Polk County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Polk County bail: the Bolivar jail and how release happens
Bolivar, north of Springfield on Highway 13, is the seat of Polk County, along with Humansville, Fair Play, Pleasant Hope, Morrisville, and Halfway near Pomme de Terre Lake. A college town, a busy highway, and lake traffic all feed the Bolivar jail. Inmate search: Polk County Inmate Search.
Polk's jail in Bolivar
The Polk County Jail is at 113 E Jefferson St, Bolivar, MO 65613, phone 417-777-9020.
Bolivar's circuit clerk
Polk court files are at 102 E Broadway St Rm 14, Bolivar, MO 65613, phone 417-326-4912.
Finding someone in the Polk jail
Search the Polk County Inmate Search. When a Humansville or Pleasant Hope arrest isn't up yet, call Bolivar and give the legal name with a birthdate.
Things to ask Bolivar deputies
- Did Bolivar police, a Polk deputy, or a trooper on Highway 13 make the arrest?
- What Polk charge was booked?
- What bail is set, and must it be cash or can a bondsman post?
- Any Greene, Dallas, Hickory, Cedar, or Dade holds?
- When will a Polk judge first see the case?
A Polk hold with no bail
Missouri allows about a day of custody without charges after a warrantless arrest while Polk's prosecutor reviews it. Filing brings a judge's terms. A served warrant might already list bail.
Polk's circuit
Five counties share the 30th Circuit: Polk plus Benton, Dallas, Hickory, and Webster. Bolivar cases usually open in associate court.
Release law in Bolivar
Rule 33.01 points a Polk judge toward the lightest conditions that will reasonably get the defendant back to Bolivar and keep Fair Play or Halfway residents safe. Cash isn't presumed, and an amount ought to fit the person's means.
Out on a Polk promise
A Bolivar judge can release someone on recognizance, sometimes with conditions such as avoiding a named person, no drinking, a curfew, or phoning a pretrial officer. A Bolivar job or a family farm near Morrisville is a plus.
Polk bond types
- Polk recognizance.
- Full cash bail.
- A Bolivar percentage deposit, if allowed.
- A surety from an agent.
- Real estate in Polk.
- Supervision or a GPS monitor.
Timing in Bolivar
Court runs on a set schedule, so a weekend arrest near the lake may wait until the next Polk session. A Rule 33.05 motion asks for review of unaffordable bail.
Bondsmen near Bolivar
Agents in Bolivar and Springfield write Polk bonds. A Polk agent backs every dollar of the Bolivar bond and charges a fee, often near a tenth, that isn't returned. Ask about collateral and co-signer liability.
Bail agents must hold a Missouri DCI license.
Pledging Polk property
Equity in a Bolivar house or Polk acreage may back bail if the judge approves. The clerk generally wants a deed, lien details, and a valuation.
Paying Polk bail
Call 417-777-9020 to find out what the Bolivar jail takes at your arrival time and whether weekday payments go to the Broadway clerk. Bring ID.
Polk card payments
Card use and fees in Bolivar weren't confirmed. Ask, and grab a Bolivar money order as backup.
Who posts in Polk
Typically an adult with photo ID. The refund usually goes to the name on the receipt.
Leaving the Bolivar jail
After the Polk bond is accepted, deputies run a last warrant check, return property, and release the person in Bolivar. Plan the ride home in advance.
Southwest Baptist students
A student arrested in Bolivar faces an ordinary Polk or city case. Out-of-state parents can usually hire a local bondsman by phone. Any campus discipline proceeds separately from the court.
Arrests on Highway 13
Troopers and deputies stop many drivers on Highway 13 between Springfield and Osceola. A traveler can post Polk bail but must return for each Bolivar hearing unless excused.
Pomme de Terre Lake arrests
Boating or campground arrests at Pomme de Terre may involve the Water Patrol division of the Highway Patrol. Part of the lake lies in Hickory County, so confirm whether the case is Polk's or Hermitage's.
Holds from Greene and nearby counties
Polk bail covers only Polk charges. A Greene, Dallas, Hickory, Cedar, or Dade hold keeps the person in Bolivar until that county acts.
Out-of-state warrants in Polk
An Arkansas, Kansas, or other state's warrant found at booking can keep someone held after Polk bail, and that state may seek extradition. A lawyer can explain waiving.
Probation and immigration detainers
A Polk bond leaves untouched any detainer from state probation, an outside court, or immigration.
