Eau Claire County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Eau Claire County

Wisconsin • Eau Claire County • Bail & bond help

Eau Claire County bail and bond: paying cash bail at the clerk or the Second Avenue jail

Adults arrested in Eau Claire County are held in the Eau Claire County Jail at 710 Second Avenue. Look the person up on Eau Claire County Inmate Search to see if they are in custody and what bail was set. Wisconsin bans bondsmen, so you pay the court's cash bail yourself: at the Clerk of Courts on weekdays and at the jail after hours. Central Control, 715-839-4707, answers around the clock.

How do I confirm that someone is in the Eau Claire jail?

Enter the name on Eau Claire County Inmate Search. Adults arrested in the county are booked into the Eau Claire County Jail, 710 Second Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54703, and the search shows custody status and any bail.

Central Control at the jail never closes. Call 715-839-4707 for questions the search leaves out.

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Where is the Clerk's counter for cash bond, and when is it open?

Go to the Clerk of Courts in the Government Center, 721 Oxford Avenue, Suite 2220. It opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and its number is 715-839-4816.

Have the person's full name ready, plus the case number if one has been assigned. The clerk completes the paperwork that lets the jail release the person.

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Where do I pay at night, on a weekend or on a holiday?

Go to the jail itself at 710 Second Avenue. Money paid at the jail kiosk is credited to the defendant's own account, so tell staff what you intend before you put cash in. Central Control, 715-839-4707, can walk you through it.

Cards used for a bond after hours, on weekends or on holidays are handled on the next business day. Plan around that delay if you want the clerk to process the card.

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Which payment methods work for an Eau Claire County bond?

Only cash and credit cards. The cards accepted are Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express, and a 5 percent service fee is added.

You can pay by card online at allpaid.com with pay location code a005Lp, or call 888-604-7888 and give the same code. Afterward, phone the Clerk of Courts at 715-839-4816, or the payment waits until the next business day.

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Why is no bail bondsman available in Eau Claire?

Wisconsin does not license or allow them. Under Wis. Stat. 969.12, a surety is a natural person who lives in Wisconsin, and the statute forbids paying any surety for the role.

So the money you hand over is the court's own cash bail. Do not pay anyone who calls offering to arrange release for a fee.

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Who gets the bond money back, and how long does it take?

The person who posted the bond is the one who gets a refund, unless the court orders something different. The county issues refunds after the case is resolved and every assessment, including restitution, has been applied.

Refunds usually take six to eight weeks. Checks are printed twice a month and mailed, so the poster must send any address change in writing. Court costs, fines, restitution and court-appointed attorney fees can all be taken from the bond.

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Could I owe the defendant's court costs if I post the bond?

The county warns bond posters to think about personal exposure for the defendant's financial obligations. If the person is convicted, money left in the bond is applied to those debts before any refund.

That follows Wis. Stat. 969.03(4), which sends leftover deposit money to restitution first and the judgment second. Think about that before you put up money for someone who is likely to be convicted.

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What does pretrial monitoring mean in Eau Claire County?

A judge can order pretrial monitoring as a form of release that involves no money. The person must report in person to the Pretrial Services office within 48 hours.

Since 2020 the county has used the Public Safety Assessment, a scoring tool that rates the chance of a new offense and of missing court. Higher-risk cases are supervised at the Community Transition Center.

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Where is the pretrial office and when is it open?

Eau Claire County Pretrial Services is in the Government Center, 721 Oxford Avenue, Suite 2330, Eau Claire, WI 54703. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays.

Check the written release order for the exact reporting deadline, and call the Clerk of Courts at 715-839-4816 if you need a copy of it.

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How quickly will a judge look at my brother's arrest?

The law gives a judge a reasonable time to see an arrested person. Court decisions treat 48 hours as the limit for a probable cause finding after a warrantless arrest, and hearings can run by video.

The Warrant Division at 715-839-4704 handles warrants from 721 Oxford Avenue, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Clerk of Courts holds the hearing calendar.

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When is bail limited, and when can it be denied?

A misdemeanor bail can never exceed the top fine for that offense, and a felony has no chart. A judge can set money bail only after a finding that it is needed to assure appearance, or after weighing the total circumstances of a violent-crime charge.

Wis. Stat. 969.035 permits denial in narrow cases. The prosecutor must request it, the hearing starts within 10 days, and the proof standard is clear and convincing. Denial lasts up to 60 days after that hearing.

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Does a probation hold or a hold from another county change things?

Yes. A probation hold during a violation investigation is not an arrest, so the 48-hour judicial review does not apply to it.

A person arrested in a different county must be brought before a judge there to set release conditions, or sent back to Eau Claire County. Ask Central Control which hold applies.

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Why does a domestic abuse arrest take longer?

