Forest County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Forest County bail and bond: how release works in Crandon
Adults arrested in Forest County are held at the Forest County Jail on the Sheriff's Office campus, 100 S Park Avenue, Crandon. Use Forest County Inmate Search to see whether a person is in custody and what bail has been set. Wisconsin has no bondsmen to hire, so the money goes to a county office, not to a company. The Sheriff's Office answers at 715-478-3331, and the Clerk of Circuit Court at 715-478-3323.
How do I learn whether a person is locked up in Crandon?
Type the name into Forest County Inmate Search. It shows custody status and the bail line when one exists. A booking from the last hour may not have posted, so check again before you worry.
For anything beyond that, such as a hold placed by another county, call the Sheriff's Office at 715-478-3331.
Which buildings matter in Forest County?
The Sheriff's Office and the county jail share one campus at 100 S Park Avenue, Crandon, WI 54520. The Clerk of Circuit Court, who holds the case file and the bond paperwork, is at 200 E Madison Street, Crandon, WI 54520. Families often need both: the Sheriff's Office for custody and the clerk for the court record.
How do I post bail for someone in Forest County?
Wisconsin law lets an officer take bail only at a sheriff's office or police station, and the clerk may take payment too. Call the Sheriff's Office at 715-478-3331 for jail-side payment and the clerk at 715-478-3323 for the courthouse side. Ask the accepted payment types and whether the window is open that day.
Carry photo ID, the full name, the case number, and the exact figure. The officer must hand you a numbered receipt.
What decides how big the bail is?
The judge looks at more than the charge. Wis. Stat. 969.01(4) lets the court weigh ability to pay, how serious the offense is, any violence, prior convictions, the person's ties and health, the strength of the evidence, probation or parole status, and past missed court dates.
If the only reason for bail is to secure a return to court, the amount may be no more than needed for that purpose.
Can a judge demand cash for any reason at all?
No. Cash bail may be ordered only after the judge makes a finding. One finding is that bail is reasonably necessary to make the person come back to court. For a violent-crime charge, the other is that bail is needed after weighing the whole situation, including prior violent convictions, the risk of missing court, community safety, and witness intimidation.
Everyone else is eligible for release on reasonable non-money terms (Wis. Stat. 969.01).
Is there any company to call for help paying?
No. Wisconsin has no commercial bail industry, and a surety under chapter 969 may not receive pay. A friend who signs as surety must be a Wisconsin resident, and the judge decides what proof of financial strength is needed.
Treat any private offer to "handle the bond" for a percentage as a sign of fraud.
What does release on conditions look like?
A judge can release someone on a signed promise with no money, or add rules: stay away from named people, limit travel or where the person lives, do not own dangerous weapons, or return to custody at stated hours. The judge can combine these with cash bail or use them alone.
Breaking any of them can bring a higher bail, or in a serious case a revocation hearing.
What if the officer only wrote a citation?
For a misdemeanor citation under Wis. Stat. 968.085, no bail is required, so there is nothing to post. The citation names a court date. Missing the date turns a small problem into a larger one, so keep the paper and call the clerk at 715-478-3323 if the date is lost.
Does paying bail mean he walks out right away?
Paying the bond is the legal release, and a Wisconsin court has said "release" means posting the bond even if the person has not yet stepped outside. Paperwork and any other hold still affect when the person leaves. A warrant from another county or a probation hold keeps a person in custody even after the bail is paid.
My son was arrested after a fight with his girlfriend. How long is he held?
If the officer made a required domestic-abuse arrest, the person stays in custody until bail is posted or a judge sees the case (Wis. Stat. 968.075). After that, a 72-hour no-contact order starts. The alleged victim can sign a written waiver during those 72 hours. Without one, the arrested person may not make contact directly or through another person, other than police and lawyers.
What if he commits a new crime while out on bail?
The prosecutor can ask for a warrant and a revocation hearing, which must start within 7 days of custody. The state has to prove the new serious crime by clear and convincing evidence. If release is revoked, the defendant may demand a trial within 60 days (Wis. Stat. 969.08(5)).
Is bail on a misdemeanor limited?
Yes. It cannot exceed the highest fine for that misdemeanor (Wis. Stat. 969.02(8)). Court decisions also say cash bail does not fit a misdemeanor defendant who is no risk to miss court.
Can a person who only witnessed a crime be told to post bail?
In a felony case, yes. If a subpoena may not be enough to secure a witness, the judge can set bail for a material witness (Wis. Stat. 969.01(3)). A witness who cannot post can be held up to 15 days while a deposition is taken. Missing a required appearance as a material witness is a Class I felony.
If the case moves, does the money move too?
Yes. When a case goes to a different court, the bail continues there. For a felony, one bond form covers the case through conviction and sentencing or probation. At the end, the deposit goes back if the charge is dismissed or the defendant is acquitted, and otherwise pays bond costs, restitution, and the judgment, in that order.
Where is the public defender for Forest County?
The State Public Defender office is at 158 S Anderson Street, Suite 1, Rhinelander, WI 54501. The phone is 715-750-2170. That office also serves Florence, Oneida, and Vilas counties. Say at the first hearing that a lawyer cannot be afforded, and the judge can appoint one.
Where is a young person held?
Call the juvenile court clerk at 715-478-2418 to learn the hearing date and where the youth is staying. A child's file is private, so Forest County Inmate Search will not list the child.
How can I tell a payment demand is false?
Genuine bail goes to the Sheriff's Office or the clerk. Refuse gift cards, wire transfers, and crypto, and phone 715-478-3331 to check.
Forest County bail contacts
- Jail and Sheriff
- Forest County Jail, Sheriff's Office campus, 100 S Park Avenue, Crandon, WI 54520; 715-478-3331
- Custody lookup
- Forest County Inmate Search
- Clerk of Circuit Court
- 200 E Madison Street, Crandon, WI 54520; 715-478-3323
- Juvenile clerk
- 200 E Madison Street, Crandon; 715-478-2418
- Public defender
- 158 S Anderson Street, Suite 1, Rhinelander, WI 54501; 715-750-2170
Phone numbers, hours, and payment rules can change, so check with the office before you pay. This page is a plain-language guide, not legal advice.
Forest County Jail
Address:
100 South Park Ave.
Crandon, WI 54520
Phone:
715-478-3331
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Forest County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Forest County?
Who can set bail in Forest County?
When is bail set in Forest County Wisconsin?
Does Forest County have bail?
Yes, Forest 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 Forest County?
The Forest County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Forest County?
Bail is set by a judge in Forest 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 Forest 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 Forest 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 Forest 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 Forest 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 Forest 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 Forest County have bail?
Yes, Forest 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 Forest County?
The Forest County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Forest County?
Bail is set by a judge in Forest 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 Forest County Wisconsin?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Forest 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 Forest 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 Forest County Jail for more information about the jails in Forest County.
What options are there to pay bail in Forest 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 Forest County Jail for more information about posting bail in Forest 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 Forest 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.