Western Regional Adolescent Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
La Crosse County bail and bond: the Vine Street jail and exactly where bonds are paid
Adults arrested in La Crosse County are held at the La Crosse County Jail in the Law Enforcement Center, 333 Vine Street, La Crosse. The Sheriff's Office runs it, and the business office answers at 608-785-9629. Look up your person with La Crosse County Inmate Search. Bondsmen are banned in Wisconsin, so bail is paid straight to the court or the jail. This county has two payment tracks, county bonds and City of La Crosse bonds, and the hours change after 4:30 p.m.
How do I find out if my relative is in the Vine Street jail?
Start with La Crosse County Inmate Search. To get the inmate number that some payment steps ask for, call 608-785-9630. The business office at 608-785-9629 handles other jail questions on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the county main line is 608-785-9581.
Why can't I use a bail bondsman in La Crosse?
Wisconsin does not allow paid bonding. A surety must be an individual who lives in the state and cannot be paid, so no company can post a bond for a fee. The ban dates to 1979. A caller who offers to get your relative out for a percentage is not legal.
The lawful paths are release with no money, a signed promise, or the cash deposit a judge sets.
Where do I pay a county bond on a weekday?
Go to the Clerk of Courts, Room 1200, Law Enforcement Center, 333 Vine Street, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The clerk takes cash, money orders, cashier's checks, and major credit cards. Personal checks are refused. Bond questions go to 608-785-9573.
Bring the person's full name and case information, and get a receipt.
Where do I pay at night or on a weekend?
After business hours and on weekends, all bonds are paid at La Crosse County Jail Master Control, 333 Vine Street. Money orders, cashier's checks, and major credit cards are accepted. Cash and personal checks are not. Buy the money order or cashier's check before you arrive.
What if the charge is a City of La Crosse ordinance?
City bonds are separate. During business hours, pay the City Treasurer's Office, 400 La Crosse Street, with cash, a money order, or a personal check payable to "City Treasurer." Questions go to the Municipal Court at 608-789-7290. After hours, City bonds are paid at the jail's Master Control like every other bond.
Can I pay by card online or by phone?
Yes. County bonds can be paid through AllPaid at 888-604-7888 with Facility Code 1411, on the web or by phone, and a transaction fee applies. City bonds go through Official Payments at 800-272-9829, also with a fee. Cards are also taken at the Clerk's counter and Master Control.
Money you put on an inmate's phone or store account is not bail and frees no one.
How soon will a judge see the case?
An arrested person has to be seen by a judge within a reasonable time. Court decisions put the limit at about 48 hours for an arrest made without a warrant. Video appearances are allowed. The Clerk of Circuit Court at 608-785-9590 can give the date and courtroom after a case is opened.
What do the words bail, bond, and conditions mean?
Bail means money. A bond is the document that carries the terms. A cash bond is backed by money paid in. An unsecured appearance bond is a signature, and the person owes the amount only if the terms are broken. Rules like no contact, no weapons, or reporting in are conditions of release.
How does a judge pick the amount?
The judge may order bail only after finding it is needed to secure appearance, or, on a violent charge, after weighing the full picture, including prior violent convictions and the need to protect others. Ability to pay, the charge, the evidence, probation status, and past forfeitures all matter. A misdemeanor amount cannot exceed the top fine for the crime.
Does it matter which police agency made the arrest?
It matters for the court, not for the jail. A violation of a City of La Crosse ordinance goes to the Municipal Court at 608-789-7290. State misdemeanors and felonies go to the county's circuit court, even when city officers, a village department such as West Salem at 608-786-0407, or deputies made the arrest. Ask which court issued the paper before you choose a payment window.
Will a misdemeanor arrest let me out with no cash?
Often. Under the statewide misdemeanor schedule, an officer releases a person arrested on a misdemeanor without cash unless a reason applies, such as no proper ID, risk of harm to someone, no ties to the community, a missed court date or citation before, or an investigation that needs the person held.
Does La Crosse County have pretrial services?
Yes. La Crosse is one of the counties with a pretrial program and has been a pilot site. A judge can order supervision in place of cash bail or with it. A court may not send everyone charged into a program without an individual decision, so a lawyer should ask for it in the specific case.
