Otero County Prison Facility Inmate Bail & Bonds
Otero County bail and bond: Alamogordo, Tularosa and Cloudcroft
Arrests in Alamogordo, Tularosa, Cloudcroft, La Luz and the Otero side of Chaparral go to the Otero County Detention Center, 1958 Business Center Blvd., Alamogordo, 575-437-6420. The Otero County Inmate Search shows who is held.
1. Where do I post a bond during business hours?
At the court. Magistrate and District Court take bonds weekdays 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., holidays excluded. After that, go to the detention center (county bail page).
2. What payment does the jail take?
Cash only, and exact change. Checks, money orders and cashier's checks are refused at the jail (bail page).
3. Where are Alamogordo city bonds posted at night?
At the Alamogordo Department of Public Safety. The county jail never takes city bonds (bail page).
4. Where are property bonds filed?
With the Otero County Sheriff, 575-437-2210 (bail page).
5. Is bail set by a schedule?
Judges here, like everywhere in the state, must set terms for each person (Rule 5-401, part E). Some minor arrests qualify for release on a promise (Rule 6-408).
6. What decides whether money is required?
The judge, who starts with free release and must write a reason before ordering money. The 10% deposit is tried before larger bonds (Rule 5-401). Use only a bondsman with a state license (license check).
7. Can a person be held without bail?
Yes, in a felony, if a judge grants the prosecutor's motion after a hearing (Art. II; Rule 5-409).
8. Which court handles Alamogordo cases?
Magistrate court is at 263 Robert H. Bradley Drive, 575-437-9000; it also accepts bonds for other magistrate courts (court list). The Twelfth Judicial District hears felonies (NMSA 34-6-1).
9. Where is the Alamogordo public defender?
2395 N. Florida Ave., 575-551-7209 (LOPD).
10. What changes for an arrest at Mescalero?
The tribal court, 159 Deer Trail, Mescalero, 575-464-0414, takes payment by money order only (Mescalero Tribal Court). Tribal release rules apply, and major crimes there can become federal cases (18 U.S.C. 1153).
11. Where do juvenile and federal cases go?
Juveniles: Children's Code (NMSA 32A-2-13), with Las Cruces the nearest certified center (CYFD). Federal: Las Cruces, 575-528-1400 (court locations).
12. Who can confirm a bond amount?
The detention center, 575-437-6420.
Otero County bail contacts
- Jail
- 1958 Business Center Blvd., Alamogordo; 575-437-6420
- Magistrate court
- 575-437-9000
- Public defender
- 575-551-7209
- Inmate search
- Otero County Inmate Search
Otero County Prison Facility
Address:
10 McGregor Range Road
Chaparral, NM 88081
Phone:
575-824-4884
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Otero County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Otero County?
Who can set bail in Otero County?
When is bail set in Otero County New Mexico?
Does Otero County have bail?
In 2016, New Mexico voters approved a constitutional amendment to almost completely eliminate the cash bail system. The change was implemented to prevent low-risk offenders from remaining in jail before trial because they could not afford bail.
Since this recent change in law, the Otero County judges are now able to deny bail in felony cases for the more “dangerous” accused. This in consequence keeps more, but not all people in jail without any option for pre-trial release. The arrested are either released on a personal recognizance bond or held based on a judge’s assessment of the danger they pose to the public. Very few are released on bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Otero County?
Cash bonds or personal recognizance bonds are recognized in Otero County.
Who can set bail in Otero County?
Defendants are either released or held based on a judge’s assessment of the danger they pose to the public.
When is bail set in Otero County New Mexico?
The determination to hold or release a defendant pretrial must be made within 3 days for those being held in a local detention center.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Otero 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 Otero 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 Otero County Prison 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.
What are the different types of bonds in Otero County?
Cash bonds or personal recognizance bonds are recognized in New Mexico, and it is up to the judge to determine which bond will be accepted.
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.
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 Otero County have bail?
In 2016, New Mexico voters approved a constitutional amendment to almost completely eliminate the cash bail system. The change was implemented to prevent low-risk offenders from remaining in jail before trial because they could not afford bail.
Since this recent change in law, the Otero County judges are now able to deny bail in felony cases for the more “dangerous” accused. This in consequence keeps more, but not all people in jail without any option for pre-trial release. The arrested are either released on a personal recognizance bond or held based on a judge’s assessment of the danger they pose to the public. Very few are released on bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Otero County?
Cash bonds or personal recognizance bonds are recognized in Otero County.
Who can set bail in Otero County?
Defendants are either released or held based on a judge’s assessment of the danger they pose to the public.
When is bail set in Otero County?
The determination to hold or release a defendant pretrial must be made within 3 days for those being held in a local detention center.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Otero County New Mexico?
There is no bail, however, your attorney may request a second hearing to determine if a defendant is to be released.
In Otero County New Mexico, who can pay bail for me?
The person posting bail could 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. The defendant can also pay bail.
Can bail be paid online in Otero County New Mexico?
Yes, New Mexico does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: go to the Otero County Prison Facility for more information about the jails in Otero County.
What options are there to pay bail in Otero County New Mexico?
If bail was set, refer to the information on payment:
Will I get all my bond money back in New Mexico?
If bail was set, refer to the information on payment:
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Otero County?
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 however there might be court fees due.
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 can 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 New Mexico?
The Otero County Prison 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 10% and cannot be negotiated.