Bolivar city tickets
The city of Bolivar and other Polk towns may run municipal courts for ordinance cases with their own bail. Confirm which court wrote the ticket.
Keeping Polk papers
Save the release order showing every Bolivar date and condition, and the receipt. Phone photos help.
Breaking a Polk rule
Picture a Humansville defendant with a no-contact order who shows up at the other person's workplace in Bolivar. Polk's prosecutor can seek revocation, and the 30th Circuit judge may order an arrest, increase bail, or detain. Ask counsel to clarify unclear terms before acting on a guess.
Polk bondsmen ending a bond
A Bolivar agent can generally take a Polk client back into custody and void the guarantee when calls go unanswered or a move away looks planned.
Cutting Polk bail
Defense counsel can ask the Bolivar court to lower bail or ease terms, supported by proof of a Polk home and work.
Polk on Case.net
At Case.net, pick the 30th Circuit and Polk County. Four other counties share the circuit, so check each result's county.
Polk refunds
When a case closes and every hearing was attended, the judge exonerates bail and the Broadway clerk refunds it, normally to the poster, after fines or costs. Allow weeks; update your address at 417-326-4912.
A Bolivar agent's fee
The premium stays with the bondsman. Collateral returns according to the contract after discharge.
A dismissed Polk case
Dismissal ends bail, and cash returns after allowed deductions. Keep the paperwork because a Polk case can be refiled.
Skipping a Bolivar date
Expect a warrant and forfeiture. Bolivar bondsmen may chase the missing defendant and send the bill to whoever co-signed. Call the lawyer early about conflicts.
Polk juveniles
The 30th Circuit juvenile office handles most youth cases rather than bail. A Bolivar teen without a safe home may be placed regionally. Parents should call juvenile staff right away.
Polk public defender
A defendant without money for counsel may request a public defender at the first Bolivar hearing. That lawyer can ask for bail the family can meet.
Federal arrests from Polk
Polk is in the Western District of Missouri's Southern Division, based in Springfield. A federal magistrate there decides release; the Bolivar jail doesn't set federal bail. See the Western District site.
Polk bail for a Springfield commuter
Many Polk residents drive to Springfield for work. A release order that keeps someone inside Polk County would block that commute, so have the defense lawyer seek written Bolivar permission for the job before the first shift. Greene County is a separate court, and a Springfield arrest wouldn't be posted in Bolivar.
Polk bail on a protective-order charge
Violating an order of protection is a common Polk arrest. Bail terms in those cases often include strict no-contact rules covering texts, social media, and third parties. A Bolivar judge may also bar visits to a shared home, so arrange a place to stay and have someone else collect belongings with a deputy if permitted.
Polk bail for a holiday or Sunday arrest
With no court on a holiday, a Polk arrest on Christmas Eve or a long weekend can mean extra days in Bolivar unless bail was already set by a schedule or on a warrant. Ask the jail whether a judge is reachable by phone for setting terms.
Phone Bolivar first
Call 417-777-9020 and ask whether Bolivar still holds your relative, what Polk bail is set and in which form, whether outside holds exist, the correct entrance, and accepted payment. Reach the clerk at 417-326-4912.
A Polk booking number and your license make the visit smoother. What's here is background only; a Bolivar defense lawyer can weigh in on the actual charge.
Paying an Inmate's Bail or Bond in Polk County
The Polk County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Polk County.
However if you don't want to use a bail bond agent:
- You can always pay a cash bond yourself, or use your home in Polk County, or in some cases the state of Missouri, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Polk County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
- The typical fee for a bond in Missouri is between 10-20% of the bail amount; usually 15% or less. So if an offender has a bail of $10,000.00, their bond will be $1,500.00.
- Pay by cash, cashier's check, money order or credit card at the Polk County Jail, or the courthouse in Polk County where the offense took place.
Call 417-777-9020 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Polk County inmate locator.
Polk County Jail
Address:
113 E. Jefferson
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone:
417-777-9020
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Polk County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Polk County?
Who can set bail in Polk County?
When is bail set in Polk County Missouri?
Does Polk County have bail?
Yes, Polk County recognizes most types of bonds and bail conditions.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Polk County?
The Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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, Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk County have bail?
Yes, Polk County recognizes most types of bonds and bail conditions.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Polk County?
The Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk County Jail for more information about the jails in Polk County.
What options are there to pay bail in Polk County Missouri?
All Polk 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 Polk County Jail for more information about posting bail in Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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.