Crawford County Juvenile Detention Inmate Bail & Bonds
Crawford County bail and bond: the Prairie du Chien jail and where bond is paid
Adults arrested in Crawford County are held in the Crawford County Jail on North Beaumont Road in Prairie du Chien. Look the person up on Crawford County Inmate Search to see custody status and bail. Wisconsin bans bail bondsmen, so bond here means the court's own cash bail: paid at the Clerk of Circuit Court during business hours and at the jail the rest of the time.
Is the person I am looking for at the Prairie du Chien jail?
Type the name into Crawford County Inmate Search. It shows whether Crawford County has the person in custody and what bail a judge set. Adults arrested anywhere in the county are held at the Crawford County Jail on North Beaumont Road in Prairie du Chien.
If the search does not answer your question, phone the Sheriff's Office at 608-326-8414 or 608-326-0241. The office line is staffed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and 911 is for emergencies.
Which door do I use to pay bail, and does it depend on the hour?
It depends on the clock. During business hours bond is paid at the Clerk of Circuit Court, 220 North Beaumont Road. Before the clerk opens or after it closes, bond is paid at the jail.
The clerk's counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and it is closed on state and county holidays. Aim to arrive early, because the staff must finish your paperwork before 4:30.
What forms of payment does the Clerk accept for a Crawford County bond?
The clerk takes cash, money orders and certified cashier's checks issued by a bank.
For any other way of paying, ask the clerk's office at 608-326-0209 before you travel. Have the case number in hand when you call.
Why must my husband's first court appearance be in person?
In Crawford County, a criminal initial appearance is made in person at the courthouse, not by a screen at home. It is the hearing where the judge reads the charges and sets the bail amount and conditions.
Wisconsin law says an arrested person must see a judge within a reasonable time, and court decisions put the limit for a no-warrant probable cause review at 48 hours. The Clerk of Circuit Court can give you the courtroom and time.
Do bail bondsmen work in Prairie du Chien?
They do not, because Wisconsin does not permit them. Wis. Stat. 969.12 says a surety must be an individual living in Wisconsin and that nobody may be paid to serve as a surety.
Ignore any caller who says a fee will release your relative. The lawful routes are the court's cash bail, a release on a signed promise, or release under conditions such as a supervisor or travel limits.
What is the difference between bail and conditions of release?
Bail is only the money. Conditions of release are the non-money rules, and there are many: stay away from a named person, remain in a certain area, give up weapons, or report to a person who agrees to supervise.
A judge may set bail only after finding that money is needed to make sure the person comes back to court. In a violent-crime case the judge weighs the whole situation, including prior violent convictions and risk to witnesses.
Will a misdemeanor charge have a cap on bail?
Yes, and the cap equals the highest fine the law permits for that misdemeanor. Officers also work from a statewide Uniform Misdemeanor Bail Schedule that sends many misdemeanor arrests home without cash, unless the person has no ID, seems dangerous, lacks local ties, skipped court before, or must be held for an investigation.
No such cap or schedule covers a felony. The judge decides the amount after looking at the person's ability to pay, the charge, the record and the evidence.
When can a judge deny bail altogether?
Wis. Stat. 969.035 allows it for a list of grave offenses or for a violent-crime charge against a person with an earlier violent conviction. The prosecutor must request it and must say that release conditions cannot protect the community.
The hearing starts within 10 days. The state carries a clear-and-convincing burden. A denial runs at most 60 days after the hearing, and after that an otherwise eligible person is released under the usual rules.
Does a domestic abuse arrest mean three days in jail?
No, but the rules are strict. Deputies must arrest when the law's tests are met, and the person may not be released until bail is posted or a judge has seen the case.
The 72 hours is a no-contact period after release: stay away from the alleged victim's home and do not make contact directly or through others. The victim can waive it in writing, and the person must sign an acknowledgment before leaving.
What may I bring to the jail in the first week?
During the first seven days, visitors can leave new, packaged, white underwear, T-shirts, socks, thermal tops and bottoms, and pullover sports bras with no metal, along with money. All clothing must be new and in its original package.
After the first week the person buys supplies through the commissary. Magazines and books must come from a vendor or bookstore and be soft-covered, and an inmate may keep two magazines and three books.
When are people released after finishing a sentence?
Inmates who have served out a sentence are released at 5:30 a.m. every day. Release after posting bond follows the court's paperwork instead and happens when staff finish it.
If you plan to pick someone up, ask at 608-326-8414 which type of release applies. Arrange a ride in advance, since the 5:30 a.m. time comes before most services open.
What happens to the money if the case ends?
A dismissal or an acquittal returns the deposit to the person who made it. After a conviction, the leftover cash goes to restitution first and the judgment second.
A missed hearing or a broken bond term can lead to forfeiture. The released person must send any change of address to the clerk in writing within 48 hours.
Can a person be punished for breaking bond terms?
Yes. Wis. Stat. 946.49 makes an intentional breach of bond a Class A misdemeanor when the original case was a misdemeanor, and a Class H felony when it was a felony.
A judge can also raise the bail, add conditions, or revoke release after a serious new crime. The prosecutor starts that process, and a hearing must open within seven days of the arrest.
How do I get a free lawyer in Crawford County?
The State Public Defender in Lancaster covers Crawford County. The office is at 207 West Maple Street, Suite A, Lancaster, WI 53813, and the number is 608-401-2030.
Ask the judge for a public defender at the first hearing. If bail still cannot be met 72 hours after that appearance, the judge can be asked to review the amount.
Where do I ask about a juvenile arrested in Crawford County?
Juvenile files are handled by the juvenile side of circuit court, so the adult search may show nothing. The Clerk of Circuit Court at 608-326-0209 can give the next hearing and the court's placement decision.
Bring the child's birth date. The Sheriff's Office at 608-326-0241 can say which agency made the arrest.
Crawford County bail contacts
- Jail
- Crawford County Jail, North Beaumont Road, Prairie du Chien, WI 53821; 608-326-8414 or 608-326-0241
- Sheriff's Office
- Same location; Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; 608-326-8414
- Custody lookup
- Crawford County Inmate Search
- Clerk of Circuit Court
- 220 North Beaumont Road, Prairie du Chien, WI 53821; 608-326-0209; Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Public defender
- State Public Defender, Lancaster, 207 West Maple Street, Suite A; 608-401-2030
- Juvenile cases
- Clerk of Circuit Court, 608-326-0209
Counter hours, phone numbers and fees in Crawford County are updated by the county from time to time. A judge may set terms of his or her own in your case, so read the bond paper you are given. Treat this page as general information and not as legal advice.
Crawford County Juvenile Detention
Address:
224 North Beaumont Road
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
Phone:
(608) 326-0241
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Crawford County
Does Crawford County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Crawford County?
Who can set bail in Crawford County?
When is bail set in Crawford County Wisconsin?
Does Crawford County have bail?
Yes, Crawford 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 Crawford County?
The Crawford County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Crawford County?
Bail is set by a judge in Crawford 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 Crawford 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 Crawford 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 Crawford 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 Crawford County Juvenile Detention 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 Crawford 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 Crawford County have bail?
Yes, Crawford 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 Crawford County?
The Crawford County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Crawford County?
Bail is set by a judge in Crawford 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 Crawford County Wisconsin?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Crawford 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 Crawford 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 Crawford County Juvenile Detention for more information about the jails in Crawford County.
What options are there to pay bail in Crawford 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 Crawford County Juvenile Detention for more information about posting bail in Crawford 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 Crawford 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.