Carter County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Carter County

Oklahoma • Carter County • Bail & bond help

Carter County bail and bond help: Ardmore and the county jail

Carter County lies along I-35 in south-central Oklahoma. From Ardmore, Healdton, Lone Grove, Wilson, and Springer, people taken into custody go to the Carter County Jail. Phone: 580-221-5505. Inmate search: Carter County Inmate Search.

Where is the Carter County jail?

Its address is 100 South Washington, Ardmore, OK 73401, phone 580-221-5505.

The Sheriff's Office (580-223-6014) runs the Carter County Jail. At the Carter County Jail, bring a photo ID. Ardmore staff need the birth date. Ardmore staff may list the payments taken.

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Where are Carter County criminal cases heard?

The Carter County Court Clerk's office is at 20 "B" Southwest, Ardmore, OK 73402.

The court clerk in Ardmore keeps case files and bond papers. Carter County case records are online at OSCN. Near Ardmore, court dates come from the court clerk in Ardmore.

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What happens first after a Carter County arrest?

Arrests across Carter County may lead to booking at the Carter County Jail (22 O.S. §1105.2). Before any charge, the judge in Ardmore may set bail (22 O.S. §1105.2). Posting the listed sum at the Carter County Jail may skip the hearing (22 O.S. §1105.2). Once bail is paid for Carter County, release must come "without undue delay" (22 O.S. §1105.2). Some charges appear on the Judicial District 20 bail schedule (22 O.S. §1105.2). After that, a Carter County judge must see the defendant "without unnecessary delay" (22 O.S. §181).

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Who writes the bail schedule for Carter County?

Carter County belongs to Judicial District 20, which likewise covers Johnston, Love, Marshall and Murray.

The presiding judge for Carter County may issue a bail schedule (22 O.S. §1105.2). The Ardmore judge may still change it (22 O.S. §1105.2). Across Carter County, yearly review comes by March 1 (22 O.S. §1105.2). Check with the Carter County Court Clerk for the current amounts. Near Lone Grove, the schedule must be published (22 O.S. §1105.2). Near Wilson, traffic, wildlife, and boating matters use a statewide list (22 O.S. §1115.3).

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Can a person leave the Carter County jail without paying?

The main types of bond in the Carter County District Court:

• Cash bond: all of it is deposited at the Carter County Jail (22 O.S. §1106).

• Surety bond: a bondsman near Healdton guarantees it for a fee (59 O.S. §1301).

• Property bond: land in Carter County backs the bond (59 O.S. §1324).

• Own recognizance (OR): a promise to return at the Ardmore courthouse (22 O.S. §1108.1).

For stalking or domestic abuse across Carter County, OR is not allowed (22 O.S. §1105(C)).

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Will your relative get bail in Ardmore?

Most people around Lone Grove have a right to bail (22 O.S. §1101(A)).

But in these cases, a Carter County judge may deny bail (22 O.S. §1101(C)):

• Death-penalty cases where there is strong proof

• Violent offenses

• Crimes carrying life or life without parole

• Felonies with 2 prior felony convictions

• Drug crimes with 10 or more years

• A DUI felony after two earlier ones

Except in capital cases near Wilson, one more finding is needed (22 O.S. §1101(C)). No release term would keep Carter County families safe, a judge in Ardmore must find (22 O.S. §1101(C)).

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Is a DUI or domestic arrest in Wilson different?

For some offenses, just the judge in Ardmore may set bail (22 O.S. §1105(B)). The same goes for meth-lab offenses in Ardmore (22 O.S. §1105(D)). Around Lone Grove, the list covers domestic abuse, stalking, harassment, and protective-order violations (22 O.S. §1105(B)). Certain child sex matters near Wilson carry a $15,000 minimum bail (22 O.S. §1101.1). Those cases in Carter County get no OR bond (22 O.S. §1101.1). The judge in Ardmore weighs facts like strangulation, weapons, and pregnancy (22 O.S. §1105(B)). A repeat DUI in Ardmore requires a judge in Ardmore too (22 O.S. §1105(E)).

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Does Carter County have a pretrial release program?

Carter County may fund a pretrial program (22 O.S. §1105.3). Examples in Carter County include burglary, trafficking, and domestic abuse (22 O.S. §1105.3(C)). Check with the court clerk in Ardmore whether Carter County has one. Once a Carter County bondsman posts bond, the program ends (22 O.S. §1105.2). A judge in Ardmore decides in the end (22 O.S. §1105.3). The program across Carter County screens the case (22 O.S. §1105.3). Excluded offenses around Springer number about 40 (22 O.S. §1105.3(C)). The Ardmore judge may still order GPS or drug testing (22 O.S. §1105.3(D)).

