Camden County Detention Facility Inmate Bail & Bonds
Bail at the Lake: Camden County guide
Camden County wraps around a large part of the Lake of the Ozarks, so its detention facility in Camdenton sees locals and vacationers alike. If someone you know was arrested in Camden County, Missouri, whether in Osage Beach, Lake Ozark, or Camdenton itself, here's how bail works. Inmate search: Camden County Inmate Search.
Where is the Camden County jail located?
The Camden County Detention Facility is at 1 Court Circle, Camdenton, MO 65020. Call it at 573-317-0981.
The sheriff's office uses 1 Court Circle NW Ste. 13, Camdenton, MO 65020, phone 573-346-2243. Look on the Camden County Inmate Search first.
A friend got arrested at the lake on vacation. Where is she?
If the arrest happened on the Camden County side, she's likely in Camdenton. The lake stretches across several counties, though, so a boating or roadside arrest may have been handled by a neighboring county instead.
Call the facility to confirm, and ask for the charge, bond, and booking number.
Is there a holding period before charges are filed?
Yes. A warrantless arrest can lead to a hold lasting as long as 24 hours while the prosecutor decides. No filing by the deadline should mean freedom.
That's why some families are told there's no bond yet.
Which court sets bond in Camden County?
Camden belongs to the 26th Judicial Circuit, together with Laclede, Miller, Moniteau, and Morgan counties. An associate circuit judge in Camdenton usually decides release on new cases.
The detention staff enforce the order. They don't set the amount.
What does Missouri law ask of bail judges?
Under Rule 33.01, the judge picks the gentlest set of terms that still protects people and gets the defendant back to court.
Before setting money, a judge should weigh other options. Any amount must take the defendant's ability to pay into account.
Can a visitor be released without paying?
It's possible. Recognizance release requires only a signed promise to come back for court.
For someone who lives far away, the judge may want extra assurance, like conditions or a bond, because the person won't be nearby.
What bonds does the 26th Circuit use?
- Recognizance: a signature, no money.
- Cash: deposit the whole amount.
- Surety: a bail agent guarantees it.
- Conditional: release with monitoring or rules.
A "cash only" bond can't be posted by an agent.
What affects the amount for a lake-area arrest?
The charge, any record, and past court attendance matter most. Boating while intoxicated, drunk driving, or violence cases can draw closer attention.
Local ties count, but so do strong ties back home. A visitor with a steady job and family elsewhere can point to those.
Can a judge order no bond?
Missouri permits it when no conditions would protect others or ensure the defendant returns. A hearing with evidence should come first.
If that happens, contact a lawyer right away.
How fast can bond be reviewed?
A detained defendant may invoke Rule 33.05, which calls for timely reconsideration. Counsel submits it to the 26th Circuit.
Ask the clerk when the hearing is set.
Public defender help
People who can't afford a lawyer can ask for the Missouri State Public Defender, usually at the first court appearance. An income form is part of the request.
Where can I pay bail in Camdenton?
Usually at the detention facility on Court Circle. Phone 573-317-0981 first to confirm accepted payment types and when staff can take a bond.
The circuit clerk at 1 Court Circle NW Ste. 8, Camdenton, MO 65020 (573-317-3900) may also take bond payments during business hours.
Online or card payment?
We found no sign of web payments or a lobby machine at Court Circle. If staff mention a card vendor, ask about the surcharge.
Check by phone. Cash or money orders usually work.
How do lake-area bail agents work?
A licensed agent posts the full bond for a nonrefundable fee. Missouri's Department of Commerce and Insurance licenses these agents.
Ask for the license and a written agreement before paying.
What's a bondsman's typical charge?
Usually a percentage of the bond amount, set by the agent. Ask about added fees, especially if you're paying from out of state.
Can a lake house or boat be used as collateral?
A judge in the 26th Circuit might let a lake home secure a bond, though that's case by case. Bondsmen, separately, may accept titles to property or boats as collateral.
