Union County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
How bail works in Union County: Monroe and Waxhaw
Union County is southeast of Charlotte on the South Carolina line. Arrests in Monroe, Waxhaw, Indian Trail, Stallings, Weddington, Marvin, Wingate, Marshville, Wesley Chapel, Mineral Springs, Lake Park, Hemby Bridge, Fairview, Unionville, and Mint Hill (part) end at Union's jail: the Union County Jail, 3344 Presson Road, Monroe, NC 28112. Phone: (704) 283-3641. Inmate search: Union County Inmate Search.
1. Where is the Union County Jail?
It is at 3344 Presson Road, Monroe, NC 28112, (704) 283-3641. The Union lockup is rated for 264 people.
2. What if the arrest is just across the line in South Carolina?
An arrest in South Carolina, such as in Lancaster County, is handled there under South Carolina bail rules. If Union also holds a warrant, a Monroe case may clear the South Carolina case or waive extradition before coming to Monroe.
3. After a Marshville arrest, who decides the bond?
Usually the Monroe magistrate sets it in Monroe. The Union judge or the Monroe clerk may too. Wesley Chapel officers bring arrestees to a Union County magistrate (NC law, G.S. 15A-511; NC law, G.S. 15A-532). By law, Union keeps 9 or more magistrates (NC law, G.S. 7A-133). Meanwhile, your Union family member waits at the Union County Jail.
4. What release options does the Monroe magistrate have?
Monroe's magistrate picks one of four Monroe options (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part a).
• House arrest keeps the Mint Hill detainee home in Mineral Springs. Union adds a secured bond.
• A Union secured bond uses cash, land, or a Monroe surety.
• With custody release, a Union program supervises. The Union defendant can choose a Monroe secured bond instead.
• An unsecured bond in Monroe needs no cash now. Miss Union court, and the Union defendant owes it.
A written promise ended in Union on December 1, 2025.
5. When must Union County use a money bond?
Non-violent Monroe cases begin with no-money options in Union (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b).
Union flight risks change that in Monroe. The Union magistrate weighs harm risks too. The Union magistrate also weighs threats to Union witnesses.
Three Union Class 1 convictions in 10 years? Union then requires a secured bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b). A new Union felony on probation means a Monroe danger finding (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d2).
6. Are bond amounts set by charge in Monroe?
Monroe has no set Union price list. The Union chief district judge is consulted too. The Union magistrate uses Union's suggested amounts. For Union, the senior Monroe superior judge issues the policy (NC law, G.S. 15A-535).
In Monroe, evidence and record matter (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part c). Past no-shows hurt a Union defendant. A job in Marvin helps.
A first minor Monroe charge often gets an unsecured Union bond. Trafficking charges in Union go higher in Monroe. Union felony bonds often reach thousands in Monroe. In Monroe, misdemeanor bonds may reach thousands in Union.
7. What does a Union County bail bondsman charge?
The Monroe magistrate takes Union bonds. Phone the Union jail at (704) 283-3641 first. With no official present, the Union County Jail can accept it (NC law, G.S. 15A-537).
Pay a Monroe bond in cash, land, or a Union surety (NC law, G.S. 15A-531). A Union surety may be a Monroe bail agent. Unpaid Marvin sureties must own enough Union property.
Bondsman fees in Monroe top out at 15% (NC law, G.S. 58-71-95). Check a Monroe bondsman with the NC Department of Insurance bondsman lookup. Union jailers can't be sureties, except for Monroe family (NC law, G.S. 15A-541). Union collateral returns within 15 days of Monroe closure.
8. Can a Monroe magistrate release someone charged with murder?
In Union, these need a Monroe judge (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part b and c): armed robbery; kidnapping; assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill causing serious injury; murder or attempted murder; shooting into an occupied building or car; human trafficking; sex crimes against a child 15 or younger; capital crimes; first-degree burglary; first-degree arson; forcible rape and many sex crimes.
For them, Union presumes no Monroe release is safe. A Monroe judge can still allow release in Union. Repeat Monroe gang cases in Union also match (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part d through g).
9. In Union, is bond harder for violent charges?
In Monroe, since December 1, 2025, violent Union charges face a presumption against Monroe release (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b1). Monroe families may call it Iryna's Law.
Forceful felonies charged in Monroe count in Union (NC law, G.S. 15A-531, part 9). Union registration felonies count too in Monroe. Some Union fentanyl trafficking counts in Monroe.
A first violent Union charge needs a secured bond or Monroe monitor. Union repeat violent charges bring a Monroe monitor if available. The Monroe magistrate must write reasons (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d).
10. After a Monroe domestic violence arrest, what happens?
At first, only a Union County judge sets domestic terms (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.1, part a). Stalking a Waxhaw partner counts in Union. Breaking a Union 50B order in Monroe counts.
Union allows up to 48 hours in the Union County Jail (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.1, part b). After that, the Monroe magistrate sets Union terms. Expect Union no-contact orders in Monroe.
11. What special bail rules apply in Monroe?
Yes. These apply in Union:
• Monroe meth cases: Union judges may presume release unsafe (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.6).
