Olympia City Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Look the name up with Thurston County Inmate Search. Release and booking times move fast, so a name that is missing at breakfast can appear by dinner. The reception lobby at the jail opens 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and the phone line is 360-709-5900.

The jail's front door and bail window are at 3491 Ferguson Street SW in Tumwater. The county courthouse campus is at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW in Olympia. Mail for people inside goes to the Lakeridge address, building 3. Visitors use a separate lobby at 3013 Ferguson Lane. Mixing up the three places is the most common mistake families make.

A judge must find probable cause within 48 hours of an arrest made without a warrant, and weekends count. The preliminary appearance comes as soon as practicable, and never later than the close of business on the next court day. There the judge appoints a lawyer, explains the charge, and chooses among release on a promise, release on conditions, or bail.

Before the preliminary appearance, Pretrial Services gives the court, the prosecutor and the defense a screening report in nearly all Superior Court cases and many District Court cases. It lists criminal history and risk scores the judge may weigh. Some people are released under supervision, with text reminders about court dates. The office never asks for money or bank details by phone.

Often. The starting point for a non-capital charge is a promise to appear. The judge departs from it only if the promise will not assure his return, or if he is likely to commit a violent crime or threaten a witness. The judge must choose the least restrictive conditions that work, and must weigh what he can afford before setting money bail.

During business hours, cash bail goes to the District Court or Superior Court clerk's office at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW in Olympia. Know which court holds the charge. The District Court answers at 360-786-5450 and the Superior Court clerk at 360-786-5430. The court that ordered the bail is the court that refunds it.

Cash bail is accepted 24 hours a day. After court hours, on weekends and on holidays, go to the Bail Window at 3491 Ferguson Street SW. Waits can be long, and the jail takes bail on behalf of the court where the charges started. Phone 360-709-5900 for current acceptance times before the drive. The bail steps are the same for any court.

Bail is cash only. Credit cards and personal checks are refused. The jail does not take bail over the phone, or through Cash App, Venmo, cryptocurrency or any peer-to-peer service. Anyone asking for those is running a scam. Deposits for a jail account follow different rules, and an account deposit never counts as bail.

Bonds go through county-authorized bail bond companies on the same schedule and at the same places. The jail does not point families to a company. Agents must hold a Department of Licensing license, and the department answers licensing questions at 360-664-6611. Ask for the fee, the collateral and the contract in writing before you pay.

The judge can order a warrant and declare the recognizance forfeited. The surety must receive written notice within 30 days of the unexplained missed date, or the forfeiture is void. Forfeiture of a surety bond rests only on failure to appear. The agent keeps the fee either way, and may seek repayment from you.

Cash bail returns through the court that ordered it, not through the jail. The refund follows the end of the case, less any fines, fees or restitution the judge orders. Keep the receipt and the case number. A bail bond agent's fee does not come back.

Yes, in narrow cases. The state constitution allows it for capital offenses and for offenses punishable by life in prison, which covers every class A felony. The prosecutor must request a hearing, and the judge must find clear and convincing proof of a violent propensity and that no conditions can protect others. The person may ask the court of appeals for expedited review.

A person arrested for domestic violence stays in custody until the first appearance, and the judge sets conditions then. Expect a no-contact order that bars calls, texts, messages through friends, and entering the shared home. Even a welcome invitation from the protected person does not excuse a violation. Only the court can change the order.

An officer must hold a driver arrested for DUI or physical control if the officer knows of a prior offense within ten years or a pending charge that would count as a prior. The person stays in until a judge releases him on bail, a promise to appear, or an order. Other first-time arrests follow the ordinary release rules.

After the preliminary appearance, the person cannot be held or kept on conditions longer than 72 hours, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, unless a complaint or information is filed or the person agrees. If nothing is filed in time, the court must release the person or set a short reappearance.

Superior Court at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, building 2, hears felonies. Thurston County District Court, building 3, hears misdemeanors from the county and from Bucoda, Lacey, Olympia, Rainier and Tenino. Yelm has its own municipal court at 206 McKenzie Avenue SE, 360-458-3242. Tumwater cases that involve only violations go to a violations bureau at 555 Israel Road SW, 360-754-4190.

The Nisqually Corrections Bureau runs its own jail at 11702 Yelm Highway SE, Olympia, 360-413-3019. It houses Nisqually tribal members, other tribes, and cities that contract with it, including Tumwater. Cash bail is accepted 24 hours a day, cash only, with long waits possible. Bail scheduling is 360-413-3019. Look up an inmate there with Nisqually Corrections Inmate Search.

Raise it with the judge at the first hearing. The court asks about income and appoints a lawyer if the person cannot afford one. Thurston County Public Defense takes calls at 360-754-4897. Do not wait for the next hearing to ask, because the court must provide a lawyer at the first appearance.

The Thurston County Family and Juvenile Court is at 2801 32nd Avenue SW in Tumwater. Juvenile court answers at 360-709-3131 and the detention manager at 360-709-3193. If juvenile court declines a case and sends a detained youth to adult court, the adult court must see the youth by the close of the next court day.

No. A deposit to a jail account pays for phone calls and store items and never frees anyone. Deposits need an adult with photo ID, and the jail takes cash, U.S. Treasury checks and postal money orders. Bail is a separate payment to a court or to the Bail Window.

• County jail: Thurston County Corrections Facility, 3491 Ferguson Street SW, Tumwater, WA 98512; 360-709-5900
• Bond instructions: Jail bail and bond guide
• Custody lookup: Thurston County Inmate Search
• Mail address: 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Building 3, Olympia, WA 98502
• District Court: 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Building 3; 360-786-5450
• Superior Court: Building 2; court 360-786-5560; clerk 360-786-5430
• Nisqually jail: 11702 Yelm Highway SE, Olympia, WA 98513; 360-413-3019; Nisqually Corrections Inmate Search
• Public defense: 360-754-4897
• Juvenile: Family and Juvenile Court, 2801 32nd Avenue SW, Tumwater; 360-709-3131

Bail hours, payment rules and court calendars can shift. A short call to the jail saves a wasted drive. This guide describes how the process works and is not legal advice.