Camden County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Camden County

North Carolina • Camden County • Bail & bond help

How bail works in Camden County: Camden and South Mills

Camden County is a small county in the northeast, between Elizabeth City and the Virginia line. Arrests in Camden, South Mills, Shiloh, and Old Trap end at Camden's jail: the Albemarle District Jail, 210 Executive Dr., Elizabeth City, NC 27909. Phone: (252) 335-4844. Inmate search: Camden County Inmate Search.

Does Camden County have its own jail?

No. Camden, Pasquotank, and Perquimans counties have shared the Albemarle District Jail since the 1970s. It is at 210 Executive Drive, Elizabeth City, (252) 335-4844. Even so, bond for a Camden arrest is still set by a Camden magistrate.

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Can I post a Camden County bond in Elizabeth City?

Most likely yes. The person is held in Elizabeth City, and bonds are taken by the magistrate on duty. Call the Albemarle District Jail first and ask which magistrate office handles Camden County cases at that hour.

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After a South Mills arrest, who decides the bond?

In Camden, a Camden County magistrate usually does. Shiloh officers bring arrestees to Camden's magistrate (NC law, G.S. 15A-511; NC law, G.S. 15A-532). The Camden clerk or a Camden judge can also act in Camden. By law, Camden keeps 3 or more magistrates (NC law, G.S. 7A-133). Your Camden loved one stays in the Albemarle District Jail meanwhile.

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What release options does a Camden County magistrate have?

In Camden, four release types exist (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part a).

• Post cash, land, or a Camden surety for a Camden secured bond.

• With custody release, a Camden program supervises. The Shiloh detainee can choose a Camden secured bond instead.

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

• In Camden, an unsecured bond costs Camden families nothing up front. If Camden court is skipped, your Camden family member owes it.

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

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When does a Camden magistrate require a secured bond?

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

Camden flight risks change that in Camden. Danger to a South Mills resident counts too. Camden witness risks count too in Camden.

Three Camden Class 1 convictions in 10 years? Camden then requires a secured bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b). A new Camden felony on probation means a Camden danger finding (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d2).

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Does Camden County have a bail schedule?

Camden has no fixed price list in Camden. The Camden policy suggests Camden amounts. For Camden, the senior Camden superior judge issues the policy (NC law, G.S. 15A-535). The Camden chief district judge is consulted too.

In Camden, evidence and record matter (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part c). Past no-shows hurt a Camden defendant. Ties to South Mills help.

First small Camden misdemeanors often get unsecured bonds in Camden. Trafficking charges in Camden go higher in Camden. In Camden, misdemeanor bonds may reach thousands in Camden. Camden felony bonds often reach thousands in Camden.

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How can I pay a Camden County bond?

A Camden County magistrate takes Camden bonds. With no official present, the Albemarle District Jail can accept it (NC law, G.S. 15A-537). Phone the Camden jail at (252) 335-4844 first.

Pay a Camden bond in cash, land, or a Camden surety (NC law, G.S. 15A-531). Unpaid South Mills sureties must own enough Camden property. Camden sureties include Camden professional bondsmen.

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

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In Camden County, which charges skip the magistrate?

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

For them, Camden presumes no Camden release is safe. Still, the Camden judge may allow Camden release. Repeat Camden gang cases in Camden also match (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part d through g).

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What does Iryna's Law mean for Camden County?

Camden now presumes a violent Camden defendant stays jailed (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b1). In Camden, people say Iryna's Law in Camden.

Forceful felonies charged in Camden count in Camden (NC law, G.S. 15A-531, part 9). Camden registration felonies count too in Camden. So do Camden attempts and some Camden fentanyl trafficking.

For a first violent Camden charge, a judicial official in Camden must order a secured bond or monitor. Camden defendants charged twice get a Camden monitor. Camden's magistrate must write reasons (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d).

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Can a Camden magistrate set bond on a domestic charge?

At first, only a Camden judge sets domestic terms (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.1, part a). A Camden 50B order violation counts in Camden. Stalking a South Mills partner counts in Camden.

The Albemarle District Jail may hold your Camden family member up to 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.1, part b). Then Camden's magistrate acts in Camden. Expect Camden no-contact orders in Camden.

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What other charges in Camden County mean a longer wait?

Yes. These apply in Camden:

• Threatening a Camden officer: a Camden County judge acts within 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.9).

