Adams County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Adams County bail and bond: the Friendship jail and how Wisconsin bail works
People arrested in Adams County are held in the Adams County Jail, run by the Sheriff's Office at 401 Adams Street, Suite 1, in Friendship. Look the person up with Adams County Inmate Search to see if he or she is in custody and what bail is set. Wisconsin bans paid bail bondsmen, so bail here is cash paid to the court system, and the Sheriff's Office at 608-339-3304 can tell you where to bring it. The rest of this page explains how bail works in plain words.
Is my family member in the Adams County Jail right now?
Type the name into Adams County Inmate Search. It shows whether the person has been booked and what bail was set. A booking that is only minutes old may take a little while to appear, so look again after an hour or two. For anything the search cannot answer, call the Sheriff's Office at 608-339-3304.
If the name never shows up, the person may still be with the arresting officer or may be held in a different county. Ask the police department or deputy who made the arrest where the person was taken.
Who runs the jail in Friendship?
The Adams County Jail is run by the Adams County Sheriff's Office at 401 Adams Street, Suite 1, Friendship, WI 53934. The Clerk of Circuit Court works from the same street address, in Suite 6. The Sheriff's Office answers at 608-339-3304.
Wisconsin counties run their own jails under the sheriff. Adams County does not send its arrestees to a state jail.
What does the word "bail" mean in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin law, bail means money and nothing else. Orders such as staying away from a person, checking in, or not drinking are called conditions of release. A person can have conditions without any bail.
A judge may order money bail only after finding a reasonable basis to think it is needed to make the person come back to court. If the charge is a violent crime, the judge may also weigh the danger to others. Wisconsin's constitution says people arrested are generally eligible for release on reasonable conditions.
Can I call a bail bondsman for someone arrested in Adams County?
No. Wisconsin does not allow paid bail bondsmen. Under Wis. Stat. 969.12, a surety must be a person, not a company, and no surety may be paid for acting as one. There is no bond company to hire, and no ten percent fee to a private business.
What you pay is the court's own bail, in money. Do not hand cash to anyone who promises to get the person out for a fee. Use the Sheriff's Office or the Clerk of Circuit Court instead.
Who sets the bail, and when?
A judge sets it at the first court appearance, called the initial appearance. A person arrested on a warrant may already have an amount written on the warrant by the judge who signed it. Deputies can take bail that a judge has already set, and they do not pick the amount themselves.
To learn the amount, check Adams County Inmate Search. To learn the court date, call the Clerk of Circuit Court at 608-339-4208.
How do I pay bail for someone in Friendship?
Start with the Sheriff's Office at 608-339-3304 and give the person's full name. Staff can tell you whether bail is already set and where to bring it. State law says an officer may take bail only at a sheriff's office or police station, and may give a receipt for it. If the judge set bail at a hearing, the Clerk of Circuit Court at 608-339-4208 can say whether the clerk's counter takes it.
Bring a photo ID. Ask what forms of payment are taken before you leave home. Keep the receipt, because it proves who paid.
Do I have to pay in cash, or can someone just sign?
The judge picks the type of release. For a misdemeanor, the judge may let the person go without bail, may accept an unsecured appearance bond, or may require a cash deposit. An unsecured bond means no money changes hands now, and the person owes the amount only if the terms are broken.
A relative can also be asked to act as surety. That person must be a Wisconsin resident, must show the court he or she can cover the amount, and may not be paid. The judge decides who qualifies.
Can a house or land be used for bail?
Wisconsin law has no company bonds backed by real estate. A property owner could only act as an unpaid surety, and the judge decides what proof of financial strength is enough. The statute does not set out a lien or mortgage routine.
Do not promise your home to anyone before the court says it will take it. Ask the Clerk of Circuit Court at 608-339-4208 what the judge in Adams County requires.
How long can someone be held before seeing a judge?
For an arrest without a warrant, courts require a judge to find probable cause within 48 hours. That rule comes from court decisions, not from a Wisconsin statute. The state statute only says the person must be brought before a judge within a reasonable time, and the hearing may be held by video.
A weekend arrest can mean a longer wait for the first look at bail, so check the search again on Monday morning.
Why might a judge refuse to set bail at all?
Under Wis. Stat. 969.035, a judge may keep a person in jail without release for a short list of serious charges, such as first-degree intentional homicide and certain sex offenses against children. The same step is open if someone accused of a violent crime already has a violent-crime conviction.
The district attorney must ask for it. A hearing starts within 10 days, the state must prove its case with clear and convincing evidence, and the hold can last up to 60 days after the hearing. After that the person must be released on bail or conditions. A probation hold also stops release.
Why can't a domestic abuse arrest end quickly in Adams County?
When deputies arrest someone for domestic abuse under Wis. Stat. 968.075, the person cannot be released until bail is posted or a judge sees the case. The 72 hours people talk about is a no-contact period. For 72 hours after the arrest, the person must stay away from the victim's home and may not contact the victim.
Breaking that rule on purpose can bring a fine up to $10,000, up to nine months in jail, or both. The victim can sign a written waiver during that time.
My teenager was picked up in Adams County. Now what?
