Florence County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds

Florence County Detention Center

Address:
6719 Friendfield Road
Effingham, SC 29541

Phone:

843-665-9944

Paying an Inmate's Bail or Bond in Florence County

The Florence County Sheriff recommends that you use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Florence County.

  • You can pay a cash bond yourself, or use your home in Florence County, or in some cases the state of South Carolina, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Florence County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
  • The typical fee for a bond will be between 10-20% of the bail amount; usually 15%.  So if an offender has a bail of $10,000.00, their bond will be $1500.00.

Call 843-665-9944 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Florence County inmate locator.


 

Who do I call to find out the Bond for an Inmate?

Please call the jail at 843-665-9944 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Florence 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 Florence County

Because Florence County and South Carolina can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Florence County Detention Center at 843-665-9944, 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 Florence County Detention Center or the Florence County Court Clerk these specific questions:

  1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
  2. How much will the bail or bond be, and what are the additional fees?
  3. Where do I go to pay it?
  4. Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
  5. What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
  6. Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?

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 Florence 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 Florence 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 Florence County Detention Center where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Florence County Sheriff's Office or to the Florence 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 Florence 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 Florence County Detention Center

If you are a landowner in Florence County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Florence 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 Florence 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 Florence County Detention Center.

Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Florence 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.

Florence County Justice System Flowchart

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, Florence 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 Florence 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.

Florence County Bail Bond Information

Because Florence County and South Carolina can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Florence County Detention Center at 843-665-9944, 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 Florence County Detention Center or the Florence County Court Clerk these specific questions:

  1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
  2. How much will the bail or bond be, and what are the additional fees?
  3. Where do I go to pay it?
  4. Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
  5. What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
  6. Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?

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.


 

How to Deposit Money in an Inmate's Account in Florence County Detention Center

To deposit money into the account of a Florence County inmate, follow these instructions:

  • To deposit money you MUST first open a SmartJailMail.com account.
  • Once you open an account, you may search for the Florence County inmate you want to send money.
  • When you locate the Florence County inmate that you want to connect with, you can send them money.
  • Florence County Detention Center may need to approve the deposit, but more than likely, it will be approved.

For all the information you need to send money to a Florence County Detention Center inmate, including how it works, how much it costs, what payment methods you can use, how much you can send, and more, check out our Send Money Page.


 

Florence County Detention Center Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

For inmates receiving mail in the Florence 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 Florence County Detention Center:
Inmate's Full Name
c/o Florence County Detention Center
6719 Friendfield Rd
Effingham, SC 29541


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 to Schedule & Visit with an Inmate in Florence County Detention Center

To schedule a visit and meet with an inmate in Florence County, either at-the-jail or remotely by video, follow these instructions:

  • To schedule and visit with an inmate you MUST first open a SmartJailMail.com account.
  • Once you open an account, you may search for Florence County inmate to visit with.
  • When you locate the Florence County inmate that you want to connect with, you can send them a connection request.
  • Florence County Detention Center will then need to approve the request before you can send messages.

For all the information you need to schedule and visit with a Florence County Detention Center inmate, including how it works, how much it costs, visitation using a rented tablet, how often and when you can visit and more, check out our Visit Inmate Page.
NOTE: Your visits will be monitored, recorded and stored. You may want to refrain from discussing your inmate's court case as anything discussed can be used against them in court.


 

Florence County Detention Center Gives Inmates Access to Tablets At No Cost for Communication, Research and Entertainment

They may not be directly connected to the internet, but inmates at Florence County Detention Center are provided free tablets to use within the jail that allow them to have access to the following services and information:

  • Phone Calls - Inmates may make calls directly from their tablet allowing for more privacy. The rates are the same as the phones in the unit, and the calls are still recorded and monitored.
  • eMessaging - Communicate via a text based message or picture. Fee based system.
  • Job Search - Using JobView, a secure job search application, inmates have the ability to see what jobs are available when they are released.
  • Education - Free educational platform and course catalog that provides thousands of educational resources.
  • Self Help -Inmates have daily access to mental health and addiction recovery programming.
  • Music - Top-40, Hip-Hop, Country, Rock, Gospel, and more.
  • Law Library -  Legal research with up-to-date case information.
  • eBooks - Thousands of available titles.
  • Religion - Religious resources for spiritual guidance.
  • Games - Inmates can play their favorite games. Available through monthly subscriptions
  • Facility Services - Digital access to submitted forms, requests, facility documents, and notifications from staff.
  • Video Visitation - Visitation may not be allowed on the Tablets.  Call Florence County Detention Center at 843-665-9944 to confirm.

The availability of tablets may seem like something that inmates who are serving time do not deserve, but here are some of the benefits for inmates in Florence County:

  • Keeps inmates busy.
  • The threat of losing access to tablets keeps them better behaved.
  • Safer for the staff to keep inmates happy.
  • Allows communication with family members.
  • Educational programming.
  • Legal research.
  • Social programming such as anger management, substance abuse, etc.

For more information about Tablets and how your inmate can get one to use while he is in jail, chek out our Inmate Tablet page.


 

How to Set up a Phone Account and Receive Calls from an Inmate in Florence County Detention Center

To communicate by telephone with a Florence County inmate, follow these instructions:

  • To receive phone calls from a Florence County inmate you MUST first open a SmartJailMail.com account.
  • Once you open an account, you may search for Florence County inmates or detainees to connect with.
  • When you locate the Florence County inmate that you want to connect with, you can send them a connection request.
  • Florence County Detention Center will then need to approve the request before you can receive phone calls.

For all the information you need to receive phone calls from a Florence County Detention Center inmate, including how it works, how much it costs, how often you can receive calls and when you can receive them and more, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: Your phone calls will be monitored and stored. You may want to refrain from discussing your inmate's court case. Anything discussed on the calls may be used in your inmate's court case.


 

How to Deposit Money Online for an inmate in Florence County Detention Center

Florence 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 Florence 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 - 

  • $3.95 to deposit $10.00 - 25.00
  • $6.95 to deposit $25.01 - 100.00
  • $8.95 to deposit $100.01 - 200.00
  • $10.95 to deposit $200.01 to 300.00

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.


 

How to Send and Receive Secure Text and Email Messages with an Inmate in Florence County Detention Center

To communicate by text or email with an Florence County inmate, follow these instructions:

  • To send or receive a message you MUST first open a SmartJailMail.com account.
  • Once you open an account, you may search for Florence County inmates or detainees to connect with.
  • When you locate the Florence County inmate that you want to connect with, you can send them a connection request.
  • Florence County Detention Center will then need to approve the request before you can send messages.

For all the information you need to send and receive secure messages in the form of text or email with a Florence County Detention Center inmate, including how it works, how much it costs, renting your inmate a tablet, how often you can communicate and more, check out our Text/Email an Inmate Page.
NOTE: Your messages will be monitored and stored. You may want to refrain from discussing your inmate's court case.


 

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Florence County

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Florence County Detention Center follow these steps:

  • Florence 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 ship your order directly to your inmate at Florence 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 in Florence County before you can even see their commissary products, prices, additional fees, etc. 

NOTE: There will also be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Florence 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 Florence County Detention Center check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Florence County.


 

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Florence County Detention Center, Effingham, SC (South Carolina)