Juneau County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Juneau County bail and bond: the Mauston Justice Center and the clerk's window
Adults arrested in Juneau County are held in the Juneau County Jail, run by the Sheriff's Office from the Justice Center in Mauston. Look the person up with Juneau County Inmate Search to see whether they are in custody and what the bail is. Wisconsin bans bail bondsmen, so you pay bail to the Clerk of Court with cash, a money order, or a credit card. The Sheriff's line is 608-847-5649.
Which jail holds people arrested in Juneau County?
The Juneau County Jail holds them. It is run by the jail division of the Sheriff's Office, which works from the Juneau County Justice Center, 200 Oak Street, Room 1110, Mauston, WI 53948. Sheriff Andrew Zobal leads the office. Use Juneau County Inmate Search to see if the booking is posted and what the bail is.
The Sheriff's non-emergency line, 608-847-5649, reaches staff for anything the search leaves out.
Can I pay bail at the Clerk of Court's office?
Yes. The Clerk of Court's office is on the second floor of the Justice Center, 200 Oak Street, Room 2230. Call 608-847-9356 to confirm the hours the window is open. The court office handles bail bonds set in Juneau County cases.
Bring the person's full name and the case number if you have it. Ask for a receipt. The receipt is how you claim the money back after the case.
What forms of payment does the clerk take?
Bail bonds can be paid only with cash, a money order, or a credit card. Personal checks are not on the list.
If you use a card, remember that Wisconsin law lets a clerk take a credit or debit card in place of cash. The money still counts as the bail deposit.
Is there an ATM near the courtroom floor?
Yes. An ATM sits next to the Clerk of Court's office on the second floor. That helps when the bail is cash and you did not bring enough.
Count the money first. A shortfall means the person stays in custody until the full amount is paid.
Can I mail the bail money?
The Clerk of Court accepts payments by mail at Juneau County Clerk of Court, 200 Oak Street, Mauston, WI 53948. Mail works for a payment that is not urgent.
If someone is waiting in jail, pay in person. The person is not released until the payment is posted.
Can bail be paid at night or on a weekend?
Wisconsin law says an officer may take bail at a sheriff's office or police station. That is the route when the clerk's office is closed. Call the Sheriff's Office at 608-847-5649 and ask how the jail handles an after-hours payment before you drive to Mauston.
Whoever takes the money must give you a numbered receipt.
My relative owes child support. Can I post that bond at the clerk?
No. The clerk does not take child-support bail bonds. Contact Child Support instead.
A warrant for unpaid support is its own matter. Ask the arresting office whether the hold is for a child-support case or a criminal charge.
Why won't a bail bond company help in Mauston?
No licensed bondsmen exist in Wisconsin. Wis. Stat. 969.12 allows only an unpaid natural person who lives in the state to act as a surety, and it forbids paying anyone for the role.
So there is no ten percent premium to pay. The family pays the judge's cash bail, or the judge may accept an unpaid surety who proves the means to cover the bond.
When does a judge first see the person?
A judge must see the person within a reasonable time, and court decisions treat 48 hours as the outer limit for a probable cause finding after a warrantless arrest. Wis. Stat. 970.01 allows the appearance by live video.
The Circuit Court has two branches in the Justice Center. Ask the Clerk at 608-847-9356 for the courtroom and the time. The District Attorney's office, Room 2211, answers at 608-847-9314.
Can a Juneau County judge release someone with no payment?
Often, yes. A judge may release a person without bail, or on a signed promise to pay a set sum if terms are broken. That is an unsecured appearance bond.
The judge may add rules, such as staying away from an address, giving up weapons, or living with a named person who agrees to supervise.
Is there a limit on bail for a misdemeanor?
Yes. A misdemeanor bail cannot exceed the highest fine for the offense. For felonies, the judge sets the amount after weighing ability to pay, the charge, the person's record, and the evidence.
State law also says a judge should not hold someone before trial when it is unnecessary.
What does the 72-hour domestic abuse rule mean?
