Montgomery County Workhouse Inmate Bail & Bonds
Montgomery County bail and bond: Clarksville's jail, the Judicial Commissioner, and the clerk
Adults arrested in Clarksville and Montgomery County are held in the Montgomery County Jail at the Public Safety Complex on Commerce Street. The Sheriff's Office is at 120 Commerce Street and answers at 931-648-0611. Warrants and probable cause rulings come from the Judicial Commissioner on the second floor of that building. The Circuit Court Clerk, at 2 Millennium Plaza, keeps the court records. Check Montgomery County Inmate Search first for the booking, the charges and any bond.
1. Is my family member in the Montgomery County Jail?
Use Montgomery County Inmate Search to see the booking and charges. Someone arrested minutes ago may not appear yet, so look again later. If the name still is not there, call the Sheriff's Office at 931-648-0611. The Jail Administrator's line is 931-648-0615.
2. Where do I go, and which office does what?
The Sheriff's Office and jail are at the Public Safety Complex, 120 Commerce Street, Clarksville. The Judicial Commissioner is on the second floor of the same complex. The Circuit Court Clerk is in the Montgomery County Courts Complex, 2 Millennium Plaza, Suite 115. Jail and commissioner work happen on Commerce Street, and court filings happen at the Courts Complex.
3. What does the Judicial Commissioner do?
The office decides whether there is probable cause for an arrest warrant. It runs a citizen warrants program for people asking for a warrant or summons and a law enforcement program for officers. Call 931-542-5196 for the office. The commissioner's decision on probable cause is separate from the jail's work of holding inmates.
4. What are the ways to post a bond at this jail?
The Sheriff's Office describes three. For a corporate bond you go through a bondsman. For a cash bond you pay the full amount in cash. For a property bond, two people with two separate properties go to the clerk's office with proof of ownership such as a deed or a tax paper. Call 931-648-0611 to confirm which fits your case.
5. What are the Circuit Court Clerk's hours in Clarksville?
The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., at 2 Millennium Plaza, Suite 115. The phone is 931-648-5700. Bring a photo ID and the case number. For a payment that must be made after those hours, ask the Sheriff's Office at 931-648-0611 what the jail can do.
6. Who sets the amount of the bond?
A judge or magistrate sets bail. Jail staff can release a person only after bail exists and cannot change it. The law gives each person an individual decision rather than a fixed number from a chart. A lawyer can ask a General Sessions judge to review the amount at a hearing. The General Sessions judges' office answers at 931-648-5766.
7. What do judges consider before setting bail?
Under state law, the judge looks at the time a person has lived here, job and financial history, family ties, character, earlier appearances in court, the charge, the likely sentence, and risk to others. Someone who vouches for a defendant may do so for only two defendants at once. Soldiers and families should bring proof of local housing and employment.
8. How much will a bondsman charge?
The expected charge is about 10 percent of the bond for a Tennessee resident and 10 to 15 percent for a nonresident. A $25 fee and $12 tax may be added once. The bondsman keeps that payment when the case ends. If you hand over collateral, get a written receipt that says how to get it back.
9. How can I verify a Clarksville bondsman?
A bondsman must hold a license from the state Board of Professional Bondsmen and have the approval of the court in the 19th Judicial District, which covers Montgomery and Robertson counties. A court may also deny a bondsman who harms a client. Ask the Circuit Court Clerk at 931-648-5700 about the court's rules before you sign.
10. What does it mean to pay "the full amount in cash"?
It means paying every dollar of the bail, with no bondsman fee. The clerk holds it until the case ends and returns it to the person who paid after any fines and court costs are subtracted. The clerk may take a debit card or payment app and pass the fee on. Keep each receipt with the case number.
11. Can I use my home or land instead of cash?
The Sheriff's Office says a property bond needs two people with two separate properties. Both go to the clerk's office with proof of ownership, such as a deed or a tax paper. Allow extra time because this takes more steps than a cash payment. Call the clerk at 931-648-5700 before you gather documents.
12. How soon does a judge see the person?
Tennessee requires a magistrate hearing without unnecessary delay after an arrest. The magistrate reviews the charge, the right to a lawyer and to silence, and release conditions. The General Sessions judges' office, 931-648-5766, can say where your person's first hearing is held.
13. What does "no bond" on the record mean?
Often it means a hold from another court or county, a probation violation, or a bond not yet set. A capital charge is the only kind the constitution currently places outside bail.
14. Why is an arrest for domestic violence handled slowly?
In stalking, child abuse, elder abuse and some domestic cases, release must wait 12 hours unless a finding shows no threat to the victim. The wait can be up to 24 hours for aggravated assault with strangulation or a weapon. A no-contact order is required, and GPS monitoring may be added.
