Outagamie County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Outagamie County bail and bond: the Appleton jail takes bail around the clock
Adults arrested in Outagamie County are held at the Outagamie County Jail inside the Justice Center, 320 S. Walnut Street, Appleton, which the Sheriff's Office runs. Use Outagamie County Inmate Search to see whether the person is in custody and what bail was set. Bail can be paid there 24 hours a day. Bondsmen are banned in Wisconsin. Central Control answers at 920-832-5266.
How do I find out if someone is in the Outagamie County Jail?
Search the name on Outagamie County Inmate Search first. It shows custody status and bail for people in the system. For anything else, Central Control answers at 920-832-5266 every hour of the day and handles inmate information lookups.
A very recent booking may take a little while to show, so a blank result right after an arrest does not mean the person is gone.
Where is the jail, and who else is held there?
The Outagamie County Jail is inside the Justice Center at 320 S. Walnut Street, Appleton, WI 54911. It is part of the Sheriff's Office Corrections Division and has 556 beds, one of the largest county jails in Wisconsin. It also holds contract prisoners for the state Department of Corrections, so a name can appear for a state matter rather than a county charge.
What hours can I pay bail?
Bail can be paid 24 hours a day, every day, at the Justice Center. Bring photo ID, the person's full name, and the case or booking number.
The jail's main line is 920-832-4449.
Which payment types does the jail accept?
Cash, cashier's checks, money orders, and credit cards. A personal check is not on that list. Cashier's checks and money orders are verified before the person is processed for release, so cash is the faster choice when a family needs someone out quickly.
Whose name do I write on a check or money order?
It depends on where the case sits. For cases in Circuit Court Branches 1 through 7 and for Family Court or Court Commissioner matters, write "Outagamie County Clerk of Courts." For local municipal cases and holds from other counties, write "Outagamie County Sheriff's Department." If you cannot tell which applies, ask at 920-832-4449 before you buy the check.
Can a relative pay by credit card from another state?
Not by phone. The person whose name is on the card must come in, show valid ID, and sign the charge slip. A transaction fee is added to the cash advance. A relative far away should send a trusted local person with cash, or travel and pay in person.
Does money for an inmate account count as bail?
No. Account deposits are separate and only cash or a credit card is accepted for them. Part of a deposit can be taken for debts the inmate owes, either half or all depending on the debt, so a deposit may not reach the inmate in full. Inmate account questions go to 920-832-5314.
Bail is paid at the bail window with the case number.
Can I hire a bail bondsman in the Fox Valley?
No. Wisconsin does not allow paid bondsmen. Under Wis. Stat. 969.12, a surety must be an individual who lives in Wisconsin and cannot be compensated. Nobody in Outagamie County can lawfully sell you a bond.
Cash goes to the county. An unpaid friend or relative may serve as surety only if the judge accepts him or her.
What is the Pretrial Program?
Criminal Justice Treatment Services runs Outagamie County's Pretrial Program from 320 S. Walnut Street. Staff assess people in custody who face a release or detention decision, using the Public Safety Assessment, and supervise people the judge lets out. The program serves every risk level and has operated since 2017.
Call 920-832-5160 to learn how it works. Electronic monitoring questions go to the GPS line at 920-832-2252.
Who sets the bail amount, and how fast?
A judge decides at the first court appearance, which may be held by phone or live video. Wisconsin law requires an arrested person to be brought before a judge within a reasonable time, and court decisions set 48 hours for review of a warrantless arrest.
The Clerk of Courts can give the hearing date at 920-832-5131.
Can a judge demand cash from anyone?
Only after a finding. Under Wis. Stat. 969.01, cash bail requires a reasonable basis to believe it is needed to make the person return to court. For an accused violent offender, the judge may look at the whole picture, including past violent convictions, community safety, and witness intimidation.
Otherwise the person is eligible for release on reasonable non-money conditions.
Is there a way out without paying anything?
Yes. A judge may release a person on a signed promise to pay if court is missed. For a misdemeanor, the state's uniform bail schedule says a person is released without cash unless there is no ID, a safety concern, weak ties to the community, a past missed court date or citation, or a need to hold the person for an investigation. Bail for a misdemeanor cannot exceed the top fine.
A domestic dispute led to the arrest. What changes?
