Washoe County Detention Facility Inmate Bail & Bonds
Washoe County bail and bond: from a Reno or Sparks arrest to release
Adults arrested in Reno, Sparks and the rest of Washoe County are booked into the Washoe County Detention Facility, 911 Parr Blvd, Reno. Start with Washoe County Inmate Search, which shows who is inside now and the bail amount once a judge sets one. Call 775-328-3001 for anything the search cannot tell you.
Is my son inside the Parr Boulevard jail right now?
Type his name into Washoe County Inmate Search. It covers everyone now held in the Washoe County Detention Facility and refreshes every 15 minutes. A booking only minutes old can take a short while to appear, so check again in an hour. For anything the search cannot answer, call 775-328-3001.
Who runs the Washoe County Detention Facility, and where is it?
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Darin Balaam, runs the Washoe County Detention Facility at 911 Parr Blvd, Reno, NV 89512. More than thirty local, state and federal agencies bring prisoners there, so a Reno, Sparks or highway arrest all lead to the same building. The main line is 775-328-3001 and the detention desk is 775-328-2971.
Why does the jail record show no bail amount?
In Washoe County, bail is not set automatically when a charge is booked. The amount appears on the record after a judge sets it. Watch Washoe County Inmate Search for the change. A blank field means no ruling yet.
How fast does a judge see a new arrest in Washoe County?
Nevada law (NRS 178.4849) calls for a pretrial release hearing within 48 hours after a person is taken into custody, and a judge can continue it for good cause. A person arrested on a Reno Justice Court case sees a Reno Justice Court judge, who decides release terms. The prosecutor must prove by clear and convincing evidence that bail is needed.
Can she go home without paying anything?
Often, yes. Within 24 hours of booking, Second Judicial District Court Pretrial Services interviews each inmate for release on her own recognizance, which needs no bail. The unit works inside the jail around the clock at 775-328-3001. If release is not granted, the judge sets bail or she stays until court.
Who is shut out of release before seeing a judge?
Reno Justice Court orders keep administrative release away from Category A felonies, violent crimes under NRS chapter 200, crimes involving a child, a sex act or a firearm, felonies committed on probation or parole, and violations of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault protection orders.
Can I post just 10 percent of the bail in cash?
In Reno Justice Court cases, yes. Court orders let bail be met by posting 10 percent in cash at Reno Justice Court or at the jail. Category A felonies and Category B felonies with a human victim, a firearm or a residential burglary are excluded unless the judge orders otherwise or the case moves to District Court. Other courts set their own terms, so ask the court that holds the case.
Where do I pay bail?
Pay at the jail or at Reno Justice Court, 1 South Sierra Street, Reno, 775-325-6500. You can also pay cash bail online through GovPayNow.com, which has a link for each court: Reno Justice, Reno Municipal, Sparks Justice, Sparks Municipal and Incline Village Justice, among others. Have the court, amount, birth date and booking number ready. For jail posting hours, call 775-328-3001.
What forms of payment does Washoe County accept?
U.S. currency, certified or cashier's checks on U.S. banks, postal money orders with the amount typed or stamped, and bonds from accepted bail agents. Checks and money orders are made out to the court hearing the case. Cards work for cash bail through GovPayNet; the bail specialist line is 1-877-EZBAIL5.
How long after bail is posted does he walk out?
The release process takes up to eight hours after bail is posted. Time-served releases usually happen at 5:00 a.m. The Sheriff's Office does not provide rides; Citi-Fare buses run between the jail and downtown Reno.
Is putting money on his jail account the same as paying bail?
No. Deposits to an inmate's money account buy phone time and commissary items. They never count toward bail and never buy release. Pay bail to the court that holds the case, through one of the ways above, and keep the receipt.
Do I need a bail bondsman in Reno or Sparks?
Only if you cannot pay the court directly. Nevada caps a bail agent's premium at 15 percent of the bond or $50, whichever is greater (NRS 697.300). The Sheriff's Office cannot recommend or suggest a bail company. Agents must hold a Nevada Division of Insurance license and register each year, by July 1, with the Sheriff's Records Section at 775-328-3023.
What can a bondsman ask me to put up as collateral?
Only collateral that is reasonable for the size of the bond (NRS 697.320). The agent holds it separately, cannot take it out of Nevada, and gives you a written receipt. It comes back after the bond is exonerated. A deed taken as collateral must say on its face that it is part of a security transaction.
