Hickory County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Hickory County bail: getting someone out of the Hermitage jail
Hermitage is a small town between Pomme de Terre Lake and Truman Lake, and it serves as the seat of Hickory County, Missouri. Wheatland, Cross Timbers, and Weaubleau are also in the county. When deputies arrest someone on a state charge, the person usually goes to the county jail in Hermitage. Inmate search: Hickory County Inmate Search.
The Hermitage jail
You'll find the Hickory County Jail at 18682 Jackson St., Hermitage, MO 65668. Deputies there answer at 417-745-6415.
Sheriff's mail is addressed to Rt 2 Box 2805, Hermitage.
The circuit clerk
Court records for Hickory County are kept by the circuit clerk, whose mailing address is PO Box 345, Hermitage, MO 65668. Call 417-745-6421 on weekdays about filings, bond records, and refunds.
Searching for an inmate
The Hickory County Inmate Search is your starting point. With a small staff, records may not post the instant someone arrives. When the search comes up blank, call Jackson Street and give the person's full name and birthday.
Write these answers down
- Is your relative in the Hermitage jail?
- Which charges did deputies list?
- What bond is set, if any?
- Are there holds from other places?
- What's the booking number?
Waiting on a bond figure
A missing figure often means charges haven't been filed. When deputies made the arrest on their own observation, state law permits up to 24 hours for that filing, and a judge sets release terms afterward. For a warrant arrest, the bond is frequently printed on the warrant itself, so the deputy may already know it.
Hickory's judicial circuit
Hickory sits in the 30th Judicial Circuit alongside Benton, Dallas, Polk, and Webster. A first appearance is usually held in Hermitage in front of an associate circuit judge, who decides the opening release terms.
How Missouri bail is decided
Missouri's bail rule, 33.01, has judges choose the gentlest terms that will still bring a defendant back and keep others safe. Plenty of defendants are released without paying. If the court does order a cash or surety bond, it's expected to think about the person's finances, so that lack of money alone doesn't decide who stays jailed.
Signing out on a promise
Recognizance release lets a defendant leave after signing a pledge to come to court. Judges often add rules: avoid a certain person, stay away from alcohol, keep a curfew, or report to a supervising officer. Living in Hickory County for years and holding a job weigh in the defendant's favor.
The choices a judge has
- A signed promise only.
- Full cash.
- A portion in cash, if the order permits.
- A bondsman's surety.
- A real estate pledge, subject to approval.
- Monitoring or pretrial supervision.
Timing of the first hearing
Court in Hermitage runs on a limited schedule; a Thursday or Friday arrest might sit until the next session. If the terms leave the defendant stuck in jail, a lawyer may file under Rule 33.05, which entitles the defendant to a speedy second look.
What a bondsman charges
Charging a premium, often figured as a share of the total, a bail agent backs the full sum and keeps that fee no matter how the case ends. Few agencies may be based in Hermitage itself, so families often call firms in Bolivar, Warsaw, or Springfield. Get the rate, extra fees, collateral, and co-signer terms on paper.
Missouri's insurance regulator licenses every bail agent. Ask for the license number and look it up.
Pledging property
If the judge agrees, equity in land or a house can secure the bond. Expect to gather the deed, the loan balance, and evidence of what the property is worth. Lake-area lots and family farmland may need extra paperwork, so start early.
How payment works
Before you head out, phone 417-745-6415 to learn which kinds of money the Jackson Street desk handles right then. On weekdays, the clerk at 417-745-6421 may be where bond money goes. Bring photo ID.
Card payments
Card acceptance couldn't be confirmed. Ask directly, and bring a money order in case it's needed.
Who's allowed to pay
Typically any adult who brings identification. A cash refund will usually be made out to the depositor, so keep the receipt under your own name.
Release after payment
Call the jail to find out where things stand. Deputies have to do the release paperwork and check for any other warrants before the door opens.
Warrants from Polk, Benton, Dallas, or St. Clair
Paying Hickory bail resolves only Hickory charges. A warrant from Polk, Benton, Dallas, St. Clair, Camden, or another county can keep your relative in Hermitage until that agency picks them up or its own bail is arranged. Ask the jail which county is involved.
Detainers from other agencies
Parole officers, out-of-state courts, and immigration officials can ask the jail to keep a prisoner. Those detainers stay in place after Hickory bail is posted.
Municipal violations
Small towns in the county may route ordinance tickets to a city judge whose bail practice differs. Ask whether a charge is a city or state matter.
Your bond papers
Hang on to two things: the release order listing Hermitage court dates and conditions, and the receipt for your payment. Take pictures of both in case one goes missing.
