Lafayette County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Lafayette County bail: help when someone is jailed in Lexington
Lexington, a Missouri River town known for its Civil War history, is the seat of Lafayette County, Missouri. Odessa, Higginsville, Concordia, and Wellington are also here, with Interstate 70 running through the southern part of the county. A person arrested in the county on a state charge usually goes to the county jail in Lexington. Inmate search: Lafayette County Inmate Search.
Lexington's jail
The Lafayette County Jail is at 107 S. 11th Street, Lexington, MO 64067. Its phone is 660-259-3622.
The sheriff's office, at the same address, takes calls at 660-259-7724.
Reaching the clerk
Mail for the Lafayette County circuit clerk goes to PO Box 10, Lexington, MO 64067. The office phone is 660-259-6101, and that's where bond filings, case files, and refunds are handled.
Checking for your relative
Look first at the Lafayette County Inmate Search. Arrests in Odessa or along I-70 may take time to reach Lexington and post. Coming up empty? Phone 11th Street with the spelling of the name and a birthday.
Questions for the deputy
- Is the person in the Lexington jail?
- What are the listed charges?
- What bail exists, if any, and of which kind?
- Has any county, state, or agency asked for a hold?
- What's the booking number?
Why the bail figure isn't ready
The prosecutor may still be deciding. Missouri allows 24 hours from a warrantless arrest until charges must be filed or the person released, and judges usually set terms after charging. Warrant arrests often come with a preset bond that staff can share.
Lafayette's court
The 15th Judicial Circuit includes Lafayette and Saline counties. First appearances in Lafayette cases generally happen in Lexington before an associate judge, who decides the initial release conditions.
How the decision is made
Missouri's Rule 33.01 points judges to the least burdensome conditions that will still bring the defendant back and keep people safe. A cash bond isn't a default. When one is used, the judge should factor in the defendant's ability to pay.
Signature release
Some people are released on recognizance after signing a promise to come back. Conditions might include avoiding a certain person, sobriety, being home by dark, or phoning a pretrial officer. Roots in Higginsville, Odessa, or Lexington and steady work help.
Release forms
- Recognizance.
- All of it in cash.
- Some of it in cash, if the order allows.
- A licensed agent's surety bond.
- Real estate, if accepted.
- Monitoring or pretrial supervision.
When a hearing happens
Court in Lexington isn't held every hour of every day, so a weekend arrest can mean waiting. If the terms can't be met, counsel may request review under Rule 33.05, which is meant to be swift.
Bail bondsman costs
A bondsman covers the full bond in return for a premium, usually a percentage, which isn't refunded. Agencies working Lafayette may be based in Lexington, Higginsville, Independence, or Blue Springs. Ask for the rate, fees, collateral terms, and co-signer obligations, and get them in writing.
State law requires a bondsman's license; ask any agent for theirs.
Using property
Land equity can replace cash when the judge is satisfied it covers the figure. Expect to show a deed, the mortgage balance, and the property's value. Farmland near the river and in-town homes both qualify if the numbers work.
Paying
Call 660-259-3622 and ask what kinds of payment the jail takes at that hour, and whether a daytime bond should go to the clerk at 660-259-6101. Bring identification.
Cards
Card acceptance wasn't verified. Check with the deputy, and carry a cashier's check too.
Who may post
Usually any adult with ID. Refunds go to the depositor, so keep your receipt.
How long until they're out
Ask the jail for an estimate. Deputies complete paperwork, check for other warrants, and return property before release.
Warrants from Jackson, Johnson, Saline, or Ray
A Lafayette bond only resolves Lafayette charges. Warrants from Jackson, Johnson, Saline, Ray, Carroll, or Clay counties are common, and any can keep the person in Lexington until that county acts. Ask who placed the hold.
Interstate 70 arrests
Many people arrested along I-70 live in Kansas City, St. Louis, or other states. A Lafayette charge still means returning to Lexington for court. A judge may weigh the distance, so proof of a permanent address and a job helps.
Other detainers
Detainers come from parole agents, courts outside Missouri, and immigration officers. Lafayette bail doesn't remove those holds.
City charges
Odessa, Higginsville, Concordia, and Lexington may send city tickets to local judges who set separate bail. Have the deputy say which charges are municipal.
