Jackson County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Jackson County bail from Medford: the jail, the court window, and the 10 percent deposit
How do I tell whether he is inside the Medford jail?
Type his name into the Jackson County Inmate Search. The Sheriff's Office updates a list of adults in custody on its website. If a person was arrested only an hour ago, the name may take a while to show. The court at 541-776-7171 can answer questions about an open case.
Who decides if she gets out, and when?
A judge or a release assistance officer decides. Oregon law (ORS 135.245, as changed by Senate Bill 48 in 2021) says the decision is made at arraignment or first appearance unless there is good cause to wait. The court looks at release without money before it looks at a deposit.
If the hearing is pushed back, a release hearing is generally held within 48 hours and no later than five days, unless the defendant agrees to more time. Victims may attend and speak.
What is a standing release order?
The presiding judge of each judicial district issues a standing pretrial release order. It lists which people and which charges can be released on a promise to appear, released with special conditions, or held until arraignment. The order goes to the Sheriff's Office, which runs the jail.
That is why two people booked on the same night can have different outcomes. The charge, the record, and any missed court dates all count.
Where do I pay bail in Jackson County?
For people held on Jackson County court cases, the Circuit Court service window at the Justice Building, 100 South Oakdale Avenue, is the place to ask. The window is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and closes from noon to 1 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m.
Phone the court at 541-776-7171 before you bring money. For nights, weekends, and holidays, read the posting steps on the jail's bail instructions page.
What is the 10 percent deposit?
In Oregon, a security release lets a defendant sign a release agreement and leave a deposit equal to 10 percent of the security amount. The smallest deposit is $25. Under ORS 135.265 the deposit is paid to the court clerk, who gives a receipt.
Think of it as money held by the court, not a fee. If the full amount is posted instead, the same rules about refunds and fines apply to it.
Will I see any of that money again?
Yes, most of it. When the case is over and every condition has been met, the clerk returns 85 percent to the person named on the receipt. The court keeps 15 percent as costs, but never less than $5 and never more than $750. The court also keeps any interest on the deposit.
Fines and fees the defendant owes in an Oregon circuit court case can come out of the deposit first. If the court orders it, the refund can be sent to the defendant's attorney instead.
What if the person never shows up for court?
The deposit can be forfeited to the State when a release condition is broken, and a warrant can be issued. A warrant also means a new arrest and a fresh release decision. If a court date was missed by mistake, call the court right away at 541-776-7171 and ask what to do next.
Can land or a house be pledged?
Under ORS 135.265, a person can deposit cash, stocks, bonds, or Oregon real or personal property instead of the cash deposit. The property must be owned by the defendant or the person who signs as surety, must have equity that the law does not protect, and must be worth at least double the security amount. Each item needs a sworn statement, and the magistrate can ask for more proof.
Property outside Oregon does not qualify. Ask the court clerk before you start collecting deeds.
Does Jackson County let some people out because the jail is full?
The Sheriff's Office keeps a page for special passes and early releases, and it also keeps a page for transfers to prison. Ask the jail whether any of those programs applies to your person, and do not count on a quick release.
Can bail be refused outright?
Yes, in a few cases. Oregon's constitution, Article I, section 14, makes most crimes bailable, but murder and treason are not bailable when the proof is evident or the presumption is strong. For a violent felony, the judge can deny release after a hearing if the state proves danger by clear and convincing evidence.
The defendant has to request it at arraignment, and it must take place within five days. Being on probation or having a hold from another case can also stop release.
Can bail be too high?
Article I, section 16 says excessive bail shall not be required. A lawyer can ask the judge to review the amount. Bring proof of address, a job, and family ties to court, because the judge weighs the risk of missing court and the safety of the public and the victim, using the least strict condition that works.
Does Jackson County have a pretrial program?
Yes. The Circuit Court lists a Pretrial Services program under its programs page. Release assistance officers can make release decisions when the presiding judge allows it, and they try to reach crime victims in certain cases. Call the court at 541-776-7171 for the current office and hours.
I cannot pay for a lawyer. What happens?
Request a court-appointed lawyer from the judge at the first appearance. Oregon pays contract lawyers for people who qualify. Jackson County has a special early resolution docket to move some cases along, and Jackson is one of four counties where many people still wait for a lawyer.
If a person stays without a lawyer too long, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled in State v. Roberts in February 2026 that courts must dismiss a misdemeanor after 60 days and a felony after 90 days, though the case can be filed again. Call the court at 541-776-7171 to learn who the lawyer is.
Where does Jackson County hold arrested teenagers?
Jackson County runs its own juvenile detention facility in Medford. Juvenile Services, part of the Department of Community Justice, is at 609 West 10th Street, Medford, and answers at 541-774-4800. The same building houses a Circuit Court location for juvenile hearings.
A parent cannot order a child released. The judge or juvenile department staff make that call.
Which court will hear the adult case?
