Potter County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Bail and bond basics for Potter County
Potter County is a wooded county on the New York line, known for dark skies. For Coudersport, Galeton, Shinglehouse, and Austin, the main lockup is the Potter County Jail. Inmate search: Potter County Inmate Search.
How do I find someone in a Potter County jail?
Start with the Potter County Inmate Search.
For questions, reach the Potter County Jail, 102 East Second Street, Coudersport, PA 16915 (814-274-9730).
Tips for the call:
- Give their full legal name.
- Give their date of birth.
- Ask whether bail is set.
Staff may not discuss the charges.
Where is the Potter County Clerk of Courts?
Court business happens at the Potter County Courthouse, 1 E. Second Street, Coudersport, PA 16915 (814-274-8290).
Bail deposits are kept by the Clerk of Courts office in Coudersport (Pa.R.Crim.P. 535(C)).
Ask which payment forms they accept.
Which Potter County district judge has the case?
Usually the MDJ office covering the arrest area handles it (Pa.R.Crim.P. 130). Find offices on the UJS MDJ directory. Docket numbers start with MJ on the UJS Portal.
The arrest papers list the MDJ office.
Who decides bail in Potter County?
For arrests in Potter County, a magisterial district judge usually sets bail (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540; 42 Pa.C.S. §1515(a)(4)). This happens at 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)). Common Pleas may change it later (Pa.R.Crim.P. 529(c)).
What should we expect at a Coudersport arraignment?
The judge reads the complaint aloud (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(F)). The judge does not ask about guilt (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(F)). They get the complaint in writing (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(C)). Release terms are explained, too (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(F)). A preliminary hearing is then scheduled (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(G)). If held only on this case, it comes within 14 days (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(G)). Otherwise, it is set within 21 days (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(G)).
What are the release types in Potter County?
There are five kinds of release (Pa.R.Crim.P. 524(C)):
- ROR: Just a written promise.
- Nonmonetary conditions: Conditions such as check-ins or curfews.
- 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.
The judge starts with ROR (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 Potter County?
The judge must weigh all known facts (Pa.R.Crim.P. 523(A)). The charge, job, and finances count (Pa.R.Crim.P. 523(A)). So do family ties and residence (Pa.R.Crim.P. 523(A)). Past missed court dates count, too (Pa.R.Crim.P. 523(A)). Staying silent cannot make bail higher (Pa.R.Crim.P. 523(B)). A risk score cannot decide alone (Pa.R.Crim.P. 523 cmt.).
Can bail be denied in Potter County?
Most charges allow bail (Pa. Const. art. I, §14). Life-sentence charges are an exception (Pa. Const. art. I, §14). So are cases where no condition keeps people safe (Pa. Const. art. I, §14). The proof must be strong (Pa. Const. art. I, §14). Any denial must be explained (Pa.R.Crim.P. 520(A)).
How is money bail paid in Potter 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)). A 10% deposit may be allowed (Pa.R.Crim.P. 528(C)). Cash and some government bonds are accepted (Pa.R.Crim.P. 528(D)(1)–(2)). So can real estate or a bondsman (Pa.R.Crim.P. 528(D)(3)–(5)). Ask for the itemized receipt (Pa.R.Crim.P. 535(A)).
Am I liable if I post Potter County bail?
Signers risk the full amount (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)). You must be told this before signing (Pa.R.Crim.P. 535(B)).
How do bail bondsmen work in Potter County?
A bondsman needs an insurance producer license (42 Pa.C.S. §5742). They also register in Potter County (42 Pa.C.S. §5743.1). The filing lists their limit per bond (42 Pa.C.S. §5743.1). Courthouse soliciting is banned (42 Pa.C.S. §5749). Overcharging is a crime (42 Pa.C.S. §5749). A lawyer cannot act as surety for a client (Pa.R.Crim.P. 531(B)).
What are the bond conditions in Potter County?