15. Are DUI releases different?
They can be. Many alcohol-related driving charges allow the judge to order an ignition interlock device, with proof sent to the district attorney within 10 days. Repeat alcohol offenders may have to wear an alcohol monitor and pay for it.
16. Can I bring clothes, stamps or medicine to an inmate?
Inmates may not receive outside items. The jail issues clothing, socks and underwear. Stamps come only through commissary. Home medication must be in the original prescription bottle with the inmate's name. Mail is checked for contraband. Nurses are on duty around the clock. Call 931-648-0611 with medical questions.
17. Where can I find a public defender in Clarksville?
The 19th Judicial District Public Defender covers Montgomery and Robertson counties and answers at 931-648-5538. Ask for an appointed attorney when you first appear before the judge. A lawyer can press for lower bail or release on a promise to appear.
18. Where do juvenile cases go?
Juvenile Court is handled by the juvenile court judge, reachable through the courts line at 931-648-5766. Juvenile files are private, so Montgomery County Inmate Search may not show a minor. Call the Sheriff's Office at 931-648-0611 to ask where the young person is being kept and which court date applies.
19. What if a Montgomery County court date is missed?
Missing court can lead the judge to forfeit the bond and sign an arrest warrant. Whoever stands as surety owes fines, costs or restitution only if the bond says so and the surety agreed to that term. Call the clerk the same day at 931-648-5700 and speak to a lawyer about a new date.
Montgomery County bond contacts
- County jail
- Montgomery County Jail, Public Safety Complex, 120 Commerce Street, Clarksville, TN 37040; 931-648-0611
- Bond guide
- Jail bail and bond page
- Custody lookup
- Montgomery County Inmate Search
- Jail Administrator
- 931-648-0615
- Judicial Commissioner
- Public Safety Complex, 120 Commerce Street, 2nd Floor; 931-542-5196
- Circuit Court Clerk
- Courts Complex, 2 Millennium Plaza, Suite 115, Clarksville; 931-648-5700; Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
- General Sessions and juvenile
- Judges' office 931-648-5766
- Public defender
- 19th Judicial District, 931-648-5538
Bond amounts, fees and office hours can change with a court order. Ask the clerk or the Sheriff's Office to confirm the figures for your own case before paying. Treat this page as a guide, not legal advice.
How do Bail Bonds work at Montgomery County Workhouse
The Montgomery County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Montgomery County.
However if you don't want to use a bail bond agent:
- You can always pay a cash bond yourself, or use your home in Montgomery County, or in some cases the state of Tennessee, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Montgomery County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
- The typical fee for a bond in Tennessee is between 10-20% of the bail amount; usually 15% or less. So if an offender has a bail of $10,000.00, their bond will be $1,500.00.
- Pay by cash, cashier's check, money order or credit card at the Montgomery County Workhouse, or the courthouse in Montgomery County where the offense took place.
Call 931-648-0615 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Montgomery County inmate locator.
Montgomery County Workhouse
Address:
1221 Highway Drive
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone:
931-648-0615
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Montgomery County
Does Montgomery County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Montgomery County?
Who can set bail in Montgomery County?
When is bail set in Montgomery County Tennessee?
Does Montgomery County have bail?
Yes, Montgomery County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Montgomery County?
Montgomery County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
Who can set bail in Montgomery County?
Bail is set by a magistrate or judge.
When is bail set in Montgomery County Tennessee?
Bail is set during the defendant’s first court hearing, also known as a bail hearing. This court appearance will be scheduled within 72 hrs. of arrest not counting weekends or holidays.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Montgomery 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 Tennessee 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 Montgomery County Workhouse 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, Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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.
A Transfer Bond is transferable across state lines but generally a bond company will only assume the loan to adjoining states. In addition to the 10% fee, there is a transfer fee owed to the bonding company between $50-$100.
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 Montgomery County have bail?
Yes, Montgomery County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Montgomery County?
Montgomery County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
Who can set bail in Montgomery County?
Bail is set by a magistrate or judge.
When is bail set in Tennessee?
Bail is set during the defendant’s first court hearing, also known as a bail hearing. This court appearance will be scheduled within 72 hrs. of arrest not counting weekends or holidays.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Montgomery County Tennessee?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Montgomery County Tennessee, 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 Tennessee could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Montgomery County Tennessee?
Yes, Tennessee does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Montgomery County Workhouse for more information about the jails in Montgomery County.
What options are there to pay bail in Montgomery County Tennessee?
Most all jail and courts accept cash, a cashier or bankers’ check. Some accept a credit card with fees. Please contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted. Go to the Montgomery County Workhouse for more information about posting bail in Montgomery County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Tennessee?
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 Montgomery County?
No, unless released on own recognizance you will be required to pay some money down to secure bail.
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.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Tennessee?
The Montgomery County Workhouse 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.