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What should a Carter County bondsman give me?

Every bondsman near Healdton needs a license from the Oklahoma Insurance Department (59 O.S. §1305). On the bond, a Carter County bondsman must list the premium (59 O.S. §1316). In Carter County, a signed agreement may say otherwise (59 O.S. §1327). Cash collateral near Lone Grove goes into trust inside 2 days (59 O.S. §1314). From a bondsman near Lone Grove, get a numbered receipt (59 O.S. §1316). Jailers, police, and judges in Ardmore can't be bondsmen (59 O.S. §1315). State law near Springer sets no fixed percentage (59 O.S. §1316). Once the defendant leaves the Ardmore jail, the premium is earned (59 O.S. §1327).

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Can I use my house for a Carter County bond?

It may. Land in Healdton counts at four times its assessed value (59 O.S. §1324). A homestead near Ardmore may count, with a signed waiver (59 O.S. §1324). Across Carter County, a property bond becomes a lien (59 O.S. §1324). The lien goes on file with the Carter County Clerk (59 O.S. §1324). Any loans come off in Carter County (59 O.S. §1324). Missing court in Ardmore may put the land at risk (59 O.S. §1324).

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What if your relative skips an Ardmore court date?

A Carter County judge forfeits the bond (22 O.S. §1108). A bondsman in Carter County gets ninety days around Ardmore to return your loved one (59 O.S. §1332). The Carter County Court Clerk must mail notice inside 30 days (59 O.S. §1332). Skipping a felony date in Carter County on purpose is a separate felony (22 O.S. §1110). A warrant around Ardmore may follow (22 O.S. §1108). Otherwise, on day 91 in Ardmore, the full amount is due (59 O.S. §1332). Failing to surrender for 30 days in Ardmore may bring a charge (59 O.S. §1335).

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Can an Ardmore bondsman return someone to jail?

It can happen. An Ardmore bondsman may surrender your relative (59 O.S. §1327). That can happen for Carter County before any missed date (59 O.S. §1327). If the contract across Carter County was broken, a Carter County bondsman may keep the premium (59 O.S. §1327). At a plea or sentence across Carter County, the bond ends (59 O.S. §1327). The District 20 District Attorney receives three days' notice (59 O.S. §1328). A licensed bail enforcer for Carter County may arrest the defendant (59 O.S. §1329).

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What if the bail in Springer is too high?

Across Carter County, excessive bail is not allowed (Okla. Const. Art. 2, §9). Proof of a job across Carter County may assist (Okla. Const. Art. 2, §9). An attorney may ask the judge in Ardmore to lower it (Okla. Const. Art. 2, §9). A home and family near Lone Grove may help too (Okla. Const. Art. 2, §9). To change a surety bond across Carter County, a bondsman in Carter County must sign (59 O.S. §1327).

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Who defends people who can't pay in Ardmore?

Yes. If money is tight in Ardmore, a Carter County judge may appoint an attorney. The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System hires contract attorneys for Carter County. Ask across Carter County at the first hearing date.

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How is a juvenile arrest in Springer handled?

Teens near Healdton start in juvenile detention, not the Carter County Jail (10A O.S. §2-3-101). Teens around Springer are held just if needed (10A O.S. §2-3-101). One example: a teen for Carter County, 15 or older, charged with first-degree murder (10A O.S. §2-3-101). Adult jail across Carter County is allowed just in rare cases (10A O.S. §2-3-101). Juvenile court are heard in the District Court of Carter County. Secure detention in Springer lasts up to 15 days (10A O.S. §2-3-101). Safety or a hearing date across Carter County must be the reason (10A O.S. §2-3-101). After a hearing, a judge in Ardmore may extend it (10A O.S. §2-3-101).

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Can a Carter County bondsman post a federal bond?

Carter County falls in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma (28 U.S.C. §116). Court meets in Ada, Ardmore, Durant, Hugo, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Poteau, and South McAlester. Clerk: 101 N. 5th St., Room 208, Muskogee, 918-684-7920. A federal magistrate judge decides release (18 U.S.C. §3142). A state bond around Wilson doesn't cover a federal case.

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Which court hears a Native case near Ardmore?

Part or all of Carter County is inside the Chickasaw Nation reservation. Courts upheld it after McGirt v. Oklahoma (2020) and Court of Criminal Appeals rulings in 2021.