Every bond has the same basic rules (Pa.R.Crim.P. 526(A)):
- Go to every court date.
- Obey later court orders.
- Give a new address within 48 hours.
- Never threaten a witness or victim.
- No new crimes.
Check-ins or travel limits may follow (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 if someone skips court in Potter County?
A bench warrant can follow (Pa.R.Crim.P. 536(A)). Bail may be revoked or changed (Pa.R.Crim.P. 536(A)). The money is not taken right away (Pa.R.Crim.P. 536(A)). Missing court can be its own crime (18 Pa.C.S. §5124).
Call the lawyer and the Clerk of Courts office in Coudersport right away.
Who can reduce bail in Potter County?
The MDJ can change it early (Pa.R.Crim.P. 529(a)). Either side may ask, after notice (Pa.R.Crim.P. 529(a)). The next hearing is another chance (Pa.R.Crim.P. 529(b)). A motion can go to the Potter County Court of 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 Potter County?
Refunds are due within 20 days (Pa.R.Crim.P. 535(D)). Fees allowed by law may be kept (Pa.R.Crim.P. 535(D)). Those fees must match real 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.).
Ask the Clerk of Courts office in Coudersport about refund timing.
Is there a public defender in Potter County?
At the first hearing, the judge must explain the right to free counsel (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(F)(1); Pa.R.Crim.P. 122). Ask about the Potter County Public Defender. A lawyer can move to change bail (Pa.R.Crim.P. 529(c)).
What if someone waits months in a Potter 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 Potter County before court?
A child can be detained only for reasons the law lists (42 Pa.C.S. §6325). Intake staff release most youth right away (42 Pa.C.S. §6331). A detention hearing follows within 72 hours (42 Pa.C.S. §6332). The youth may have a lawyer there (42 Pa.C.S. §6332).
What if the charge is federal in Potter County?
Potter County is in the Middle District of Pennsylvania (28 U.S.C. §118). The nearest clerk's office is at 240 West Third Street, Williamsport, PA 17701. Federal release follows its own law (18 U.S.C. §3142).
A county bond does not cover it.
How do we confirm a Potter County bail amount?
Call the Clerk of Courts office in Coudersport and the Potter County Jail before you go.
- Check office hours.
- Ask which payment types work.
- Bring photo ID.
- Have the docket number handy.
Potter County bail contacts
- Jail / booking
- Potter County Jail, 102 East Second Street, Coudersport, PA 16915, 814-274-9730
- Courthouse
- Potter County Courthouse, 1 E. Second Street, Coudersport, PA 16915, 814-274-8290
- Judicial district
- 55th Judicial District
- Public defender
- Potter County Public Defender
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court, Middle District, 240 West Third Street, Williamsport, PA 17701, 570-323-6380
- Inmate search
- Potter County Inmate Search
Judges set release terms case by case. Nothing here is legal advice.
Potter County Jail
Address:
102 East Second Street
Coudersport, PA 16915
Phone:
814-274-9730
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Potter County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Potter County?
Who can set bail in Potter County?
When is bail set in Potter County Pennsylvania?
Does Potter County have bail?
Yes, Potter County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Potter County?
Bail in Potter 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 Potter County?
Bail is set by a judge, either at a District Court or the Court of Common Pleas.
When is bail set in Potter 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 Potter 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 Potter 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 Potter 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, Potter 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 Potter 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 Potter County Pennsylvania have bail?
Yes, Potter County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Potter County?
Bail in Potter 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 Potter County Pennsylvania?
Yes, your attorney may file a request for bail reduction or modification.
In Potter 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 Potter County Pennsylvania?
Yes, all Pennsylvania counties offer online bail payment.
You can also contact the jail by going to the Potter County Jail for more information about online bail payments in Potter County.
In the alternative, the Potter County Clerk of Court or District Court staff can assist during working hours.
What options are there to pay bail in Potter 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 Potter County Jail for more information about posting bail in Potter 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 Potter 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 Potter 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.