Barron County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Barron County bail and bond: cash only, no bondsmen, and where to start
Adults arrested in Barron County are held at the Barron County Jail, run by the Sheriff's Office inside the Barron County Justice Center, 1420 State Highway 25 North, Barron. Use Barron County Inmate Search to see if someone is in custody, what the charge is, and whether bail has been set. Wisconsin does not allow bail bondsmen, so there is no company to call. Bail here is money paid to the court. The Sheriff's Office answers at 715-537-5814.
Is my relative inside the Barron County Jail?
Start with Barron County Inmate Search. It tells you whether the person is in custody, and a booking that is only minutes old can take a while to show. If the name is missing, call the Sheriff's Office at 715-537-5814 and ask whether another county or agency has a hold. Have the full legal name and birth date ready.
The Sheriff's Office also covers anything the search cannot answer, such as why a hold exists.
Where is the jail, and where is the courthouse?
The Sheriff's Office, Room 1200 of the Barron County Justice Center, runs the jail. The address is 1420 State Highway 25 North, Barron, WI 54812. The Clerk of Circuit Court works from the same address, so a family can reach both offices in one trip.
The juvenile clerk is in Room 2601 of that building.
Can I hire a bail bondsman in Barron County?
No. Wisconsin ended paid bail bonding. Under Wis. Stat. 969.12(2), a surety must be a living person, not a company, and may never be paid for signing. Anyone who offers to arrange bail for a fee is not offering a court-approved bond.
Pay money only to the court or to the Sheriff's Office, and keep the receipt. If a stranger calls with an offer, hang up and dial 715-537-5814.
What does the word bail actually cover in this state?
In Wisconsin law, bail means money and nothing else (Wis. Stat. 969.001). Everything else is a condition of release: no contact with a named person, travel limits, no weapons, check-ins, or a duty to return to custody at set hours.
A judge may also release a person on a signed promise to pay if court is missed, with no cash at all. Many people leave jail this way.
Who sets the amount, and how soon?
A judge sets release terms at the first court appearance. State law says an arrested person must be brought before a judge in the county where the offense happened within a reasonable time, and court decisions require a judge to review a warrantless arrest within 48 hours.
A judge may order cash bail only after finding it necessary to make the person come back to court. For a violent-crime charge, the judge also weighs the safety of the community. Ask the clerk at 715-537-6265 for the hearing date.
How do I pay cash bail here?
State law lets officers take bail only at a sheriff's office or police station, and the clerk may take payment as well. In Barron County, call the clerk at 715-537-6265 during court hours and the Sheriff's Office at 715-537-5814 at night or on weekends, and ask which payment types that window takes.
Bring photo ID, the person's full name, and the case number. Expect to pay the exact amount. Ask for a written receipt.
May a friend or cousin put up the money?
Yes. The payer does not have to be related to the defendant. The payer should know the money is refunded to the person who made the deposit, not automatically to the defendant, so pay with your own name on the receipt.
A relative can also sign as an unpaid surety if the judge accepts that person as a Wisconsin resident able to cover the amount.
Do I get the money back at the end?
If the case is dismissed or the defendant is found not guilty, the deposit goes back to the person who paid it. After a conviction, the court first subtracts bond costs, then pays restitution, then the judgment. Cash is lost if the court orders forfeiture because a condition was broken.
A forfeiture notice is mailed, and the court may enter judgment if nobody responds within 30 days (Wis. Stat. 969.13).
Is there a ceiling on bail for a misdemeanor?
Yes. Bail for a misdemeanor cannot be higher than the largest fine the law allows for that offense (Wis. Stat. 969.02(8)).
The state's uniform misdemeanor bail schedule also says an arrested person is released without a cash bond unless one of these applies: no proper ID, danger to self or others, weak ties to the community, an earlier missed court date or citation, or a need to hold the person for an investigation.
Why would a judge refuse release altogether?
Wis. Stat. 969.035 allows it only for listed serious charges, such as first-degree intentional homicide, or for a violent-crime charge against someone with a prior violent conviction. The district attorney must ask for it, and a hearing must start within 10 days.
The state must prove its case by clear and convincing evidence. A judge may deny release for up to 60 days after that hearing. Then the person must be released under the normal rules.
What happens after an arrest for domestic abuse?
Officers must arrest when they have reasonable grounds to believe a domestic abuse crime occurred and one of the listed risk factors applies. Under Wis. Stat. 968.075(2m), the person cannot be let out until bail is posted or the person sees a judge.
After release, a 72-hour no-contact rule applies. The person must stay away from the alleged victim's home and cannot call or message the victim, directly or through others.
Can the amount be lowered?
Yes, by asking the court. Either side can petition a judge to raise or lower bail or change conditions (Wis. Stat. 969.08). A person still held 72 hours after the first appearance because the terms cannot be met may ask the judge to review them, and the judge must state reasons on the record.
A lawyer can file that request. Call the clerk at 715-537-6265 to learn which judge has the case.
Who is the free lawyer for people without money?
Barron County is served by the State Public Defender office at 10 N Bridge Street, Suite 200, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729. The phone is 715-908-8473. Ask the judge for a public defender at the first hearing, and call that office the same day if the person is already in the jail.
What if the arrest took place in a different county?
Wis. Stat. 969.11 says a person arrested in another county is brought before a judge there to set release terms, or is returned to the county where the charge was filed. Paying in Barron County will not free someone held on another county's case.
Look the person up on Barron County Inmate Search, then call the Sheriff's Office to learn who holds them.
What should I do if my child was arrested?
Call the juvenile clerk at 715-537-6399, Room 2601, Barron County Justice Center. Staff there can tell you the hearing time and which secure youth facility, if any, holds the child. Juvenile files are private, so the adult search will not show them.
The same public defender office on this page handles young clients.
What if he skips a court date or moves?
Skipping a hearing can bring forfeiture and a new charge. Bail jumping under Wis. Stat. 946.49 is a Class A misdemeanor when the original charge was a misdemeanor and a Class H felony when it was a felony.
A released person must also tell the clerk in writing about a new address within 48 hours (Wis. Stat. 969.10). Call 715-537-6265 if something changes.
Barron County bail contacts
- Jail
- Barron County Jail, 1420 State Highway 25 North, Room 1200, Barron, WI 54812; 715-537-5814
- Custody lookup
- Barron County Inmate Search
- Clerk of Circuit Court
- 1420 State Highway 25 North, Barron, WI 54812; 715-537-6265
- Juvenile clerk
- Room 2601, Barron County Justice Center; 715-537-6399
- Public defender
- State Public Defender, 10 N Bridge Street, Suite 200, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729; 715-908-8473
- Sheriff's Office
- Barron County Justice Center, Room 1200; 715-537-5814
Hours, payment types, and phone numbers can change, so confirm them with the office before you travel or pay. This page explains general rules only; it is not legal advice.
Barron County Jail
Address:
1420 State Hwy 25 North
Barron, WI 54812-3007
Phone:
715-537-5559
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Barron County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Barron County?
Who can set bail in Barron County?
When is bail set in Barron County Wisconsin?
Does Barron County have bail?
Yes, Barron 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 Barron County?
The Barron County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Barron County?
Bail is set by a judge in Barron 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 Barron 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 Barron 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 Barron 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 Barron 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 Barron 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 Barron County have bail?
Yes, Barron 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 Barron County?
The Barron County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Barron County?
Bail is set by a judge in Barron 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 Barron County Wisconsin?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Barron 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 Barron 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 Barron County Jail for more information about the jails in Barron County.
What options are there to pay bail in Barron 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 Barron County Jail for more information about posting bail in Barron 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 Barron 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.