Saving your documents
Lexington hands over two papers: the bond document, which lists every Lexington court setting and the conditions the defendant agreed to; the receipt shows the amount and the payer's name. Store both together and take photos.
Violations
When a defendant breaks a release rule, a prosecutor can ask the 15th Circuit judge to pull the bond. The judge might order an arrest, set a higher figure, or detain the defendant until the case concludes. If a condition won't work with a job or family duties, the lawyer should ask for a change before it's broken.
A bondsman giving up the bond
Surety contracts commonly let the bail company bring its client back to 11th Street and get out of the obligation. That's typical once a client goes silent or talks about relocating. Keeping the agency updated prevents most surrenders.
Asking to reduce bail
A motion from the defense can request a smaller bond or lighter terms. Helpful evidence includes paycheck stubs, a lease or deed in Lafayette County, school or medical commitments, and letters from family members who count on the defendant.
Court dates online
Case.net has the docket. Choose the 15th Circuit and Lafayette County, search by name, and make sure the case isn't from Saline before trusting the dates.
Refund of a cash bond
Assuming perfect attendance, the judge exonerates the bail when the Lafayette case ends, and the clerk mails the depositor a check. Fines, costs, or restitution may be subtracted first. A few weeks is a typical wait.
Premiums
The bondsman's fee isn't paid back. Collateral like a pickup title should return to you when the Lexington judge closes the bond.
A dismissed case
Dismissal ends the bond, and deposited cash comes back after any court-ordered deductions. Keep receipts in case of a refiling.
Missing a court date
Skipping a Lexington date generally triggers an arrest order, and the bail can be lost. Bondsmen who forfeit money hunt for their clients and lean on co-signers. Tell the lawyer immediately if an emergency was the cause.
Arrests of minors
Youths under 18 are generally handled through the 15th Circuit juvenile office, not adult bail, and are usually kept at a juvenile facility. A parent's first call should go to that office, which can say where the child is.
Public defender
Defendants who can't afford a lawyer can apply for the Missouri State Public Defender at the first appearance. An appointed lawyer can push for reasonable terms.
Federal charges
Federal prosecutions from Lafayette head west to the Kansas City courthouse of the Western District. Release there belongs to a magistrate, and 11th Street staff won't accept federal money. Visit the Western District website.
Does a Lexington bond cover a case in Saline County too?
Lafayette and Saline share a circuit, but each county keeps its own case files and bonds. Paying bail on a Lafayette charge won't release someone who also has an open Saline case. Ask the jail to list every case number and the county each one belongs to.
What if the arrest was across the river in Ray County?
The Missouri River marks the line between Lafayette and Ray counties. An arrest on the north side generally becomes a Ray County case with its own jail and court in Richmond. Confirm the county with the arresting officer before traveling to Lexington.
How long can a Lafayette case last?
Misdemeanors sometimes end after a few hearings, while felonies may stretch across many months before trial or a plea. Release conditions usually continue the entire time, so the defendant should be ready to follow them for the long haul.
Can a Higginsville or Odessa employer help with release?
A letter from a boss confirming the defendant's job, schedule, and pay can carry weight at a bail hearing. It shows the person has a reason to stay and a way to support the family. The employer doesn't post bond or vouch legally, but the letter gives the judge a reason to trust the defendant will return.
Call before driving to Lexington
Phone 660-259-3622 to confirm your relative is there, check the bond, ask about holds from Jackson or elsewhere, and learn which payments the jail accepts right now.
Take your license and jot down the booking number. These answers cover Lafayette County bail broadly, and the defense attorney can advise on the specific charge.
Lafayette County Jail
Address:
107 S. 11th Street
Lexington, MO 64067
Phone:
660-259-3622
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Lafayette County
Does Lafayette County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lafayette County?
Who can set bail in Lafayette County?
When is bail set in Lafayette County Missouri?
Does Lafayette County have bail?
Yes, Lafayette County recognizes most types of bonds and bail conditions.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lafayette County?
The Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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, Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette County have bail?
Yes, Lafayette County recognizes most types of bonds and bail conditions.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lafayette County?
The Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette County Jail for more information about the jails in Lafayette County.
What options are there to pay bail in Lafayette County Missouri?
All Lafayette 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 Lafayette County Jail for more information about posting bail in Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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.