Tyrrell County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Tyrrell County bail help for families in Columbia and Gum Neck
Tyrrell County has the fewest people of any North Carolina county. People arrested in Columbia, Gum Neck, Alligator, Kilkenny, and Scuppernong go to Tyrrell's jail, the Dare County Detention Center, 1044 Driftwood Drive, Manteo, NC 27954. Phone: (252) 475-9220. Inmate search: Tyrrell County Inmate Search.
1. Does Tyrrell County have a jail?
No. The Tyrrell County jail is closed. People arrested in Tyrrell County are taken to the Dare County Detention Center, 1044 Driftwood Drive, Manteo, (252) 475-9220. Columbia keeps Tyrrell court, and a Tyrrell magistrate sets bond.
2. Is the Tyrrell Prison Work Farm the county jail?
No. The Tyrrell Prison Work Farm near Columbia holds sentenced Tyrrell inmates. Columbia bond cases go to Manteo.
3. Who sets release terms in Tyrrell?
Usually the Tyrrell magistrate sets it in Columbia. Columbia officers bring arrestees to the Columbia magistrate (NC law, G.S. 15A-511; NC law, G.S. 15A-532). A Columbia judge or the Columbia clerk may too. By law, Tyrrell keeps 3 or more magistrates (NC law, G.S. 7A-133). Your Columbia loved one stays in the Dare County Detention Center meanwhile.
4. What release options does a Tyrrell County magistrate have?
In Tyrrell, four release types exist (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part a).
• A Tyrrell secured bond uses cash, land, or a Columbia surety.
• In Tyrrell, an unsecured bond costs families in Scuppernong nothing up front. If Columbia court is skipped, the Tyrrell defendant owes it.
• With custody release, a Tyrrell program supervises. Your Columbia loved one can choose a Columbia secured bond instead.
• House arrest keeps your Tyrrell family member home in Kilkenny. Tyrrell adds a secured bond.
A written promise ended in Tyrrell on December 1, 2025.
5. When does a Tyrrell magistrate require a secured bond?
Non-violent Columbia cases begin with no-money options in Tyrrell (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b).
If the Tyrrell defendant may skip Columbia court, a Tyrrell secured bond follows. A Tyrrell County magistrate weighs harm risks too. Columbia's magistrate also weighs threats to Tyrrell witnesses.
With 3 such Tyrrell convictions in 10 years, the Columbia magistrate must use a secured bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b). A new Tyrrell felony on probation means a Columbia danger finding (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d2).
6. Who guides bond amounts for Tyrrell County?
Tyrrell has no fixed price list in Columbia. The Tyrrell policy suggests Columbia amounts. Tyrrell's chief district judge weighs in for Columbia. For Tyrrell, the senior Columbia superior judge issues the policy (NC law, G.S. 15A-535).
The Columbia magistrate weighs the charge and record (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part c). A job in Gum Neck helps. Past no-shows hurt a Tyrrell defendant.
A first minor Columbia charge often gets an unsecured Tyrrell bond. Tyrrell felony bonds often reach thousands in Columbia. Trafficking charges in Tyrrell go higher in Columbia. Tyrrell cash bonds run hundreds to thousands in Columbia.
7. How do I post a Tyrrell bond?
A Tyrrell County magistrate takes Tyrrell bonds. Phone the Tyrrell jail at (252) 475-9220 first. No official there? The Dare County Detention Center can take it (NC law, G.S. 15A-537).
Pay a Columbia bond in cash, land, or a Tyrrell surety (NC law, G.S. 15A-531). An Alligator relative can sign unpaid with enough Tyrrell property. Tyrrell sureties include Columbia professional bondsmen.
A Tyrrell bondsman may charge up to 15% (NC law, G.S. 58-71-95). Verify any Tyrrell bondsman at the NC Department of Insurance bondsman lookup. Collateral reaches Tyrrell families within 15 days. Tyrrell jailers can't be sureties, except for Columbia family (NC law, G.S. 15A-541).
8. Which Tyrrell charges need a Columbia judge?
Only a Tyrrell County judge decides release for these Tyrrell charges (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part b and c): murder or attempted murder; human trafficking; shooting into an occupied building or car; sex crimes against a child 15 or younger; kidnapping; first-degree burglary; capital crimes; assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill causing serious injury; armed robbery; forcible rape and many sex crimes; first-degree arson.
A Columbia judge presumes no Columbia terms work. A Columbia judge can still allow release in Tyrrell. Some repeat Tyrrell gun cases match (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part d through g).
9. In Tyrrell, is bond harder for violent charges?
Tyrrell now presumes a violent Columbia defendant stays jailed (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b1). In Columbia, people say Iryna's Law in Tyrrell.
Forceful felonies charged in Columbia count in Tyrrell (NC law, G.S. 15A-531, part 9). Tyrrell registration felonies count too in Columbia. Some Tyrrell fentanyl trafficking counts in Columbia.
For a first violent Tyrrell charge, a judicial official in Columbia must order a secured bond or monitor. Tyrrell repeat violent charges bring a Columbia monitor if available. The Tyrrell judge writes reasons for Tyrrell (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d).
10. After a Columbia domestic violence arrest, what happens?
At first, only a Columbia judge sets domestic terms (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.1, part a). Tyrrell threats against a Columbia spouse count. Breaking a Tyrrell 50B order in Columbia counts.
The Dare County Detention Center may hold the Kilkenny detainee up to 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.1, part b). After that, a Tyrrell County magistrate sets Tyrrell terms. Expect Tyrrell no-contact orders in Columbia.
11. What other charges in Tyrrell County mean a longer wait?
Tyrrell families should know these:
• Columbia meth cases: Tyrrell judges may presume release unsafe (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.6).
