Asotin County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Asotin County bail and bond: the Clarkston jail and the weekday bond hearing
Adults arrested in Asotin County, including in Clarkston and the town of Asotin, are held at the Asotin County Jail, 838 5th Street, Clarkston. Look up the person with Asotin County Inmate Search, then call the jail at 509-758-1668 for anything the search leaves out. Bond hearings take place every weekday at 8:30 a.m. in District Court, where a judge decides bail.
How do I find someone held in Clarkston?
Search the name on Asotin County Inmate Search first. The jail itself is at 838 5th Street, and the Sheriff's Office mailing address is P.O. Box 130 in Asotin. Call the jail at 509-758-1668 to ask about status. The department answers its office lines at 509-243-4717 Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Who runs the jail?
The Asotin County Sheriff's Department, led by Sheriff John Hilderbrand, operates the jail, and a jail commander oversees day-to-day work there. Deputies and sergeants staff the building. They follow the judge's orders, so they cannot lower bail or release someone whose hold is still active.
What is the bond hearing on the court calendar?
Asotin County District Court sets bond hearings Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. At that hearing a judge reviews release and bail for people in custody. The court is at 135 2nd Street in Asotin, 509-243-2027.
Is there a deadline for the judge to act?
Yes. Within 48 hours of a warrantless arrest a judge must decide whether probable cause existed, and weekends and holidays count. The preliminary appearance must follow as soon as practical and no later than the close of the next court day. A video hearing counts as held in open court, with the person in the jail.
What is the difference between District Court and Superior Court here?
Misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors, including city cases from Asotin and Clarkston, go to District Court at 135 2nd Street, 509-243-2027. Felonies go to Superior Court in the same courthouse, 509-243-2082, and the County Clerk answers at 509-243-2081. The court hears Clarkston city cases on Tuesdays and Asotin County cases on Wednesdays.
How might the judge release someone without cash?
Washington judges begin with release on a signed promise to appear. If that is not enough, they can add terms such as reporting, no contact with named people, travel limits, or monitoring. Cash or a bond is added only when lesser terms will not secure the person's return.
How is bail paid at the Clarkston jail?
The jail's own desk is the place to confirm this, because payment steps differ from case to case. Call 509-758-1668 and ask where to pay, which forms of payment are taken, and what receipt you will get. Bring the exact amount if you are told to pay in cash, and ask for the case number in writing.
Can a bail bond company be used?
Yes. Bail bond agents must hold a license from the Washington Department of Licensing, and an agent who posts surety bonds also needs an insurance producer license. Get every fee and any collateral requirement in writing before you sign, and check the license at 360-664-1809. An agent can tell you which paperwork the jail wants.
Can anyone be denied bail?
A small group can. The state constitution permits denial for capital offenses and for offenses that carry the possibility of life in prison, after a hearing with clear and convincing proof of violent propensity and no safe condition. After a domestic violence arrest, the person stays in custody until a judge sees them, within one judicial day.
What does a DUI arrest change?
If the driver has a prior offense in the past ten years, Washington law requires the arresting officer to hold the person until a judicial officer orders release. Bail may be possible afterward, but not before that review. First-time cases follow the ordinary process, though a judge can still add alcohol or ignition-interlock conditions.
Which prosecutor do I call to change a court date?
The District Court clerk cannot reschedule hearings. Contact the prosecutor: the Clarkston City Prosecutor at 509-758-5541 for Clarkston cases, or the County Prosecutor at 509-243-2061 for county cases.
How does a Clarkston defendant get a free lawyer?
A judge appoints a lawyer for people who cannot pay, and the court must provide one at the preliminary appearance. Tell the judge at the bond hearing that you need appointed counsel. For help with the request before then, call District Court at 509-243-2027.
Where are young people held?
Asotin County Juvenile Court is at 135 2nd Street, Asotin, 509-243-2024. Detained youth are housed at Martin Hall in Medical Lake, and the detention manager can be reached at 509-565-8118. Juvenile records are private, so an adult roster will not list a minor.
Which facts help a judge release someone?
Judges read the charge, the evidence, the record, whether the person was on probation, and past court attendance, along with work, housing, family and treatment. Bring pay stubs, a lease or a letter from an employer to the bond hearing, and ask a relative to attend. Money is the last tool, and the court must weigh what the family can afford.
