Crawford County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Crawford County bail and bond: the Bucyrus Justice Center and arraignments in Bucyrus and Galion
Adults arrested in Crawford County are held in the Crawford County Justice Center, 3613 Stetzer Road, Bucyrus, OH 44820, which is also the Sheriff's Office address. Check Crawford County Inmate Search to see if a person is booked and what bail is set. The Sheriff's number is 419-562-7906. Misdemeanors go to Crawford County Municipal Court, which holds arraignments in Bucyrus on Wednesdays and in Galion on Tuesdays. The Municipal Court bail schedule is kept at the Clerk's office.
Where does Crawford County hold someone after an arrest?
At the Crawford County Justice Center on Stetzer Road in Bucyrus. The Sheriff's Office shares the address.
Start with Crawford County Inmate Search. If the name has not appeared, call the Sheriff's Office at 419-562-7906 and give the full name and date of birth.
Which court will hear a misdemeanor, and where is it?
Crawford County Municipal Court, at 112 East Mansfield Street, Suite 100, Bucyrus, OH 44820. The main line is 419-562-2731.
The court also sits in Galion. Arraignment, the first hearing where bail is set, takes place in Bucyrus on Wednesdays and in Galion on Tuesdays.
When is the first hearing, and how does Ohio's two-day rule fit with arraignment days?
The first bail hearing is due by the end of the second court day after arrest under Ohio law. Days when the courts are shut do not count.
If the person is still held without a lawyer, a second hearing follows two court days after the first, and a lawyer is appointed at state expense for someone who cannot pay.
What happens at arraignment if the person has no lawyer?
Under the Municipal Court's local rules, the judge may hold a preliminary bail hearing and set bail when no appointed lawyer is present. A lawyer who is appointed afterward may ask for more bail hearings in court.
Come prepared with the person's job, address and family ties. They affect what a judge sets.
Where is the Municipal Court bail schedule?
The court has a bail schedule for certain criminal and traffic offenses. It is set by a separate court entry, and the Clerk's office keeps a copy.
Ask for it at the clerk's counter or by phone at 419-562-2731. Every Ohio court must review its misdemeanor schedule every two years, so ask the clerk which version is current.
What hours does the Clerk keep?
The Clerk of the Municipal Court is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays.
The county Clerk of Courts for felony cases is at 112 East Mansfield Street, Suite 204, Bucyrus, and answers at 419-562-2766.
Where do I pay a bond on a felony?
A felony belongs to the Common Pleas Court. Call its Clerk of Courts at 419-562-2766 to get the amount and the way to pay.
Ask for the case number first. It makes every later step quicker.
Can a house or land guarantee a bond in this court?
Yes, but the Municipal Court asks for paperwork. When a defendant posts a property bond in a criminal case, the defendant's attorney, or the attorney for the person whose property secures the bond, must give the Clerk a title search.
The search must give a short description of the property, the names on the deed, its true value from the County Auditor's records, and any liens on file. Ohio law also requires the owner to sign an affidavit, and the court must find the owner able to cover the bond. Attorneys may not be sureties.
Which bond types will the Municipal Court see?
Ohio lists five: an unsecured bond, a 10 percent cash deposit, a surety bond, a bond secured by real estate or securities, and cash in the full amount. The person posting picks among them.
Financial terms must be the least costly that still assure the person returns.
How does a 10 percent deposit come back?
When every condition is met, 90 percent of the deposit is returned. A $3,000 bond means $300 down and $270 back.
A relative's deposit cannot be applied to the defendant's fines or costs unless that relative expressly agrees.
Do I need a bail agent?
No, but many families use one. The agent must hold an Ohio Department of Insurance license, charge the rate the state has approved, and tell you about any expense fee.
No agent may require a deed to your home or approach families at the jail or courthouse. If you doubt a rate, the Department of Insurance takes calls at 614-644-2665.
Why does the bail say "no bond"?
A judge may not have decided yet. The Ohio Constitution allows a court to deny bail for a capital offense or for a felony where the proof is evident and the person poses a substantial risk of serious physical harm. Nothing broader.
Ohio Revised Code 2937.222 requires a hearing first, with proof by clear and convincing evidence.
How can a judge change the bail later?
A judge can add, change, ease or remove conditions at any time. If the sides do not agree, the court must hold a hearing as promptly as possible.
Statements made at a bail hearing cannot be used as proof of guilt at trial, so the person can speak about work and family without that risk.
