Mercer County Correction Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
Mercer County bail and bond: the Hopewell facility, the court, and what to expect
Adults arrested in Mercer County are held at the Mercer County Correction Center in Hopewell Township. Check status with Mercer County Inmate Search, and call 609-397-7460 for questions the search cannot answer. Bail payments are handled by the court's Finance Division at (609) 571-4200 extension 74353. New Jersey judges release most defendants without any payment.
Which facility holds people arrested in Mercer County?
The Mercer County Correction Center, 1750 River Road (Route 29 North), Hopewell Township. It is a short-term jail with 871 beds for men and women. It holds people awaiting court, people serving sentences of up to 364 days, and state prisoners waiting for transfer. Mail uses a Trenton post office box, so do not go to that address looking for a visitor. The facility phone is 609-397-7460.
How do I tell whether my relative is in custody right now?
Use Mercer County Inmate Search. If the name has not appeared, the booking may be too fresh. Try again after a few hours, then ring the facility at 609-397-7460 with a full legal name and birth date. The release rules below apply to people who have not been convicted, which is why a person already serving a sentence does not use them.
Is cash really needed to get out of the Hopewell facility?
In most cases, no. Since the Criminal Justice Reform Act took effect, a judge decides release after a risk review, and money bail is allowed only when nothing else would bring the person back to court. The Constitution now says that before conviction every person is eligible for pretrial release, and the statute forbids using a dollar amount to keep someone locked up.
What happens during the first 48 hours?
After a Complaint-Warrant arrest and commitment, Pretrial Services prepares a recommendation from the Public Safety Assessment. A judge must make the release decision within 48 hours of commitment, and the first appearance takes place within that period. Firearm cases can run longer, up to seven days, when the prosecutor needs a ballistic analysis. At the first appearance a defendant who cannot pay for a lawyer also receives a public defender application.
Who watches over someone released with conditions?
Mercer's Pretrial Services office, reached at (609) 571-4200 extension 74087. Its officers remind defendants of court dates, check in with them, report violations, and can start revocation. A person who stays compliant for six months can receive a compliance review that is reported to the judge.
A summons was issued instead of an arrest. What now?
The person goes home. The law says a defendant charged on a Complaint-Summons shall be released. The first court appearance is then set no more than 60 days after the summons is issued or the arrest is made. Missing it can turn a simple case into a warrant.
If a judge orders money, who takes it?
Superior Court bail is deposited with the Finance Division in the county where the offense happened. For Mercer, call the court at (609) 571-4200 and ask for extension 74353. Ask the Finance Division for the payment window, the forms it takes, and any filing fees before you travel. For a release-day question, the facility at 609-397-7460 is the contact.
Can a judge refuse release entirely?
Yes. After a prosecutor's detention motion, a judge may order detention when no money, conditions, or combination would assure appearance, community safety, or a fair case. Murder and offenses with a life term start with a presumption of detention. The detention hearing happens at or before the first appearance unless a continuance is granted. The Criminal Division at (609) 571-4200 extension 74074 can tell you the hearing date.
Can I post my house or land?
Real estate offered as bail is approved by and deposited with the clerk of the county where the offense occurred. The rules refer to counties and do not require the property to sit in New Jersey. Expect paperwork. Ask the Finance Division at (609) 571-4200 extension 74353 which documents Mercer requires.
What do bondsmen cost, and do they work in Mercer?
Bondsmen are licensed insurance producers, and insurers register them in the Superior Court's Bail Registry. No New Jersey statute sets their fee. A cash option in Court Rule 3:26-4(g) lets a court take 10 percent in cash plus a promise for the remainder, except in first- and second-degree cases and some domestic violence cases. Do not confuse the two.
Can the amount be reduced if we cannot raise it?
A judge must review unaffordable bail promptly, and the defendant may apply for a reduction heard on an expedited basis. Ask your lawyer to file it. The court must prefer the least restrictive non-money conditions.
Where is the public defender in Mercer County?
The regional office is at 210 South Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Trenton, 609-292-4081. A defendant who cannot pay for a lawyer receives an application at the first appearance, and the court may assign the public defender for that hearing.
Where is a juvenile taken after an arrest in Mercer County?
Call the courthouse main line at (609) 571-4200 and ask for the Family Division; staff can tell you where the young person is and when the hearing is. Juvenile records are private, so a juvenile will not appear in the adult search.
How long can someone stay in the Hopewell facility before trial?
A detained defendant must be indicted within 90 days and brought to trial within 180 days after indictment, with a two-year outer limit. Delays the defense causes, motions, and plea talks stop the clock. Released defendants are not covered by these deadlines.
Does money on a commissary account get someone released?
No. A deposit for phone time and store items is a separate account from bail. Release comes only from a judge's order.
What if the defendant skips court?
The judge can forfeit posted bail and a warrant can follow. The Finance Division mails a notice, and a written objection must arrive within 75 days of the notice date. After that, default judgment can be entered.
What should I watch for with fake bail calls?
Real offices never ask for gift cards or app payments. Find the numbers yourself: 609-397-7460 for the facility, (609) 571-4200 for the court.
