Davidson County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Davidson County bail help for families in Lexington and Thomasville
Davidson County sits between Winston-Salem, High Point, and Salisbury. People arrested in Lexington, Thomasville, Denton, Midway, Wallburg, Welcome, Linwood, and High Point (part) go to Davidson's jail, the Davidson County Detention Facility, Website: davidsoncountysheriffsnc.org. Phone: (336) 242-2148. Inmate search: Davidson County Inmate Search.
Where is the Davidson County Detention Facility?
It is at 110 W. Center Street, Lexington, NC 27292, (336) 242-2148. The Davidson lockup is rated for 293 people.
Will a Thomasville case be heard in Lexington?
Maybe not. Thomasville has its own district court seat (G.S. 7A-133), so some misdemeanor cases from Thomasville are set there. The release order shows the court address. Felonies are heard in superior court in Lexington.
Who sets bail after an arrest in Lexington?
In Lexington, the Lexington magistrate usually does. Welcome officers bring arrestees to the Davidson magistrate (NC law, G.S. 15A-511; NC law, G.S. 15A-532). Davidson must have at least 9 magistrates (NC law, G.S. 7A-133). Meanwhile, your Davidson family member waits at the Davidson County Detention Facility. The Lexington clerk or the Davidson judge can also act in Davidson.
What release options does the Davidson magistrate have?
In Davidson, four release types exist (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part a).
• With custody release, a Davidson program supervises. Your Lexington loved one can choose a Lexington secured bond instead.
• House arrest keeps your Lexington loved one home in Lexington. Davidson adds a secured bond.
• Post cash, land, or a Davidson surety for a Lexington secured bond.
• In Davidson, an unsecured bond costs families in Linwood nothing up front. If Lexington court is skipped, the Lexington detainee owes it.
Since December 1, 2025, Davidson can't use a written promise alone.
Does a Lexington defendant start with no-money options?
For non-violent Davidson charges, the Davidson magistrate starts with no-money options (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b).
Davidson flight risks change that in Lexington. The Davidson magistrate also weighs threats to Davidson witnesses. The Lexington magistrate weighs harm risks too.
With 3 such Davidson convictions in 10 years, the Davidson magistrate must use a secured bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b). A new Davidson felony on probation means a Lexington danger finding (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d2).
Are bond amounts set by charge in Lexington?
Lexington has no set Davidson price list. Davidson's chief district judge weighs in for Lexington. For Davidson, the senior Lexington superior judge issues the policy (NC law, G.S. 15A-535). A Davidson County magistrate uses Davidson's suggested amounts.
The Davidson magistrate weighs the charge and record (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part c). Davidson counts missed court against the Davidson defendant. Ties to Wallburg help.
A first minor Lexington charge often gets an unsecured Davidson bond. Davidson felony bonds often reach thousands in Lexington. In Lexington, misdemeanor bonds may reach thousands in Davidson. Gun charges in Lexington run higher in Davidson.
Who can sign as surety for a Lexington bond?
The Davidson magistrate takes Davidson bonds. With no official present, the Davidson County Detention Facility can accept it (NC law, G.S. 15A-537). Call (336) 242-2148 first.
Pay a Lexington bond in cash, land, or a Davidson surety (NC law, G.S. 15A-531). Unpaid Thomasville sureties must own enough Davidson property. Davidson sureties include Lexington professional bondsmen.
Bondsman fees in Lexington top out at 15% (NC law, G.S. 58-71-95). Davidson collateral returns within 15 days of Lexington closure. Verify any Davidson bondsman at the NC Department of Insurance bondsman lookup. Lexington officers can't sign as Davidson sureties, except for family (NC law, G.S. 15A-541).
In Davidson County, which charges skip the magistrate?
In Davidson, these need the Davidson judge (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part b and c): shooting into an occupied building or car; first-degree arson; capital crimes; armed robbery; assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill causing serious injury; sex crimes against a child 15 or younger; forcible rape and many sex crimes; murder or attempted murder; kidnapping; first-degree burglary; human trafficking.
The Davidson judge presumes no Lexington terms work. Still, a Davidson County judge may allow Lexington release. Repeat Lexington gang cases in Davidson also match (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part d through g).
What changed for violent Davidson County charges in 2025?
Davidson now presumes a violent Lexington defendant stays jailed (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b1). In Lexington, people say Iryna's Law in Davidson.
In Davidson, Class A-G felonies with force count (NC law, G.S. 15A-531, part 9). Sex-offender registration felonies count in Lexington. Some Davidson fentanyl trafficking counts in Lexington.
A first violent Davidson charge needs a secured bond or Lexington monitor. Davidson defendants charged twice get a Lexington monitor. The Lexington magistrate must write reasons (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d).
Why is a Linwood defendant held after a domestic charge?
At first, only the Davidson judge sets domestic terms (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.1, part a). A Lexington 50B order violation counts in Davidson. Davidson threats against a Lexington spouse count.
The Davidson County Detention Facility may hold the Davidson defendant up to 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.1, part b). Then a Davidson County magistrate acts in Lexington. Lexington judges often order Davidson no-contact terms.
Which Davidson County cases have special bond rules?
Yes. These apply in Davidson:
• Meth labs in Davidson: Lexington release may be presumed unsafe (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.6).
• Looting in Lexington: a Davidson County judge decides within 24 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.8).
• Lexington mass-violence threats: a Lexington judge acts within 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.7).
• Threats to Davidson officials: a Lexington judge decides within 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.9).