Inside reservation lines, a tribal citizen around Lone Grove faces tribal court (McGirt v. Oklahoma, 2020). Major crimes across Carter County go to federal court (McGirt v. Oklahoma, 2020). Non-Indian defendants in Ardmore can still face state court (Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta, 2022). A state bond from the Carter County Jail won't cover those matters (McGirt v. Oklahoma, 2020).

Chickasaw Nation District Court: 821 N. Mississippi, Ada, 580-235-0281.

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Which court will hear a case from Wilson?

State offenses from Carter County are filed in the Ardmore courthouse. The judge for Carter County then holds a preliminary hearing. Across Carter County, associate district judges and special judges do too. District judges in Carter County hear these cases. Felonies in Carter County start with an initial appearance. The District 20 District Attorney prosecutes these cases.

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Do city charges in Ardmore use the same bail rules?

City ordinance matters in Springer go to municipal court (11 O.S. §27-101 et seq.). Those cases skip the District Court of Carter County. Each city across Carter County handles its own bond (11 O.S. §27-101 et seq.). Ask the city court clerk in Healdton about bonds. A state charge in Ardmore still goes to the Ardmore courthouse.

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Who can confirm a Carter County bond amount?

Phone the Carter County Jail at 580-221-5505. The court clerk in Ardmore may likewise assist on weekdays. Ardmore staff need the birth date.

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Carter County bail contacts

Jail
Carter County Jail, 100 South Washington, Ardmore, OK 73401; 580-221-5505
Sheriff's Office
100 S. Washington Ardmore, OK 73401; 580-223-6014
Court clerk
20 "B" Southwest, Ardmore, OK 73402
Districts
Judicial District 20; District Attorney District 20
Public defense
Oklahoma Indigent Defense System (contract counsel)
Federal court
Eastern District of Oklahoma; 101 N. 5th St., Room 208, Muskogee; 918-684-7920
Tribal court
Chickasaw Nation District Court, 821 N. Mississippi, Ada; 580-235-0281
Inmate search
Carter County Inmate Search

Judges set release terms case by case. Nothing here is legal advice.

Carter County Jail

Address:
100 South Washington
Ardmore, OK 73401-7039

Phone:

580-221-5505

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Carter County


Does Carter County have bail?

What kind of bonds are accepted in Carter County?

Who can set bail in Carter County?

When is bail set in Carter County Oklahoma?


 

 

Does Carter County have bail?

Yes,  Carter County recognizes most types of bonds.


 

 

What kind of bonds are accepted in Carter County?

Bail bonds are available in several different forms in Carter County including personal recognizance, cash bond, property bond and surety bond.


 

 

Who can set bail in Carter County?

For most non-violent, less serious offenses, Oklahoma uses a bail schedule, also known as jail bail. For more serious offenses, bail is set by a judge.


 

 

When is bail set in Carter County Oklahoma?

If the offense charges are listed on the bail schedule the defendant and officers will be provided this information during processing at the jail and bail will be set.

More serious offense requires a hearing in front of a judge. This hearing is usually scheduled within 48 hours of arrest, not including weekends and holidays.

What is Bail?

Bail is what the arrested in Carter 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 Carter 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 Carter 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, Carter 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 Carter 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 Carter County have bail?

Yes,  Carter County recognizes most types of bonds.

What kind of bonds are accepted in Carter County? 

Bail bonds are available in several different forms in Carter County including personal recognizance, cash bond, property bond and surety bond.

Who can set bail in Carter County?

For most non-violent, less serious offenses, Oklahoma uses a bail schedule, also known as jail bail. For more serious offense bail is set by a judge.

When is bail set in Oklahoma?  

If the offense charges are listed on the bail schedule the defendant and officers will be provided this information during processing at the jail and bail will be set.

More serious offense requires a hearing in front of a judge. This hearing is usually scheduled within 48 hours of arrest, not including weekends and holidays.

Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Carter County Oklahoma?

Yes, your lawyer can file a motion to reduce or modify bail.

In Carter County Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.

Can bail be paid online in Carter County Oklahoma?

Yes, Oklahoma counties do offer online bail payment in most cases. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: Go to the Carter County Jail for more information about the jails in Carter County.

What options are there to pay bail in Carter County Oklahoma?

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 Carter County Jail for more information about posting bail in Carter County.  

Will I get all my bond money back in Oklahoma?

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 Carter 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 Oklahoma?  

The Carter 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.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Carter County