A person arrested under the mandatory-arrest rule cannot leave until bail is posted or a judge sees the case (Wis. Stat. 968.075). After release, a 72-hour no-contact period applies. The person must stay away from the alleged victim's home and cannot make contact directly or through others.
Can a judge refuse bail completely?
Only for certain serious charges, or a violent charge against someone with a prior violent conviction. The prosecutor has to request it, and a hearing starts within 10 days. The state must prove the need by clear and convincing evidence, and a denial can last up to 60 days after the hearing (Wis. Stat. 969.035).
How can bail be reduced?
A lawyer can file a petition under Wis. Stat. 969.08. A person still held 72 hours after the first appearance may ask the judge to review the terms. The judge may weigh ability to pay, the offense, past record, and the policy against needless pretrial detention.
Will the money be refunded?
Dismissal or acquittal returns the deposit to the person who paid it. After a conviction, the court takes bond costs first, then restitution, then the judgment. If a condition is violated, the court can order forfeiture and mail a notice, and judgment may follow if there is no response in 30 days.
Does paying mean he walks out at once?
Posting the bond is the legal act of release, but processing takes time. A cashier's check or money order must be verified first. Another county's warrant or a probation hold can keep a person in custody even after the bail is paid. Ask Central Control at 920-832-5266 whether anything else is attached to the booking.
Where is the free lawyer for Outagamie County?
The State Public Defender office at 100 W. Lawrence Street, Suite 250, Appleton, WI 54911 serves Outagamie and Calumet counties. The phone is 920-832-2774. If the family cannot hire a lawyer, the judge can appoint one at the first hearing.
Where is a juvenile held?
Call the juvenile clerk at 920-832-5138 for the hearing date and the facility. Outagamie County Shelter Care is a non-secure home for youth ages 10 to 17, with placements made only by Child Protective Services or Youth Justice Services; the Human Services line is 920-832-5961. Juvenile files are private, so the adult search does not show a child.
How do I avoid a bail scam?
Honest bail is paid at the Justice Center. No official asks for gift cards, crypto, or app payments. Verify any call by dialing 920-832-5266 yourself.
Outagamie County bail contacts
- Jail
- Outagamie County Jail, Justice Center, 320 S. Walnut Street, Appleton, WI 54911; 920-832-4449
- Central Control
- 24 hours; 920-832-5266
- Custody lookup
- Outagamie County Inmate Search
- Clerk of Courts
- 320 S. Walnut Street, Appleton; 920-832-5131
- Pretrial Program
- Criminal Justice Treatment Services; 920-832-5160
- Inmate accounts
- 920-832-5314
- Juvenile clerk
- 320 S. Walnut Street; 920-832-5138
- Public defender
- 100 W. Lawrence Street, Suite 250, Appleton, WI 54911; 920-832-2774
Hours, fees, and phone numbers can change, so confirm details before you travel or pay. This page is a general guide, not a legal opinion.
How do Bail Bonds work at Outagamie County Jail
Outagamie County Inmate Bail
Bail/bonds can be paid 24 hours per day with the exceptions of meal times (11:30 a.m.—1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.—7:00 p.m.).
Cash, cashiers checks, money orders and credit cards, made payable to the Outagamie County Clerk of Courts.
If a credit card is used for bail/bond, the person whose name is imprinted on the card must appear in person to sign the charge slip. A transaction fee is automatically added to the cash advance amount.
In addition, there is a jail processing fee of $30, if it hasn't already been paid.
Outagamie County Jail
Address:
320 South Walnut Street
Appleton, WI 54911
Phone:
920-832-5266
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Outagamie County
Does Outagamie County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Outagamie County?
Who can set bail in Outagamie County?
When is bail set in Outagamie County Wisconsin?
Does Outagamie County have bail?
Yes, Outagamie 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 Outagamie County?
The Outagamie County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Outagamie County?
Bail is set by a judge in Outagamie 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 Outagamie 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 Outagamie 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 Outagamie 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 Outagamie 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 Outagamie 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 Outagamie County have bail?
Yes, Outagamie 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 Outagamie County?
The Outagamie County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Outagamie County?
Bail is set by a judge in Outagamie 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 Outagamie County Wisconsin?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Outagamie 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 Outagamie 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 Outagamie County Jail for more information about the jails in Outagamie County.
What options are there to pay bail in Outagamie 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 Outagamie County Jail for more information about posting bail in Outagamie 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 Outagamie 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.