Harney County Corrections Inmate Bail & Bonds
Harney County bail: Burns, the court counter, and the jail window after five
People arrested in Harney County are held at the Harney County Jail in Burns, at the Sheriff's Office, 485 North Court Avenue. The office and jail answer at 541-573-6056. Bail goes to the circuit court during court hours and to the jail when the court is closed. Look up the person first with the Harney County Inmate Search, then read how payment works below.
How do I find out if he is in the Burns jail?
Search his name with the Harney County Inmate Search. It shows whether he is in custody.
If the search shows nothing, call the jail at 541-573-6056. A person arrested in the last few hours may not be on the list yet. The Sheriff's Office also runs the jail roster on its web page.
Where do I take bail money in Harney County?
Use the circuit court first. The Harney County Circuit Court, 450 North Buena Vista, Burns, accepts bail during normal business hours, and the court phone is 541-573-5207. Court hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
When the court is closed, or when the case belongs to a court in another county, the jail takes the bail. The jail is at 485 North Court Avenue.
Does the 10 percent rule apply here?
Yes, in most cases. Unless the paper says full bail is required, Oregon courts accept 10 percent of the bail amount for release. The court clerk holds that deposit under ORS 135.265, and the minimum deposit is $25.
Some holds need the whole amount. Out-of-state warrants are treated as full-bail only until the other state confirms the warrant by fax or teletype.
What can I pay with, and who is the check made out to?
The jail takes cash, a U.S. Postal money order, a cashier's check or official bank check, a bank debit card, a check from a local attorney's office, or money in the inmate's own account. Everything is made payable to the Harney County Inmate Trust.
The jail does not take personal checks, checks written by other people, or traveler's checks.
Is there a paperwork step when I pay?
Yes. Jail staff confirm the amount, pick or request a court date, check the government photo ID of the person paying, record that person's name, and give a receipt. A bail receipt must reach the jail, and a copy goes in the arrestee's file before he is released.
The arrestee signs a release agreement and gets copies of the bail and release papers.
What if I want to pay with a large amount of cash?
Cash of $10,000 or more requires IRS Form 8300 at the jail. A cashier's check, bank draft, or money order over $10,000 is not treated as cash for that form. Bring ID and plan extra time.
Can I pay online or from his jail account?
Both are options. The Sheriff's Office web page has a Pay Bail link and an Add Commissary Funds link, and both open the same payment portal. A person who is already in custody can also use money in his own account toward the bail.
Money added for phone calls or store items is not bail. Say which one you mean when you pay.
Can I put up a house, land, or stocks?
Collateral such as stocks, bonds, or real property can be posted only with the court that has the case, not at the jail. ORS 135.265 allows Oregon property whose equity is twice the security amount, backed by a statement under oath for each item.
Call the circuit court at 541-573-5207 before you bring documents.
How soon will a Harney County judge act?
At the first appearance for the most part. Senate Bill 48 tells the judge to consider conditions that cost nothing before ordering security. Any separate release hearing is held inside 48 hours; five days is the limit unless the defendant agrees to wait.
The presiding judge also signs a standing release order that tells the jail who may be released before arraignment. Ask the jail desk whether a hold applies.
Can someone be denied bail altogether?
Article I, section 14 of the Oregon Constitution allows a judge to refuse bail for murder and treason when the proof is evident or the presumption is strong. A judge can also hold a person charged with a violent felony after a hearing where the state shows clear and convincing evidence of danger.
Section 16 of the same article bars excessive bail, so a lawyer can ask the court to review a high amount.
When do I get the money back?
When the case is over and he has kept every term, the clerk sends 85 percent of the 10 percent deposit back to the name on the receipt. The other 15 percent is a court cost, with a $5 floor and a $750 cap.
The court can first take fines, fees, or other court debts. A missed court date can forfeit the deposit.
What does the release agreement I sign mean?
The release agreement is a promise. Under ORS 135.265 the person is freed on the condition that he appears in court every time he is required. The deposit is the court's security that he will.
Read every condition on the form. A new arrest or a missed date can send him back to jail and can cost the deposit. Keep your copy of the receipt, because the clerk refunds only the name written on it.
What if he refused to give his real name at booking?
A person who will not give a true name cannot be released on his own promise or on conditions. Security release is still possible, but the full amount must be deposited. Giving the correct name to the booking officer avoids that problem.
Which court will handle the case?
Circuit court cases are heard at Harney County Circuit Court, 450 North Buena Vista in Burns, 541-573-5207. The court shares an administrator with Grant County, and the Grant County office is 541-575-1438.
The Harney County Justice Court is a separate court at 450 North Buena Vista Avenue, Suite 9, 541-573-2346. Check your paperwork for the court named on the charge.
Who is my lawyer if I cannot pay one?
If you cannot hire counsel, request a court-appointed lawyer from the judge at the first appearance. The circuit court at 541-573-5207 can tell you which office took the case. Do not discuss the facts of the charge on jail phones.
