Beaufort County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Beaufort County

North Carolina • Beaufort County • Bail & bond help

Beaufort County bail and bond: Washington, Belhaven, and the county jail

Beaufort County sits on the Pamlico River in eastern North Carolina. Do not confuse it with the town of Beaufort, which is in Carteret County. From Washington, Belhaven, Chocowinity, Aurora, Bath, Pantego, and Washington Park, Beaufort arrestees are booked into the Beaufort County Detention Center, 210 N. Market Street, Washington, NC 27889. Phone: (252) 946-7113. Inmate search: Beaufort County Inmate Search.

Where is the Beaufort County Detention Center?

It is at 210 N. Market Street in downtown Washington, NC 27889, (252) 946-7113. The Beaufort lockup is rated for 85 people.

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Who sets release terms in Beaufort?

In Washington, the Beaufort magistrate usually does. After a Chocowinity arrest, police see Washington's magistrate (NC law, G.S. 15A-511; NC law, G.S. 15A-532). The Washington clerk or the Beaufort judge can also act in Beaufort. By law, Beaufort keeps 4 or more magistrates (NC law, G.S. 7A-133). The Belhaven detainee stays in the Beaufort County Detention Center meanwhile.

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What release can a Beaufort magistrate order?

A Beaufort County magistrate has four Washington choices (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part a).

• A Beaufort secured bond uses cash, land, or a Washington surety.

• In Beaufort, an unsecured bond costs Washington families nothing up front. If Washington court is skipped, the Beaufort defendant owes it.

• Custody release means a Pantego person supervises. Your Beaufort family member may pick a Beaufort secured bond instead.

• A Beaufort electronic monitor means house arrest. In Washington, it comes with a secured bond.

A written promise ended in Beaufort on December 1, 2025.

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When must Beaufort County use a money bond?

Non-violent Washington cases begin with no-money options in Beaufort (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b).

If your Beaufort family member may skip Washington court, a Beaufort secured bond follows. Washington witness risks count too in Beaufort. Danger to a Bath resident counts too.

With 3 such Beaufort convictions in 10 years, the Beaufort magistrate must use a secured bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b). A new Beaufort felony on probation means a Washington danger finding (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d2).

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How does a Beaufort magistrate pick a bond amount?

Beaufort has no fixed price list in Washington. Beaufort's chief district judge weighs in for Washington. The Beaufort policy suggests Washington amounts. For Beaufort, the senior Washington superior judge issues the policy (NC law, G.S. 15A-535).

The Washington magistrate weighs the charge and record (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part c). Beaufort counts missed court against your Washington loved one. Ties to Belhaven help.

A first minor Washington charge often gets an unsecured Beaufort bond. Trafficking charges in Beaufort go higher in Washington. Beaufort felony bonds often reach thousands in Washington. Beaufort cash bonds run hundreds to thousands in Washington.

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Who can sign as surety for a Washington bond?

Post a Beaufort bond with Washington's magistrate. No official there? The Beaufort County Detention Center can take it (NC law, G.S. 15A-537). Phone the Beaufort jail at (252) 946-7113 first.

Beaufort takes cash, land, or a Washington surety (NC law, G.S. 15A-531). Beaufort sureties include Washington professional bondsmen. An Aurora relative can sign unpaid with enough Beaufort property.

Bondsman fees in Washington top out at 15% (NC law, G.S. 58-71-95). Check a Washington bondsman with the NC Department of Insurance bondsman lookup. Beaufort collateral returns within 15 days of Washington closure. Washington officers can't sign as Beaufort sureties, except for family (NC law, G.S. 15A-541).

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Which serious Chocowinity charges go straight to a judge?

Only a Beaufort County judge decides release for these Beaufort charges (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part b and c): human trafficking; kidnapping; assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill causing serious injury; forcible rape and many sex crimes; first-degree burglary; first-degree arson; murder or attempted murder; armed robbery; sex crimes against a child 15 or younger; capital crimes; shooting into an occupied building or car.

A Beaufort County judge presumes no Washington terms work. A Washington judge can still allow release in Beaufort. Some repeat Beaufort gun cases match (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part d through g).

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What changed for violent Beaufort County charges in 2025?

