Manitowoc County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Manitowoc County bail and bond: the 12:45 video hearing and where to pay
Adults arrested in Manitowoc County are held in the Manitowoc County Jail at the Sheriff's Office, 1025 South Ninth Street. Search Manitowoc County Inmate Search for custody status and bail. New arrests get a video bail hearing at 12:45 p.m. on the next business day, and no one is released until all the day's hearings end. Wisconsin bans bondsmen, so you pay the court's cash bail yourself.
1. What is the first thing to know about getting someone out of the Manitowoc County Jail?
Nobody is released until the day's bail hearings are over. People arrested on new charges or warrants appear by video at 12:45 p.m. on the next business day, and release paperwork starts only after every hearing is finished. Look up the person on Manitowoc County Inmate Search to see the status.
The Manitowoc County Jail is at the Sheriff's Office, 1025 South Ninth Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220. The jail's general line is 920-683-4228.
2. My daughter turned herself in at 7:30 a.m. When does her hearing happen?
A person who surrenders before 8:00 a.m. has the bail hearing that same day. Anyone who arrives after 8:00 a.m. is heard the next day.
People arrested on new charges are heard by video at 12:45 p.m. on the next business day. Because release waits for all hearings, a morning surrender gets the decision soonest.
3. Can the public watch a bail hearing?
Yes. The public may watch in Room B-15, in the basement of the Manitowoc County Courthouse, 1010 South 8th Street. Inmates appear in jail uniforms, except in a jury trial.
No one in the courtroom may pass items to an inmate. Visitation at the jail does not run while court is in session.
4. Should I phone the jail after the hearing to ask when he will be freed?
No. The county asks families not to call the jail after a bail hearing to find out whether or when someone will be released. Staffing and jail priorities affect how fast release happens.
The Clerk of Circuit Court completes the release paperwork and reviews it with the inmate. For a court date, call the clerk at 920-683-4030.
5. Which window takes bail Monday through Friday?
Pay at the Clerk of Court Office, 1010 South 8th Street, Room 105, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The clerk's number is 920-683-4030.
Bring photo ID. The clerk will have the person who posts the bail sign a Notice to Person Furnishing Cash Bail Bond, which explains what happens if the defendant fails to appear.
6. Where does bail get paid after the clerk closes?
Go to the Sheriff's Office, 1025 South 9th Street. Evenings, weekends and holidays are handled there for bail under $10,000, and the desk can be reached at 920-683-4228.
The county recommends a wire transfer for large amounts. Contact both your bank and the Clerk of Court to set one up, and allow time before the bank's wire department closes.
7. What forms of payment does Manitowoc County accept?
Cash, wire transfer, and a debit or credit card. A card payment goes through PayGov, adds a convenience fee, and is taken in person at the clerk's counter during business hours only.
The name on your ID must match the name on the card. Bail over $10,000 also requires IRS Form 8300 to be completed.
8. Is there a bondsman in Two Rivers or Manitowoc who can post for me?
No. Wisconsin outlaws paid bail bonding. Under Wis. Stat. 969.12, a surety is an individual living in the state, and no surety may receive pay for serving.
That means the money you put up is the court's cash bail. If someone advertises a fee for release, that offer is not a lawful bond.
9. Who gets the bail refund?
The person who posted it. The county's own notice says any refund of cash bail is returned to the person who posted, except as the court orders otherwise.
Tell the Clerk of Court about any address change. A missed hearing can lead to forfeiture, and a conviction sends leftover cash to restitution and the judgment.
10. If I put money on his jail account, is that the same as bail?
No. Money deposited into an inmate's account becomes the inmate's property, and the inmate is not required to use it for bail. Up to 40 percent of a new deposit can go toward debts owed to the county.
Deposits go through the lobby kiosk, which takes cash or Mastercard, Visa and Discover, or through a web deposit service. The account specialist is at 920-683-4229.
11. Does a bail hearing guarantee a public defender?
If the inmate has no lawyer at the bail hearing, the State Public Defender may represent him. The court also supplies an interpreter for anyone who does not speak English.
The Manitowoc public defender office is at 927 South 8th Street, Suite A, Manitowoc, WI 54220, phone 920-683-4690.
12. What limits does Wisconsin put on a misdemeanor bail?
The amount cannot exceed the greatest fine allowed for the offense. Officers use a statewide misdemeanor schedule, and many misdemeanor arrests end in release without cash.
Felonies have no schedule and no ceiling. The judge weighs the charge, the person's record, how strong the evidence looks and what the family can pay.
13. What else can a judge order instead of money?
Wisconsin judges can release a person on a signed promise to appear, or on conditions such as staying away from a named person, living with a custodian, giving up weapons or returning to jail at set hours.
Money bail is allowed only after a finding that it is needed to assure appearance, or, for a violent-crime charge, after weighing the whole situation.
14. Can bail be denied in Manitowoc County?
In narrow cases under Wis. Stat. 969.035. The charge must qualify, the prosecutor must ask, and the judge must find that no conditions will protect the public from serious harm or stop witness intimidation.
Once the request is filed, the court must open the hearing inside 10 days. Proof must be clear and convincing, and a denial lasts at most 60 days after the hearing.
15. What happens after a domestic abuse arrest?
The deputy must arrest when the law's tests are met, and Wis. Stat. 968.075 says the person cannot be released until bail is posted or a judge sees the case.
A 72-hour no-contact order follows release, covering the victim, the home, and any contact through someone else. A knowing violation can bring a fine of up to $10,000 or nine months in jail.
16. Where does Manitowoc County hold a juvenile?
Manitowoc County has no juvenile detention center of its own. Juveniles are housed at the Sheboygan County Juvenile Detention Center, 525 North 6th Street, Sheboygan, WI 53081, phone 920-459-1300.
The Clerk of Circuit Court at 920-683-4030 gives the hearing date for a young person.
Manitowoc County bail contacts
- Jail
- Manitowoc County Jail, 1025 South 9th Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220; 920-683-4228
- Sheriff's Office
- 1025 South 9th Street; 920-683-4199; county main line 920-683-4000
- Custody lookup
- Manitowoc County Inmate Search
- Clerk of Circuit Court (weekday bail)
- 1010 South 8th Street, Room 105, Manitowoc, WI 54220; 920-683-4030; 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Bail hearings
- Video, 12:45 p.m. on the next business day; public viewing in Room B-15, courthouse basement
- Jail account specialist
- 920-683-4229
- Public defender
- State Public Defender, 927 South 8th Street, Suite A; 920-683-4690
- Juvenile detention
- Sheboygan County Juvenile Detention Center, 525 North 6th Street, Sheboygan; 920-459-1300
Manitowoc County updates hearing times, hours and fees as its needs change, and a judge can order terms that differ from the general rules on this page. Check with the clerk before paying. This page does not substitute for legal advice.
Manitowoc County Jail
Address:
1025 South 9th Street
Manitowoc, WI 54220
Phone:
920-683-4200
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Manitowoc County
Does Manitowoc County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Manitowoc County?
Who can set bail in Manitowoc County?
When is bail set in Manitowoc County Wisconsin?
Does Manitowoc County have bail?
Yes, Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc County?
The Manitowoc County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Manitowoc County?
Bail is set by a judge in Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc County have bail?
Yes, Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc County?
The Manitowoc County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Manitowoc County?
Bail is set by a judge in Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc County Wisconsin?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc County Jail for more information about the jails in Manitowoc County.
What options are there to pay bail in Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc County Jail for more information about posting bail in Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc 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.