Southwest Virginia Regional Jail - Duffield Facility Inmate Bail & Bonds
Southwest Virginia Regional Jail, Duffield: bail and bond
The regional jail in Duffield, one of four run by the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority, holds adults from Scott County, Lee County, Wise County and the City of Norton. Bail is set by the magistrate for the place of arrest, and the case stays in that county's courts. This page walks through each step.
What areas send people to the Duffield jail?
The Southwest Virginia Regional Jail, Duffield in Scott County takes adults from Scott County, Lee County, Wise County and the City of Norton. Town police in Gate City, Weber City, Jonesville, Pennington Gap, Wise, Coeburn, Big Stone Gap, Appalachia and Pound use it too.
Could someone be moved to a different site?
The Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority also runs sites in Abingdon, Haysi and Tazewell. Inmates are sometimes moved between them for space or medical needs. Moving does not change the court or the bail. Search the person's name or call the jail to learn where they are today.
Who decides bail after an arrest in these counties?
A magistrate, and which office depends on where the arrest was. Every arrested person must be taken to one quickly (Va. Code § 19.2-82).
• Scott County: inside the Duffield jail (276-386-6431).
• Lee County: at the county courthouse in Jonesville (276-346-7744).
• Wise County and Norton: on Patriot Drive in Wise (276-328-8947).
Some hearings are done over video when no magistrate is on site.
Does Virginia have set bail amounts for each charge?
Virginia leaves the amount up to the magistrate. They look at the charge, the proof, the person's record, past failures to appear, and ties like a job, family and a home (Va. Code § 19.2-120). The law also tells them to think about how much the person can pay (Va. Code § 19.2-121).
When can bail be refused?
Only if the magistrate or judge finds probable cause of a real flight risk or an unreasonable danger to the community, family members or the person (Va. Code § 19.2-120). Short of that, a person has a right to be released on terms. Virginia dropped its list of presumed no-bail charges in 2021.
What are the types of release?
Recognizance, which is just a signed promise. An unsecured bond, where you owe money only if court is missed. A secured bond, where cash, real estate or a bondsman's guarantee has to be in place first (Va. Code § 19.2-123). In these counties, many first-time misdemeanors end with a signature, while drug felonies usually need a secured bond.
Where can a bond be posted?
With the magistrate who set it, or at the regional jail itself. Wise and Norton families often post on Patriot Drive. Lee families often post at the Jonesville courthouse. Bonds can be posted after hours, but call ahead to make sure a magistrate is on and to ask which forms of payment work.
Can land or a house be used for bond?
Yes. Virginia lets a surety pledge real estate, but only what the owner truly owns counts, not the full market price if there's a mortgage (Va. Code § 19.2-123). Bring the deed and a recent tax assessment. Every owner on the deed usually has to sign.
What do bondsmen charge in Southwest Virginia?
The same as the rest of the state: at least 10% and at most 15% of the bond (Va. Code § 9.1-185.8). A $3,000 bond costs $300 to $450. That fee is kept even if the case is dropped. Bondsmen need a DCJS license (Va. Code § 9.1-185).
Which court handles a Scott County arrest?
Scott County's courts share one building on West Jackson Street in Gate City. Upstairs in Suite 203, the combined district court (276-386-7341) hears adult misdemeanors, preliminary hearings and juvenile cases. Circuit Court is downstairs in Suite 102 (276-386-3801).
Which court handles a Lee County arrest?
The Lee County Courthouse in Jonesville. General District Court is in Suite 209 (276-346-7729), JDR is in the same building (276-346-7735), and the Circuit Court clerk is at 276-346-7763.
Which court handles a Wise County or Norton arrest?
Norton has no courthouse, so its cases join Wise County's at 206 East Main Street in Wise. The shared General District Court is at 276-328-3426, the shared JDR court at 276-328-4486, and the Wise Circuit Court at 276-328-6111.
How do misdemeanor and felony cases differ?
A misdemeanor can mean up to a year in jail and is tried by a district judge (Va. Code § 16.1-123.1). After a guilty finding, the person has 10 days to appeal to Circuit Court and get a new trial (Va. Code § 16.1-132).
A felony can mean prison time. Step one is a preliminary hearing before the district judge (Va. Code § 19.2-218). Next, grand jurors vote on an indictment, and any trial happens in Circuit Court.
How soon can a judge change the bail?
The first day the district court sits after the charge (Va. Code § 19.2-158). People held in Duffield usually appear on video. The judge goes over the bail and the right to counsel. A lawyer's bail motion must be heard within three business days, and Circuit Court can take an appeal (Va. Code § 19.2-124).
Can a defendant get a free lawyer?