Where are teenagers held after an arrest?
The Harney County jail is an adult facility. For a person under 18, call the circuit court at 541-573-5207 and ask which juvenile detention program the court uses, then ask the Sheriff's Office at 541-573-6056 to confirm where the youth is.
What if there is a warrant or a hold from somewhere else?
Call the jail at 541-573-6056 and ask which court issued it. A hold from another county is posted with that county's court, and the jail can take it after the court closes.
Harney County bond contacts
- County jail
- Harney County Jail, 485 North Court Avenue, Burns, OR 97720; 541-573-6056
- Custody lookup
- Harney County Inmate Search
- Sheriff's Office
- 485 North Court Avenue, Burns; same number as the jail
- Circuit Court
- 450 North Buena Vista, Burns, OR 97720; 541-573-5207; open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays
- Justice Court
- 450 North Buena Vista Avenue, Suite 9, Burns; 541-573-2346
- Grant County court
- 201 South Humbolt Street, Canyon City; 541-575-1438
Counter hours and payment rules can change, so confirm with the jail before you carry cash. This page is a plain-language guide to Harney County practice and is not legal advice.
How do Bail Bonds work at Harney County Corrections
The Harney County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Harney 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 Harney County, or in some cases the state of Oregon, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Harney County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
- You can pay their bail online using a service called INTELLIPAY. Visa, Mastercard and Diascover are accepted.
- The typical fee for a bond in Oregon 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 Harney County Corrections, or the courthouse in Harney County where the offense took place.
Call 541-573-6256 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Harney County inmate locator.
Harney County Corrections
Address:
485 N Court Avenue
Burns, OR 97720-1524
Phone:
541-573-6256
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Harney County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Harney County?
Who can set bail in Harney County?
When is bail set in Harney County Oregon?
Does Harney County have bail?
Yes, Harney County does have bail, but not in the traditional sense. Bail, also called a “security release agreement”, can be either personal recognizance or cash or a cash bond.
The State of Oregon does not allow a commercial entity to make money on securing a bond so there are no bail bond companies.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Harney County?
Pay the full bail amount in cash from the defendant, family or friends, or, Cash percentage in lieu of bonds. If the bond order permits, the defendant pays 10 % of the bond amount to the jail or court, which then holds the money until the case is over. 85% of the paid amount is returned if the defendant is acquitted or the case is dismissed with the remaining 15% to cover court costs. The defendant, family or friends can sign off on the bond.
Who can set bail in Harney County?
Oregon uses a predetermined bail schedule, so an officer can determine bail at booking. For more serious crimes, a judge is required to set the bail at the first appearance/arraignment.
When is bail set in Harney County Oregon?
For less serious and non-violent crimes bail is set according to a bail schedule and this information will be made available during the booking process. For cases requiring a judge to set bail, a hearing will be set within 36 hrs. of arrest, not counting weekends or holidays.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Harney 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 Harney 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 Harney County Corrections 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, Harney 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 Harney 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.
(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 Harney County have bail?
Yes, Harney County does have bail, but not in the traditional sense. Bail, also called a “security release agreement”, can be either personal recognizance or cash or a cash bond.
The State of Oregon does not allow a commercial entity to make money on securing a bond so there are no bail bond companies.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Harney County?
Pay the full bail amount in cash from the defendant, family or friends, or, Cash percentage in lieu of bonds. If the bond order permits, the defendant pays 10 % of the bond amount to the jail or court, which then holds the money until the case is over. 85% of the paid amount is returned if the defendant is acquitted or the case is dismissed with the remaining 15% to cover court costs. The defendant, family or friends can sign off on the bond.
Who can set bail in Harney County?
Oregon uses a predetermined bail schedule, so an officer can determine bail at booking. For more serious crimes, a judge is required to set the bail at the first appearance/arraignment.
When is bail set in Oregon?
For less serious and non-violent crimes bail is set according to a bail schedule and this information will be made available during the booking process. For cases requiring a judge to set bail, a hearing will be set within 36 hrs. of arrest, not counting weekends or holidays.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Harney County Oregon?
Yes, your attorney may file a request to reduce or modify bail.
In Harney County Oregon, who can pay bail for me?
If bail is set 10% must be paid prior to your release. This can be paid by you, family, or friends. Oregon does not allow the use of bail bond agents.
Can bail be paid online in Harney County Oregon?
Oregon counties do not currently offer online payment of bail. All payments must be made in person at the county jail where the defendant is being held. Go to the Harney County Corrections for more information about the jails in Harney County.
What options are there to pay bail in Harney County Oregon?
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 Harney County Corrections for more information about posting bail in Harney County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Oregon?
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.
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Harney 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 Oregon?
All bonds are processed through the courts and efforts are being made nationwide not to detain someone on lesser charges due to the inability to pay bail.