Lincoln County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
Lincoln County bail and bond: Lincolnton, Denver, and the county jail
Lincoln County is between Gastonia and Hickory, with the west side of Lake Norman. People arrested in Lincolnton, Denver, Iron Station, Crouse, Vale, and Westport go to Lincoln's jail, the Lincoln County Detention Center, 700 John Howell Memorial Drive., Lincolnton, NC 28092. Phone: (704) 732-9020. Inmate search: Lincoln County Inmate Search.
Where is the Lincoln County Detention Center?
It is at 700 John Howell Memorial Drive, Lincolnton, NC 28092, (704) 732-9020. The Lincoln lockup is rated for 168 people.
After a Crouse arrest, who decides the bond?
In Lincolnton, Lincolnton's magistrate usually does. A Lincolnton judge or the Lincolnton clerk may too. By law, Lincoln keeps 6 or more magistrates (NC law, G.S. 7A-133). Meanwhile, the Lincoln defendant waits at the Lincoln County Detention Center. Iron Station officers bring arrestees to the Lincoln magistrate (NC law, G.S. 15A-511; NC law, G.S. 15A-532).
What release options does the Lincolnton magistrate have?
Lincolnton's magistrate has four Lincolnton choices (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part a).
• A Lincoln electronic monitor means house arrest. In Lincolnton, it comes with a secured bond.
• A Lincoln secured bond uses cash, land, or a Lincolnton surety.
• In Lincoln, an unsecured bond costs Lincolnton families nothing up front. If Lincolnton court is skipped, the Lincoln defendant owes it.
• Custody release means an Iron Station person supervises. Your Lincolnton loved one may pick a Lincoln secured bond instead.
Lincolnton dropped written promises December 1, 2025.
Why did a Lincoln County magistrate set a money bond?
Non-violent Lincolnton cases begin with no-money options in Lincoln (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b).
Lincoln flight risks change that in Lincolnton. The Lincolnton magistrate also weighs threats to Lincoln witnesses. Danger to a Lincolnton resident counts too.
With 3 such Lincoln convictions in 10 years, a Lincoln County magistrate must use a secured bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b). A new Lincoln felony on probation means a Lincolnton danger finding (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d2).
How does a Lincoln magistrate pick a bond amount?
Lincolnton has no set Lincoln price list. For Lincoln, the senior Lincolnton superior judge issues the policy (NC law, G.S. 15A-535). The Lincolnton magistrate uses Lincoln's suggested amounts. Lincoln's chief district judge weighs in for Lincolnton.
In Lincolnton, evidence and record matter (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part c). Past no-shows hurt a Lincoln defendant. Ties to Lincolnton help.
First small Lincoln misdemeanors often get unsecured bonds in Lincolnton. Felony bonds in Lincoln often start in the thousands in Lincolnton. In Lincolnton, misdemeanor bonds may reach thousands in Lincoln. Gun charges in Lincolnton run higher in Lincoln.
How can I pay a Lincoln County bond?
A Lincoln County magistrate takes Lincoln bonds. No official there? The Lincoln County Detention Center can take it (NC law, G.S. 15A-537). Call (704) 732-9020 first.
Lincoln takes cash, land, or a Lincolnton surety (NC law, G.S. 15A-531). A Lincoln surety may be a Lincolnton bail agent. A Westport relative can sign unpaid with enough Lincoln property.
A Lincoln bondsman may charge up to 15% (NC law, G.S. 58-71-95). Collateral reaches Lincoln families within 15 days. Verify any Lincoln bondsman at the NC Department of Insurance bondsman lookup. Lincolnton officers can't sign as Lincoln sureties, except for family (NC law, G.S. 15A-541).
In Lincoln County, which charges skip the magistrate?
Only the Lincoln judge decides release for these Lincoln charges (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part b and c): kidnapping; shooting into an occupied building or car; human trafficking; sex crimes against a child 15 or younger; first-degree burglary; murder or attempted murder; assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill causing serious injury; first-degree arson; forcible rape and many sex crimes; capital crimes; armed robbery.
For them, Lincoln presumes no Lincolnton release is safe. Still, a Lincolnton judge may allow Lincolnton release. Repeat Lincolnton gang cases in Lincoln also match (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part d through g).
How are violent charges from Lincolnton handled?
Lincoln now presumes a violent Lincolnton defendant stays jailed (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b1). Families in Lincolnton may call it Iryna's Law.
In Lincoln, Class A-G felonies with force count (NC law, G.S. 15A-531, part 9). Sex-offender registration felonies count in Lincolnton. So do Lincolnton attempts and some Lincoln fentanyl trafficking.
For a first violent Lincoln charge, a judicial official in Lincolnton must order a secured bond or monitor. Lincoln defendants charged twice get a Lincolnton monitor. The Lincoln judge writes reasons for Lincoln (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d).
Why is a Vale defendant held after a domestic charge?
At first, only a Lincoln County judge sets domestic terms (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.1, part a). Stalking a Crouse partner counts in Lincoln. Breaking a Lincoln 50B order in Lincolnton counts.
The Lincoln County Detention Center may hold the Lincoln defendant up to 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.1, part b). After that, a Lincoln County magistrate sets Lincoln terms. Lincolnton judges often order Lincoln no-contact terms.
What special bail rules apply in Lincolnton?
Yes. These apply in Lincoln:
• Lincoln child victims: Lincolnton stay-away orders are required (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.4).
• School threats in Lincoln: a Lincoln County judge decides within 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.7).
• Meth labs in Lincoln: Lincolnton release may be presumed unsafe (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.6).
• Lincolnton DWI: a sober Lincoln adult may take your Lincoln family member sooner (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.2).
• Threats to Lincoln officials: the Lincoln judge decides within 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.9).