Beaufort now presumes a violent Washington defendant stays jailed (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b1). Families in Aurora may call it Iryna's Law.

Forceful felonies charged in Washington count in Beaufort (NC law, G.S. 15A-531, part 9). Beaufort registration felonies count too in Washington. Some Beaufort fentanyl trafficking counts in Washington.

For a first violent Beaufort charge, a judicial official in Washington must order a secured bond or monitor. Beaufort defendants charged twice get a Washington monitor. The Beaufort judge writes reasons for Beaufort (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d).

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After a Washington domestic violence arrest, what happens?

In Beaufort, domestic cases go to a Beaufort County judge first (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.1, part a). A Washington 50B order violation counts in Beaufort. Beaufort threats against a Washington spouse count.

The Beaufort County Detention Center may hold the Aurora detainee up to 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.1, part b). After that, Washington's magistrate sets Beaufort terms. Expect Beaufort no-contact orders in Washington.

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What special holds can a Beaufort arrest bring?

Several rules matter for Washington arrests:

• Washington mass-violence threats: a Beaufort County judge acts within 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.7).

• Beaufort rioting: a Beaufort County judge acts within 24 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.8).

• Washington DWI: a sober Beaufort adult may take your Washington loved one sooner (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.2).

• Children harmed in Washington: a Beaufort County magistrate orders no contact (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.4).

• Washington meth cases: Beaufort judges may presume release unsafe (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.6).

• Threats to Beaufort officials: a Beaufort County judge decides within 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.9).

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Can a second arrest near Aurora raise the bond?

Out on release? A Washington judge sets new Washington terms (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part h). Most Beaufort traffic cases, except DWI, don't count in Washington. Beaufort allows up to 48 hours in the Beaufort County Detention Center. Then Washington's magistrate acts for Beaufort.

In Beaufort, the new bond may double in Washington (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d3). The Beaufort judge can revoke the old Washington release for cause (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part f). Beaufort's minimum is $1,000 here in Washington.

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How do I ask the Beaufort judge to lower a bond?

A Beaufort district judge sees your Beaufort family member within 72 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-601). The next Washington session may come first in Beaufort. Long Washington closures allow 96 hours in Beaufort.

A Beaufort County magistrate may adjust it in Washington (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part e). The Beaufort judge may change it at the Washington hearing.

Still denied? Write to a Beaufort superior court judge (NC law, G.S. 15A-538). The Beaufort DA can seek Washington changes too (NC law, G.S. 15A-539).

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What happens if someone misses court in Beaufort County?

Skipping Beaufort court on purpose is a Washington crime (NC law, G.S. 15A-543). Skip a Beaufort felony date, and the new Washington charge is a Class I felony. Misdemeanor no-shows in Beaufort are Class 2 in Washington.

The Beaufort court forfeits the full Washington bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.3). There are 150 Beaufort days to file in Washington (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.5). Only listed Beaufort reasons work, like Washington surrender. Notice reaches Washington families within 30 days (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.4).

On day 150, a Beaufort final judgment and Washington lien follow (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.6). The next Washington bond is usually doubled in Beaufort (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d1).

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Can a Beaufort bondsman take back a bond?

A Washington surety can surrender the Pantego detainee early (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part a). Then the Washington clerk releases the Beaufort surety. Once Beaufort court is missed, a Washington surety may arrest your Washington loved one (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part b). A Beaufort County magistrate then sets new terms (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part c).

A Washington bond normally runs to Beaufort judgment (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part h). A Washington deferral can end it in Beaufort.

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Where will a Washington case be heard?

Criminal court for Beaufort County is held in Washington. The county is in District 2 with Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell, and Washington counties.

Beaufort misdemeanors stay in Washington district court (NC law, G.S. 7A-133). Beaufort prosecutors handle Washington cases (NC law, G.S. 7A-60). After indictment, Beaufort felonies go to Washington Superior Court 2 (NC law, G.S. 7A-41).

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Who defends a Beaufort County case for free?

Yes. The District 2 Public Defender covers Beaufort County: 227 N. Respess Street, Washington, 252-940-4014. Ask at the Washington first appearance. The Beaufort judge reviews income (Indigent Defense Services directory).

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Where does a Washington teen go after arrest?