Who defends a person who cannot afford a lawyer?
The Municipal Court appoints counsel for indigent defendants. Tell the judge at arraignment that you cannot pay and the court will review the request.
An appointed lawyer can ask the court to hold more bail hearings. The court clerk at 419-562-2731 can answer questions about your case.
What if the arrested person is under the age of 18?
Juvenile cases are private, so Crawford County Inmate Search will not show a child. The Clerk of Courts at 419-562-2766 can point you to the Juvenile Court, which knows where a young person is held.
Do not wait for a letter. Call right away and ask when the first hearing is.
What if he does not come to court after release?
The court can issue a warrant and the bond may be forfeited. A missed date may also lead to its own charge.
Whoever posted the money should call the clerk the same day.
Is there a way to spot a bail scam?
Real clerks and deputies never ask for gift cards, wire transfers or payment apps. Hang up on anyone who rushes you.
Call the Sheriff at 419-562-7906 or the Municipal Court at 419-562-2731 yourself.
Crawford County bail contacts
- Jail
- Crawford County Justice Center, 3613 Stetzer Road, Bucyrus, OH 44820
- Sheriff's Office
- 3613 Stetzer Road, Bucyrus; 419-562-7906
- Custody lookup
- Crawford County Inmate Search
- Bond guide
- Crawford County bail and bond instructions
- Municipal Court
- 112 East Mansfield Street, Suite 100, Bucyrus, OH 44820; 419-562-2731; clerk 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays; arraignments Wednesdays (Bucyrus) and Tuesdays (Galion)
- Clerk of Courts
- 112 East Mansfield Street, Suite 204, Bucyrus; 419-562-2766
- Insurance
- Ohio Department of Insurance, 614-644-2665
Hours, schedules, fees and phone numbers can change. Verify details with the clerk before any payment. This page explains the process in plain words and does not give legal advice.
How do Bail Bonds work at Crawford County Jail
The Crawford County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Crawford 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 Crawford County, or in some cases the state of Ohio, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Crawford County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
- The typical fee for a bond in Ohio 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 $1,500.00.
- Pay by cash, cashier's check, money order or credit card at the Crawford County Jail, or the courthouse in Crawford County where the offense took place.
Call 419-563-2731 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Crawford County inmate locator.
Crawford County Jail
Address:
3613 Stetzer Road
Bucyrus, OH 44820
Phone:
419-563-2731
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Crawford County
Does Crawford County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Crawford County?
Who can set bail in Crawford County?
When is bail set in Crawford County Ohio?
Does Crawford County have bail?
Yes, Crawford County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Crawford County?
Bail in Crawford County is available in several different types including personal bond (aka own recognizance), cash bond, 10% bond, surety bond, and property bond.
Who can set bail in Crawford County?
A judge usually sets bond. In some counties the County Court has established a bail schedule, which outlines the bail for many non-violent or minor crimes. If a charge is not part of the bail schedule a hearing will be necessary.
When is bail set in Crawford County Ohio?
Bail is set in Ohio the first time the accused is brought into court. Although this hearing is set as soon as possible based on court availability, it can take up to 3 days not including weekends or holidays.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Crawford 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 Crawford County 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 Crawford 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, Crawford 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 Crawford 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 Crawford County have bail?
Yes, Crawford County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Crawford County?
Bail in Crawford County is available in several different types including personal bond (aka own recognizance), cash bond, 10% bond, surety bond, and property bond.
Who can set bail in Crawford County?
A judge usually sets bond. In some counties the County Court has established a bail schedule, which outlines the bail for many non-violent or minor crimes. If a charge is not part of the bail schedule a hearing will be necessary.
When is bail set in Ohio?
Bail is set in Ohio the first time the accused is brought into court. Although this hearing is set as soon as possible based on court availability, it can take up to 3 days not including weekends or holidays.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Crawford County Ohio?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances, let the judicial officer know. The accused can ask for bail reduction or a change in bail conditions.
In Crawford County Ohio, 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 Ohio could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Crawford County Ohio?
Yes, Crawford County does offer online bail payment. In Ohio, bail payment is made to the Clerk of Court.
What options are there to pay bail in Crawford County Ohio?
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 Crawford County Jail for more information about posting bail in Crawford County. An alternative would be to contact the Clerk of Court.
Will I get all my bond money back in Ohio?
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 Crawford 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 Ohio?
The Crawford 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.