Malheur County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Malheur County bail in Vale: cash, any hour, and a judge on a screen
Is she booked into the Vale jail?
Look her up with the Malheur County Inmate Search. The page shows who is in custody in the county jail. A person arrested in the last few hours may not appear yet. The jail answers at 541-473-5510 for anything the search leaves out. The Sheriff's Office line is 541-473-5126.
Who runs the jail, and how big is it?
The Malheur County Sheriff's Office runs it. Sheriff Brian E. Wolfe leads the office, and the jail can hold 104 prisoners. Most people inside are waiting for trial, not serving a sentence.
How does the judge see a person who is still in custody?
In-custody people have video arraignments. The judge appears on a screen, and the defendant stays at the jail. The release decision is made at that first appearance unless the court has a good reason to wait. The law sets a release hearing within 48 hours in most cases, and within five days at most, unless the defendant agrees to more time.
Call the Circuit Court at 541-473-5193 to learn when a case is set.
What hours can I post bail?
The jail accepts bail 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. You do not need to wait for the courthouse to open. Bring the exact amount in cash.
Can I pay with a card, check, or money order?
No. Only cash is accepted for bail at the Malheur County jail. If you want to put money on a jail account for phone use, that is a separate transaction and it is not bail. Ask the jail at 541-473-5510 before you bring anything else.
How much do I have to bring?
The jail asks for 10 percent of the full security amount. Oregon law calls this a security release. Under ORS 135.265 the person signs a release agreement and the deposit goes to the court. The smallest deposit is $25. If the amount is $5,000, the deposit is $500.
The full amount can also be posted. Count the cash carefully.
What does the court keep when the case ends?
The court keeps 15 percent of the deposit as costs, with a minimum of $5 and a maximum of $750. The rest, 85 percent, is returned after the case is over and the conditions were met. Fines, restitution, and court costs can be taken out of it first.
The refund goes to the person named on the receipt unless the court orders something else. Keep the slip.
Do I need a bondsman?
Malheur County jail takes cash from family members, and the deposit goes to the court clerk. There is no company in the middle. If someone you do not know offers to post bail for a fee, call the court at 541-473-5193 and ask what it will accept before you pay.
How do I schedule a visit?
Morning visits are held Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Evening visits are Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. To book a slot, phone 541-473-5528 on the same day, between 7 and 7:30 a.m. for a morning visit or between 4:30 and 5 p.m. for an evening visit.
Telephone access for people inside runs from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Can bail be denied in Oregon?
Yes, in limited cases. The state constitution, Article I, section 14, says murder and treason are not bailable when the proof is evident or the presumption strong. A judge can also deny release for a violent felony after a hearing if the state shows danger by clear and convincing evidence. The request comes at arraignment, and the court must hold the hearing within five days.
Could a ranch or house be put up instead of cash?
Oregon law allows property, but the jail takes cash. The property must be in Oregon, the equity must not be exempt, and its value must be at least double the security amount. Each item needs a sworn statement. The court decides whether it is enough, so call 541-473-5193 before you start.
What happens if he does not show up for court?
The deposit can be forfeited to the State, and the court can issue an arrest warrant. Unpaid money owed in the case can be taken from the deposit as well. If a date was missed by accident, call the court at 541-473-5193 right away.
Is the Snake River prison the same as the county jail?
No. Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario is a state prison for people sentenced to prison. Bail posted at the Vale jail does not apply there. If you need to find your person, start with the Malheur County Inmate Search.
Who gets me a lawyer if I cannot pay?
Ask the judge at the first appearance. Oregon appoints a lawyer for people who cannot afford one. Several private law firms hold contracts for this work in the county. The Circuit Court clerk at 541-473-5193 can tell you who the court appointed.
Where do arrested teens go?
Juvenile cases in Malheur County are handled by the Malheur County Juvenile Department and the Juvenile Court. The court hears cases of youth under 18 who are accused of breaking a law. A judge decides about detention. Call the Circuit Court at 541-473-5193 and ask where your child is held. A parent cannot order a child released.
What are the three kinds of release in Oregon?
The first is release on your own promise to appear, with no money. The second is conditional release, where the judge sets rules about where you live, whom you see, or what you do. The third is security release, where a deposit is paid.
Oregon law has the judge consider the first two before money. Ask the court at 541-473-5193 which one applies.
What should I bring to the jail lobby?
Bring cash in the exact amount, the full name of the person, and the case or booking number if you have it. Write down the amount you hand over and keep any slip. If the jail will not take the payment, ask why before you leave, and call 541-473-5510 from the parking lot rather than guessing.
Malheur County bail contacts
- County jail
- Malheur County Correctional Facility, 151 B Street West, Vale, OR 97918; 541-473-5510
- Bail help
- Malheur County jail and bail guides
- Custody lookup
- Malheur County Inmate Search
- Sheriff's Office
- 151 B Street West, Vale, OR 97918; 541-473-5126
- Visit scheduling
- 541-473-5528, same day only
- Circuit Court
- 251 B Street West, Vale, OR 97918; 541-473-5193
Visit times and jail rules can change without notice, so phone the jail before you drive over with cash. Nothing here is legal advice; it is a plain-language guide to Malheur County practice.
Malheur County Jail
Address:
151 "B" St. West
Vale, OR 97918
Phone:
541-473-5510
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Malheur County
Does Malheur County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Malheur County?
Who can set bail in Malheur County?
When is bail set in Malheur County Oregon?
Does Malheur County have bail?
Yes, Malheur 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 Malheur 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 Malheur 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 Malheur 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 Malheur 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 Malheur 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 Malheur 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, Malheur 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 Malheur 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 Malheur County have bail?
Yes, Malheur 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 Malheur 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 Malheur 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 Malheur County Oregon?
Yes, your attorney may file a request to reduce or modify bail.
In Malheur 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 Malheur 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 Malheur County Jail for more information about the jails in Malheur County.
What options are there to pay bail in Malheur 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 Malheur County Jail for more information about posting bail in Malheur 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 Malheur 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.