Key contacts for Mercer County bail questions
- County jail
- Mercer County Correction Center, 1750 River Road, Hopewell Township; 609-397-7460
- Bail and bond guide
- County jail page and bail guide
- Custody lookup
- Mercer County Inmate Search
- Court main line
- (609) 571-4200
- Criminal Division
- (609) 571-4200, extension 74074
- Pretrial Services
- (609) 571-4200, extension 74087
- Bail payments
- (609) 571-4200, Finance Division, extension 74353
- Public defender
- 210 South Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Trenton; 609-292-4081
Court orders and office procedures can change after this page is posted. Phone the Finance Division before heading out with payment.
Paying an Inmate's Bail or Bond in Mercer County
The Mercer County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Mercer 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 Mercer County, or in some cases the state of New Jersey, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Mercer County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
- The typical fee for a bond in New Jersey 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 Mercer County Correction Center, or the courthouse in Mercer County where the offense took place.
Call 609-583-3545 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Mercer County inmate locator.
Mercer County Correction Center
Address:
1750 River Road
(aka Route 29)
Trenton, NJ 08650
Phone:
609-583-3545
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Mercer County
What are the different types of bonds in Mercer County?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Morris County?
Who can set bail in Mercer County?
When is bail set in Mercer County New Jersey?
Does Mercer County have bail?
No, New Jersey is a NO BAIL state.
Under current laws a defendant can only be held if a judge determines they are a risk to the community, likely to interfere with the investigation or fail to show for all required court dates. If the judge determines they are not a risk the defendant is released prior to trial.
What are the different types of bonds in Mercer County?
Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge or bail officer will determine and notify the accused of which release conditions are available to them. Professional bond companies are not permitted to operate in New Jersey.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Morris County?
Under the new system, if a judge decides a defendant does not pose a public safety or willful flight risk, then they will be released without being required to post any money. This is called released on their own recognizance in all states and can be considered a type of bond because a document will need to be agreed upon and signed.
Who can set bail in Mercer County?
A hearing is held by a judge to determine if the defendant qualifies for release.
When is bail set in Mercer County New Jersey?
If a defendant is not released immediately, a hearing will be scheduled within 48 hours before a judge.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Mercer 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 in New Jersey, 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.
What is the difference between Bail and Bond?
Bail is what the arrested 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.
New Jersey has mostly done away with the bail/bond system since 2017, except for cases involving unpaid motor vehicle summonses.
Defendants with a serious risk of danger or flight can be detained pending trial. Low-risk defendants will be released. This is called released on their own recognizance in all states. If released, the defendant will be issued a summons to appear to court within 21 days.
Pretrial service officers will monitor those defendants, based on the conditions of their release while the defendant is out of custody pending rial.
A judge may order a variety of conditions while the defendant is awaiting trial, such as a GPS location monitor, checking in via phone or in person with a pretrial services officer, no contact with an alleged victim, and other conditions similar to probation.
People who are arrested for serious felonies (including first- and second-degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, violent robberies and burglaries, home invasions and vehicular invasions) can still be denied pretrial release.
Prosecutors must request a detention hearing and the decision whether to hold someone will be made at the judge’s discretion.
This ruling will be based on several factors including the likelihood that the defendant will flee or any public safety risk that they may present.
Does Mercer County have bail?
No, New Jersey is a NO BAIL state.
Under current laws a defendant can only be held if a judge determines they are a risk to the community, likely to interfere with the investigation or fail to show for all required court dates. If the judge determines they are not a risk the defendant is released prior to trial.
What are the different types of bonds in Mercer County?
Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge or bail officer will determine and notify the accused of which release conditions are available to them. Professional bond companies are not permitted to operate in New Jersey.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Mercer County?
Under the new system, if a judge decides a defendant does not pose a public safety or willful flight risk, then they will be released without being required to post any money. This is called released on their own recognizance in all states and can be considered a type of bond because a document will need to be agreed upon and signed.
Who can set bail in Mercer County?
A hearing is held by a judge to determine if the defendant qualifies for release.
When is bail set in New Jersey?
If a defendant is not released immediately, a hearing will be scheduled within 48 hours before a judge.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Mercer County New Jersey?
Because New Jersey does not utilize a cash bail system there is no reason to request a reduction in bail. However, those previously denied release may have their attorney petition the court for another hearing to reevaluate eligibility.
In Mercer County New Jersey, who can pay bail for me?
This would not apply to New Jersey because money bail is not recognized.
Can bail be paid online in Mercer County New Jersey?
This would not apply to New Jersey because money bail is not recognized.
What options are there to pay bail in Mercer County New Jersey?
This would not apply to New Jersey because money bail is not recognized.
Will I get all my bond money back in New Jersey?
This would not apply to New Jersey because money bail is not recognized.
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Mercer County?
New Jersey does not require money down because it is a no bail state. There might be fees to pay however.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in New Jersey?
New Jersey has no bail.
There are scammers who call families of arrested asking for information to process a bond. Not only are bondspersons not permitted to call for this information for any type of arrests, but they are also particularly offensive since there are no bail bond companies permitted to operate in New Jersey.