Florence County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Florence County bail and bond: the county jail and paying bail by card
People arrested in Florence County are held in the Florence County Jail, which the Sheriff's Office runs at 425 Lake Avenue in Florence. Use Florence County Inmate Search to see if a person is in custody and what the bail is. In Wisconsin only the court's cash bail exists, since paid bondsmen are banned, and the Clerk of Circuit Court takes card payments by phone or online. The Sheriff's Office at 715-528-3346 answers at any hour.
Can I confirm that my relative is in Florence County custody?
Yes. Search the name on Florence County Inmate Search for the booking and the bail. If you still have a question, the Sheriff's Office is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, at 715-528-3346.
If the person was arrested by a state trooper or a deputy from a nearby county, the booking may be in that county's jail first. Ask the arresting agency where the person was taken.
Which jail holds Florence County arrestees?
The Florence County Jail holds them. The Sheriff's Office runs it from 425 Lake Avenue, Florence, WI 54121, and the mailing address is P.O. Box 678.
Wisconsin has no state jail system that takes in county arrestees. Each sheriff runs a local jail, and the one in Florence is the sheriff's responsibility.
Can I pay bail with a credit card from home?
Yes, for bail the court has already set. The Clerk of Circuit Court takes cash bail online at govpaynow.com with pay location code 4542. A cardholder can also pay by phone at 1-877-392-2455. The clerk's office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and its number is 715-528-3205.
Fines and fees use a different code and a different phone line, so do not use the fines code for bail. Ask the clerk if you are unsure which one applies to your case.
What can I do after the clerk's office closes?
Call the Sheriff's Office at 715-528-3346. Because the office never closes, deputies can tell you what to do at night. Under Wisconsin law an officer may accept bail a judge has set, but only at a sheriff's office or police station, and must give a receipt.
Do not leave cash with anyone who is not a deputy or clerk.
Is there a bail bond business in Florence County?
No bail bond businesses operate legally in Wisconsin. The surety statute, Wis. Stat. 969.12, allows only a private person living in the state to sign as surety, and it forbids paying that person.
So a premium of ten percent to a company, common in other states, does not exist here. You pay the court's bail itself, and you get it back under the refund rules if the case ends well.
How does Wisconsin define bail for Florence County cases?
It covers money. Rules about contact, travel, alcohol, or weapons are conditions of release, and they are separate. A judge can use conditions alone and skip bail.
To order bail, the judge must first find a reasonable basis to think it is needed to make the person appear in court. When the charge is a violent crime, the judge may look at the full picture, including the need to protect the community.
Who sets the amount, and where is the first hearing?
A judge sets it, usually at the initial appearance. Wisconsin requires that a person arrested be brought before a judge within a reasonable time, and for a warrantless arrest a judge must find probable cause within 48 hours. Appearances by video are allowed.
The Clerk of Circuit Court at 715-528-3205 can tell you the date and the courtroom.
Does the person have to pay, or can he or she sign?
The judge picks. In a misdemeanor, the choices include release with no bail, a signed unsecured appearance bond, a cash deposit, or a bond backed by a surety. An unsecured bond costs nothing at release, but the person owes the full amount if the terms are broken.
A judge may also put the person in the care of someone who agrees to supervise, or set limits on travel and contacts.
When is no bail possible?
Under Wis. Stat. 969.035, the district attorney may ask the judge to deny release for specific serious charges, or when an accused violent-crime defendant has a past violent conviction. The judge holds a hearing within 10 days and must be convinced by clear and convincing evidence.
If the judge agrees, the person may be held for up to 60 days after the hearing, and then must be released on bail or conditions. The defense may ask for release at any time and is entitled to a faster trial schedule.
What changes if the charge is domestic abuse?
The officer may not release a person arrested under the required-arrest rule until bail is paid or a judge sees the case (Wis. Stat. 968.075). On release, a 72-hour no-contact rule starts. The person may not go to the victim's home or contact the victim for 72 hours.
The victim can sign a waiver in writing. Someone who refuses to sign the release acknowledgment stays in custody.
What if the young person is under 18?
Juvenile matters go through the juvenile side of circuit court. A child may not appear in the adult search. Call the Clerk of Circuit Court at 715-528-3205 for the hearing date and the placement, or the Sheriff's Office at 715-528-3346.
Have the child's birth date and the officer's name ready.
How do we get a free lawyer?
The State Public Defender's Rhinelander office handles Florence, Forest, Oneida, and Vilas counties. It is at 158 South Anderson Street, Suite 1, Rhinelander, WI 54501, and its phone is 715-750-2170.
Tell the judge at the first hearing that you cannot pay for a lawyer. A lawyer can ask to lower bail. Anyone still in custody 72 hours after the first appearance may also ask the judge to take another look at the conditions.
What if a court date is missed?
The judge can order the bail money forfeited and issue a warrant. A knowing violation of bond terms is also bail jumping under Wis. Stat. 946.49, a Class A misdemeanor when the original case was a misdemeanor and a Class H felony when it was a felony.
Anyone released on bond must put a change of address in writing to the clerk within 48 hours.
How do refunds work?
If the case is dismissed or the person is acquitted, the deposit returns to whoever paid it. If there is a conviction, the court uses what is left after bond costs for restitution first and then the judgment.
Ask the clerk at 715-528-3205 when to expect payment. Money on an inmate account for phone calls or snacks is not bail and is not refunded as bail.
Florence County bail contacts
- Jail
- Florence County Jail, run by the Sheriff's Office, 425 Lake Avenue, Florence, WI 54121; 715-528-3346; open 24 hours
- Custody lookup
- Florence County Inmate Search
- Clerk of Circuit Court
- 715-528-3205; hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; mail to P.O. Box 410, Florence, WI 54121
- Cash bail by card
- Online with pay location code 4542, or by phone at 1-877-392-2455
- Public defender
- State Public Defender, Rhinelander, 158 South Anderson Street, Suite 1; 715-750-2170
- Juvenile court
- Clerk of Circuit Court, 715-528-3205
Office hours, payment codes, and amounts can change, and a judge may order terms different from the general rules above. Confirm with the clerk or the Sheriff's Office before you pay. A lawyer is the right source for advice on one person's case.
Florence County Jail
Address:
501 Lake Avenue
Florence, WI 54121
Phone:
715-528-3346
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Florence County
Does Florence County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Florence County?
Who can set bail in Florence County?
When is bail set in Florence County Wisconsin?
Does Florence County have bail?
Yes, Florence 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 Florence County?
The Florence County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Florence County?
Bail is set by a judge in Florence 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 Florence 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 Florence 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 Florence 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 Florence 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 Florence 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 Florence County have bail?
Yes, Florence 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 Florence County?
The Florence County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Florence County?
Bail is set by a judge in Florence 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 Florence County Wisconsin?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Florence 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 Florence 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 Florence County Jail for more information about the jails in Florence County.
What options are there to pay bail in Florence 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 Florence County Jail for more information about posting bail in Florence 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 Florence 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.