Rio Arriba County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
Rio Arriba County bail and bond: Española, Chama and Tierra Amarilla
People arrested in Española, Chama, Abiquiú, Dixon and El Rito are held at the Rio Arriba County Detention Center, 2 Main St., Building 2, Tierra Amarilla, 575-588-7350. The Rio Arriba County Inmate Search shows bookings.
1. When can I visit the Tierra Amarilla jail?
By appointment, Tuesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (county detention page).
2. How many people does it book?
Over 2,000 men and women a year (county page).
3. Is there a bail chart in Española?
New Mexico doesn't allow one (Rule 5-401, part E). Some misdemeanor arrests are released on a promise right away; DWI is excluded (Rule 6-408).
4. How long until a judge sees it?
Probable cause review within 48 hours (Rule 6-203); release terms within 3 days (Rule 5-401).
5. What money options might a judge set?
Free release first. If money is needed, written reasons, then 10% down, a property pledge after that, and a full bond last, which a licensed bondsman may post (Rule 5-401; license lookup).
6. Could Rio Arriba keep someone with no bail?
In felony cases, after a hearing where the state shows clear proof of danger (constitution; Rule 5-409).
7. Which courts handle Española and Chama cases?
Magistrate courts at 1127 Santa Clara Peak Road, Española, 505-984-3955, and 2332 Highway 17, Chama, 505-984-3975 (court list). Felony matters belong to the First Judicial District (NMSA 34-6-1).
8. Where can I apply for a public defender?
The Santa Fe office, 301 N. Guadalupe St., Suite 200, 505-395-2888, covers the county. It also takes applications at the Española Magistrate Court on Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to noon (LOPD).
9. Does a tribal arrest work differently?
Each tribe runs its own court and release rules. Jicarilla's court in Dulce is 575-759-7487; Ohkay Owingeh is 505-825-4475 (Tribal-State Consortium). A county bond won't free someone from tribal custody.
10. Where do teens and federal cases go?
Teens fall under the Children's Code (NMSA 32A-2-13). Federal matters go to Santa Fe, 505-988-6481 (federal court).
11. Who knows the bond amount?
The jail at 575-588-7350.
Rio Arriba County bail contacts
- Jail
- 2 Main St., Bldg. 2, Tierra Amarilla; 575-588-7350
- Magistrate courts
- Española 505-984-3955; Chama 505-984-3975
- Public defender
- 505-395-2888
- Inmate search
- Rio Arriba County Inmate Search
Paying an Inmate's Bail or Bond in Rio Arriba County
The Rio Arriba County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba County, or in some cases the state of New Mexico, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Rio Arriba County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
- The typical fee for a bond in New Mexico 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 Rio Arriba County Detention Center, or the courthouse in Rio Arriba County where the offense took place.
Call 575-588-7350 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Rio Arriba County inmate locator.
Rio Arriba County Detention Center
Address:
2 Main St. Bldg 2
Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575
Phone:
575-588-7350
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Rio Arriba County
Does Rio Arriba County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Rio Arriba County?
Who can set bail in Rio Arriba County?
When is bail set in Rio Arriba County New Mexico?
Does Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba County?
Cash bonds or personal recognizance bonds are recognized in Rio Arriba County.
Who can set bail in Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba County Detention Center 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 Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba County?
Cash bonds or personal recognizance bonds are recognized in Rio Arriba County.
Who can set bail in Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba County Detention Center for more information about the jails in Rio Arriba County.
What options are there to pay bail in Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba County Detention Center 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.