• School threats in Camden: the Camden judge decides within 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.7).

• Camden child victims: Camden stay-away orders are required (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.4).

• DWI in Camden: an impaired Camden defendant may wait 24 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.2).

• Looting in Camden: a Camden judge decides within 24 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.8).

• Meth labs in Camden: Camden release may be presumed unsafe (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.6).

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Someone on a Camden bond got arrested again. Now what?

Out on release? The Camden judge sets new Camden terms (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part h). Most Camden traffic cases, except DWI, don't count in Camden. The Albemarle District Jail may hold the Camden defendant 48 hours. Then the Camden magistrate acts for Camden.

A Camden County magistrate may double the old Camden bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d3). A doubled Camden bond is $1,000 or more in Camden. A Camden judge can revoke the old Camden release for cause (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part f).

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Can a Camden bond be lowered?

Within 72 hours, the Camden defendant sees a Camden judge (NC law, G.S. 15A-601). The next Camden session may come first in Camden. Long Camden closures allow 96 hours in Camden.

A Camden County magistrate may adjust it in Camden (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part e). Later, a Camden district judge can in Camden.

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

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What does missing Camden County court cost?

A willful Camden no-show is its own crime in Camden (NC law, G.S. 15A-543). Misdemeanor no-shows in Camden are Class 2 in Camden. For Camden felonies, it is Class I in Camden.

A Camden County judge enters a full forfeiture in Camden (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.3). Camden sureties get 150 days to ask the Camden clerk (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.5). Only listed Camden reasons work, like Camden surrender. Notice reaches families in Shiloh within 30 days (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.4).

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

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Can I get off someone's bond in Camden?

Before a missed Camden date, a Camden surety may surrender the Camden defendant (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part a). Then the Camden clerk releases the Camden surety. Once Camden court is missed, a Camden surety may arrest your Camden family member (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part b). The Camden magistrate then sets new terms (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part c).

Otherwise, a Camden bond lasts until Camden judgment (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part h). A Camden deferral can end it in Camden.

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Where will a Camden case be heard?

Criminal court for Camden County sits in the small Camden courthouse. Camden belongs to the seven-county District 1.

Camden misdemeanors stay in Camden district court (NC law, G.S. 7A-133). The District 1 DA prosecutes Camden cases in Camden (NC law, G.S. 7A-60). After indictment, Camden felonies go to Camden Superior Court 1 (NC law, G.S. 7A-41).

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Can someone arrested in Camden get a free lawyer?

There is one. The District 1 Public Defender covers Camden County: 1407 Parkview Drive, Elizabeth City, 252-331-4650. Request one at first appearance in Camden. The Camden judge reviews income (Indigent Defense Services directory).

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A Camden County teen was arrested. What now?

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

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What if the Camden County arrest is federal?

Camden 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. Camden bondsmen don't work there.

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Who can confirm a Camden County bond amount?

Call the Albemarle District Jail at (252) 335-4844. Have the Shiloh detainee's birth date ready for Camden staff. The Camden clerk can also help families in Old Trap on weekdays.

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Camden County bail contacts

Jail
Albemarle District Jail, 210 Executive Dr., Elizabeth City, NC 27909; (252) 335-4844
Courts
Camden County Courthouse, Camden
Districts
District Court 1; Superior Court 1; Prosecutorial 1
Public defender
District 1 Public Defender; 252-331-4650
Inmate search
Camden County Inmate Search

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

How do Bail Bonds work at Camden County Jail

The Camden County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden County Jail, or the courthouse in Camden County where the offense took place.

Call 252-335-5046 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Camden County inmate locator.

Camden County Jail

Address:
117 North NC 343
Camden, NC 27921
Phone:
252-335-5046

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Camden County


Does Camden County have bail?

What kind of bonds are accepted in Camden County?

Who can set bail in Camden County?

When is bail set in Camden County North Carolina?

 

 

Does Camden County have bail?

Yes,  Camden County recognizes most types of bonds.

 

 

What kind of bonds are accepted in Camden County?

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

 

 

Who can set bail in Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden 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, Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden County have bail?  

Yes,  Camden County recognizes most types of bonds.

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

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

Who can set bail in Camden 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 Camden County North Carolina? 

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

In Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden County Jail for more information about the jails in Camden County.

What options are there to pay bail in Camden 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 Camden County Jail for more information about posting bail in Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden County

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