Most Beaufort teens under 18 start in Washington juvenile court (NC law, G.S. 7B-1501). Beaufort juveniles face no money bail in Washington. The Beaufort judge decides detention within 5 days (NC law, G.S. 7B-1906). Some Washington cases move to Beaufort superior court. Since 2019, that includes Beaufort 16- and 17-year-olds in Washington.

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Do Beaufort bondsmen work in federal court?

Beaufort is in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina (28 U.S.C. 113). Court meets in Elizabeth City, Fayetteville, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, Wilmington, and Wilson. The clerk: Raleigh, Terry Sanford Federal Building, 310 New Bern Ave., 919-645-1700. Beaufort bondsmen don't work there.

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Who can confirm a Beaufort County bond amount?

Phone the Beaufort County Detention Center: (252) 946-7113. The Washington clerk can also help Washington families on weekdays. Have the Beaufort defendant's birth date ready for Washington staff.

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Beaufort County bail contacts

Jail
Beaufort County Detention Center, 210 N. Market Street, Washington, NC 27889; (252) 946-7113
Courts
Beaufort County Courthouse, Washington
Districts
District Court 2; Superior Court 2; Prosecutorial 2
Public defender
District 2 Public Defender; 252-940-4014
Inmate search
Beaufort County Inmate Search

Judges and magistrates set release terms case by case. Nothing here is legal advice.

How do Bail Bonds work at Beaufort County Jail

The Beaufort County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Beaufort 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 Beaufort County, or in some cases the state of North Carolina, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Beaufort County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
  • The typical fee for a bond in North Carolina 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 $1500.00.
  • Pay by cash, cashier's check, money order or credit card at the Beaufort County Jail, or the courthouse in Beaufort County where the offense took place.

Call 252-946-7113 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Beaufort County inmate locator.

Beaufort County Jail

Address:
112 W. 2nd Street
Washington, NC 27889
Phone:
252-946-7113

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Beaufort County


Does Beaufort County have bail?

What kind of bonds are accepted in Beaufort County?

Who can set bail in Beaufort County?

When is bail set in Beaufort County North Carolina?

 

 

Does Beaufort County have bail?

Yes,  Beaufort County recognizes most types of bonds.

 

 

What kind of bonds are accepted in Beaufort County?

Beaufort County recognizes being released own recognizance, unsecured bail, secured bail or surety bonds.

 

 

Who can set bail in Beaufort County?

Bail is determined by a magistrate. Magistrates are persons who are trained in court and legal procedures. A magistrate does not have to be an attorney but helps move the process by performing some of the routine court functions such as issuing arrest warrants, setting bail and accepting guilty pleas for minor misdemeanors.

 

 

When is bail set in Beaufort County North Carolina?

Bail is determined by a magistrate at your first court appearance. This court appearance, also known as first appearance, usually occurs within 48 hours of arrest.

What is Bail?

Bail is what the arrested in Beaufort 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 North Carolina 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 Beaufort County Jail 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, Beaufort 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 Beaufort 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 bank 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 Beaufort County have bail?  

Yes,  Beaufort County recognizes most types of bonds.

What kind of bonds are accepted in Beaufort County North Carolina?

Beaufort County recognizes being released own recognizance, unsecured bail, secured bail or surety bonds.

Who can set bail in Beaufort County?  

Bail is determined by a magistrate. Magistrates are persons who are trained in court and legal procedures. A magistrate does not have to be an attorney but helps move the process by performing some of the routine court functions such as issuing arrest warrants, setting bail and accepting guilty pleas for minor misdemeanors.

When is bail set in North Carolina?  

Bail is determined by a magistrate at your first court appearance. This court appearance, also known as first appearance, usually occurs within 48 hours of arrest.

Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Beaufort County North Carolina? 

Yes, your attorney can file a motion for bail reduction.

In Beaufort County North Carolina, 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 North Carolina could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.

Can bail be paid online in Beaufort County North Carolina?  

Yes, North Carolina does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: Go to the Beaufort County Jail for more information about the jails in Beaufort County.

What options are there to pay bail in Beaufort County North Carolina? 

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 Beaufort County Jail for more information about posting bail in Beaufort County.  

Will I get all my bond money back in North Carolina? 

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 Beaufort 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 North Carolina?  

The Beaufort County Jail 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.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Beaufort County

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