Can a house or land secure bail at the Washoe courts?
Ask the court that set bail before gathering deeds. Reno Justice Court criminal staff answer at 775-325-6500, and the Second Judicial District Court at 75 Court Street answers at 775-328-3110. They can tell you whether property is accepted for that case and what proof they need.
When can a judge refuse bail?
Under NRS 178.484, only first-degree murder can be denied bail, and only when the proof is evident or the presumption great. Someone arrested on a felony while on probation or parole can get bail only by court order or at the supervising agency's direction. Alcohol DUI needs a breath result under 0.04 first; drug DUI and domestic battery wait 12 hours.
What is the set bail for domestic battery?
If no judge sets an amount after the 12-hour wait, Nevada's default under NRS 178.484 is $3,000, $5,000 or $15,000, depending on prior convictions and whether the battery caused substantial bodily harm or involved strangulation. A magistrate can still set a different amount.
Which Washoe court will hear the case?
Reno Justice Court (775-325-6500) and Sparks Justice Court, 1675 E. Prater Way, Suite 107 (775-353-7600), handle misdemeanors and start felony cases. Reno Municipal and Sparks Municipal courts hear city-code charges. Felonies move up to the Second Judicial District Court, 75 Court Street, Reno. Incline Village Justice Court is at 855 Alder Avenue, 775-832-4100.
What if Reno or Sparks police made the arrest?
Either way the adult goes to the Parr Boulevard jail, so use Washoe County Inmate Search. Reno cases are heard at Reno Justice Court or, for city charges, Reno Municipal Court. Sparks cases go to Sparks Justice Court or Sparks Municipal Court. The Public Defender does not represent people in the two municipal courts.
How do I get a lawyer if we cannot afford one?
Tell the judge at the first hearing. The Washoe County Public Defender, 350 S. Center Street, 5th Floor, answers at 775-337-4800 or 1-800-762-8031. The Alternate Public Defender, 6th Floor, is 775-328-3955.
Where does Washoe County hold arrested teenagers?
At the Jan Evans Juvenile Justice Center, 650 Ferrari McLeod Blvd, Reno, off Parr Blvd. A detained youth gets a hearing within 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, and a Public Defender attorney meets the youth there. A domestic battery arrest means a 12-hour hold before release. The county line is 775-328-2003.
What happens if she misses a court date?
The court records the failure, orders an arrest warrant, and notifies the surety. Under NRS 178.508, bail is forfeited 180 days after notice is sent, and the court can extend that if real efforts to return her are underway. Call a lawyer or the court the same day, and tell any bondsman.
Do I get my cash bail back?
Usually, once the case ends. If the money is still on deposit at judgment, the court may apply it to restitution, fines, fees and costs first (NRS 178.528), then refund any balance to the person who paid. A bondsman's premium is not refunded.
How can I spot a bail scam?
The Sheriff's Office never asks for bail by phone, text or email, and never through Venmo, Cash App, Bitcoin or gift cards. If someone does, send nothing and call 775-328-3001 yourself.
Washoe County bail contacts
- County jail
- Washoe County Detention Facility, 911 Parr Blvd, Reno, NV 89512; 775-328-3001; detention desk 775-328-2971
- Bond guide
- Washoe County bail and bond guide
- Custody lookup
- Washoe County Inmate Search
- Pretrial Services
- Inside the jail, open 24 hours; 775-328-3001
- Reno Justice Court
- 1 South Sierra Street, Reno, NV 89501; 775-325-6500
- Sparks Justice Court
- 1675 E. Prater Way, Suite 107, Sparks, NV 89434; 775-353-7600
- District Court
- Second Judicial District Court, 75 Court Street, Reno, NV 89501; 775-328-3110
- Incline Village
- Justice Court, 855 Alder Avenue; 775-832-4100
- Public defender
- 350 S. Center Street, 5th Floor, Reno; 775-337-4800 or 1-800-762-8031; Alternate 775-328-3955
- Youth detention
- Jan Evans Juvenile Justice Center, 650 Ferrari McLeod Blvd, Reno, NV 89512
- Card bail help
- 1-877-EZBAIL5
- Bail agent registry
- Sheriff Records Section, 775-328-3023
Courts change hours, fees and orders without notice, so confirm the details for your case with the court before you hand over money. This page explains how Washoe County works in plain words and is not a substitute for a lawyer.
