Chelan County Regional Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Chelan County bail and bond: the Wenatchee Regional Justice Center
Adults arrested in Chelan County are held at the Chelan County Regional Justice Center, the Chelan County Jail, a 267-bed facility at 401 Washington Street in Wenatchee. Search for the person with Chelan County Inmate Search. The jail's main number is 509-667-6462. Cash bail is paid at the lobby window, and a bail bond company is the other route.
How do I find out if someone is at the Regional Justice Center?
Check Chelan County Inmate Search with the full name. For anything else, call 509-667-6462 and follow the phone menu: press 0 for court information, 2 for records and property release, or 5 for jail administration and accounts. The jail is on the second level of the building at 401 Washington Street.
Which courts send people to this jail?
The jail serves the Superior and District Courts of Chelan County, and the Superior and District Courts of Douglas County, plus East Wenatchee Municipal Court. Cashmere and Leavenworth cases are handled by Chelan County District Court. That is why a person arrested in East Wenatchee can be held in Wenatchee.
How much time passes before a judge decides?
A judge must find probable cause within 48 hours of a warrantless arrest, and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays count. The preliminary appearance comes as soon as practical and no later than the close of the next court day, with a lawyer provided. Many courts use video, with the person seated in the jail.
What can a judge do at that first hearing?
Washington law starts with release on a promise to appear. A judge may add conditions, such as no contact, reporting, drug or alcohol testing, or electronic monitoring. The jail also runs programs for court-approved sentenced people, such as work release. Cash or a bond is set only when lesser terms will not assure a return to court.
Where do I hand over bail money?
Bail is paid at the window in the jail lobby, 401 Washington Street. The lobby window is open weekdays, except holidays, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. Payments made to the jail must be in cash and paid in full.
Can I pay by check or card at the jail?
The jail accepts cash for bail, paid in full. For other payment methods, use a bail bond company. Bail bond agents in Washington must hold a Department of Licensing license, and those who write surety bonds also need an insurance producer license. Ask each company for its fee and any collateral terms in writing.
What if the lobby is closed?
The window keeps the weekday hours above. When it is closed, call 509-667-6462 and ask how bail is handled after hours. A licensed bail bond company can post bond without a lobby visit from you; check its license at 360-664-1809 first.
Are there times a judge will not allow bail?
Yes. Capital offenses and offenses that can bring life in prison can be held without bail after a hearing, when the judge finds clear and convincing evidence of a propensity for violence and no safe conditions. Every class A felony is in that group. After a domestic violence arrest, the person stays in custody until a judge sees them within one judicial day.
Why would a DUI arrest block immediate release?
If the driver has a prior offense in the past ten years, Washington law directs the arresting officer to hold the person until a judge or other judicial officer orders release. That can include a bail decision, but it comes only after the review.
Can I use property as security?
Washington licenses property bond agents, and they must list the courts that approved their property bonds. Chelan County Superior Court decides what it accepts. Before you offer a deed, call the Clerk at 509-667-6380 and ask what papers the court requires.
Where are the Chelan County courts?
Superior Court is at 401 Washington Street, fifth floor, 509-667-6210. The County Clerk and District Court share 350 Orondo Avenue; the clerk is at 509-667-6380 and District Court, on the fourth floor, is at 509-667-6600. District Court Probation Services is at 415 Washington Street, Room 210, 509-667-6239.
Which Wenatchee office defends people who cannot pay?
The judge appoints counsel at the first appearance. Counsel for Defense of Chelan County is at 303 South Mission Street, Suite 200, Wenatchee, 509-663-2444. Ask the court how to start the request if you have not yet been in front of a judge.
What if the person arrested is a teenager?
Chelan County Juvenile Court is at 401 Washington Street, 509-667-6350, and runs juvenile detention. The detention manager answers at 509-667-6553. A juvenile record is private, so the adult search will not show a minor. Ask the juvenile court about the detention hearing.
Can I visit someone at the jail?
Video visits are open to every inmate through the Getting Out app or on free monitors in the lobby, which need registration. In-person visits are for people held at least 30 days, and they are booked by phone at 509-667-6539. Up to three visitors may attend, adults need photo ID, and an inmate gets one in-person visit a week.
What does a judge weigh when choosing conditions?
The judge considers the charge, the strength of the evidence, the record, any earlier missed court dates, and whether the person was on probation or parole. Ties to the area count too: job, family, housing and time in the community. A lawyer can present those facts to argue for release without money or for a smaller amount.
What if a Chelan County court date is skipped?
A warrant can be issued, and the court can forfeit the bond. A surety must receive written notice of the unexplained failure to appear within 30 days, or the forfeiture is void. Contact the lawyer and the bond company the same day.
Who returns bail money in Chelan County?
The court holds and refunds bail money after the case ends, less any fines or costs. The jail forwards bail to the court that ordered it. Keep your receipt with the case number and call the clerk, 509-667-6380, when the case closes.
Can I put money on a commissary account?
Yes, but it is not bail. Account deposits can be made 24 hours a day by phone at 866-394-0490 or online, or at the lobby kiosk. Money orders should be made out to CCRJC with the inmate's name in the memo. These funds buy store items, not release.
Which callers about Wenatchee bail are fake?
Bail is paid only at the lobby window or to a licensed bail agent. No official asks for gift cards, crypto or app payments. Hang up on any caller who pushes you to pay now, and phone the jail at 509-667-6462.
Chelan County bail contacts
- County jail
- Chelan County Regional Justice Center, 401 Washington Street, Level 2, Wenatchee, WA 98801; 509-667-6462
- Custody lookup
- Chelan County Inmate Search
- Bail guide
- Chelan County bail and bond pages
- Lobby window
- Weekdays except holidays, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.; bail in cash
- Superior Court
- 401 Washington Street, fifth floor, Wenatchee; 509-667-6210
- Clerk and District Court
- 350 Orondo Avenue, Wenatchee; clerk 509-667-6380; District Court 509-667-6600
- Public defense
- Counsel for Defense of Chelan County, 303 South Mission Street, Suite 200; 509-663-2444
- Juvenile
- Juvenile Court, 401 Washington Street; 509-667-6350; detention manager 509-667-6553
Lobby hours, payment rules and numbers change from time to time, and each judge sets bail case by case. Call the jail before you carry cash to Wenatchee. This page is for general help and is no replacement for a lawyer.
Chelan County Regional Jail
Address:
401 Washington Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801
Phone:
509-667-6462
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Chelan County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Chelan County?
Who can set bail in Chelan County?
When is bail set in Chelan County Washington?
Does Chelan County have bail?
Yes, Chelan County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Chelan County?
Bonds in Chelan 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 Chelan 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 Chelan 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 Chelan 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 Chelan County Regional 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, Chelan 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 Chelan 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 Chelan County have bail?
Yes, Chelan County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Chelan County?
Bonds in Chelan 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 Chelan 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 Chelan County Washington?
Yes, your attorney can file a motion to reduce or modify bail.
In Chelan 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 Chelan County Washington?
Yes, Washington does offer online bail payment. Contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: Go to the Chelan County Regional Jail for more information about the jails in Chelan County.
What options are there to pay bail in Chelan 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 Chelan County Regional Jail for more information about posting bail in Chelan 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 Chelan 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 Chelan County Regional 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.