Oneida County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Oneida County

Wisconsin • Oneida County • Bail & bond help

Oneida County bail and bond: the Rhinelander jail and the courthouse steps that follow

Adults arrested anywhere in Oneida County, from Rhinelander to Minocqua, are held at the Oneida County Jail, 2000 East Winnebago Street, Rhinelander. The jail desk is 715-361-5180. First, run the name through Oneida County Inmate Search. Wisconsin bans paid bail bondsmen, so the cash bail you may be asked for goes to the court system, and some people are released on a signed promise with no money at all.

Is the person in the Rhinelander jail or somewhere else?

Use Oneida County Inmate Search to see whether the person is booked. If the name does not appear, call the jail at 715-361-5180 and ask if another agency has a hold. The Sheriff's Office headquarters shares the address, 2000 East Winnebago Street, and its main line is 715-361-5100.

Searching the Oneida County name matters. The Oneida Nation near Green Bay is a different place with a different court.

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Can I still use a bondsman?

Many families expect to call a bondsman because other states work that way. Wisconsin ended it in 1979. A surety here must be a person living in Wisconsin, never a company, and the statute says that person may not be paid.

So no one in Rhinelander can charge you a fee to post bail. What you can do is wait for the judge's decision, then pay any cash directly or sign a promise.

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What time are bail decisions made?

A judge decides at the first appearance, which has to take place within a reasonable time after arrest. Court decisions treat about 48 hours as the limit for a warrantless arrest. Appearances can be held on video.

The Clerk of Circuit Court, in the courthouse at 1 South Oneida Avenue, third floor, answers at 715-369-6120 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ask there for the date once a case number exists.

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What is the difference between cash bail and a signature bond?

Cash bail means money is paid in. A signature bond, which the statute calls an unsecured appearance bond, means the person signs and owes the amount only after breaking the terms.

The third path is release with conditions and no bail. Under Wisconsin law the word bail means money only, so a curfew or no-contact order is a condition, not bail.

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What can the judge consider, and what is the ceiling?

The judge may order bail only after finding a reasonable basis that it is needed to assure appearance. For a violent charge, the judge may consider the whole picture, including prior violent convictions and the need to protect others.

The judge looks at the offense, the person's ability to pay, the evidence, and whether the person was on probation. A misdemeanor bail cannot be more than the maximum fine for that crime.

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Where do I pay at the jail or the courthouse?

Call the jail at 715-361-5180 to confirm the amount and the way to pay before driving to Rhinelander. Officers may take bail only at a sheriff's office or a police station, and they give a numbered receipt. A court clerk may also take a card.

The receipt, with the case number on it, is your proof for a refund.

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Can an arrest in Minocqua or Three Lakes end up at the same jail?

Yes. Oneida County runs one county jail for all of its towns, so the booking for a county arrest takes place on East Winnebago Street in Rhinelander. The Rhinelander Police Department, 201 North Brown Street, 715-365-5300, can tell you whether its officers made the arrest.

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What does a no-bail hold mean in Oneida County?

Wisconsin's constitution starts from release on reasonable terms. A judge can set that aside only for charges the law lists, such as certain homicides and sex offenses, or a violent charge against someone with a violent conviction. The District Attorney asks for it, a hearing begins within 10 days, and the state must meet a clear and convincing standard. The longest a hold can last is 60 days after the hearing.

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Does a domestic abuse charge change how release works?

Yes. An officer has to arrest when the statute applies, and cannot let the person go until bail is posted or a judge has reviewed the case. For the first 72 hours after release the person must avoid the alleged victim and the victim's residence, and must sign an acknowledgment before leaving. Anyone who knowingly violates this faces up to $10,000 in fines, up to nine months in jail, or both.

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My husband has to be at work. Can he leave jail early?

If he is sentenced to county jail, the court may grant Huber work release so he can go to a job at set hours. Huber is not for people waiting for trial and cannot be used in place of bail. Ask the jail desk at 715-361-5180 about eligibility after a sentence.

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Who gets the cash when the case ends?

The person who made the deposit, if the case is dismissed or ends in acquittal. After a conviction, the leftover after costs goes first to restitution, then to the judgment. Forfeited cash is not returned. Report a new address to the Clerk within 48 hours.

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What if a court date slips by?

The bond can be forfeited, a notice mailed, and a judgment entered if there is no reply within 30 days. Bail jumping can also be charged, a Class A misdemeanor on a misdemeanor case and a Class H felony on a felony case. Have the lawyer call the Clerk the day it happens.

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Does Oneida County accept land for security?

Wisconsin law lays out no property steps. A signer must be a person living in Wisconsin who can cover the amount, and the judge decides what proof is enough. Ask the Clerk at 715-369-6120 before pledging anything.

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Where is the public defender in Rhinelander?

The State Public Defender's Rhinelander office, 158 South Anderson Street, Suite 1, takes Oneida County appointments. Call 715-750-2170. Counsel can be requested from the judge at the first appearance, and the office decides eligibility.

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What if my teenager is the one arrested?

A teenager is handled through juvenile court and an intake worker, and Oneida County Inmate Search leaves minors off. Call the Clerk of Circuit Court at 715-369-6120 for the court date, and the Sheriff's Office at 715-361-5100 to ask where the young person is being held.

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Is a deposit for phone time the same as bail?

No. Money placed for calls or store items does not release anyone. Anyone demanding a gift card or wire to free a relative is a scammer, because bail goes only to the court or Sheriff's Office.

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Oneida County bail contacts

County jail
Oneida County Jail, 2000 East Winnebago Street, Rhinelander, WI 54501; 715-361-5180
Bail and bond
Pay bail as directed by the jail, 715-361-5180
Sheriff's Office
2000 East Winnebago Street, Rhinelander; 715-361-5100
Clerk of Circuit Court
Oneida County Courthouse, 1 South Oneida Avenue, third floor, Rhinelander; 715-369-6120
District Attorney
715-369-6133
Police
Rhinelander Police Department, 201 North Brown Street; 715-365-5300
Custody lookup
Oneida County Inmate Search
Public defender
158 South Anderson Street, Suite 1, Rhinelander; 715-750-2170

Hours, amounts, and payment steps can change, so call before you drive to Rhinelander or send money. A lawyer, not this page, gives legal advice.

Oneida County Jail

Address:
2000 East Winnebago Street
Rhinelander, WI 54501

Phone:

715-361-5180

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Oneida County


Does Oneida County have bail?

What kind of bonds are accepted in Oneida County?

Who can set bail in Oneida County?

When is bail set in Oneida County Wisconsin?


 

 

Does Oneida County have bail?

Yes, Oneida 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 Oneida County?

The Oneida County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered. 


 

 

Who can set bail in Oneida County?

Bail is set by a judge in Oneida 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 Oneida 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 Oneida 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 Oneida 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 Oneida 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 Oneida 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 Oneida County have bail?

Yes, Oneida 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 Oneida County?

The Oneida County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered. 

Who can set bail in Oneida County?

Bail is set by a judge in Oneida 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 Oneida County Wisconsin?

Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.

In Oneida 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 Oneida 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 Oneida County Jail for more information about the jails in Oneida County.

What options are there to pay bail in Oneida 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 Oneida County Jail for more information about posting bail in Oneida 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 Oneida 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.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Oneida County