Big Horn County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds

Big Horn County Detention Center

Address:
121 Third Street
Hardin, MT 59034

Phone:

406-665-9792

Paying an Inmate's Bail or Bond in Big Horn County

The Big Horn County Sheriff recommends that you use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Big Horn County.

  • You can pay a cash bond yourself, or use your home in Big Horn County, or in some cases the state of Montana, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Big Horn County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
  • The typical fee for a bond will be between 10-20% of the bail amount; usually 15%.  So if an offender has a bail of $10,000.00, their bond will be $1500.00.

Call 406-665-9792 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Big Horn County inmate locator.


 

Who do I call to find out the Bond for an Inmate?

Please call the jail at 406-665-9792 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Big Horn County Detention Center.
A bond is set according to a court-approved schedule.
The purpose of the bond is to assure the offender's appearance in court.

Instructions on how to post Bail or Bond in Big Horn County

Because Big Horn County and Montana can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Big Horn County Detention Center at 406-665-9792, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, right after an arrestee has been booked. 

Ask the staff at the Big Horn County Detention Center or the Big Horn County Court Clerk these specific questions:

  1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
  2. How much will the bail or bond be, and what are the additional fees?
  3. Where do I go to pay it?
  4. Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
  5. What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
  6. Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?

If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released. 

This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.

Option 1 - How to Post Bail using Cash for a Defendant at Big Horn County Detention Center

The first option, a cash bond, is to pay the full bail amount in cash, cashier's check, or money order. Personal Checks are not accepted.

Depending on the crime, this amount could be anywhere from $100 to $75,000 or more.

To pay a cash bond, go to Big Horn County Detention Center or to the court where the bail hearing occurred. Going directly to the jail will quicken the release of the defendant as any bail paperwork processed at the court will have to be transferred to the jail.

Cashier's Checks and Money Orders may be made out to Big Horn County Detention Center where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office or to the Big Horn County Court.

To purchase money orders visit any Western Union, Moneygram or Post Office.

Option 2 - How to Post a Private or Surety Bond for a Defendant at Big Horn County Detention Center

In the event that someone does not have the full bond amount available to him or her, there is what is called a private bond or surety bond.

This is an agreement made with a bail agent or bondsman who will post the full bail amount. In return, the defendant and/or cosigner will pay a premium to the bail agent. This premium will be 10-15% of the full bail amount.



For example, if bail is posted at $5,000, then the premium will cost approximately $500-$750.

A bail agent will often require some form of collateral, for example, a lien on a house, a car or jewelry. This is to ensure that if the defendant skips bail, or does not appear in court, the bail agent has some sort of compensation for the full bail amount being paid.

Remember, by making an agreement with a bail agent the signatory takes responsibility for paying the full bail amount if the defendant does not appear in court.

Option 3 - How to Post a Property Bond for a Defendant at Big Horn County Detention Center

If you are a landowner in Big Horn County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Big Horn County may be used as collateral to bail someone out. All owners of the property must be present to sign the bond in order for this to happen.

To find if property located outside of Big Horn County can be used as collateral, call a local bail or bond agent or contact a defense lawyer.

Click here for additional information on how to post bail at Big Horn County Detention Center.

Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Big Horn County Detention Center?

Anyone over the age of 18 who can produce a valid government-issued photo ID can post bail. Accepted forms of ID include a Photo Driver's License, Passport, or Motor Vehicle issued ID.

In many circumstances, if the defendant has the resources, they can post their own cash bail from jail.

Surety Bonds are arranged by a third party, typically a Montana state licensed Bail Bond firm.

Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.

Big Horn County Justice System Flowchart

When will the Cash Bail or Collateral be returned to me?

Money or collateral will not be returned until the defendant's court case is finished, so realistically it could take several months to years, depending on the severity of the charges. If a defendant posts his or her own bail, Big Horn County Court may retain whatever amount of fines or fees have accumulated throughout the trial.

What happens to my Bail or Collateral if the Defendant misses Court?

The Big Horn County Judge may order a failure to appear warrant for the person's arrest or the Judge may order a Bail Commissioner's Letter be issued that will be sent to the person with a new court date.

If cash bail was paid, the entire amount may be forfeited.

Big Horn County Bail Bond Information

Because Big Horn County and Montana can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Big Horn County Detention Center at 406-665-9792, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, and do this right after an arrestee has been booked. 

