Jackson County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
Jackson County bail: the Kansas City detention center and the 16th Circuit
Jackson County, Missouri is the state's most populous county outside the St. Louis area, with county government split between Independence and Kansas City. Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Raytown, Grandview, Grain Valley, and Oak Grove are among its many cities. Adults held on state charges in the county are generally housed at the county detention center in downtown Kansas City. Inmate search: Jackson County Inmate Search.
1. Where the county holds detainees
The Jackson County Detention Center is located at 1300 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information about someone in custody, call 816-881-4200.
2. The sheriff's office
Jackson County's sheriff has headquarters at 4001 NE Lakewood Court, Lee's Summit, MO 64064, reachable at 816-541-8017. That office serves warrants and patrols unincorporated areas; the detention center is the place to ask about a prisoner.
3. Court records
We didn't confirm a single phone line for the 16th Circuit clerk to list here. Case.net shows filings, settings, and bond entries once a case exists, and detention staff can usually tell you which courthouse is handling it.
4. Finding a detainee
Search the Jackson County Inmate Search by name. In a county this size, someone may be held for a time at a police station in Kansas City, Independence, or another city before transfer to Cherry Street, so a fresh arrest may not show up right away. If the name isn't there, ask the arresting police department where the person is.
5. What to ask detention staff
- Is the person at 1300 Cherry Street, or still at a city police facility?
- What state charges were filed?
- Which kind of bond, if any, and for what amount?
- Has any other agency, county, or state placed a hold?
- What's the booking or inmate number?
6. Why a bond hasn't been set
Prosecutors may not have filed yet. When police make an arrest on their own probable cause, state law sets a 24-hour limit for filing charges, and the court usually sets release conditions after that. If police arrested on an outstanding warrant, the bond may already appear on it.
7. Which court has the case?
Jackson County is the 16th Judicial Circuit, and it hears cases at courthouses in both downtown Kansas City and Independence. A state case usually starts with a first appearance before an associate judge, and that judge decides the opening release terms.
8. What Missouri requires of bail
Under Rule 33.01, judges are expected to order the least restrictive conditions that will reasonably bring the defendant back and keep the metro safe. A dollar amount isn't a requirement. When a judge does set money, the defendant's ability to pay should be considered so that a person isn't held only because they're poor.
9. Release without paying
Release on recognizance lets a defendant leave after signing a promise to return. Jackson County judges can add conditions like staying away from a specific individual, being home by a set hour, testing for drugs or alcohol, or reporting to pretrial services. A steady job, a stable home, and family in the metro area help.
10. Common bond types
- Own recognizance, no money required.
- The whole amount in cash.
- A cash deposit for a portion, where the order allows.
- A surety bond through a licensed bail company.
- Home or land equity pledged to the court.
- Pretrial supervision, GPS, or alcohol monitoring.
11. When a judge reviews the bond
The 16th Circuit hears new cases often, but weekend and holiday arrests can still mean a wait. For a defendant still stuck downtown because of the terms, counsel may file a Rule 33.05 motion so a judge revisits the terms without delay.
12. What bail companies charge
In exchange for guaranteeing the bond, a surety company charges a premium tied to a percentage of the total, and keeps it regardless of how the case ends. The Kansas City area has many agencies. Compare a few, ask about the rate, added fees, collateral, payment plans, and co-signer duties, and get every term written into the agreement.
Bail agents working in Missouri carry a state-issued license. You can ask for an agent's license number and confirm it with the state.
13. Using real estate
A 16th Circuit judge may accept property if the owner can show enough equity. Expect to provide a deed, a current mortgage statement, and proof of value. Gathering documents takes time, so families often use a bail company first.
14. Paying the bond
Before going downtown, call 816-881-4200 and ask where and how bond is paid at that hour, whether at the detention center or a courthouse. Policies in a large system change, so confirm first and bring photo ID.
15. Card payments
Card acceptance wasn't verified for this guide. Ask when you call, and be prepared with another payment method. Service fees are common for card payments.
16. Who can post bail
Generally any adult with valid photo ID. Cash refunds are typically issued to the person who paid, so if it's your money, keep the receipt in your name.
17. How long release takes
In a large detention center, release can take hours after posting. Staff complete paperwork, check for warrants and holds, and return property. Call to ask about status, and have a way to get home from downtown arranged in advance.
18. Warrants from Clay, Cass, Platte, or Kansas
A Jackson County bond only covers Jackson County charges. Warrants from Clay, Cass, Platte, Lafayette, or Johnson counties in Missouri are common, and so are ones from Johnson or Wyandotte counties in Kansas. A Missouri county's warrant may keep the person held until that county picks them up; a Kansas warrant can involve extradition, which a lawyer should explain.
19. Other holds
Probation and parole officers, courts in other states, and federal immigration authorities can each request that the detention center keep someone. Posting a Jackson County bond doesn't lift those.
