Oconee County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
Oconee County bail help for families
Oconee County is the state's far northwest corner, in the mountains. For Walhalla, Seneca, Westminster, and Salem, the main lockup is the Oconee County Detention Center. Inmate search: Oconee County Inmate Search.
Is my relative in the Oconee County jail?
Check the Oconee County Inmate Search first.
For questions, reach the Oconee County Detention Center, 300 S. Church Street, Walhalla, SC 29691 (864-638-4105).
Tips for the call:
- Give their full legal name.
- Give their date of birth.
- Ask if bond has been set.
Staff may not discuss the charges.
Where is the courthouse in Oconee County?
The Oconee County Courthouse is at 205 W. Main Street, Walhalla, SC 29691 (864-638-4280).
Cash for circuit cases goes to the Oconee County Clerk of Court (S.C. Code §17-15-200).
Ask which payment forms they accept.
How do bond hearings work in Oconee County summary courts?
Summary court judges hold most bond hearings (S.C. Code §22-5-510). Both magistrates and city judges qualify (S.C. Code §14-25-45). They also try minor cases (S.C. Code §22-3-550).
Find the right office here (magistrate directory; municipal directory).
Who decides bond in Oconee County?
In Oconee County, a magistrate usually sets bond (S.C. Code §22-5-510(A)). City judges can do this too (S.C. Code §14-25-45). A bond hearing is due within 24 hours (S.C. Code §22-5-510(B)). Once bond is posted, release should follow within four hours (S.C. Code §22-5-510(B)).
Rules of evidence do not apply (S.C. Code §17-15-60).
Does Oconee County use personal recognizance bonds?
Often, yes. State law favors personal recognizance (S.C. Code §17-15-10(A)). It is a signed promise to return (S.C. Code §17-15-10(A)). Judges may add terms for flight risk (S.C. Code §17-15-10(A)). Concern about public safety can also justify more (S.C. Code §17-15-10(A)).
What kinds of bond are used in Oconee County?
Common types include:
- Personal recognizance: A signed promise to appear (S.C. Code §17-15-10).
- Surety bond: A bondsman or other surety backs it (S.C. Code §17-15-10).
- Cash bond: You deposit the whole sum (S.C. Code §17-15-190).
- 10% deposit: Paying part of the bond (S.C. Code §17-15-15).
All bonds carry a good behavior term (S.C. Code §17-15-20). The person also may not leave the state (S.C. Code §17-15-20).
What counts in an Oconee County bond hearing?
The judge may weigh family ties and work (S.C. Code §17-15-30(A)). Money, character, and time living here count (S.C. Code §17-15-30(A)). Review of the criminal record is required (S.C. Code §17-15-30(B)). Police reports and other charges count (S.C. Code §17-15-30(B)). Being out on bond already now weighs in (S.C. Code §17-15-30(B)).
Can bond be denied in Oconee County?
It can happen for some charges (S.C. Const. art. I, §15). Bail may be refused for capital or life charges (S.C. Const. art. I, §15). The same is true for violent offenses (S.C. Code §16-1-60). A magistrate may deny bond for those (S.C. Code §22-5-510(A)).
A charge carrying death or life goes to a judge of the Oconee County Court of General Sessions (S.C. Code §22-5-510(A)).
Can we pay 10% of an Oconee County bond?
It depends. Judges can allow a 10% deposit (S.C. Code §17-15-15). It is paid to the Oconee County Clerk of Court (S.C. Code §17-15-15). You get it back when the case is finished (S.C. Code §17-15-15). A 2023 law ended this option for violent offenses (S.C. Code §17-15-15). It is also barred for a gun felony while on bond (S.C. Code §17-15-15).
What can an Oconee County bondsman charge?
The fee cannot be more than 15% (S.C. Code §38-53-170(e)). The floor is $100 or 10%, whichever is more (S.C. Code §38-53-170(e)). Payment plans of up to 18 months are allowed (S.C. Code §38-53-170(e)).