Juvenile cases follow different rules and are not shown the same way as adult bookings, so the adult search may not list a child. Call the Clerk of Circuit Court at 608-339-4208 to learn the hearing date and where the court has placed the child. The Sheriff's Office at 608-339-3304 can also point you to the right agency.
Have the child's date of birth and the name of the arresting officer ready when you call.
Can the Wisconsin Rapids public defender take our case?
The State Public Defender's Wisconsin Rapids office covers Adams County. Its office is at 2811 8th Street South, Suite 8, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494, and the phone is 715-303-5010. Tell the judge at the first hearing that you cannot afford a lawyer, and ask for a referral.
A lawyer can ask the judge to lower bail or to switch to release on conditions. Wisconsin law lets a person held for 72 hours after the first appearance ask the judge to review the conditions.
What does a missed hearing cost an Adams County defendant?
The cash can be forfeited, and the judge may issue a warrant. Skipping court or breaking bond terms on purpose is also a separate crime called bail jumping under Wis. Stat. 946.49. It is a misdemeanor when the original charge was a misdemeanor and a felony when the original charge was a felony.
A released person must also give the clerk a new address in writing within 48 hours of moving.
How long until Adams County bail money is returned?
If the case is dismissed or the person is found not guilty, the deposit goes back to the person who paid it. After a conviction, the court first uses the money for restitution and then for the judgment. If the person broke bond terms, the money can be forfeited instead. Call the Clerk of Circuit Court at 608-339-4208 to ask about a refund once the case ends.
A deposit in an inmate's commissary or phone account is not bail. That money stays with the inmate and does not release anyone.
Adams County bail contacts
- Jail
- Adams County Jail, run by the Sheriff's Office, 401 Adams Street, Suite 1, Friendship, WI 53934; 608-339-3304
- Custody lookup
- Adams County Inmate Search
- Clerk of Circuit Court
- 401 Adams Street, Suite 6, Friendship, WI 53934; 608-339-4208
- Public defender
- State Public Defender, 2811 8th Street South, Suite 8, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494; 715-303-5010
- Juvenile court
- Clerk of Circuit Court, 608-339-4208
Court dates, hours, and amounts can change, and a judge can order something different from what is described here. Check with the Sheriff's Office or the clerk before you send money. Use this page as a starting guide, and let a lawyer advise on your own case.
How do Bail Bonds work at Adams County Jail
There are several ways to post bail in Adams County. It is important that you obtain the exact amount of bail, including fees before attempting payment and the booking number. This information can be obtained through the jail or bond officer.
- Pay by cash, cashier's check or money order at the jail
- Pay by credit card at the jail. There may be handling charges.
- Post bail online using www.govpaynow.com. A booking number is required along with Pay Location code of 1042.
Adams County Jail
Address:
401 Adams Street
Friendship, WI 53934
Phone:
608-339-4239
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Adams County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Adams County?
Who can set bail in Adams County?
When is bail set in Adams County Wisconsin?
Does Adams County have bail?
Yes, Adams County imposes bail and conditions however Wisconsin is one of a few states that does not allow posting bail for profit, meaning that a court or bondsman cannot charge a percentage of the bond as in other states. There are no licensed bond agencies in Wisconsin.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Adams County?
The Adams County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Adams County?
Bail is set by a judge in Adams County however if the crime is a misdemeanor and a judge not available for an immediate bail hearing, a law enforcement officer can set bail using a bail schedule.
When is bail set in Adams County Wisconsin?
Bail is set at the first appearance, within 1-2 days following arrest; however, misdemeanor bail is generally processed and released immediately in most cases.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Adams 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 Adams 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 Adams 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. In April of 2023, Wisconsin legislators voted on a bill that makes release on bail for certain offenses more difficult.
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 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.
Wisconsin courts are trying to work with defendants to make bail work and might provide non-monetary options or even reduce the bail.
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 Adams County?
Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge 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, clerk of court, bail 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 could 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 a family member or friend. 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 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 Adams County have bail?
Yes, Adams County imposes bail and conditions however Wisconsin is one of a few states that does not allow posting bail for profit, meaning that a court or bondsman cannot charge a percentage of the bond as in other states. There are no licensed bond agencies in Wisconsin.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Adams County?
The Adams County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Adams County?
Bail is set by a judge in Adams County however if the crime is a misdemeanor and a judge not available for an immediate bail hearing, a law enforcement officer can set bail using a bail schedule.
When is bail set in Wisconsin?
Bail is set at the first appearance, within 1-2 days following arrest; however, misdemeanor bail is generally processed and released immediately in most cases.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Adams County Wisconsin?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Adams County Wisconsin, who can pay bail for me?
The person posting bail could be the defendant, 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 Wisconsin could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Adams County Wisconsin?
Yes, Wisconsin does offer online bail payment. For misdemeanor cases, a law enforcement officer can accept bail and the clerk of court can process all bail/bonds. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: Go to the Adams County Jail for more information about the jails in Adams County.
What options are there to pay bail in Adams County Wisconsin?
Most all jail and courts accept cash, a cashier or bankers’ check. Wisconsin accepts credit card payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted. Go to the Adams County Jail for more information about posting bail in Adams County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Wisconsin?
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.
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Adams 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 Wisconsin?
Wisconsin does not permit persons to secure a bond for profit so neither a bondsperson nor a court can charge a fee for executing a bond.