• Columbia DWI: a sober Tyrrell adult may take your Tyrrell family member sooner (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.2).
• Threats to Tyrrell officials: the Tyrrell judge decides within 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.9).
• School threats in Tyrrell: a Tyrrell County judge decides within 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.7).
• Children harmed in Columbia: a Tyrrell County magistrate orders no contact (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.4).
• Tyrrell rioting: a Columbia judge acts within 24 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.8).
12. Does a new Columbia charge change the bond?
Out on release? A Tyrrell County judge sets new Columbia terms (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part h). The Dare County Detention Center may hold your Tyrrell family member 48 hours. Then the Tyrrell magistrate acts for Tyrrell. Simple Columbia traffic charges don't count in Tyrrell.
In Tyrrell, the new bond may double in Columbia (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d3). A doubled Tyrrell bond is $1,000 or more in Columbia. For good cause, Tyrrell can revoke Columbia release (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part f).
13. How do I ask a Columbia judge to lower a bond?
Within 72 hours, the Alligator detainee sees a Columbia judge (NC law, G.S. 15A-601). If Tyrrell courts close long, the Columbia limit is 96 hours. Tyrrell may act sooner, at the next Columbia session.
A Tyrrell County magistrate may adjust it in Columbia (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part e). Later, a Tyrrell district judge can in Columbia.
Still denied? Write to a Tyrrell superior court judge (NC law, G.S. 15A-538). Tyrrell prosecutors may ask too (NC law, G.S. 15A-539).
14. What does missing Tyrrell County court cost?
A willful Columbia no-show is its own crime in Tyrrell (NC law, G.S. 15A-543). For Tyrrell felonies, it is Class I in Columbia. On a Columbia misdemeanor, a Tyrrell no-show is Class 2.
A Tyrrell County judge enters a full forfeiture in Tyrrell (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.3). Tyrrell sureties get 150 days to ask the Columbia clerk (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.5). The Columbia clerk mails notice within 30 days (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.4). Valid Tyrrell reasons include the Columbia case ending.
On day 150, a Tyrrell final judgment and Columbia lien follow (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.6). Picked up again, the Tyrrell defendant faces a doubled Tyrrell bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d1).
15. What is a bond surrender in Tyrrell County?
A Columbia surety can surrender your Tyrrell family member early (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part a). The Tyrrell clerk then frees the Columbia surety. The Tyrrell magistrate then sets new terms (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part c). After a missed Tyrrell date, a Columbia surety may bring the Tyrrell defendant in (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part b).
A Columbia bond normally runs to Tyrrell judgment (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part h). A Columbia deferral can end it in Tyrrell.
16. Which Tyrrell County court handles felonies?
Criminal court for Tyrrell County is held in Columbia. Tyrrell is in District 2.
Columbia misdemeanors stay in Tyrrell District Court 2 (NC law, G.S. 7A-133). After indictment, Tyrrell felonies go to Columbia Superior Court 2 (NC law, G.S. 7A-41). The District 2 DA prosecutes Tyrrell cases in Columbia (NC law, G.S. 7A-60).
17. Is there a public defender for Tyrrell County?
Yes. The District 2 Public Defender covers Tyrrell County: 227 N. Respess Street, Washington, 252-940-4014. Request one at first appearance in Columbia. A Columbia judge reviews income (Indigent Defense Services directory).
18. A Tyrrell County teen was arrested. What now?
Most Tyrrell teens under 18 start in Columbia juvenile court (NC law, G.S. 7B-1501). Some Columbia cases move to Tyrrell superior court. Since 2019, that includes Tyrrell 16- and 17-year-olds in Columbia. Tyrrell juveniles face no money bail in Columbia. A Tyrrell detention hearing comes within 5 Columbia days (NC law, G.S. 7B-1906).
19. Do Tyrrell bondsmen work in federal court?
Tyrrell 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. Tyrrell bondsmen don't work there.
20. Who can confirm a Tyrrell County bond amount?
Call the Dare County Detention Center at (252) 475-9220 and mention a Tyrrell arrest. Have the Columbia defendant's birth date ready. The Tyrrell County clerk of superior court in Columbia can also help during business hours.
Tyrrell County bail contacts
- Jail
- Dare County Detention Center, 1044 Driftwood Drive, Manteo, NC 27954; (252) 475-9220
- Courts
- Tyrrell County Courthouse, Columbia
- Districts
- District Court 2; Superior Court 2; Prosecutorial 2
- Public defender
- District 2 Public Defender; 252-940-4014
- Inmate search
- Tyrrell County Inmate Search
Judges and magistrates set release terms case by case. Nothing here is legal advice.
How do Bail Bonds work at Tyrrell County Jail
The Tyrrell County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell County Jail, or the courthouse in Tyrrell County where the offense took place.
Call 252-475-9220 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Tyrrell County inmate locator.
Tyrrell County Jail
Address:
405 Main Street
Columbia, NC 27925
Phone:
252-475-9220
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Tyrrell County
Does Tyrrell County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Tyrrell County?
Who can set bail in Tyrrell County?
When is bail set in Tyrrell County North Carolina?
Does Tyrrell County have bail?
Yes, Tyrrell County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Tyrrell County?
Tyrrell County recognizes being released own recognizance, unsecured bail, secured bail or surety bonds.
Who can set bail in Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell 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, Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell County have bail?
Yes, Tyrrell County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Tyrrell County North Carolina?
Tyrrell County recognizes being released own recognizance, unsecured bail, secured bail or surety bonds.
Who can set bail in Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell County North Carolina?
Yes, your attorney can file a motion for bail reduction.
In Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell County Jail for more information about the jails in Tyrrell County.
What options are there to pay bail in Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell County Jail for more information about posting bail in Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell 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.