• DWI in Davidson: an impaired Lexington defendant may wait 24 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.2).
• Davidson child victims: Lexington stay-away orders are required (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.4).
Can a second arrest near Denton raise the bond?
A new Davidson charge goes to a Davidson County judge (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part h). Simple Lexington traffic charges don't count in Davidson. The Davidson County Detention Facility may hold the Davidson defendant 48 hours. After that, Lexington's magistrate steps in for Davidson.
In Davidson, the new bond may double in Lexington (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d3). For good cause, Davidson can revoke Lexington release (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part f). Davidson's minimum is $1,000 here in Lexington.
After a Wallburg arrest, when is court?
A Davidson district judge sees the Wallburg detainee within 72 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-601). The next Lexington session may come first in Davidson. Long Lexington closures allow 96 hours in Davidson. Davidson district court also sits in Thomasville.
Lexington's magistrate may adjust it in Lexington (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part e). Later, a Davidson district judge can in Lexington.
Davidson families can ask a Lexington superior judge in writing (NC law, G.S. 15A-538). The Davidson DA can seek Lexington changes too (NC law, G.S. 15A-539).
Can a Davidson County bond be forfeited?
Skipping Davidson court on purpose is a Lexington crime (NC law, G.S. 15A-543). Misdemeanor no-shows in Davidson are Class 2 in Lexington. For Davidson felonies, it is Class I in Lexington.
The Davidson court forfeits the full Lexington bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.3). Valid Davidson reasons include the Lexington case ending. There are 150 Davidson days to file in Lexington (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.5). The Lexington clerk mails notice within 30 days (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.4).
After 150 days, the Davidson clerk dockets a Lexington judgment (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.6). Picked up again, your Lexington loved one faces a doubled Davidson bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d1).
When does a Davidson bond end?
A Lexington surety can surrender the Davidson defendant early (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part a). Then the Lexington clerk releases the Davidson surety. The Davidson magistrate then sets new terms (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part c). Once Davidson court is missed, a Lexington surety may arrest the Wallburg detainee (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part b).
Otherwise, a Davidson bond lasts until Lexington judgment (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part h). Davidson dismissal or probation can end it in Lexington.
How do Davidson district and superior courts differ?
Criminal court for Davidson County is held in Lexington. District court also sits in Thomasville. Davidson shares judges with Davie County.
Lexington misdemeanors stay in Davidson District Court 33 (NC law, G.S. 7A-133). The District 33 DA prosecutes Davidson cases in Lexington (NC law, G.S. 7A-60). After indictment, Davidson felonies go to Lexington Superior Court 33 (NC law, G.S. 7A-41).
Is there a public defender for Davidson County?
There is no Davidson public defender office in Lexington. A Davidson County judge appoints a state-paid Davidson lawyer. Request one in Lexington at first appearance (Indigent Defense Services directory). If convicted, the Welcome detainee may repay Davidson County's costs to the state.
Do High Point 16- and 17-year-olds go to adult jail?
Most Davidson teens under 18 start in Lexington juvenile court (NC law, G.S. 7B-1501). A Davidson detention hearing comes within 5 Lexington days (NC law, G.S. 7B-1906). Since 2019, that includes Davidson 16- and 17-year-olds in Lexington. Serious Davidson felonies can move to Lexington adult court. Davidson juveniles face no money bail in Lexington.
Which federal court covers Davidson County?
Davidson falls under the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina (28 U.S.C. 113). Court meets in Durham, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem. The clerk: Greensboro, L. Richardson Preyer Federal Building, 324 W. Market St., 336-332-6000. Davidson bondsmen don't work there.
Who can confirm a Davidson County bond amount?
Call the Davidson County Detention Facility at (336) 242-2148. On weekdays, the Davidson clerk in Lexington can help. Give the Davidson officer your Davidson family member's birth date.
Davidson County bail contacts
- Jail
- Davidson County Detention Facility, Website: davidsoncountysheriffsnc.org; (336) 242-2148
- Courts
- Davidson County Courthouse, Lexington
- Districts
- District Court 33; Superior Court 33; Prosecutorial 33
- Inmate search
- Davidson County Inmate Search
Judges and magistrates set release terms case by case. Nothing here is legal advice.
How do Bail Bonds work at Davidson County Jail
The Davidson County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Davidson 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 Davidson 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 Davidson 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 Davidson County Jail, or the courthouse in Davidson County where the offense took place.
Call 336-242-2141 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Davidson County inmate locator.
Davidson County Jail
Address:
2511 East US Hwy 64
Lexington, NC 27292
Phone:
336-242-2141
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Davidson County
Does Davidson County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Davidson County?
Who can set bail in Davidson County?
When is bail set in Davidson County North Carolina?
Does Davidson County have bail?
Yes, Davidson County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Davidson County?
Davidson County recognizes being released own recognizance, unsecured bail, secured bail or surety bonds.
Who can set bail in Davidson 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 Davidson 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 Davidson 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 Davidson 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, Davidson 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 Davidson 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 Davidson County have bail?
Yes, Davidson County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Davidson County North Carolina?
Davidson County recognizes being released own recognizance, unsecured bail, secured bail or surety bonds.
Who can set bail in Davidson 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 Davidson County North Carolina?
Yes, your attorney can file a motion for bail reduction.
In Davidson 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 Davidson 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 Davidson County Jail for more information about the jails in Davidson County.
What options are there to pay bail in Davidson 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 Davidson County Jail for more information about posting bail in Davidson 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 Davidson 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 Davidson 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.