Pay an Inmate's Bond Online
Washoe County Detention Facility uses a service called allpaid (also known as GovPayNet) for paying an inmate's Bail Bond online for an inmate.
Register with them online or call them at 877-392-2455 for assistance.
To make a payment, you will need the following:
- Court of Jurisdiction
- Payment Amount
- The Pay Location Code (PLC #) if you can get it. Call 775-328-2971 to ask for this.
- Name of Arrestee/Defendant for whom payment is being made
- Arrestee/Defendant's Date of Birth
- Arrestee/Defendant's Booking Number
Washoe County Detention Facility
Address:
911 Parr Blvd
Reno, NV 89512
Phone:
775-328-2971
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Washoe County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Washoe County?
Who can set bail in Washoe County?
When is bail set in Washoe County Nevada?
Does Washoe County have bail?
Yes, Washoe County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Washoe County?
There are several types of bail available including own recognizance, cash bail, surety bond and property bond.
Who can set bail in Washoe County?
For many minor and non-violent charges bail is already set according to a bail standard. For more serious cases, of if prosecution feels a defendant is a flight risk, bail is set by a judge in the criminal court.
When is bail set in Washoe County Nevada?
For minor offenses bail is listed in a bail schedule and this information will be known during the booking process. For more serious cases a hearing, known as the initial hearing, will be scheduled as soon as possible. In most cases this will be immediately following booking, but it is required to occur within 72 hours.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Washoe 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 Nevada 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 Washoe County Detention Facility 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, Washoe 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 Washoe 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.
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.
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 ban 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 Washoe County have bail?
Yes, Washoe County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Washoe County?
There are several types of bail available including own recognizance, cash bail, surety bond and property bond.
Who can set bail in Washoe County?
For many minor and non-violent charges bail is already set according to a bail standard. For more serious cases, of if prosecution feels a defendant is a flight risk, bail is set by a judge in the criminal court.
When is bail set in Nevada?
For minor offenses bail is listed in a bail schedule and this information will be known during the booking process. For more serious cases a hearing, known as the initial hearing, will be scheduled as soon as possible. In most cases this will be immediately following booking, but it is required to occur within 72 hours.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Washoe County Nevada?
Yes, your attorney may request a bail reduction hearing.
In Washoe County Nevada, who can pay bail for me?
The person posting bail should be a relative or close friend, called a surety, because they are promising and taking responsibility that you will return to court to get their money back.
A surety is not responsible for court fees or paying off personal debts for the defendant. A professional bondsperson who is approved by the State of Nevada could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Washoe County Nevada?
Yes, Nevada does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: Go to the Washoe County Detention Facility for more information about the jails in Washoe County.
What options are there to pay bail in Washoe County Nevada?
Most all jail and courts accept cash, a cashier or bankers’ check. Some accept a credit card with fees. Please contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted. Go to the Washoe County Detention Facility for more information about posting bail in Washoe County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Nevada?
Bail money is returned to the person who paid the bail; in whole or in part once the case is finished. 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 Washoe 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 Nevada?
The Washoe County Detention Facility 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.
Washoe County Bail Procedures
If you are posting bail, the courts will accept only:
- Cash
- Certified or cashier's checks drawn on U.S. banks. Money orders, certified and cashier's checks should be made payable to the court hearing the case.
- Postal money orders (with the amount typed or stamped)
- Bonds posted by accepted bail agents (except cash-only bails and fines)
- Credit card payments form GovPayNow.
When making a bail payment online using GovPayNow, these are the court locations that you need to credit when applicable.
They each use a different code, so make a note of it.
- Reno Justice Court
- Reno Municipal Court
- Sparks Justice Court
- Sparks Municipal Court
- Incline Village Justice Court
- Fernley Municipal Court
- Dayton Township Justice Court
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a Washoe County Detention Facility inmate's bond online?
Yes, you can pay a Washoe County Detention Facility inmate's bond online using a third-party service called 'allpaid'. The instructions are easy... From their website, look up Washoe County Detention Facility or Washoe County, input the inmate's name, and then use your credit or debit card to deposit the bond amount. As soon as the payment is processed and the information is sent to the Washoe County Detention Facility, the jail will begin the release process. You do not have to be present for all of this to take place. Learn more about how to bail or bond out an inmate in the Washoe County Detention Facility, call allpaid directly at 877-392-2455, or call the jail at 775-328-2971.