Polk County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Polk County

Wisconsin • Polk County • Bail & bond help

Polk County bail and bond: the Balsam Lake jail and paying Wisconsin cash bail

People arrested in Polk County are held in the Polk County Jail, inside the Justice Center at 1005 West Main Street in Balsam Lake. Check Polk County Inmate Search to see if a person is in custody and what the bail is. Wisconsin bans bail bondsmen, so bail is the court's own cash bail, and the jail at 715-485-8370 can tell you how to pay it. The questions below cover the Wisconsin rules.

Is the person I am looking for in Balsam Lake?

Search the name on Polk County Inmate Search. It shows custody status and any bail. When you need more, the jail's direct line is 715-485-8370.

The Sheriff's Office dispatch line is 715-485-8300, and the records desk is 715-485-8350. Records can help with a report number, while the jail handles questions about the person inside.

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Where is the Polk County Jail?

The Polk County Jail is in the Polk County Justice Center, 1005 West Main Street, Balsam Lake, WI 54810. The Sheriff's Office is in the same building, Suite 900. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m..

This is the county's own jail. Polk County does not send its arrestees to a state regional jail, because Wisconsin has none.

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What should I ask when I phone the jail?

Call 715-485-8370 and ask four things: Is bail set, and how much? Where do I bring it? What kinds of payment are taken? What ID is needed? Write down the answers and the name of the person who gave them.

If a judge has not yet set bail, ask when the first court appearance will be. Money cannot be taken for bail that does not exist yet.

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Who takes the bail money?

Bail that a judge has already set can be taken by the Sheriff's Office. Wisconsin law allows this only at a sheriff's office or a police station, and the officer must issue a receipt. The Clerk of Circuit Court at 715-485-9299, 1005 West Main Street, can say whether the clerk also receives bail for a specific case.

State law lets a clerk accept a credit or debit card in place of cash. Ask which method is in use before you travel.

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Is there a bonding company I can hire?

No. A paid surety is illegal in Wisconsin. Wis. Stat. 969.12 limits sureties to individuals who live in the state and bars paying them.

That is why a Polk County family sees no ten-percent bail bond offer from a licensed business. What exists is the court's bail, in money, and sometimes a release without money.

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What do Wisconsin judges mean by "conditions"?

Conditions are the non-money rules that go with release: no contact with a named person, staying within an area, no weapons, returning to custody at set hours, or a custodian who agrees to supervise. Judges often order them instead of bail.

Bail is separate. It is ordered only after a finding that it is needed to assure the person comes to court, or, in a violent-crime case, after weighing the total circumstances.

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How long can police hold someone before a judge looks at the case?

A person arrested must be brought before a judge within a reasonable time. For an arrest without a warrant, the courts require a probable cause decision within 48 hours. Video appearances are an option.

Questions about the hearing time go to the Clerk of Circuit Court at 715-485-9299.

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Does a misdemeanor have a ceiling on bail?

Yes: the highest fine the law allows for that offense. A felony has no set statewide ceiling or chart.

If the number looks too high for your family, a lawyer can ask for a change. A judge may weigh ability to pay, along with the facts of the case and the person's background.

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What if the judge refuses bail?

Wis. Stat. 969.035 lets a judge do this only in narrow cases: specified serious charges, or violent-crime charges where the person has a prior violent conviction. The prosecutor has to ask and say that conditions will not protect the public.

The hearing is held within 10 days. The state must carry a clear and convincing burden. The denial may last up to 60 days after the hearing.

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Why is a domestic abuse arrest slower?

Deputies must arrest when the law's tests are met, and Wis. Stat. 968.075 bars release until bail is posted or a judge sees the case. After release there is a 72-hour no-contact order.

The order covers the victim's home and any contact, direct or through another person. The victim can waive it in writing. A person who refuses to sign the release paperwork is not let go.

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Can my relative leave jail for work?

Huber release is for sentenced county jail inmates. A judge grants it. It allows leaving for work, school, treatment, or family care during set hours, with pay going into a trust account. The sheriff can suspend it up to five days for rule violations.

A person who is waiting for trial and cannot pay bail is not eligible. For a sentenced inmate, ask the jail at 715-485-8370 how the process works.

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Where does Polk County hold a juvenile?

Juvenile cases are handled by the juvenile side of the circuit court, and the adult search may not show a child. The Clerk of Circuit Court at 715-485-9299 can give the hearing date and tell you where the court has placed the youth. The Sheriff's Office at 715-485-8300 can also point you.

Have the child's birth date and the name of the arresting officer ready.

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Where can we get a lawyer for free?

The State Public Defender's Hudson office serves Polk, St. Croix, Dunn, and Pierce counties. It is at 2100 O'Neil Road, Suite 400, Hudson, WI 54016, phone 715-650-9777.

Make the request to the judge at the first hearing. If a person is still held 72 hours after it, the judge can be asked to review the conditions.

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What are the penalties for missing court?

Forfeited bail and a warrant. A knowing breach of bond terms is also bail jumping under Wis. Stat. 946.49: a Class A misdemeanor if the case was a misdemeanor and a Class H felony if it was a felony.

A released person has 48 hours to send a new address to the clerk in writing.

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When can I ask for the bail back?

A dismissal or not-guilty result returns the deposit to the person who paid. After a conviction, the court uses what remains for restitution first and then the judgment. The Clerk of Circuit Court at 715-485-9299 handles requests.

Money placed on a jail account for calls or snacks is not bail and does not get anyone out.

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Polk County bail contacts

Jail
Polk County Jail, Justice Center, 1005 West Main Street, Balsam Lake, WI 54810; 715-485-8370
Sheriff's Office
Suite 900, Justice Center; dispatch 715-485-8300; records 715-485-8350; office hours Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Custody lookup
Polk County Inmate Search
Clerk of Circuit Court
1005 West Main Street, Balsam Lake, WI 54810; 715-485-9299
Public defender
State Public Defender, Hudson, 2100 O'Neil Road, Suite 400; 715-650-9777
Juvenile court
Clerk of Circuit Court, 715-485-9299

Phone lines, hours, and amounts change from time to time, and a judge may order terms that differ from the general rules on this page. Ask the jail or clerk before you pay. None of this replaces a lawyer's advice.

Polk County Jail

Address:
1005 West Main Street
Balsam Lake, WI 54810
Phone:
715-485-8370

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Polk County


Does Polk County have bail?

What kind of bonds are accepted in Polk County?

Who can set bail in Polk County?

When is bail set in Polk County Wisconsin?

 

 

Does Polk County have bail?

Yes, Polk 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 Polk County?

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

 

 

Who can set bail in Polk County?

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

Yes, Polk 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 Polk County?

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

Who can set bail in Polk County?

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

Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.

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

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

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Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.