Caldwell County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Caldwell County: getting someone released on bail
Kingston is a small town, but its detention center is busy, holding people from Caldwell County, Missouri and many from neighboring Livingston County, which closed its own jail in 2012. Here's how bail works for someone held there. Inmate search: Caldwell County Inmate Search.
Where is the Caldwell County jail?
It's at 280 W. Main Street, Kingston, MO 64650. The Caldwell County Jail phone is 816-586-5245. The sheriff's office lists 816-586-2681.
The Caldwell County Inmate Search can show whether your person is in custody.
Why might a Livingston County arrestee be in Kingston?
Livingston County, home of Chillicothe, has no jail of its own and sends most of its prisoners to Kingston. That means a Chillicothe arrest can end up here.
In that case, the bond is set by the court handling the Livingston charge, so ask staff which county's case it is before you pay.
Who should I call first?
The jail. Confirm the person is there, which county's charges they face, whether a bond is set, and their booking number.
Write it all down. Kingston is a long drive for many families, so details matter.
How long can someone be held before charges?
State law lets officers keep someone a full day, 24 hours, after an arrest made without a warrant while charges are weighed. If nothing is filed, release should follow.
There's usually no bond to pay until charges exist.
Which court handles Caldwell County bail?
The 43rd Judicial Circuit, which covers Caldwell, Clinton, Daviess, Dekalb, and Livingston counties. An associate circuit judge typically sets initial release terms on new cases.
Because Livingston is also in the 43rd, both counties' cases fall under the same circuit, though each county has its own court files.
What does Missouri's bail rule say?
Rule 33.01 directs judges to use the least restrictive terms that will get the defendant to court and protect the public. In practice, that means a judge in Kingston should ask whether a promise alone will do before reaching for money.
If cash is set anyway, the figure is supposed to reflect what the person can realistically raise, not just the seriousness of the charge.
Can a person leave the Kingston jail without posting money?
Sometimes. A judge may release them on their own recognizance, meaning a signature takes the place of a deposit.
Rules can still come attached. Common ones in rural circuits like the 43rd include staying in the state, avoiding a named person, or reporting in by phone.
Kinds of bond in the 43rd Circuit
- Recognizance, free of charge but binding.
- Straight cash, covering the entire figure.
- Surety, written by a bail agent.
- Conditional release with supervision.
Bonds stamped "cash only" leave the bondsman out of the picture.
What decides how big the bond is?
The charge, prior record, and any history of missed court. Safety concerns about a victim weigh heavily.
Ties to Caldwell or Livingston County help. Someone who has farmed or worked in the area for years, owns a home, or cares for children here gives the judge reasons to set less.
Can the court refuse bail entirely?
It can, though it isn't routine. A judge has to conclude that releasing the person under any terms would put others at risk or that they'd likely vanish. The defense gets to argue against that at a hearing.
That's the moment to have an attorney, not after.
How fast can bond be reviewed?
Missouri's Rule 33.05 says a defendant who is still in jail can ask a judge to take another look at the bond, and that look should come promptly. Your relative's lawyer starts it with a written motion in the 43rd Circuit.
Getting a public defender
Missouri's public defender system serves those who can't afford counsel. The defendant usually applies at the first appearance with a financial form. Family members can call the district office covering the 43rd Circuit to ask what's needed.
Where can bail be paid in Kingston?
Most families go to the jail on West Main. Phone 816-586-5245 before leaving home; staff can say what kinds of money they accept and whether someone is free to process paperwork.
For Caldwell cases, the circuit clerk at 49 E Main St, Kingston, MO 64650 (mailing P.O. Box 68), phone 816-586-2581, may also accept bond money during business hours. For a Livingston case, ask the jail where that bond is paid.
Is online or kiosk payment offered?
We didn't find evidence of an online portal or lobby machine for this jail. Plan on paying in person with cash or a money order unless staff tell you otherwise.
What does a bondsman do for a Kingston bond?
For a nonrefundable charge, a bail agent stands behind the full bond so you don't have to deposit it. Missouri requires these agents to carry a license from its insurance department.
Look at the license and get the deal in writing.
How much will it cost to use a bondsman?
Pricing is a percentage of the bond, and each agent picks the rate. Ask whether paperwork, travel to Kingston, or a payment plan adds anything.
Could farmland or a house secure the bond?