Ask the staff at the Big Horn County Detention Center or the Big Horn County Court Clerk these specific questions:

  1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
  2. How much will the bail or bond be, and what are the additional fees?
  3. Where do I go to pay it?
  4. Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
  5. What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
  6. Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?

If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released. 

This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.


 

Big Horn County Detention Center Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The Big Horn County Detention Center allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature.

Envelopes
The Big Horn County Detention Center also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates.

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate Name
c/o Detention
Box 908
Hardin MT 59034



Legal Mail

Send all legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate Name
c/o Detention
Box 908
Hardin MT 59034



Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The Big Horn County Detention Center allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as AmazonBarnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address below.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Big Horn County Detention Center standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.


All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate Name
c/o Detention
Box 908
Hardin MT 59034


 

How to visit an inmate in Big Horn County Montana using Video Visitation or visiting an inmate at the jail

To visit an inmate in Big Horn County follow these steps:

  • In addition to visiting inmates at the jail, Big Horn County Detention Center uses a video visitation service called iWebVisit.com.
  • In order to visit with your inmate online or at the Big Horn County Jail Video Kiosk, you must first register with iWebVisit.
  • Registering is free.
  • Next, select “Choose A Facility” and then select Big Horn County Detention Center. This will become your “Default” facility each time you log in.
  • Next, Click “Schedule a Visit” and enter your inmate's name and inmate number.
  • Select either “Visit Now” or “Schedule Visit Later” and choose an available date and time.
  • After your visit payment is processed, you may begin visiting your inmate in Big Horn County at your scheduled time. 

Who do you contact if you are having any problems arranging the remote video visit of an inmate in Big Horn County?
Call iWebVisit support at 775-434-8748. They are available 7 Days a week (5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. PST / 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. EST)

For full instructions on all the benefits of using IC Solutions to visit a Big Horn County inmate, visiting an inmate at the jail itself, rates, policies, rules, dress codes, bringing children, attorney and clergy visits and more, go to our official Visit Inmate Page. 


 

Tablets Rentals Offer Great Solutions for Inmates at the Big Horn County Detention Center

How can you rent a tablet for an inmate in Big Horn County? Read the following:


Tablets can be used by inmates, for the following things:

  • Phone Calls
  • Messages (email / texts)
  • Educational applications and Entertainment
  • Legal Research
  • and much more!

Contact Paytel online, or call the Big Horn County Detention Center directly at 406-665-9792 to rent a tablet for your inmate.

To find out everything you need to know about renting a tablet, what it can be used for, how much it costs, and more, check out our Tablet Page for Big Horn County Detention Center.


 

How to Send a Secure Email Message to an Inmate in Big Horn County

To send a secure email message to an inmate in Big Horn County Detention Center follow these steps:

How inteleMESSAGE Works

  • The Big Horn County Detention Center inmate must contact you first in order to activate messaging for your account.
  • Once an inmate has messaged you, you are then able to visit the Pay Tel website, log in, read and respond to his or her messages. 
  • When you log in and follow the inteleMESSAGE™ link, you will be asked if you want to accept messages from your Big Horn County inmate. If you accept, you will then be able to read any inmate message that has been sent to you.

For all information on rates, and how to Text/Email an Inmate in Big Horn County Detention Center check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Big Horn County.


 

How Do Inmates in Big Horn County Detention Center Make Phone Calls?

To receive phone calls from inmates in Big Horn County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:

For all the information regarding phone calls with Big Horn County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, costs, limits, tablet rental and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.


 

How to Deposit Money Online for an Inmate in Big Horn County

To deposit money online for an inmate in Big Horn County Detention Center follow these steps:

  • Register to open an account, or Sign In to JailATM, a service that acts as a bank for inmates in Big Horn County.
  • After registering and signing in, select 'Send Money Now'.
  • Choose Montana, then choose Big Horn County Detention Center
  • Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
  • Select your inmate.
  • Input an amount to deposit to your inmate in Big Horn County Detention Center, and then input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much money you can send your inmate in Big Horn County at any one time.
  • If you need to phone customer support, call 877-810-0914.

For all information, tips and procedures for sending money to an inmate in Big Horn County Detention Center, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money Page for Big Horn County.


 

Photos of this facility
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