It is a no-contact rule, not a jail term. Wis. Stat. 968.075 says that for 72 hours after a domestic abuse arrest the person must stay away from the victim's home and not contact the victim.
Before that, officers who must arrest cannot release the person until bail is posted or a judge appears. An intentional violation of the no-contact rule can bring a fine up to $10,000 and up to nine months in jail.
Can a judge refuse all bail?
For specific serious charges, yes, after a hearing. Wis. Stat. 969.035 requires the District Attorney to ask, the hearing to start within 10 days, and proof by clear and convincing evidence.
The order may last as long as 60 days beyond the hearing date. After that the person must be released under the usual rules.
What is Huber at the Juneau County Jail?
Huber lets a sentenced inmate leave the jail during set hours for work, school, treatment, or family needs. A court grants it, and wages go to a trust account that covers board and other costs.
It is not bail and does not apply to someone waiting for a trial.
Where does a juvenile case start?
Juvenile court handles a young person's case. The Register in Probate and Juvenile Clerk is in Room 2300 of the Justice Center, at 608-847-9346. Call to learn where the youth is held and when the detention hearing takes place.
Youth records are private, so the adult search may not list the child.
Who is the free lawyer for Juneau County defendants?
The State Public Defender's Baraboo office, 619 Oak Street, serves Juneau, Sauk and Marquette counties. Call 608-355-3180. Request one when the judge first calls the case.
A lawyer can ask for a lower bail. After 72 hours in jail, a defendant who still cannot meet release terms can ask the judge for a review.
How does a city charge in Mauston differ?
Mauston has its own municipal court for city ordinance cases, reached at 608-847-2488. Those cases are separate from the county's criminal cases, so ask that court how to pay a city bond.
Ask the arresting officer whether the charge is a state crime or a city ordinance, so you pay the right office.
When is the deposit refunded, and what if he skips court?
If the case is dismissed or the person is acquitted, the deposit returns to the person who made it. If the person is convicted, the court first applies the leftover deposit to restitution and then to the judgment.
A missed court date can lead to forfeiture and a warrant. Bail jumping is a separate crime under Wis. Stat. 946.49.
Juneau County bail contacts
- Jail
- Juneau County Jail, run by the Sheriff's Office, Juneau County Justice Center, 200 Oak Street, Room 1110, Mauston, WI 53948; 608-847-5649
- Custody lookup
- Juneau County Inmate Search
- Clerk of Court
- Justice Center, 2nd floor, Room 2230, 200 Oak Street, Mauston, WI 53948; 608-847-9356
- District Attorney
- Room 2211, Justice Center; 608-847-9314
- Juvenile clerk
- Room 2300, Justice Center; 608-847-9346
- Public defender
- Baraboo office, 619 Oak Street; 608-355-3180
- Mauston municipal court
- 608-847-2488
A judge may set an amount other than the one you expect, and payment rules and phone numbers can change. Check with the Sheriff's Office or the Clerk of Court first. This guide is not legal advice.
Depositing Money in an Inmate's Account so that they can Self Bail
Juneau County Bail Bond Deposit
Juneau 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 Juneau County Jail at 608-847-9419 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 Juneau County Jail, the quicker they will be released.
Juneau County Jail
Address:
200 Oak Street
Mauston, WI 53948
Phone:
608-847-9419
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Juneau County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Juneau County?
Who can set bail in Juneau County?
When is bail set in Juneau County Wisconsin?
Does Juneau County have bail?
Yes, Juneau 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 Juneau County?
The Juneau County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Juneau County?
Bail is set by a judge in Juneau 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 Juneau 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 Juneau 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 Juneau 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 Juneau 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 Juneau 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 Juneau County have bail?
Yes, Juneau 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 Juneau County?
The Juneau County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Juneau County?
Bail is set by a judge in Juneau 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 Juneau County Wisconsin?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Juneau 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 Juneau 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 Juneau County Jail for more information about the jails in Juneau County.
What options are there to pay bail in Juneau 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 Juneau County Jail for more information about posting bail in Juneau 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 Juneau 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.