Missouri courts sometimes allow real estate to back a bond, and bail agents occasionally hold deeds as collateral. A 43rd Circuit judge decides if that works in a particular case.
Ask the clerk which documents prove ownership and value.
Responsibilities of a co-signer
Co-signing makes you the backstop. Should the defendant vanish, the agent can demand the bond amount from you or keep the collateral. Don't sign before reading every line.
Posting bail on weekends in Caldwell County
Once a judge has set a figure, Kingston staff can generally take it day or night. Phone ahead anyway.
Without a figure, a Saturday arrest may wait for Monday's docket.
Dealing with an open warrant
Case.net often shows whether a warrant carries a bond, and the sheriff's office can confirm. Surrendering with payment arranged usually shortens the stay.
Warrants from outside Caldwell County
Someone booked in Kingston on a Ray or Clinton County warrant, for example, may sit until deputies from there come or that bond gets paid. Learn the issuing county from staff, then phone it about payment.
How long after paying until release?
Release paperwork and a check for other holds usually take a few hours. A probation hold or second warrant can stop the release cold.
Can bond be lowered?
Through a defense motion, yes. Evidence of a steady job and a Caldwell or Livingston address strengthens it.
Looking up court dates
Search Case.net under the 43rd Circuit, choosing Caldwell or Livingston as needed.
Cash bond refunds
Whichever county filed the case, its circuit clerk returns cash bail once the matter closes and the defendant attended everything. Anything owed to the court can be subtracted beforehand.
Hold onto the receipt.
Missing court
Skipped hearings lead to warrants, and the court can keep the bond. Agents may come looking for the defendant and the co-signer alike.
Juveniles
Children under 18 are handled through the 43rd Circuit's juvenile office. A juvenile officer, not the jail, decides on detention with a judge's review. Call that office quickly.
Federal court for Caldwell County
Federal cases from Caldwell go to St. Joseph, where the Western District's St. Joseph Division sits. A magistrate judge rules on release, and county staff can't take federal bail. See the Western District site.
Who may post bond in Kingston?
Most often any adult who brings photo ID and payment the jail accepts. Relatives, friends, and employers have all done it. Phone first to confirm.
What should I get back when I pay?
A receipt and the bond. The bond shows which county's court the defendant must attend, Caldwell or Livingston, and the date. Keep copies.
What if release rules are broken?
Violations let the 43rd Circuit cancel release and return the person to West Main. Discuss every condition before your relative leaves.
Can the bail agent pull out?
Agent contracts typically permit surrender of the defendant if the agent believes they won't appear. That would put the person back in custody.
Immigration detainers and Kingston bail
Should federal immigration officials have lodged a detainer, posting the state bond won't free the person. Find out before paying.
Leaving the area while on bond
Bond terms sometimes restrict travel outside Missouri. Read the conditions or ask the defense lawyer before any trip, especially for Livingston defendants who work across county lines.
Does the Kingston jail take bond for both counties at once?
If a person faces charges in both Caldwell and Livingston, each case may carry its own bond. Ask staff to list every case and amount so you know the full total before you start paying.
What to confirm before driving to Kingston
Call 816-586-5245. Ask which county's case it is, the amount, any holds, and which payments work. Carry ID and the booking number. Legal questions belong with a lawyer; this page just explains the process.
Paying an Inmate's Bail or Bond in Caldwell County
The Caldwell County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Caldwell County.
However if you don't want to use a bail bond agent:
- You can always pay a cash bond yourself, or use your home in Caldwell County, or in some cases the state of Missouri, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Caldwell County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
- The typical fee for a bond in Missouri is between 10-20% of the bail amount; usually 15% or less. So if an offender has a bail of $10,000.00, their bond will be $1,500.00.
- Pay by cash, cashier's check, money order or credit card at the Caldwell County Jail, or the courthouse in Caldwell County where the offense took place.
Call 816-586-5245 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Caldwell County inmate locator.
Caldwell County Jail
Address:
280 W. Main Street
Kingston, MO 64650
Phone:
816-586-5245
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Caldwell County
Does Caldwell County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Caldwell County?
Who can set bail in Caldwell County?
When is bail set in Caldwell County Missouri?
Does Caldwell County have bail?
Yes, Caldwell County recognizes most types of bonds and bail conditions.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Caldwell County?
The Caldwell County court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Bail is available in several forms including a recognizance bond, uncompensated sureties, 10% cash bond or cash bond.