Yes. When a jail sentence is on the table, the judge can appoint counsel for anyone who swears they lack the money to hire a lawyer (Va. Code § 19.2-159).
What conditions often come with release here?
Drug testing and treatment are common in the coalfield counties. Judges also order curfews, no contact with certain people, and no alcohol (Va. Code § 19.2-123). Family violence arrests bring a short emergency protective order (Va. Code § 16.1-253.4). Tennessee and Kentucky border these counties, and their warrants can hold a person in Duffield even after the Virginia bond is posted.
What happens to a person under 18?
They go to the JDR court of the county or city where they were arrested (Va. Code § 16.1-241). Teens are not placed in the adult regional jail. Whether a teen waits at home or in juvenile detention is up to court intake staff and the judge.
Where are federal charges heard?
Federal arrests from all four places go to Big Stone Gap, in Wise County, which has a federal courtroom for the Western District of Virginia close to the Duffield jail. Release there is handled by a federal magistrate judge under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 3142). Local bondsmen don't post those bonds.
What happens if court is missed?
The court sends out a capias so officers can arrest the person. Any money posted may be lost, and prosecutors may bring a new count for the missed date (Va. Code § 19.2-128). Bringing the person back within 150 days can get the forfeiture dropped (Va. Code § 19.2-143).
What does a co-signer owe?
A co-signer may have to pay the full bond if the defendant runs. To get out from under it, the co-signer can surrender the defendant to the jail or court (Va. Code § 19.2-149). Cash is refunded after the case closes, minus anything the court applies to fines and costs.
Who can confirm bail before I drive to Duffield?
Jail: 276-690-9550. Magistrates: Scott 276-386-6431, Lee 276-346-7744, Wise and Norton 276-328-8947. District courts: Scott 276-386-7341, Lee 276-346-7729, Wise and Norton 276-328-3426. Check custody with the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail, Duffield Inmate Search.
Contacts for Southwest Virginia Regional Jail, Duffield
- Jail
- Southwest Virginia Regional Jail, Duffield, 1037 Boone Trail Road, Duffield, VA 24244; 276-690-9550
- Scott magistrate
- 1037 Boone Trail Rd., Duffield, VA 24244; 276-386-6431
- Lee magistrate
- In the courthouse at Main and Church Streets, Jonesville, VA 24263; 276-346-7744
- Wise and Norton magistrate
- 5601 Patriot Drive, Wise, VA 24293; 276-328-8947
- Scott courts
- 202 West Jackson Street, Gate City, VA 24251. District and JDR, Suite 203: 276-386-7341. Circuit, Suite 102: 276-386-3801
- Lee courts
- 33640 Main Street, Jonesville, VA 24263. District, Suite 209: 276-346-7729. JDR: 276-346-7735. Circuit: 276-346-7763
- Wise and Norton courts
- 206 East Main Street, Wise, VA 24293. District: 276-328-3426. JDR: 276-328-4486. Circuit: 276-328-6111
- Inmate search
- Southwest Virginia Regional Jail, Duffield Inmate Search
This page is not legal advice.
Southwest Virginia Regional Jail - Duffield Facility
Address:
1037 Boone Trail Road
Duffield, VA 24244
Phone:
276-690-9550
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Scott County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Scott County?
Who can set bail in Scott County?
When is bail set in Scott County Virginia?
Does Scott County have bail?
Yes, Scott County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Scott County?
There are three types of bail available in Scott County: release on own recognizance, unsecured bail, and secured bail.
Who can set bail in Scott County?
Bail is set by a magistrate at the first court date, also known as first appearance.
When is bail set in Scott County Virginia?
The first court date, or first appearance is generally scheduled within 1-3 days of arrest.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Scott 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 Scott 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.
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 Southwest Virginia Regional Jail - Duffield Facility 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, Scott 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 Scott 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.
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 Scott County have bail?
Yes, Scott County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Scott County?
There are three types of bail available in Scott County: release on own recognizance, unsecured bail, and secured bail.
Who can set bail in Scott County?
Bail is set by a magistrate at the first court date, also known as first appearance.
When is bail set in Virginia?
The first court date, or first appearance is generally scheduled within 1-3 days of arrest.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Scott County Virginia?
Yes, your attorney can file a motion to request a reduction or modification of bail.
In Scott County Virginia, 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 Virginia could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Scott County Virginia?
Virginia counties do not currently offer online bail payments. Contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail - Duffield Facility for more information about the jails in Scott County.
What options are there to pay bail in Scott County Virginia?
Cash, check, money order, or surety. Use of a surety may require hiring a bail bond agent. Contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted: Go to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail - Duffield Facility for more information about posting bail in Scott County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Virginia?
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 Scott 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 Virginia?
The Southwest Virginia Regional Jail - Duffield Facility 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.