail calls?

No office asks for gift cards or an app payment. Hang up and call the sheriff's office at 662-887-2121 yourself. Commissary deposits are not bail.

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Is there a waiting period after a domestic violence arrest in Indianola?

No bail is granted until the person has appeared before a judge, and that can happen by telephone. Mississippi has no required cooling-off period. A judge may impose a hold of up to 24 hours, counted from the appearance or the setting of bail.

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What does the release order say?

The judge gives the person an order that lists the conditions, the results of breaking them, and the fact that a warrant may issue after a violation report. For good cause the judge can change the terms later, on the court's own motion or on a request from either side.

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Sunflower County bail contacts

Jail
Sunflower County Jail, run by the sheriff
Bond guide
Sunflower County bail and bond guide
Sheriff
James Haywood, 1300 Allen Road, Indianola, MS 38751; 662-887-2121
Circuit clerk
Carolyn Hamilton, 200 Main Street, Indianola, MS 38751; 662-887-1252
Justice court
Judge Lisa Bell, Ruleville, 662-756-2835; Judge Gwendolyn Pernell, Indianola, 662-887-2926
Custody lookup
Sunflower County Inmate Search
Circuit court
Fourth Circuit District; Sunflower terms in February, June, and October
Bail agents
Licensed by the Mississippi Insurance Department
Public defender
Appointed at the first appearance; ask the circuit clerk, 662-887-1252

A judge may order terms that differ from any guide here. Ask the sheriff's office for the amount, the place, and the payment type before you pay. This page gives a plain overview and is no substitute for a lawyer.

Sunflower County Jail

Address:
1300 Allen Drive
Indianola, MS 38751
Phone:
662-887-2121

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Sunflower County


Does Sunflower County have bail?

What kind of bonds are accepted in Sunflower County?

Who can set bail in Sunflower County?

When is bail set in Sunflower County Mississippi?

 

 

Does Sunflower County have bail?

Yes, Sunflower County recognizes most types of bonds.

 

 

What kind of bonds are accepted in Sunflower County?

Sunflower 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 Sunflower 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 Sunflower 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 Sunflower 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 Sunflower 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 Sunflower 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, Sunflower 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 Sunflower 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 Sunflower County have bail?  

Yes, Sunflower County recognizes most types of bonds.

What kind of bonds are accepted in Sunflower County? 

Sunflower 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 Sunflower 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 Sunflower County Mississippi? 

Yes, your attorney may request a bail reduction at any time prior to the trial.

In Sunflower 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 Sunflower County Mississippi?  

Yes, Mississippi counties do offer online bail payment. Contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Sunflower County Jail for more information about the jails in Sunflower County.

What options are there to pay bail in Sunflower 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 Sunflower County Jail for more information about posting bail in Sunflower 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 Sunflower 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 Sunflower 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.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Sunflower 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.