20. Kansas City and other municipal charges
Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, and most other cities in the county run their own municipal courts for ordinance violations. City cases carry their own bail, decided apart from the 16th Circuit, and a person may be held by a city rather than the county. Ask which court each charge belongs to before paying.
21. Keeping paperwork
Hold onto the bond papers, which list court dates, the courthouse, and conditions, and the receipt showing who paid. A photo of each on your phone is a good backup.
22. Violating conditions
A judge in Kansas City or Independence can revoke release when a condition is broken, after the prosecutor files a motion. The usual results are an arrest warrant, a larger bond, or detention until trial. If a rule is unrealistic given the defendant's job or family, a lawyer can ask the court to adjust it before a violation happens.
23. When a bondsman surrenders the client
Bail company contracts in the metro almost always allow the agent to take the client back into custody and be released from the bond. That most often follows missed check-ins, an unreported move, or signs the client may leave the area. Stay in contact with the agency and keep every appointment.
24. Requesting a lower bond
Defense counsel can file a motion with the assigned 16th Circuit judge asking for a reduced amount or modified terms. Strong motions bring documents: pay stubs from a Kansas City-area employer, a lease or mortgage statement, proof of school enrollment, and notes from relatives who count on the defendant's help.
25. Finding court dates and courtrooms
Search Case.net, choosing the 16th Circuit, by name or case number. Note whether each setting is in Kansas City or Independence, since showing up at the wrong courthouse is an easy mistake.
26. Cash bond refunds
When a Jackson County case closes with no missed appearances, the judge discharges the bond and a refund is issued, usually in the depositor's name. Fines, costs, or restitution may be deducted first. Allow several weeks for the check, and keep your mailing address current with the court.
27. The bondsman's premium
That fee is the bail company's earnings for taking on the risk, so it isn't returned even if the case is dismissed the next week. Collateral should be returned when the court discharges the bond, according to your contract.
28. Dismissed cases
A dismissal ends the bond. Cash posted with the court comes back after anything the judge orders withheld. Keep the documents, since prosecutors can sometimes refile.
29. Missing a court date
Skip a hearing in Kansas City or Independence and a judge will likely order an arrest and may declare the bail forfeited. Bail companies hit with a forfeiture tend to send someone looking for the client and then pursue the person who co-signed. Traffic, a sick child, or a hospital visit are better explained by the lawyer within hours than days.
30. Juvenile cases
For anyone under 18, the 16th Circuit's family court division and juvenile office take over, which works differently from adult bond. A detained youth is normally placed in a juvenile facility rather than the downtown adult center. Parents who call the juvenile office quickly can find out where the youth is and when the custody hearing falls.
31. Public defender help
State-funded defenders work in Jackson County for people who can't pay a private firm. The application is usually taken when the defendant first goes before a judge, and an assigned lawyer may push to cut the bond or ease the rules.
32. Federal arrests
Federal prosecutions from Jackson County go to the federal courthouse in downtown Kansas City, home of the Western District's Western Division. Release in those cases rests with a federal magistrate, and Cherry Street staff can't take payment toward it. See the Western District website.
33. One last call before heading downtown
Ring 816-881-4200 before fighting downtown traffic. Make sure your relative is actually at Cherry Street and not a city lockup, confirm how much bail is owed and in what form, check on Kansas or out-of-county holds, then learn where payment is taken at that hour.
Carry a government-issued ID and the inmate number. We've explained Jackson County bail broadly, and a defense attorney can speak to the particular charges.
How do Bail Bonds work at Jackson County Detention Center
After the court sets a bond for an offender, the bond can be posted at Criminal Records, at 1315 Locust St. Kansas City, MO, beteen the hours of 8:00AM and 5:00PM - Monday thrur Friday.
- Always call 816-881-6387 first to verify the full amount plus any other fees.
- After you post the bond, call 816-881-6387 again to notify them that the bond was paid. It is your responsibility to do this.
- For bonds related to arrests at the Kansas City Police Department, call 816-234-5180.
Credit Card payments:
- 24/7 card payment is available online at Access Corrections.
- You can also pay by card over the phone by calling Access Corrections at 866-345-1884
- Cash or card payment can be made through the Access Corrections Kiosk at the Jackson County Detention Center 1300 Cherry St, Kansas City, MO. The Kiosk adds a 7% fee.
Jackson County Detention Center
Address:
1300 Cherry Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone:
816-881-4200
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Jackson County
Does Jackson County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Jackson County?
Who can set bail in Jackson County?
When is bail set in Jackson County Missouri?
Does Jackson County have bail?
Yes, Jackson County recognizes most types of bonds and bail conditions.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Jackson County?
The Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County Detention Center 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, Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County have bail?
Yes, Jackson County recognizes most types of bonds and bail conditions.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Jackson County?
The Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County Detention Center for more information about the jails in Jackson County.
What options are there to pay bail in Jackson County Missouri?
All Jackson 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 Jackson County Detention Center for more information about posting bail in Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County Detention Center 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.