A few more rules:
- They need a state license (S.C. Code §38-53-80).
- They must register with the Clerk of Court office in Walhalla (S.C. Code §38-53-260).
- Get a written receipt for collateral (S.C. Code §38-53-180).
You can check licenses online (SC Department of Insurance search).
What rules come with an Oconee County bond?
The judge can limit travel or contacts (S.C. Code §17-15-10(A)). A curfew may be added (S.C. Code §17-15-10(A)). The written order lists each term (S.C. Code §17-15-40). Violations can lead to a warrant (S.C. Code §17-15-40).
Courts may order GPS monitoring (S.C. Code §17-15-35). The person usually pays for it (S.C. Code §17-15-35). Cutting or damaging it is a separate crime (S.C. Code §24-13-425).
Are DV bonds different in Oconee County?
The hearing needs the criminal record and report (S.C. Code §17-15-30(C)). The hearing still happens within 24 hours (S.C. Code §17-15-30(C)). Judges can weigh past abuse and order violations (S.C. Code §16-25-120). A no-contact term is likely (S.C. Code §16-25-120).
A third-degree DV case can stay in summary court (S.C. Code §16-25-20(D)).
Is missing court in Oconee County a crime?
The court will issue a bench warrant (S.C. Code §38-53-70). Missing on purpose is a separate crime (S.C. Code §17-15-90). For felonies, it carries up to five years (S.C. Code §17-15-90).
Call the Clerk of Court office in Walhalla right away if a date was missed.
What happens to the surety in Oconee County after a missed date?
Notice goes out to the surety within 30 days (S.C. Code §38-53-70). They then have 90 days to surrender the person (S.C. Code §38-53-70). After that, the court forfeits the bond (S.C. Code §38-53-70). Partial remission is possible (S.C. Code §38-53-70).
Who reviews an Oconee County magistrate's bond?
A circuit judge can review it on motion (S.C. Code §17-15-55(A)). File it with the Oconee County Clerk of Court (S.C. Code §17-15-55(A)). A second try needs changed circumstances (S.C. Code §17-15-55(A)). Or six months held in jail (S.C. Code §17-15-55(A)).
A new violent charge while on bond revokes the bond (S.C. Code §17-15-55(C)). A circuit hearing follows within 30 days (S.C. Code §17-15-55(C)). The new offense can add up to five years (S.C. Code §17-15-270).
Do we get Oconee County bond money back?
Keep the receipt you get (S.C. Code §17-15-210). The deposit is repaid after the case ends (S.C. Code §17-15-220). A bondsman's fee is not refunded (S.C. Code §38-53-170). Collateral comes back within 10 days (S.C. Code §38-53-170).
Can Oconee County provide a free lawyer?
Ask the judge to appoint the Oconee County Public Defender.
You can call the office at 864-638-3133.
An application and income review come first.
Is there pretrial diversion in Oconee County?
The 10th Judicial Circuit Solicitor runs Pretrial Intervention (S.C. Code §17-22-50). People with no prior PTI may qualify (S.C. Code §17-22-50). DUI and violent charges do not qualify (S.C. Code §17-22-50).
Those who finish get a noncriminal disposition (S.C. Code §17-22-150(a)).
What if a teen is arrested in Oconee County?
Minors are handled in family court (S.C. Code §63-19-830). Locking up a child requires specific grounds (S.C. Code §63-19-820). A detention hearing is held within 48 hours (S.C. Code §63-19-830). That count skips weekends (S.C. Code §63-19-830).
How are federal arrests in Oconee County handled?
Oconee County is in the Anderson Division (28 U.S.C. §121). A U.S. magistrate judge decides release (18 U.S.C. §3142).
Filings go to the clerk's office at 250 East North Street, Greenville, SC 29601 (864-241-2700).
What should I confirm with Oconee County courts or the jail?
Hours, fees, and payment types can change.
Call before you go.
- Bring a photo ID.