Why does the roster show no bail for my brother?
Two main reasons. First, a judge can refuse release in narrow cases, such as some homicide and sexual assault charges and violent charges against someone with a violent record. The prosecutor must ask, a hearing starts within 10 days, and the state must meet a clear and convincing standard. Second, a probation hold or another county's warrant can keep a person in even when no refusal order exists. A refusal hold lasts up to 60 days after the hearing.
Is a domestic abuse arrest treated differently at the jail?
Yes. The arrest is mandatory in qualifying cases, and release waits until bail is posted or a judge has acted. Then comes a 72-hour period with no contact with the alleged victim and no trips to the victim's home. The person signs an acknowledgment, and a person who will not sign is not released. Intentional violations can bring a $10,000 fine, nine months in jail, or both.
My husband works days. Can he keep his job in jail?
If he is sentenced to county jail, the court may grant Huber release so he can leave for work, counseling, school, or treatment. He must submit an activity schedule that is verified and approved first. Huber does not help someone waiting for trial who cannot post bail.
What if a court date is missed after bond is paid?
The court can order the bond forfeited, send notice, and enter a judgment after 30 days with no response. Bail jumping can be filed too, a Class A misdemeanor on a misdemeanor case or a Class H felony on a felony case. Report a move to the Clerk in writing within 48 hours.
What happens to the bond money at the end of the case?
A dismissal or acquittal sends it back to the person who paid. After a conviction, the court may apply the bond to restitution, a fine, or costs and return the remainder. Bond money can be forfeited when conditions are broken.
Does the La Crosse court take a house or car as security?
Wisconsin gives no property filing steps. A signer must live in the state, be a person and not a company, and satisfy the judge on ability to pay. Ask the Clerk at 608-785-9573 before pledging anything.
Where do I find the public defender in La Crosse?
The State Public Defender's La Crosse office, 149 Sixth Street South, serves La Crosse County at 608-766-4001. The judge appoints counsel at the first appearance on request, and the office decides who qualifies.
Where are juveniles held in La Crosse County?
La Crosse County has its own Juvenile Detention Center at 300 Fourth Street North. Juvenile cases go through juvenile court, and La Crosse County Inmate Search does not list minors. The Clerk at 608-785-9590 can explain the next date, and the jail business office at 608-785-9629 can help a parent find where the young person is.
La Crosse County bail contacts
- County jail
- La Crosse County Jail, Law Enforcement Center, 333 Vine Street, La Crosse, WI; business office 608-785-9629
- Bail and bond
- Pay bail at the Clerk of Courts, Room 1200, or at jail Master Control after hours; bond questions 608-785-9573
- Card payments
- AllPaid 888-604-7888, Facility Code 1411; City bonds 800-272-9829
- Clerk of Circuit Court
- 608-785-9590
- City bonds
- City Treasurer, 400 La Crosse Street; Municipal Court 608-789-7290
- Custody lookup
- La Crosse County Inmate Search; inmate number by phone 608-785-9630
- Public defender
- 149 Sixth Street South, La Crosse; 608-766-4001
- Juvenile detention
- La Crosse County Juvenile Detention Center, 300 Fourth Street North, La Crosse
Hours, fees, and payment rules change, so call before you pay at any window. This guide is background only and does not give legal advice.
Western Regional Adolescent Center
Address:
300 4th Street North – 4th Floor
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone:
608.785.6435
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in La Crosse County
Does La Crosse County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in La Crosse County?
Who can set bail in La Crosse County?
When is bail set in La Crosse County Wisconsin?
Does La Crosse County have bail?
Yes, La Crosse 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 La Crosse County?
The La Crosse County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in La Crosse County?
Bail is set by a judge in La Crosse 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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse 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 Western Regional Adolescent Center 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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse County have bail?
Yes, La Crosse 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 La Crosse County?
The La Crosse County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in La Crosse County?
Bail is set by a judge in La Crosse 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 La Crosse County Wisconsin?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In La Crosse 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 La Crosse 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 Western Regional Adolescent Center for more information about the jails in La Crosse County.
What options are there to pay bail in La Crosse 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 Western Regional Adolescent Center for more information about posting bail in La Crosse 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 La Crosse 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.