Indiana County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Bail and bond basics for Indiana County
Indiana County is home to Indiana University of Pennsylvania. People arrested in Indiana, Blairsville, Homer City, and Clymer are usually taken to the Indiana County Jail. Inmate search: Indiana County Inmate Search.
Where is a person held after an Indiana County arrest?
Start with the Indiana County Inmate Search.
The main contact is the Indiana County Jail, 665 Hood School Road, Indiana, PA 15701 (724-471-7500).
On the phone:
- Give their full legal name.
- Add a birth date, if known.
- Ask if bail has been set.
Charge details may not be shared.
Where is the courthouse in Indiana County?
The Indiana County Courthouse is at 825 Philadelphia Street, Indiana, PA 15701 (724-465-3955).
The Clerk of Courts office in Indiana keeps criminal files and bail papers (Pa.R.Crim.P. 535(C)).
Call ahead about hours and payment types.
Which Indiana County district judge has the case?
Each MDJ office covers certain towns (Pa.R.Crim.P. 130). Find offices on the UJS MDJ directory. Docket numbers start with MJ on the UJS Portal.
The complaint names the office handling it.
Who sets bail after an Indiana County arrest?
For arrests in Indiana County, a magisterial district judge usually sets bail (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540; 42 Pa.C.S. §1515(a)(4)). That first hearing is the preliminary arraignment (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(F)). Bail is set day or night (Pa.R.Crim.P. 520(B)). The hearing may use video (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(A)). A judge of the Common Pleas court in Indiana can review it later (Pa.R.Crim.P. 529(c)).
What should we expect at an Indiana arraignment?
The judge reads the complaint aloud (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(F)). No one argues the evidence yet (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(F)). They get the complaint in writing (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(C)). The judge explains the bail terms (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(F)). Next comes a date for the preliminary hearing (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(G)). Jailed only on this case? The 14-day limit applies (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(G)). Everyone else gets a hearing date within 21 days (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(G)).
Which types of bail does Indiana County use?
There are five kinds of release (Pa.R.Crim.P. 524(C)):
- ROR: Just a written promise.
- Nonmonetary conditions: Rules like reporting or travel limits.
- Unsecured bail bond: No deposit, but money owed on violation.
- Nominal bail: A tiny deposit, such as $1.
- Monetary condition: A cash amount that must be reasonable.
ROR must be considered first (Pa.R.Crim.P. 524 cmt.). Bail cannot be used just to jail someone (Pa.R.Crim.P. 524 cmt.).
What factors shape bail in Indiana County?
All known facts must be weighed (Pa.R.Crim.P. 523(A)). The charge, job, and money situation matter (Pa.R.Crim.P. 523(A)). So do family ties and local roots (Pa.R.Crim.P. 523(A)). The prior record and any past flight count (Pa.R.Crim.P. 523(A)). No one has to confess to get fair bail (Pa.R.Crim.P. 523(B)). A risk score cannot decide alone (Pa.R.Crim.P. 523 cmt.).
Can an Indiana County judge refuse bail?
Most charges allow bail (Pa. Const. art. I, §14). Life-sentence charges are an exception (Pa. Const. art. I, §14). Bail can also be denied for public safety (Pa. Const. art. I, §14). Strong evidence is required (Pa. Const. art. I, §14). Reasons for denial must be stated (Pa.R.Crim.P. 520(A)).
Do we pay the full amount in Indiana County?
Money bail has to be reasonable (Pa.R.Crim.P. 528(B)). Your loved one's finances must be considered (Pa.R.Crim.P. 528(A)). Sometimes a 10% deposit is enough (Pa.R.Crim.P. 528(C)). Cash and some government bonds are accepted (Pa.R.Crim.P. 528(D)(1)–(2)). Property or a bondsman's bond also works (Pa.R.Crim.P. 528(D)(3)–(5)). The person paying gets an itemized receipt (Pa.R.Crim.P. 535(A)).
Am I liable if I post Indiana County bail?
A signer can owe the full bail (Pa.R.Crim.P. 528(F)). You may deposit without signing (Pa.R.Crim.P. 528(F)). Then any refund goes to the defendant (Pa.R.Crim.P. 528(F)). A deposit in the defendant's own name may pay fines (Pa.R.Crim.P. 535(E)). Staff must explain this before you pay (Pa.R.Crim.P. 535(B)).
Can we use a bondsman in Indiana County?
A bondsman needs an insurance producer license (42 Pa.C.S. §5742). They must register with the Clerk of Courts office in Indiana (42 Pa.C.S. §5743.1). The filing lists their bond limit (42 Pa.C.S. §5743.1). Courthouse soliciting is banned (42 Pa.C.S. §5749). Overcharging is also an offense (42 Pa.C.S. §5749). Your lawyer cannot be the surety (Pa.R.Crim.P. 531(B)).
What rules come with release in Indiana County?
Every bond has the same basic rules (Pa.R.Crim.P. 526(A)):
- Show up for all hearings.
- Follow every new order.
- Report a move within 48 hours.
- Never threaten a witness or victim.
- No new crimes.
Judges can add reporting or travel rules (Pa.R.Crim.P. 527(A)). Abuse cases weigh danger to the victim (Pa.R.Crim.P. 523 cmt.; 18 Pa.C.S. §2711).
What happens after a missed Indiana County court date?