- Bring the booking or case number.
- Ask which payment forms are taken.
This is general help, not legal advice.
Oconee County bail contacts
- Jail
- Oconee County Detention Center, 300 S. Church Street, Walhalla, SC 29691, 864-638-4105
- Courthouse
- Oconee County Courthouse, 205 W. Main Street, Walhalla, SC 29691, 864-638-4280
- Public defender
- Oconee County Public Defender, 864-638-3133
- Judicial circuit
- 10th Judicial Circuit
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court, Anderson Division; clerk at 250 East North Street, Greenville, SC 29601, 864-241-2700
- Bondsman licenses
- SC Department of Insurance search
- Inmate search
- Oconee County Inmate Search
Judges set release terms case by case. Nothing here is legal advice.
Oconee County Detention Center
Address:
300 South Church Street
Walhalla, SC 29691
Phone:
864-638-4228
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Oconee County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Oconee County?
Who can set bail in Oconee County?
When is bail set in Oconee County South Carolina?
Does Oconee County have bail?
Yes, Oconee County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Oconee County?
Oconee County recognizes most types of bonds as listed at this site. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
Who can set bail in Oconee County?
Magistrate or Municipal judges conduct most bond hearings. Circuit Court judges must set bond on charges where the penalty is life imprisonment or death.
When is bail set in Oconee County South Carolina?
Bail is set at the bond hearing when the judge sets the amount and conditions of a bond. This will generally occur within 24 hours from the time of arrest, not counting weekends or holidays. During this time, the solicitor learns about the crime and creates the charges.
In cases where the crime could result in life imprisonment or death sentence, the bond must be heard in the circuit court at the next term of General Sessions Court.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Oconee County must pay or do to stay out of jail until the first court appearance. Bail is not a punishment.
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 Oconee 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. South Carolina state law requires that all accused be ROR unless they would be a danger to public safety or a flight risk.
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 Oconee County Detention Center 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, Oconee 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 Oconee 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. This option is commonly used in South Carolina and avoids the use of a bondsperson.
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 Oconee County have bail?
Yes, Oconee County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Oconee County?
Oconee County recognizes most types of bonds as listed at this site. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
Who can set bail in Oconee County?
Magistrate or Municipal judges conduct most bond hearings. Circuit Court judges must set bond on charges where the penalty is life imprisonment or death.
When is bail set in South Carolina?
Bail is set at the bond hearing when the judge sets the amount and conditions of a bond. This will generally occur within 24 hours from the time of arrest, not counting weekends or holidays. During this time, the solicitor learns about the crime and creates the charges.
In cases where the crime could result in life imprisonment or death sentence, the bond must be heard in the circuit court at the next term of General Sessions Court.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Oconee County South Carolina?
A General Sessions judge can modify a bond set by a Magistrate or Municipal Court judge. Modifications go both ways; judges can increase or decrease the bond amount. To get a bond modification, file a Motion to Reconsider Bond with the Clerk of Court.
In Oconee County South Carolina, who can pay bail for me?
The person posting bail should be a relative or close friend or bondsperson, 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 South Carolina could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
The person who is posting bail pays the bond to the Clerk of Court at the same court as the bond hearing. In turn, they would receive a release letter to take back to the jail for release of the arrested person.
Can bail be paid online in Oconee County South Carolina?
Yes, South Carolina does offer online bail payment in most counties. Contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: Go to the Oconee County Detention Center for more information about the jails in Oconee County or contact the Clerk of Court of the court that held the bond hearing during normal business hours.
What options are there to pay bail in Oconee County South Carolina?
Most all jail and courts accept cash, a cashier or bankers’ check. Some accept a credit card with fees. Contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted: Go to the Oconee County Detention Center for more information about posting bail in Oconee County or contact the Clerk of Court.
Will I get all my bond money back in South Carolina?
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 Oconee 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 South Carolina?
The Oconee County Detention Center 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.
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.