In Missouri, Uncompensated Sureties make it so an individual may act as their own surety if they are at least 21 years of age and a resident of the state of MO. They must have net assets with a value in excess of exemptions at least equal or greater than the amount of the bond set.
They cannot have been found guilty or pled no contest within the past 15 years to any felony charge and they can’t have any outstanding unsatisfied judgment entered on any bail bond in any court in Missouri or the US.
POST YOUR OWN 10% CASH BOND: Bonds are generally set at a specified cash amount by the court. In Missouri, the defendant is in most instances entitled to be released upon payment of a 10% cash fee paid to the Court Clerk as the bond. This money, unlike money paid to a bondsman, is then refunded to the defendant at the conclusion of the case.
This money will not be refunded to the defendant at the conclusion of the case if you have any court costs due etc. and will instead be applied to those costs which is 99% of the time almost always the case.
Who can set bail in Caldwell County?
Some offenses have preset bail according to a bail schedule and can be processed at the jail without waiting for a judge. In other cases, the bail will be set by a judge.
When is bail set in Caldwell County Missouri?
For some offenses is set according to a pre-determined bail schedule. If this is the case the jail will inform the defendant of the bail amount during processing. In other cases, bail will be set by a judge. A bail hearing is generally scheduled within 48 hours of arrest.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Caldwell 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 Caldwell 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 Caldwell 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, Caldwell 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 Caldwell 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. This is one of the more popular bonds in Missouri.
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.
In Missouri, Uncompensated Sureties make it so an individual may act as their own surety if they are at least 21 years of age and a resident of the state of MO. They must have net assets with a value in excess of exemptions at least equal or greater than the amount of the bond set.
They cannot have been found guilty or pled no contest within the past 15 years to any felony charge and they can’t have any outstanding unsatisfied judgment entered on any bail bond in any court in Missouri or the US.
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 Caldwell County have bail?
Yes, Caldwell County recognizes most types of bonds and bail conditions.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Caldwell County?
The Caldwell County court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Bail is available in several forms including a recognizance bond, uncompensated sureties, 10% cash bond or cash bond.
In Missouri, Uncompensated Sureties make it so an individual may act as their own surety if they are at least 21 years of age and a resident of the state of MO. They must have net assets with a value in excess of exemptions at least equal or greater than the amount of the bond set.
They cannot have been found guilty or pled no contest within the past 15 years to any felony charge and they can’t have any outstanding unsatisfied judgment entered on any bail bond in any court in Missouri or the US.
POST YOUR OWN 10% CASH BOND: Bonds are generally set at a specified cash amount by the court. In Missouri, the defendant is in most instances entitled to be released upon payment of a 10% cash fee paid to the Court Clerk as the bond. This money, unlike money paid to a bondsman, is then refunded to the defendant at the conclusion of the case.
This money will not be refunded to the defendant at the conclusion of the case if you have any court costs due etc. and will instead be applied to those costs which is 99% of the time almost always the case.
Who can set bail in Caldwell County?
Some offenses have preset bail according to a bail schedule and can be processed at the jail without waiting for a judge. In other cases, the bail will be set by a judge.
When is bail set in Missouri?
For some offenses is set according to a pre-determined bail schedule. If this is the case the jail will inform the defendant of the bail amount during processing. In other cases, bail will be set by a judge. A bail hearing is generally scheduled within 48 hours of arrest.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Caldwell County Missouri?
You can get the court to reduce an excessive bond - sometimes if the bond is set unfairly high, it can be reduced to a more manageable amount by an attorney – your own or court appointed/public defender. This can usually be accomplished early in proceedings shortly after arrest.
In Caldwell County Missouri, who can pay bail for me?
The person posting bail could be the arrested, a relative or close friend. All could be considered a surety, because they are promising and taking responsibility that you will return to court to get their money back.
A professional bondsperson who is approved by the State of Missouri could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Caldwell County Missouri?
Missouri counties do not currently process online payments for bail. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: Go to the Caldwell County Jail for more information about the jails in Caldwell County.
What options are there to pay bail in Caldwell County Missouri?
All Caldwell County courts accept cash or surety from a bail bonds agent. Some courts allow payment via credit or debit card, money order or cashier’s check. Go to the Caldwell County Jail for more information about posting bail in Caldwell County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Missouri?
Bail money is returned to the person who paid the bail and in Missouri, usually to the defendant. 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 Caldwell 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 Missouri?
The Caldwell 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.