Officers must arrest when there are reasonable grounds and one of the statutory tests is met, such as visible injury or a finding that the person is the predominant aggressor. Release is barred until bail is posted or a judge has seen the case.

A 72-hour no-contact period then follows, covering the alleged victim's home and any contact through other people. A knowing violation carries up to $10,000 in fines and nine months in jail.

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How does Huber release work at the Eau Claire jail?

Huber lets sentenced inmates leave for work, school, treatment or family care at set hours. The jail's Huber Center answers at 715-839-1662, and the application form is on the Sheriff's jail pages.

The court grants Huber, and the sheriff decides where the person stays. A person waiting for trial who cannot pay bail is not eligible, and wages go into a trust account that pays travel, board and family support.

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What are the consequences of missing court after release?

The court can order the bail forfeited, issue a warrant and raise the amount. Knowingly breaking a bond term is also the crime of bail jumping (Wis. Stat. 946.49): a Class A misdemeanor when the open case is a misdemeanor, a Class H felony when it is a felony.

Every released person must report a new address to the clerk within 48 hours. Missing that step can lead to missed notices.

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Where does Eau Claire County hold a juvenile?

The Northwest Regional Juvenile Detention Center is in Eau Claire, at 721 Oxford Avenue, and it is one of Wisconsin's 12 county-run secure youth facilities. The Clerk of Courts at 715-839-4816 can give the hearing date for a young person.

The Sheriff's Office, 715-839-4709, can say which agency took the youth into custody.

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How do I get a public defender in Eau Claire County?

The State Public Defender's Eau Claire office is at 21 South Barstow Street, Floor 3, Eau Claire, WI 54701, phone 715-502-1490. It also covers Buffalo and Pepin Counties.

Raise the request for a lawyer at the first appearance. If the person is still held 72 hours after it, the judge can be asked to review the bail and conditions.

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How do I put money on a jail account or visit the jail?

A jail account deposit buys phone time and commissary goods and is not bail. For anything beyond that, call Central Control at 715-839-4707 or the jail sergeants at 715-839-6248.

Visiting, mail and phone rules are on the Sheriff's jail pages, so check them before you travel.

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Eau Claire County bail contacts

Jail
Eau Claire County Jail, 710 Second Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54703; Central Control, 24 hours, 715-839-4707
Sheriff's Office
Government Center, 721 Oxford Avenue; 715-839-4709
Custody lookup
Eau Claire County Inmate Search
Clerk of Courts (bond, weekdays)
721 Oxford Avenue, Suite 2220, Eau Claire, WI 54703; 715-839-4816; Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Warrant Division
721 Oxford Avenue; 715-839-4704
Pretrial Services
721 Oxford Avenue, Suite 2330; Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Public defender
State Public Defender, 21 South Barstow, Floor 3; 715-502-1490
Juvenile detention
Northwest Regional Juvenile Detention Center, 721 Oxford Avenue, Eau Claire

Eau Claire County may change its fees, hours and phone lines, and each judge sets release terms case by case. Call Central Control or the Clerk of Courts before you send money. What you read here is general information, not legal advice.

Depositing Money in an Inmate's Account so that they can Self Bail

Eau Claire County Bail Bond Deposit

Eau Claire County Jail uses a third-party, Inmate Canteen, to let you use a credit or debit card to deposit funds into an inmate's account so that they can pay their bail and get released after an arrest.

  • To begin the process, first call the Eau Claire County Jail at 715-839-4702 to get the exact amount needed to pay the bail. 
  • Next, go to Inmate Canteen, register and select this facility by first choosing Wisconsin. Then you will select the inmate you want to deposit money for, then the amount.
  • Inmate Canteen Customer Service can be reached at 715-690-2965, or by email at support@inmatecanteen.com.

There will be a delay between the time you deposit the money and when Inmate Canteen forwards it to the inmate's account, but the sooner you notify the inmate and the Eau Claire County Jail, the quicker they will be released.

Eau Claire County Jail

Address:
710 Second Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54703

Phone:

715-839-4702

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Eau Claire County


Does Eau Claire County have bail?

What kind of bonds are accepted in Eau Claire County?

Who can set bail in Eau Claire County?

When is bail set in Eau Claire County Wisconsin?


 

 

Does Eau Claire County have bail?

Yes, Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire County?

The Eau Claire County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered. 


 

 

Who can set bail in Eau Claire County?

Bail is set by a judge in Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire County have bail?

Yes, Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire County?

The Eau Claire County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered. 

Who can set bail in Eau Claire County?

Bail is set by a judge in Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire County Wisconsin?

Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.

In Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire County Jail for more information about the jails in Eau Claire County.

What options are there to pay bail in Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire County Jail for more information about posting bail in Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire 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.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Eau Claire County