Macon County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Macon County bail: the jail in Macon and how release works
The city of Macon is the seat of Macon County, Missouri, where US-63 crosses US-36, and the county also takes in La Plata, Bevier, Callao, and Atlanta. The jail here holds Macon's own prisoners and, under an arrangement, people charged in Linn County too, so asking whose case it is matters. Inmate search: Macon County Inmate Search.
The Macon jail
Arrestees on Macon County charges are held at the Macon County Jail, 101 E Washington Street, Macon, MO 63552, phone 660-385-2062. Staff there can say whether someone is in custody and what bond, if any, appears on the booking.
Sheriff's mailing address
Written questions for the sheriff can go to 101 W Sheridan, PO Box 522, Macon, MO 63552. For anything urgent, phone the jail line.
The circuit clerk
The clerk keeps Macon case files, takes many bond payments on weekdays, and handles refunds. The office is at 101 E Washington, Building 2, Suite 1, Macon, MO 63552, phone 660-385-4631.
Searching for a name
The Macon County Inmate Search is a good first stop. Bookings sometimes post late, so call the jail with a full legal name and date of birth if nothing shows.
Is it a Macon case or a Linn case?
Because Linn County houses prisoners here, the person in the next cell may answer to a Linneus judge. Ask the jail which county filed the charge. For a Linn case, bond terms, payment, and refunds are Linn's business, not Macon's.
Things to ask the jail
- Which county's case is the person held on?
- What are the charges?
- Is there a bond, and what type?
- Any holds from other places?
- The booking number?
No bond yet
Without a warrant, police may hold someone up to 24 hours in Missouri while prosecutors weigh charges. After charges are filed, a judge sets terms. Warrants served on Macon cases often list bail already.
Courts here
Macon and Shelby counties make up the 41st Judicial Circuit. On a typical Macon charge, the first courtroom stop is an associate judge in town, and that judge looks over or sets the opening conditions.
Standards a judge follows
Under Rule 33.01, judges must use the least restrictive terms that will reasonably ensure court appearance and community safety. Cash isn't required, and when a judge uses it, the amount should account for ability to pay.
Released on a signature
A recognizance release lets someone go home once they sign a written pledge to return, sometimes with strings attached such as avoiding a person, no drinking, or regular check-ins. Long ties to La Plata or Macon and a steady job count in favor.
Types of bail
- Own recognizance.
- Full cash.
- Ten percent or other partial cash, if ordered.
- Surety bond through a bondsman.
- Property bond with court approval.
- Supervision, testing, or a monitor.
Waiting for a judge
A weekend arrest can mean a stay until Monday's docket. Rule 33.05 gives a way to challenge terms that can't be met, and that review is meant to be quick.
Bail bond companies
Agents from Macon, Moberly, Kirksville, or Columbia might take a Macon County bond. They guarantee the full bail for a fee, usually a percentage, which isn't returned. Get a written quote, and ask about extra charges, collateral, and the co-signer's obligations.
State insurance regulators issue bail licenses in Missouri, and an honest agent will read you the number without fuss.
Pledging real estate
A Macon judge may accept equity in land or a house as security. Bring the deed, a statement showing what's owed, and proof of value. Expect it to take longer than other options.
How to pay
Phone the jail at 660-385-2062 before you go to learn which forms of money the desk is taking that day. On weekdays, ask whether to pay at the clerk's office instead, at 660-385-4631. Photo ID is needed.
Card payments
Whether plastic works at the Macon window is unknown to us. Raise it during the call, and keep a money order handy in case the answer is cash only.
Who can post
An adult with valid ID usually can. The refund generally goes to whoever posted, so keep the receipt.
Getting released
After payment, the jail completes release forms, looks for outside warrants, and returns property. Call to ask about timing before driving over.
Warrants from Randolph, Adair, Shelby, or Chariton
Macon bail covers only Macon charges. A warrant from Randolph, Adair, Shelby, Chariton, Linn, or Boone can hold the person longer. Ask which agency placed the hold and whether it has its own bond.
Parole, other states, immigration
These agencies can request that someone be held, and paying Macon bail won't release that kind of hold.
City courts
The city of Macon and some smaller towns may handle ordinance violations in municipal court, which has separate bail. Ask whether any charge is a city matter.