• Looting in Lincolnton: a Lincoln County judge decides within 24 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.8).
Can a second arrest near Lincolnton raise the bond?
A new Lincoln charge goes to a Lincoln County judge (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part h). Most Lincoln traffic cases, except DWI, don't count in Lincolnton. Lincoln allows up to 48 hours in the Lincoln County Detention Center. After that, a Lincoln County magistrate steps in for Lincoln.
In Lincoln, the new bond may double in Lincolnton (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d3). Lincoln's minimum is $1,000 here in Lincolnton. A Lincoln County judge can revoke the old Lincolnton release for cause (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part f).
Can a Lincolnton bond be lowered?
Within 72 hours, the Lincoln defendant sees a Lincolnton judge (NC law, G.S. 15A-601). Long Lincolnton closures allow 96 hours in Lincoln. The next Lincolnton session may come first in Lincoln.
A Lincoln County magistrate may adjust it in Lincolnton (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part e). A Lincolnton judge may change it at the Lincolnton hearing.
Lincoln families can ask a Lincolnton superior judge in writing (NC law, G.S. 15A-538). The Lincoln DA can seek Lincolnton changes too (NC law, G.S. 15A-539).
Can a Lincoln County bond be forfeited?
A willful Lincolnton no-show is its own crime in Lincoln (NC law, G.S. 15A-543). On a Lincolnton misdemeanor, a Lincoln no-show is Class 2. For Lincoln felonies, it is Class I in Lincolnton.
The Lincoln court forfeits the full Lincolnton bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.3). The Lincolnton clerk mails notice within 30 days (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.4). There are 150 Lincoln days to file in Lincolnton (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.5). Only listed Lincoln reasons work, like Lincolnton surrender.
After 150 days, the Lincoln clerk dockets a Lincolnton judgment (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.6). Picked up again, your Lincolnton loved one faces a doubled Lincoln bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d1).
Can I get off someone's bond in Lincolnton?
A Lincolnton surety can surrender the Vale detainee early (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part a). Then the Lincolnton clerk releases the Lincoln surety. New Lincoln terms follow from the Lincoln magistrate (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part c). Once Lincoln court is missed, a Lincolnton surety may arrest the Vale detainee (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part b).
Otherwise, a Lincoln bond lasts until Lincolnton judgment (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part h). Lincoln dismissal or probation can end it in Lincolnton.
Which Lincoln County court handles felonies?
Criminal court for Lincoln County is held in Lincolnton. Lincoln shares judges with Cleveland County.
Lincolnton misdemeanors stay in Lincoln District Court 39 (NC law, G.S. 7A-133). The District 39 DA prosecutes Lincoln cases in Lincolnton (NC law, G.S. 7A-60). After indictment, Lincoln felonies go to Lincolnton Superior Court 39 (NC law, G.S. 7A-41).
Is there a public defender for Lincoln County?
There is one. The District 39 Public Defender covers Lincoln County: 206 Gamble Drive, Lincolnton, 704-742-7979. Request one at first appearance in Lincolnton. A Lincoln County judge reviews income (Indigent Defense Services directory).
Where does a Lincolnton teen go after arrest?
Most Lincoln teens under 18 start in Lincolnton juvenile court (NC law, G.S. 7B-1501). Serious Lincoln felonies can move to Lincolnton adult court. Lincoln juveniles face no money bail in Lincolnton. Lincoln added 17-year-olds in Lincolnton in 2019. The Lincoln judge decides detention within 5 days (NC law, G.S. 7B-1906).
Which federal court covers Lincoln County?
Lincoln falls under the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (28 U.S.C. 113). Court meets in Asheville, Bryson City, Charlotte, Shelby, and Statesville. The clerk: Charlotte, Charles R. Jonas Federal Building, 401 W. Trade St., 704-350-7400. A federal judge sets Lincoln release.
Who can confirm a Lincoln County bond amount?
Phone the Lincoln County Detention Center: (704) 732-9020. Give the Lincoln officer your Lincoln family member's birth date. On weekdays, the Lincoln clerk in Lincolnton can help.
Lincoln County bail contacts
- Jail
- Lincoln County Detention Center, 700 John Howell Memorial Drive., Lincolnton, NC 28092; (704) 732-9020
- Courts
- Lincoln County Courthouse, Lincolnton
- Districts
- District Court 39; Superior Court 39; Prosecutorial 39
- Public defender
- District 39 Public Defender; 704-742-7979
- Inmate search
- Lincoln County Inmate Search
Judges and magistrates set release terms case by case. Nothing here is legal advice.
How do Bail Bonds work at Lincoln County Detention Center
The Lincoln County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln County Detention Center, or the courthouse in Lincoln County where the offense took place.
Call 704-732-9020 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Lincoln County inmate locator.
Lincoln County Detention Center
Address:
700 John Howell Memorial Drive
Lincoln, NC 28093
Phone:
704-732-9020
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Lincoln County
Does Lincoln County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lincoln County?
Who can set bail in Lincoln County?
When is bail set in Lincoln County North Carolina?
Does Lincoln County have bail?
Yes, Lincoln County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lincoln County?
Lincoln County recognizes being released own recognizance, unsecured bail, secured bail or surety bonds.
Who can set bail in Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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.
The bond payment is always written to the court in your municipality, Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln County have bail?
Yes, Lincoln County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lincoln County North Carolina?
Lincoln County recognizes being released own recognizance, unsecured bail, secured bail or surety bonds.
Who can set bail in Lincoln 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 Lincoln County North Carolina?
Yes, your attorney can file a motion for bail reduction.
In Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln County Detention Center for more information about the jails in Lincoln County.
What options are there to pay bail in Lincoln 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 Lincoln County Detention Center for more information about posting bail in Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 set, usually at 10%, by the state and cannot be negotiated.