Breaking the conditions
Prosecutors can ask the 30th Circuit judge to revoke release after a violation. The judge may then issue a warrant, set a higher bond, or hold the defendant through trial. When a condition can't realistically be met, it's better to have a lawyer seek a change first.
The bondsman returning a client
Most bail contracts let the agent bring the defendant back to the Hermitage jail and end the bond. Agents do this when they can't reach the person or fear a disappearance. Regular contact prevents it.
Asking a judge to lower bail
The defense attorney can file a motion for a lower amount or lighter terms. Bring proof of income, a Hickory County address, and family obligations to show strong local ties.
Watching for court dates
Search Case.net under the 30th Circuit and Hickory County. Five counties share the circuit, so check the county on each entry.
When cash bail comes back
If the defendant made every appearance, the bond is released at the end of the case and refunded through the clerk, normally to the person who paid. The judge can order fines or costs taken out first. A refund may take several weeks to arrive, so keep your mailing address on file.
The bondsman's percentage
It's earned when the bond is written and isn't returned. Any collateral should be returned after the bond is discharged, per the agreement.
If the case is dismissed
A dismissal leaves the bond with nothing to secure, so the court releases it. Cash you posted is sent back through the clerk in Hermitage once any assessed amounts are subtracted. Keep the receipt and the release order anyway; prosecutors sometimes refile a charge after gathering more evidence, and a new case would bring new bail decisions.
A missed court date
Skipping a Hermitage hearing tends to bring a warrant, and the judge can declare the bail forfeited. A surety company that loses its money will usually try to recover it, first by finding the defendant and then by turning to whoever co-signed. Flooded back roads near the lakes or a sudden illness are real reasons people miss court, so call the lawyer as soon as possible to explain.
Young people under 18
Teenagers accused of offenses are generally handled through the 30th Circuit's juvenile office, which follows its own rules instead of adult bond. A child taken into custody may be placed at a juvenile facility outside the county rather than on Jackson Street. Parents should call the juvenile office that day to find out the placement and when a judge will review it.
Help from the public defender
People who can't afford private counsel can ask for an attorney from the Missouri State Public Defender. Defendants usually raise it at their opening Hermitage hearing, along with a form about income and expenses. If one is appointed, that lawyer can press for a lower bond or conditions that fit the defendant's work and family life.
Federal cases
A federal arrest in Hickory County falls under the Western District of Missouri's Central Division in Jefferson City. Release there is up to a federal magistrate judge, and Hickory's jail won't take money toward it. Learn more at the Western District website.
Does a lake-area arrest change where the case goes?
Truman and Pomme de Terre lakes stretch across several counties, so the county line matters. An arrest by a Hickory deputy or the Water Patrol inside Hickory usually leads to a Hickory case, while one just over the line may be handled by Benton, St. Clair, or Polk instead. Ask the arresting agency which county filed the charge before you pay anyone.
Can a visitor from out of state get bail in Hermitage?
Summer visitors to the lakes are sometimes arrested far from home. Living elsewhere doesn't rule out release, but a judge may set tighter terms because of the distance. A hotel receipt won't help much; proof of a job and a permanent address back home, plus a plan for attending each hearing, carries more weight.
How long does a Hickory case usually last?
Some misdemeanors finish in a hearing or two. Felonies, which often move to the circuit level, can take many months. Release terms usually stay in force the entire time, so the defendant should plan for a long run of rules and court dates.
Call Hermitage before you go
Phone 417-745-6415 before setting out on the drive. Ask whether your relative is still being held, double-check the bail figure and type, find out if Polk or any other agency has placed a hold, and confirm what forms of payment you can use when you get there.
Carry photo identification and keep the booking number in your pocket. This page describes Hickory County bail in general terms, and a lawyer is the right person for advice on a particular case.
Hickory County Jail
Address:
18682 Jackson St.
Hermitage, MO 65668
Phone:
417-745-6415
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Hickory County
Does Hickory County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Hickory County?
Who can set bail in Hickory County?
When is bail set in Hickory County Missouri?
Does Hickory County have bail?
Yes, Hickory County recognizes most types of bonds and bail conditions.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Hickory County?
The Hickory 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 Hickory 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 Hickory 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 Hickory 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 Hickory 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 Hickory 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, Hickory 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 Hickory 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 Hickory County have bail?
Yes, Hickory County recognizes most types of bonds and bail conditions.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Hickory County?
The Hickory 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 Hickory 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 Hickory 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 Hickory 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 Hickory 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 Hickory County Jail for more information about the jails in Hickory County.
What options are there to pay bail in Hickory County Missouri?
All Hickory 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 Hickory County Jail for more information about posting bail in Hickory 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 Hickory 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 Hickory 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.