Can bail be reconsidered later?
Yes. A judge can change release terms when new information appears, circumstances change, or good cause exists. The request comes from the defense lawyer. A person who cannot post the first amount should say so at the bond hearing and ask the lawyer to return to court with proof of income.
What follows a missed Asotin County hearing?
The judge can issue a warrant and declare a bond forfeited. A surety must be sent written notice of the unexplained failure to appear within 30 days of the court date, or the forfeiture is void. Phone the lawyer and the bond company on the same day.
Who returns the cash after an Asotin case ends?
When the case ends, the court that holds the money returns it, less any fines or costs a judge orders. The jail does not issue refunds. Keep every receipt, and make sure the court has your current address.
Which Clarkston bail demands are fake?
A real payment goes to a court, to the jail, or to a licensed agent. A caller who wants gift cards, a wire to a stranger, or an app transfer is not with the court. Hang up and dial the jail at 509-758-1668 to check.
Asotin County bail contacts
- County jail
- Asotin County Jail, 838 5th Street, Clarkston, WA 99403; 509-758-1668
- Custody lookup
- Asotin County Inmate Search
- Bail guide
- Asotin County bail and bond pages
- Sheriff's Department
- P.O. Box 130, Asotin, WA 99402; 509-243-4717
- District Court
- 135 2nd Street, Asotin, WA 99402; 509-243-2027; bond hearings weekdays at 8:30 a.m.
- Superior Court
- 135 2nd Street, Asotin; 509-243-2082; clerk 509-243-2081
- Prosecutors
- Clarkston 509-758-5541; county 509-243-2061
- Juvenile
- Juvenile Court, 135 2nd Street, Asotin; 509-243-2024; detention contact 509-565-8118
Court days, office hours and phone numbers shift from time to time, and the judge fixes each bail amount. Call the jail or District Court before you pay anyone. This guide offers general help and is not legal advice.
Asotin County Jail
Address:
838 5th Street
Clarkston, WA 99403
Phone:
509-758-1668
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Asotin County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Asotin County?
Who can set bail in Asotin County?
When is bail set in Asotin County Washington?
Does Asotin County have bail?
Yes, Asotin County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Asotin County?
Bonds in Asotin County are available in several forms including release on own recognizance, citation release, cash bail, property bond, and surety bond.
Who can set bail in Asotin County?
For minor, non-violent crimes bail is set according to a bail schedule. For more serious offenses a judge will set the bond following a hearing.
When is bail set in Asotin County Washington?
For minor, non-violent offenses when bail is set according to a bail schedule the defendant will be informed of bail during the booking process. For more serious offenses a bail hearing will be scheduled, usually on the next court date not including weekends or holidays.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Asotin 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.
Washington State's suggested bail schedule, though a judge has the authority to set bail above or below the suggested amounts:
If a judge in Washington 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 Asotin 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, Asotin 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 Asotin 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 Asotin County have bail?
Yes, Asotin County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Asotin County?
Bonds in Asotin County are available in several forms including release on own recognizance, citation release, cash bail, property bond, and surety bond.
Who can set bail in Asotin County?
For minor, non-violent crimes bail is set according to a bail schedule. For more serious offenses a judge will set the bond following a hearing.
When is bail set in Washington?
For minor, non-violent offenses when bail is set according to a bail schedule the defendant will be informed of bail during the booking process. For more serious offenses a bail hearing will be scheduled, usually on the next court date not including weekends or holidays.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Asotin County Washington?
Yes, your attorney can file a motion to reduce or modify bail.
In Asotin County Washington, 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 Washington could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Asotin County Washington?
Yes, Washington does offer online bail payment. Contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: Go to the Asotin County Jail for more information about the jails in Asotin County.
What options are there to pay bail in Asotin County Washington?
Cash, cashier’s check, credit card, debit card, surety or via the inmate’s jail account. Contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted and fees involved: Go to the Asotin County Jail for more information about posting bail in Asotin County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Washington?
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 Asotin 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 Washington?
The Asotin 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 at 10%, by the state and cannot be negotiated.