• DWI in Union: an impaired Monroe defendant may wait 24 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.2).
• Union rioting: a Union County judge acts within 24 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.8).
• Children harmed in Monroe: the Monroe magistrate orders no contact (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.4).
• Monroe mass-violence threats: a Union County judge acts within 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.7).
• Threatening a Monroe officer: a Monroe judge acts within 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.9).
12. Can a second arrest near Mint Hill raise the bond?
Out on release? A Union County judge sets new Monroe terms (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part h). Union allows up to 48 hours in the Union County Jail. After that, the Union magistrate steps in for Union. Most Union traffic cases, except DWI, don't count in Monroe.
The Monroe magistrate may double the old Monroe bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d3). For good cause, Union can revoke Monroe release (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part f). Union's minimum is $1,000 here in Monroe.
13. How soon does someone held in Union County see a judge?
Within 72 hours, your Monroe loved one sees a Monroe judge (NC law, G.S. 15A-601). If Union courts close long, the Monroe limit is 96 hours. Union may act sooner, at the next Monroe session.
Before that, a Union County magistrate can change it in Monroe (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part e). Later, a Union district judge can in Monroe.
Still denied? Write to a Union superior court judge (NC law, G.S. 15A-538). The Union DA can seek Monroe changes too (NC law, G.S. 15A-539).
14. Can a Union County bond be forfeited?
A willful Monroe no-show is its own crime in Union (NC law, G.S. 15A-543). For Union felonies, it is Class I in Monroe. On a Monroe misdemeanor, a Union no-show is Class 2.
The Union court forfeits the full Monroe bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.3). Union sureties get 150 days to ask the Monroe clerk (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.5). The Monroe clerk mails notice within 30 days (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.4). Only listed Union reasons work, like Monroe surrender.
After 150 days, the Union clerk dockets a Monroe judgment (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.6). Picked up again, your Union family member faces a doubled Union bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d1).
15. What is a bond surrender in Union County?
Before a missed Monroe date, a Union surety may surrender your Union family member (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part a). Then the Monroe clerk releases the Union surety. After a missed Union date, a Monroe surety may bring the Union defendant in (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part b). Monroe's magistrate then sets new terms (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part c).
A Monroe bond normally runs to Union judgment (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part h). Union dismissal or probation can end it in Monroe.
16. How do Union district and superior courts differ?
Criminal court for Union County is held at the Monroe Judicial Center. Union is its own court district.
Union misdemeanors stay in Monroe district court (NC law, G.S. 7A-133). After indictment, Union felonies go to Monroe Superior Court 30 (NC law, G.S. 7A-41). Union prosecutors handle Monroe cases (NC law, G.S. 7A-60).
17. Who defends a Union County case for free?
Union County is in Defender District 30 (NC law, G.S. 7A-498.7). Ask at the Monroe first appearance. The Union judge reviews income (Indigent Defense Services directory).
18. A Union County teen was arrested. What now?
Monroe juvenile court handles most Union under-18 cases (NC law, G.S. 7B-1501). Union juveniles face no money bail in Monroe. Serious Union felonies can move to Monroe adult court. A Union detention hearing comes within 5 Monroe days (NC law, G.S. 7B-1906). Union added 17-year-olds in Monroe in 2019.
19. Do Union bondsmen work in federal court?
Union 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. Union bondsmen don't work there.
20. Who can confirm a Union County bond amount?
Call the Union County Jail at (704) 283-3641. On weekdays, the Union clerk in Monroe can help. Have your Union family member's birth date ready for Monroe staff.
Union County bail contacts
- Jail
- Union County Jail, 3344 Presson Road, Monroe, NC 28112; (704) 283-3641
- Courts
- Union County Courthouse, Monroe
- Districts
- District Court 30; Superior Court 30; Prosecutorial 30
- Inmate search
- Union County Inmate Search
Judges and magistrates set release terms case by case. Nothing here is legal advice.
How do Bail Bonds work at Union County Jail
The Union County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Union 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 Union 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 Union 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 Union County Jail, or the courthouse in Union County where the offense took place.
Call 704-283-3641 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Union County inmate locator.
Union County Jail
Address:
3344 Presson Road
Monroe, NC 28112
Phone:
704-283-3641
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Union County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Union County?
Who can set bail in Union County?
When is bail set in Union County North Carolina?
Does Union County have bail?
Yes, Union County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Union County?
Union County recognizes being released own recognizance, unsecured bail, secured bail or surety bonds.
Who can set bail in Union 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 Union 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 Union 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 Union 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, Union 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 Union 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 Union County have bail?
Yes, Union County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Union County North Carolina?
Union County recognizes being released own recognizance, unsecured bail, secured bail or surety bonds.
Who can set bail in Union 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 Union County North Carolina?
Yes, your attorney can file a motion for bail reduction.
In Union 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 Union 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 Union County Jail for more information about the jails in Union County.
What options are there to pay bail in Union 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 Union County Jail for more information about posting bail in Union 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 Union 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 Union 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.