Fond du Lac County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Fond du Lac County bail and bond: the Macy Street jail and the court process
Adults arrested in Fond du Lac County are booked into the Fond du Lac County Jail, which the Sheriff's Office runs from 180 South Macy Street, Fond du Lac. The Sheriff's Office answers at 920-929-3372. Search the booking roster through Fond du Lac County Inmate Search. No Wisconsin bail bondsman exists, so a bail payment is cash given to the court system, and some people are released on a signed promise with nothing paid.
1. What does the booking roster show about my brother?
Fond du Lac County Inmate Search lists a booking number, the booking date and time, the arrest time, the arresting agency, and a line for bond. A person held without a set amount shows "No Bond," which means a judge has not set one yet or has denied release. It does not always mean denied.
If the name is absent, call the Sheriff's Office at 920-929-3372. A county jail can move inmates to other counties' jails when beds run short, and the staff can say where a person is.
2. Can a bondsman in Oshkosh or Fond du Lac post the money?
No. Wisconsin abolished paid bail bonding in 1979. A surety must be an individual who lives in the state, and the law bars paying that person. A firm that says it can bond a Fond du Lac County prisoner for a fee is not lawful.
What does work is release on a promise, release on conditions, or a cash deposit set by the judge.
3. How quickly does a judge review an arrest?
Within a reasonable time. Court rulings use about 48 hours as the limit for a warrantless arrest. Video hearings are allowed. The Clerk of Circuit Court, 160 South Macy Street, 920-929-3040, can give the date and courtroom once a case number is assigned.
4. Are bail and bond the same word?
Not quite. Bail means money. A bond is the document: a cash bond means money is posted, and an unsecured appearance bond means a signed promise with a debt that arises only after a broken term. Orders like no contact or no weapons are conditions of release, not bail.
5. What will the judge think about?
Before ordering any bail the judge must find it is needed to secure appearance or, on a violent charge, after weighing the whole picture. The judge considers the charge, ability to pay, record, probation or parole status, health, and the strength of the evidence. A misdemeanor amount cannot exceed the top fine for the offense. No statewide felony schedule exists.
6. How do I hand over the money?
Call the Sheriff's Office at 920-929-3372 to confirm the amount and how it is accepted for your person's case. Officers may take bail only at a sheriff's office or police station and must issue a receipt. A clerk may take a card.
7. What if the person is in a state prison near Fond du Lac?
Taycheedah Correctional Institution in Fond du Lac County is a state prison for women. Waupun Correctional Institution and Dodge Correctional Institution are state prisons in nearby Waupun. People there are serving state sentences or waiting on state matters, so county bail does not apply, and the county roster does not list them. Call the state Department of Corrections to find a state prisoner.
8. Can a lawyer ask to lower bail?
Yes. Either side can ask the court to raise or lower bail or alter conditions. A person still held 72 hours after the first appearance because terms cannot be met may ask the judge for review, and the judge must give reasons on the record if the terms stay. Proof of a job, a home, and family ties helps.
9. When does a No Bond line really mean the court refused release?
Sometimes the line only means no amount has been set yet. A real refusal needs a hearing: the prosecutor asks, the hearing starts within 10 days, and the state must prove its reasons by clear and convincing evidence. Only charges such as some homicides, some sexual assaults, and violent charges against someone with a violent conviction qualify. A hold lasts no longer than 60 days after the hearing.
10. Is the release different after a domestic abuse arrest?
Yes. An arrest is required when the statute's grounds are present, and the person is held until bail is paid or a judge has acted. A 72-hour stay-away and no-contact period then applies, with a signed acknowledgment at release. Someone who knowingly breaks it risks a fine up to $10,000, nine months in jail, or both. Only the alleged victim can waive the rule, and the waiver must be in writing.
11. Can a house or land stand in for cash?
State law does not set property steps. A signer must live in Wisconsin and be a person, not a company, and the judge decides what proof of ability to pay is enough. Ask the Clerk at 920-929-3040 before signing.
12. When does a deposit go back to the person who paid?
The deposit goes back if the case is dismissed or the defendant is cleared. After a conviction, the court takes bond costs, then restitution, then the judgment, and returns the remainder. Forfeited money is not refunded. A new address must go to the Clerk within 48 hours.
13. What if my nephew misses a hearing?
A warrant and forfeiture of the bond are likely. A bail-jumping charge is possible too: Class A misdemeanor on a misdemeanor case, Class H felony on a felony case. Call the lawyer first, then the Clerk.
14. Where is the public defender for Fond du Lac County?
The State Public Defender's Fond du Lac office, 25 Third Street, serves the county at 920-929-3990. Counsel is requested from the judge at the first appearance, and eligibility belongs to the office.
15. Where is a young person held in Fond du Lac County?
Fond du Lac County operates its own Juvenile Detention Center at 63 Western Avenue. Young people move through juvenile court, and Fond du Lac County Inmate Search leaves minors off. Parents can ask the Clerk at 920-929-3040 for the court date and the Sheriff's Office at 920-929-3372 for the child's location.
16. Does money on a jail account free someone?
No. It buys calls and store items. A caller who demands a gift card or wire to free a relative is a scammer, since bail goes only to the court or the Sheriff's Office.
Fond du Lac County bail contacts
- County jail
- Fond du Lac County Jail, Sheriff's Office, 180 South Macy Street, Fond du Lac, WI
- Bail and bond
- Pay bail as directed by the Sheriff's Office, 920-929-3372
- Sheriff's Office
- 180 South Macy Street, Fond du Lac; 920-929-3372
- Clerk of Circuit Court
- 160 South Macy Street, Fond du Lac; 920-929-3040
- Custody lookup
- Fond du Lac County Inmate Search
- Public defender
- 25 Third Street, Fond du Lac; 920-929-3990
- Juvenile detention
- Fond du Lac County Juvenile Detention Center, 63 Western Avenue, Fond du Lac
Hours, amounts, and payment steps change, so call the Sheriff's Office first. This explains the process generally; it is not legal advice.
Fond du Lac County Jail
Address:
63 Western Avenue
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Phone:
920-929-3394
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Fond du Lac County
Does Fond du Lac County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Fond du Lac County?
Who can set bail in Fond du Lac County?
When is bail set in Fond du Lac County Wisconsin?
Does Fond du Lac County have bail?
Yes, Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac County?
The Fond du Lac County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Fond du Lac County?
Bail is set by a judge in Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac County have bail?
Yes, Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac County?
The Fond du Lac County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Fond du Lac County?
Bail is set by a judge in Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac County Wisconsin?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac County Jail for more information about the jails in Fond du Lac County.
What options are there to pay bail in Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac County Jail for more information about posting bail in Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac 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.