White County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in White County

Tennessee • White County • Bail & bond help

White County bail and bond: Sparta, Doyle, and the Depot Street offices

Adults arrested in White County are held at the White County Jail in Sparta. The Sheriff's Office is at 111 Depot Street, Suite 4, and its number is 931-836-2700. The Circuit Court Clerk is in Suite 1 of the same building. Open White County Inmate Search to see whether the person is in custody, the charges, and the bond. Take the clerk's receipt, not a promise, as proof of any payment.

My brother was arrested in Doyle. Is he in Sparta?

Doyle and Sparta are the only two towns in the county, and the White County Jail serves both. Check White County Inmate Search with his last name. If it shows nothing, call the Sheriff's Office at 931-836-2700 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Back to questions ↑

Where is the Sheriff's Office, and when is it open?

It is at 111 Depot Street, Suite 4, Sparta, TN 38583. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the line is 931-836-2700. For after-hours emergencies call 911. Use White County Inmate Search for status updates outside office hours.

Back to questions ↑

Who sets the bond in White County?

A judge or magistrate sets it for each person. The county has a judicial commissioner office on its government website, and the Sheriff's Office can direct you to it. Deputies run the jail but cannot reduce the number. A lawyer asks the court for any change.

Back to questions ↑

What does the court weigh when it sets bond?

The judge considers how long the person has lived here, work, finances, family, past court record, the seriousness of the charge, and danger to others. Responsible community members may vouch for the defendant, but no one may vouch for more than two at once.

Back to questions ↑

Do I need to pay all of it?

Paying cash means paying the whole bond. A bondsman is the alternative: a state resident pays a premium near 10 percent, with a $25 fee and a $12 tax added. Ask for the contract, the collateral terms, and written receipts before you pay.

Back to questions ↑

What does a licensed bondsman have to show me?

A license from the state Board of Professional Bondsmen, plus approval from the courts of the 13th Judicial District. If the bondsman takes collateral, you receive a written receipt that describes it and how to get it back. The bondsman cannot surrender your relative to the jail without good cause.

Back to questions ↑

Is there a way out without money?

Sometimes. The court must first consider a promise to appear or an unsecured bond, using ties to the community, work, and record. A lawyer can raise this at the first appearance. Money bail applies only when lighter conditions will not reasonably bring the person back.

Back to questions ↑

Can I secure the bond with land?

Property inside Tennessee can be pledged for a bond. So can the written agreement of two sureties who are not professional bondsmen or lawyers. Property takes longer to approve than cash. Ask the Circuit Court Clerk at 931-836-3205 what forms and signatures the judge needs.

Back to questions ↑

What does the Circuit Court Clerk handle?

The clerk at 111 Depot Street, Suite 1, takes fines for General Sessions and criminal court, issues warrants and summonses, and keeps the records of both courts. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the office stays open at lunch. The number is 931-836-3205.

Back to questions ↑

Which courthouse do I use?

The White County Courthouse is at 1 East Bockman Way, Sparta, 931-836-3203. Most clerk business runs through the Depot Street office instead. Ask at 931-836-3205 which building has your hearing.

Back to questions ↑

What if the jail shows no bond?

Outside capital cases, a Tennessee charge is bailable as a matter of constitutional right. A no-bond entry may also mean a hold from another county, a probation violation, or a bond not yet set. The clerk can tell you which court entered it. A lawyer can then ask for a hearing.

Back to questions ↑

Why does a domestic arrest take longer to resolve?

Tennessee law holds people arrested for stalking, child abuse, elder abuse, and certain domestic crimes for 12 hours unless an official finds no threat to the victim. An aggravated assault with strangulation or a weapon may be held up to 24 hours. Expect a no-contact order at release, and in some cases GPS tracking.

Back to questions ↑

What happens in a felony after the first appearance?

A magistrate sees the person without unnecessary delay. A preliminary hearing must take place within 14 days for someone in jail and 30 days for someone released, unless extended. Write down each date the clerk gives you.

Back to questions ↑

Does White County provide a free lawyer?

The 13th Judicial District Public Defender, based in Cookeville, takes appointed cases from White County at 931-526-9141. Ask the judge for counsel at the first court date if you cannot pay. A lawyer can ask for a lower bond or lighter conditions.

Back to questions ↑

Which White County court handles a young person?

White County Juvenile Court is at 111 Depot Street, Sparta, 931-836-2069. Its Youth Services Officer can tell you where a young person is and when the hearing is. Juvenile files are private, so White County Inmate Search may not show a minor.

Back to questions ↑

Skipped hearing: what happens to the money in White County?

A skipped hearing allows the court to forfeit the bond and send officers after the person. The surety is not billed for fines or costs unless the bond names them and the surety consented. Call the clerk at 931-836-3205 the same day and speak with a lawyer.

Back to questions ↑

What papers help a judge lower the bond?

Bring proof of how long the person has lived in White County, a pay stub or letter from an employer, and the names of family nearby. The court also looks at any past failures to appear and whether the person poses a danger. A lawyer should carry the papers to the hearing. The Circuit Court Clerk at 931-836-3205 can give you the next General Sessions date.

Back to questions ↑

When do I get cash back, and how do I avoid fraud?

The clerk returns a cash deposit after the person is discharged, with fines and costs taken out first. Gift cards are never a bond payment, and a jail account deposit will not free anyone. If a stranger asks for money, call 931-836-2700 yourself.

Back to questions ↑

White County bond contacts

County jail
White County Jail, Sparta, TN; Sheriff's Office at 111 Depot Street, Suite 4, Sparta, TN 38583; 931-836-2700
Bond guide
Jail bail and bond page
Custody lookup
White County Inmate Search
Circuit Court Clerk
111 Depot Street, Suite 1, Sparta; 931-836-3205
Courthouse
1 East Bockman Way, Sparta; 931-836-3203
Juvenile court
111 Depot Street, Sparta; 931-836-2069
Public defender
13th Judicial District, 931-526-9141

Bond amounts, fees, and hours can change with a court order. Check the details for your case with the clerk or the Sheriff's Office before you hand over money. This page is general help, not legal advice.

How do Bail Bonds work at White County Jail

The White County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in White 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 White 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 White 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 White County Jail, or the courthouse in White County where the offense took place.

Call 931-836-2700 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the White County inmate locator.

White County Jail

Address:
111 Depot Street
Sparta, TN 38583
Phone:
931-836-2700

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in White County


Does White County have bail?

What kind of bonds are accepted in White County?

Who can set bail in White County?

When is bail set in White County Tennessee?

 

 

Does White County have bail?

Yes,  White County recognizes most types of bonds.

 

 

What kind of bonds are accepted in White County?

White 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 White County?

Bail is set by a magistrate or judge.

 

 

When is bail set in White 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 White 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 White 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, White 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 White 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 White County have bail?

Yes,  White County recognizes most types of bonds.

What kind of bonds are accepted in White County? 

White 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 White 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 White County Tennessee? 

Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.

In White 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 White County Tennessee?

Yes, Tennessee does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the White County Jail for more information about the jails in White County.

What options are there to pay bail in White 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 White County Jail for more information about posting bail in White 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 White 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 White 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.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in White County

Human-verified information Manually curated

Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.