A bench warrant can follow (Pa.R.Crim.P. 536(A)). Bail can be revoked (Pa.R.Crim.P. 536(A)). The money is not taken right away (Pa.R.Crim.P. 536(A)). Failing to appear is a separate offense (18 Pa.C.S. §5124).
Contact the Indiana County Clerk of Courts as soon as possible.
How do we ask Indiana County to change bail?
The MDJ can change it early (Pa.R.Crim.P. 529(a)). Either side may ask (Pa.R.Crim.P. 529(a)). The preliminary hearing is another chance (Pa.R.Crim.P. 529(b)). A motion goes to Common Pleas (Pa.R.Crim.P. 529(c)). From then on, only Common Pleas can change it (Pa.R.Crim.P. 529(d)).
Is cash bail returned in Indiana County?
A refund is due within 20 days (Pa.R.Crim.P. 535(D)). Fees allowed by law may be kept (Pa.R.Crim.P. 535(D)). Fees must relate to actual costs (Pa.R.Crim.P. 535 cmt.). Appeals can delay the refund (Pa.R.Crim.P. 534). Acceptance into ARD ends the bail period (Pa.R.Crim.P. 534 cmt.).
Keep the receipt, and ask the Clerk of Courts office in Indiana about timing.
Who helps Indiana County families without a lawyer?
The right to a free lawyer is explained early (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(F)(1); Pa.R.Crim.P. 122). Apply through the Indiana County Public Defender. Counsel can file a bail motion (Pa.R.Crim.P. 529(c)).
What if someone waits months in an Indiana County jail?
The usual limit is 180 days (Pa.R.Crim.P. 600(B)). A lawyer can then seek release (Pa.R.Crim.P. 600(D)(2)). Some delays are excluded (Pa.R.Crim.P. 600(C)). Non-bailable cases are excluded (Pa.R.Crim.P. 600(B)).
Are minors held in Indiana County before court?
A child is held only for safety or flight risk (42 Pa.C.S. §6325). Most youth go home from intake (42 Pa.C.S. §6331). A detention hearing follows within 72 hours (42 Pa.C.S. §6332). The child has the right to counsel (42 Pa.C.S. §6332).
What if the charge is federal in Indiana County?
Indiana County is in the Western District of Pennsylvania (28 U.S.C. §118). The nearest clerk's office is at 700 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. A federal judge decides release (18 U.S.C. §3142).
State bail does not carry over.
Who can confirm Indiana County bail details before we go?
Call the Indiana County Jail or the Indiana County Clerk of Courts first.
- Check office hours.
- Ask which payment types work.
- Bring photo ID.
- Have the docket number handy.
Indiana County bail contacts
- Jail / booking
- Indiana County Jail, 665 Hood School Road, Indiana, PA 15701, 724-471-7500
- Courthouse
- Indiana County Courthouse, 825 Philadelphia Street, Indiana, PA 15701, 724-465-3955
- Judicial district
- 40th Judicial District
- Public defender
- Indiana County Public Defender
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court, Western District, 700 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, 412-208-7500
- Inmate search
- Indiana County Inmate Search
Judges set release terms case by case. Nothing here is legal advice.
Indiana County Jail
Address:
665 Hood School Road
Indiana, PA 15701
Phone:
724-471-7500
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Indiana County
Does Indiana County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Indiana County?
Who can set bail in Indiana County?
When is bail set in Indiana County Pennsylvania?
Does Indiana County have bail?
Yes, Indiana County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Indiana County?
Bail in Indiana County is available in several different forms including release on recognizance (ROR), release on non-monetary conditions, non-secured bail, nominal bail and monetary conditions.
Who can set bail in Indiana County?
Bail is set by a judge, either at a District Court or the Court of Common Pleas.
When is bail set in Indiana County Pennsylvania?
Bail will be set during the first/initial court hearing, also called an arraignment. This court hearing may be the same day as the arrest or the next day depending on the court schedule. Hearings are not held on weekends or holidays.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Indiana 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 Indiana 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 Indiana 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, Indiana 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 Indiana 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 Indiana County Pennsylvania have bail?
Yes, Indiana County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Indiana County?
Bail in Indiana County is available in several different forms including release on recognizance (ROR), release on non-monetary conditions, non-secured bail, nominal bail and monetary conditions.
Who can set bail in Pennsylvania?
Bail is set by a judge, either at a District Court or the Court of Common Pleas.
When is bail set in Pennsylvania?
Bail will be set during the first/initial court hearing, also called an arraignment. This court hearing may be the same day as the arrest or the next day depending on the court schedule. Hearings are not held on weekends or holidays.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Indiana County Pennsylvania?
Yes, your attorney may file a request for bail reduction or modification.
In Indiana County Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Indiana County Pennsylvania?
Yes, all Pennsylvania counties offer online bail payment.
You can also contact the jail by going to the Indiana County Jail for more information about online bail payments in Indiana County.
In the alternative, the Indiana County Clerk of Court or District Court staff can assist during working hours.
What options are there to pay bail in Indiana County Pennsylvania?
Cash, credit card, or debit card. Access the PA ePay Bail option.
Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay cash. Go to the Indiana County Jail for more information about posting bail in Indiana County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Pennsylvania?
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 Indiana 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 Pennsylvania?
The Indiana 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.