Address:
220 Hodge Road
Summerville, SC 29483
Phone:
843-832-0215
Call 843-832-0215 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Dorchester County inmate locator.
Please call the jail at 843-832-0215 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Dorchester County Detention Center.
A bond is set according to a court-approved schedule.
The purpose of the bond is to assure the offender's appearance in court.
In South Carolina, Victim Services must schedule all bond hearings, guilty pleas, and other proceedings for defendants at the County Detention Center when there is a victim of a crime involved in the case.
South Carolina law requires that all victims must be notified of all scheduled hearings for a defendant and be given the opportunity to attend those hearings.
Instructions on how to post Bail or Bond in Dorchester County
Because Dorchester County and South Carolina can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Dorchester County Detention Center at 843-832-0215, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, right after an arrestee has been booked.
Ask the staff at the Dorchester County Detention Center or the Dorchester County Court Clerk these specific questions:
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. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released.
This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.
Option 1 - How to Post Bail using Cash for a Defendant at Dorchester County Detention Center
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 Dorchester County Detention Center 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 Dorchester County Detention Center where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office or to the Dorchester 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 Dorchester County Detention Center
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 Dorchester County Detention Center
If you are a landowner in Dorchester County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Dorchester 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 Dorchester 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 Dorchester County Detention Center.
Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Dorchester County Detention Center?
Anyone over the age of 18 who can produce a valid government-issued photo ID can post bail. Accepted forms of ID include a Photo Driver's License, Passport, or Motor Vehicle issued ID.
In many circumstances, if the defendant has the resources, they can post their own cash bail from jail.
Surety Bonds are arranged by a third party, typically a South Carolina state licensed Bail Bond firm.
Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.
When will the Cash Bail or Collateral be returned to me?
Money or collateral will not be returned until the defendant's court case is finished, so realistically it could take several months to years, depending on the severity of the charges. If a defendant posts his or her own bail, Dorchester County Court may retain whatever amount of fines or fees have accumulated throughout the trial.
What happens to my Bail or Collateral if the Defendant misses Court?
The Dorchester County Judge may order a failure to appear warrant for the person's arrest or the Judge may order a Bail Commissioner's Letter be issued that will be sent to the person with a new court date.
If cash bail was paid, the entire amount may be forfeited.
The tablets can be rented on a monthly basis and while not directly connected to the internet, the inmates can use them for phone, visits, messages, education, self-help and entertainment.
Questions:
To learn more about Homewav tablets, the dozens of features, cost and how to get one delivered to your inmate, check out our Inmate Tablet page.
To receive phone calls from inmates in Dorchester County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:
For all the information regarding phone calls with Dorchester County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, video, messaging, time limits and more, visit our Inmate Phone Page.
Because Dorchester County and South Carolina can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Dorchester County Detention Center at 843-832-0215, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, and do this right after an arrestee has been booked.
Ask the staff at the Dorchester County Detention Center or the Dorchester County Court Clerk these specific questions:
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. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released.
This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.
For inmates receiving mail in the Dorchester County Detention Center there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.
All mail is to be shipped to the Dorchester County Detention Center:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Dorchester County Detention Center
220 Hodge Road
Summerville, SC 29483
For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.
How can you rent a tablet for an inmate in Dorchester County? Read the following:
Tablets can be used by inmates, for the following things:
Contact Paytel online, or call the Dorchester County Detention Center directly at 843-832-0215 to rent a tablet for your inmate.
To find out everything you need to know about renting a tablet, what it can be used for, how much it costs, and more, check out our Tablet Page for Dorchester County Detention Center.
Dorchester County Detention Center uses McDaniel Supply Company for their inmate commissary.
McDaniel Supply operates the JailPackStore website so you can order online using a credit or debit card. They will send the money to your inmate at Dorchester County Detention Center.
JailPackStore has a very cumbersome website that requires you to:
1. register,
2. add a credit or debit card, and then
3. locate your inmate, before you can even deposit funds.
Maximum Deposit - $300
Fee to Deposit Money using a credit or debit card -
Any money that you deposit and don't immediately send will be held as a credit on your account for future disbursement or spend.
For full instructions on how to deposit money to your inmate online, what the fees are, and how to save money doing it this way, check out our inmate money page.
To visit or email an inmate in Dorchester County follow these steps:
Who do you contact if you are having any problems arranging the remote video visit, phoning or emailing of an inmate in Dorchester County?
Call HomeWav support at 314-764-2872, or toll free 844-394-6639.
Monday – Friday
9:00AM to 6:00PM EST
Saturday – Sunday
8:00AM to 6:00PM EST
NOTE: All communications between you and your inmate at Dorchester County Detention Center will be recorded and stored. Do not discuss your inmate's case or other sensitive information as it can be used against them (or you) in court.
For full instructions on all the benefits of using Homewav to visit a Dorchester County inmate, visiting an inmate at the jail itself, email and texting an inmate, rates, policies, rules, dress codes, bringing children, attorney and clergy visits and more, go to our official Visit Inmate Page.
To send a secure email message to an inmate in Dorchester County Detention Center follow these steps:
How inteleMESSAGE Works
For all information on rates, and how to Text/Email an Inmate in Dorchester County Detention Center check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Dorchester County.
To receive phone calls from inmates in Dorchester County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:
For all the information regarding phone calls with Dorchester County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, costs, limits, tablet rental and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Dorchester County Detention Center follow these steps:
NOTE: There will also be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Dorchester County at any one time.
For all information, tips and a list and photos of available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Dorchester County Detention Center check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Dorchester County.