Records worth keeping
Hang on to the release sheet listing every Macon hearing and rule, plus the slip showing what was paid and by whom. Take a picture of each.
Violations of release
Suppose a Macon defendant drinks while under a sobriety order or misses a check-in. The state may then petition a 41st Circuit judge to revoke or tighten release. The judge may issue a warrant, raise bail, or order detention. If a condition doesn't fit around work, a lawyer can ask to change it.
Surety surrender
Bondsmen generally may return a client to jail and end the bond if they lose contact or think the client will run. Stay reachable.
Lower bail
Through a written motion, the defense may press a Macon judge to cut the bond or loosen conditions. Income records, a local address, and dependents help.
Using Case.net
Search Case.net under the 41st Circuit and Macon County. Shelby cases share the circuit, so double-check the county.
Refund of cash bail
Once a Macon case wraps up and the defendant showed up each time, the judge lets the bail go, and the Macon clerk returns the deposit, usually to the depositor, though money owed to the court for fines or restitution can be held back. It can take weeks, so give the clerk a current address.
Fee paid to a bondsman
That fee is kept. Pledged collateral comes back under the contract once the Macon court discharges the bond.
Dismissed charges
A dismissal releases the bond. Cash comes back minus anything the court deducts. Keep paperwork in case of refiling.
Missed court dates
Missing court in Macon usually leads to a warrant and possible forfeiture. A bonding company may pursue the defendant and the co-signer. Call the lawyer right away if something comes up.
Teens
Minors are generally handled by the 41st Circuit juvenile office under separate rules. Detained youths go to juvenile facilities. Parents should call that office promptly.
Free lawyer
If the defendant can't pay a lawyer, they can ask for a public defender at the first hearing and complete an income form. Appointed counsel can argue for workable bail.
Federal court
Macon is in Missouri's Eastern District. A federal arrest from Macon is heard in Hannibal, at the Northern Division, and a magistrate judge there sets any release terms. The county jail doesn't handle federal bail. See the Eastern District website.
How far is the Macon jail from Moberly, Kirksville, or Columbia?
Macon sits where US-63 meets US-36. Moberly is a short drive south, Kirksville is north up 63, and Columbia is farther south on the same highway. Family coming from any of those towns should call ahead so they aren't making the trip before a bond is even set.
What happens to a car left after an arrest on US-36 or US-63?
A vehicle may be towed and stored by a private company, and storage fees can grow daily. The arresting agency can tell you which tow lot has it and whether a hold was placed. Getting the car back is separate from bail and usually needs the owner's ID and proof of ownership.
Can someone on bond leave Missouri for work?
That depends on the release order. Some Macon County conditions limit travel to Missouri or require the court's permission first. Read the order carefully, and if a job requires out-of-state trips, have the lawyer ask the judge before going. Leaving without permission can be treated as a violation.
Can the jail take bail for a Linn County case?
Linn prisoners held here are on a Linn judge's terms, so ask the Macon jail and the Linn sheriff at 660-895-5312 where that money should go. Don't assume the Macon clerk will accept it.
Call first
Before heading to Washington Street, call 660-385-2062. Ask whether the person is still there, whose case it is, how much bail is due and of what kind, whether outside holds exist, and what the window takes.
Pack your driver's license and the booking number. Treat everything here as a starting map of Macon County bail; the details of any charge are a question for an attorney.
Macon County Jail
Address:
101 E Washington Street
Macon, MO 63552
Phone:
660-385-2062
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Macon County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Macon County?
Who can set bail in Macon County?
When is bail set in Macon County Missouri?
Does Macon County have bail?
Yes, Macon County recognizes most types of bonds and bail conditions.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Macon County?
The Macon 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 Macon 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 Macon 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 Macon 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 Macon 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 Macon 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, Macon 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 Macon 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 Macon County have bail?
Yes, Macon County recognizes most types of bonds and bail conditions.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Macon County?
The Macon 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 Macon 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 Macon 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 Macon 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 Macon 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 Macon County Jail for more information about the jails in Macon County.
What options are there to pay bail in Macon County Missouri?
All Macon 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 Macon County Jail for more information about posting bail in Macon 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 Macon 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 Macon 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.