Camden's clerk can walk you through title papers and appraisal requirements.
What am I agreeing to as a co-signer?
If the defendant fails to appear, the agent can demand the entire bond from you or keep what you pledged. This is especially important when the defendant lives far from Camdenton and must travel back for court.
Weekend bail in Camden County
Many lake arrests happen on weekends. If bond is set, the facility can often take payment at any hour; call first.
Arrests awaiting a judge's first look may linger until Monday, or later after a holiday.
Handling a Camden County warrant
Check Case.net or call the sheriff for the bond on the warrant. Turning in at Court Circle with payment arranged can speed things up.
Someone from Kansas or Iowa was arrested here and has warrants back home. Then what?
Camdenton may hold them for that other state. Extradition rules can apply, and paying that other bond locally might not be possible.
Ask staff which agency placed the hold, then call that agency.
How long until release after paying?
Usually a few hours, as staff complete paperwork, check for holds, and return property. Any hold can block release.
Are Osage Beach or Lake Ozark city charges handled differently?
Some ordinance violations go to a city's municipal court, which has its own bond process. Ask whether the charge is a municipal or state case.
Can the bond be lowered?
A defense lawyer can file a motion. Proof of employment and a stable home helps.
Following the case
Search Case.net under the 26th Circuit to see charges, hearing dates, and bond.
Refunds of cash bail
Camden's clerk releases cash bail after final judgment, provided no hearing was skipped. Court debts can be deducted.
Keep the receipt and make sure the clerk has a current mailing address, especially if you live out of state.
Missed court dates
A warrant may issue and the bond may be forfeited. For an out-of-town defendant, that can mean a new arrest back home.
Juvenile arrests at the lake
Teens arrested at the lake are routed to the 26th Circuit juvenile office. Parents, even ones several states away, should phone that office the moment they learn of it.
Federal court for Camden County
Federal charges from the lake travel to Jefferson City, seat of the Western District's Central Division.
Release there is a magistrate judge's call; Court Circle can't take federal money. See the Western District website.
Can a vacation companion post bail?
Usually. Any adult with ID and accepted payment can typically post a bond at Court Circle. You don't need to be related or live in Missouri. Call to confirm.
What paperwork will I get?
A receipt and a bond document listing conditions and the court date in Camdenton. Out-of-town defendants should keep it where they won't lose track of the date.
Breaking a bond rule after going home
Camdenton's court may cancel release and have the person picked up again. For someone living far away, that warrant can follow them home.
Can a lake-area bondsman revoke the bond?
Agent contracts often allow surrender of a defendant the agent considers too risky. Keep the agent updated on your contact information.
Is bail the same as the fine for a lake ticket?
Separate things. Bail ensures the defendant returns for court. A fine comes as a sentence. The 26th Circuit may apply posted cash to fines or costs, so ask the clerk how that would work.
What happens to bail if the case is dropped?
Generally, a dismissal releases the bond, and cash comes back through the clerk minus any court charges. The bondsman's fee isn't returned.
Can an immigration detainer keep someone in Camdenton?
Yes, a federal detainer is separate from the Camden bond. Check with staff before paying.
What to confirm before heading to Camdenton
Dial 573-317-0981; verify the amount, holds, acceptable payment, and staff availability.
Pack identification and the booking number. For legal strategy, hire or request a lawyer.
Camden County Detention Facility
Address:
1 Court Circle
Camdenton, MO 65020
Phone:
573-317-0981
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Camden County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Camden County?
Who can set bail in Camden County?
When is bail set in Camden County Missouri?
Does Camden County have bail?
Yes, Camden County recognizes most types of bonds and bail conditions.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Camden County?
The Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden County Detention Facility 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, Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden County have bail?
Yes, Camden County recognizes most types of bonds and bail conditions.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Camden County?
The Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden County Detention Facility for more information about the jails in Camden County.
What options are there to pay bail in Camden County Missouri?
All Camden 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 Camden County Detention Facility for more information about posting bail in Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden County Detention Facility 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.