Adult criminal cases from Jackson County arrests are heard in the Jackson County Circuit Court at the Justice Building, 100 South Oakdale Avenue, Medford. The service window is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays except noon to 1 p.m., and the building is open until 5 p.m. Charges from a city police arrest may be set in a city court, so ask the arresting agency which court it used.
Can I put money on his jail account?
The jail keeps separate steps for putting money on an account, for phone access, and for personal property. That money buys phone time and store items. It is not bail and does not release anyone. Use the jail's bail instructions page for bail and its deposit instructions for the account.
Will a victim be told when he is released?
Yes, the Sheriff's Office offers victim notification of an adult in custody's release. A victim who wants alerts should sign up through the Sheriff's page rather than wait for a call.
What if the person was moved to prison?
People sentenced to prison are transferred out of the county jail. The Sheriff's Office has a page on prison transfers. After a transfer, the person is in state custody, and questions go to the Oregon Department of Corrections.
Jackson County bail contacts
- County jail
- Jackson County Jail, Medford, Oregon
- Bail help
- Jackson County Jail bail instructions
- Custody lookup
- Jackson County Inmate Search
- Circuit Court
- Justice Building, 100 South Oakdale Avenue, Medford, OR 97501; 541-776-7171
- Service window
- Weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed noon to 1 p.m.
- Juvenile
- Juvenile Services, 609 West 10th Street, Medford, OR 97501; 541-774-4800
Windows and hours in Jackson County can change without notice, so phone the court before you drive over with cash. Nothing here is legal advice; it is a plain-language guide to Jackson County practice.
How do Bail Bonds work at Jackson County Jail
- You can post bail for your inmate Monday through Friday, 8:00 am through 4:00 pm.
- Bail must be posted, in cash at the courthouse, located in the Justice building; 100 S. Oakdale, Medford, Oregon.
- After hours, bail can be posted several ways using a credit/debit card.
- You can use the secure website at JailATM and post bail.
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- We also accept bail by credit card or cash using the kiosk located in the jail lobby.
- Personal checks are not acceptable unless written by a local attorney on their trust account.
Jackson County Jail
Address:
787 West Eighth Street
Medford, OR 97501
Phone:
541-774-6872
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Jackson County
Does Jackson County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Jackson County?
Who can set bail in Jackson County?
When is bail set in Jackson County Oregon?
Does Jackson County have bail?
Yes, Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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, Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County have bail?
Yes, Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County Oregon?
Yes, your attorney may file a request to reduce or modify bail.
In Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County Jail for more information about the jails in Jackson County.
What options are there to pay bail in Jackson 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 Jackson County Jail for more information about posting bail in Jackson 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 Jackson 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.
Instructions on how to post Bail or Bond in Jackson County
JACKSON COUNTY BAIL PROCEDURES
Because Jackson County and Oregon can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the jail or the court directly after an arrestee has been booked. Go directly to the Jackson County Jail and Court pages here to find the phone number you need for this information.
Ask the jail or court representative these specific questions:
- Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
- How much will the bail or bond be?
- Where do I go to pay it?
- Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
- What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
- Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?
To save you the time and trouble, jailexchange.com has compiled the bail bond policies for the Medford area which you can link to directly by going here or here or here.
If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction.
Option 1 - How to Post Bail using Cash for a Defendant at Jackson County Jail
The first option, a cash bond, is to pay the full bail amount in cash, cashier's check, or money order. Personal Checks are not accepted.
Depending on the crime, this amount could be anywhere from $100 to $75,000 or more.
To pay a cash bond, go to Jackson County Jail or to the court where the bail hearing occurred. Going directly to the jail will quicken the release of the defendant as any bail paperwork processed at the court will have to be transferred to the jail.
Cashier's Checks and Money Orders may be made out to Jackson County Jail where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office or to the Jackson County Court.
To purchase money orders visit any Western Union, Moneygram or Post Office.
Option 2 - How to Post a Private or Surety Bond for a Defendant at Jackson County Jail
In the event that someone does not have the full bond amount available to him or her, there is what is called a private bond or surety bond.
This is an agreement made with a bail agent or bondsman who will post the full bail amount. In return, the defendant and/or cosigner will pay a premium to the bail agent. This premium will be 10-15% of the full bail amount.
For example, if bail is posted at $5,000, then the premium will cost approximately $500-$750.
A bail agent will often require some form of collateral, for example, a lien on a house, a car or jewelry. This is to ensure that if the defendant skips bail, or does not appear in court, the bail agent has some sort of compensation for the full bail amount being paid.
Remember, by making an agreement with a bail agent the signatory takes responsibility for paying the full bail amount if the defendant does not appear in court.
Option 3 - How to Post a Property Bond for a Defendant at Jackson County Jail
If you are a landowner in Jackson County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Jackson County may be used as collateral to bail someone out. All owners of the property must be present to sign the bond in order for this to happen.
To find if property located outside of Jackson County can be used as collateral, call a local bail or bond agent or contact a defense lawyer.
Click here for additional information on how to post bail at Jackson County Jail.