Vernon County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
Vernon County bail and bond: clerk by day, Sheriff's Office after hours
Adults arrested in Vernon County are held in the Vernon County jail run by the Sheriff's Office, 1320 Bad Axe Court, Viroqua. Use Vernon County Inmate Search to see whether someone is in custody and what bail was set. On weekdays you pay the Clerk of Circuit Court; after hours and on weekends you pay at the Sheriff's Office. No bail bondsman may work in Wisconsin. Court questions go to the clerk at 608-637-5340.
Is my loved one in the Vernon County jail?
Look the name up on Vernon County Inmate Search. It shows custody status and any bail on file. A brand-new booking may not show for a while. If the search leaves a question open, such as a hold from another county, call the Clerk of Courts at 608-637-5340 for court details, or stop by the Sheriff's Office.
Keep the legal name and birth date ready.
Where do I go in Viroqua?
The jail is run by the Sheriff's Office at 1320 Bad Axe Court, Viroqua, WI 54665. The courthouse is at 400 Courthouse Square, where the Clerk of Circuit Court is in Suite 115. The two buildings handle different parts of a bond: the clerk for weekday court payments, the Sheriff's Office for after-hours ones.
How do I pay a bond on a weekday?
Pay the Clerk of Courts at 400 Courthouse Square, Suite 115. Accepted forms are cash, a money order, or a cashier's check made out to "Vernon County Clerk of Courts." Personal checks are refused. The clerk's phone is 608-637-5340.
What if I need to pay after regular hours or on a weekend?
Go to the Sheriff's Office at 1320 Bad Axe Court. It takes all bonds after regular business hours and on weekends. Bring the exact dollar amount in cash, or a money order or cashier's check. The Sheriff's Office does not accept personal checks.
Can a bond be paid by credit card?
Yes. Online, use GovPayNet with a credit card, or phone 877-392-2455. A transaction fee is added. Use facility code 3086 for a bond paid to the Clerk of Courts and code 1827 for a bond paid through the Sheriff's Office (all bonds). Have the person's name and case number ready.
Can I pay a warrant at the Sheriff's Office the same way?
A warrant for unpaid money can be paid at the Sheriff's Office in person with exact cash, a money order, or a cashier's check. The page for warrants says no bond is posted for them. Citations are different: they are paid to the Clerk of Courts, not at the Sheriff's Office.
Is there a licensed bondsman in Vernon County?
None, because Wisconsin law forbids paid bonding. Under Wis. Stat. 969.12(2), a surety must be an individual and cannot be paid. The bond you post here is money to the court. A neighbor or cousin who lives in Wisconsin may sign without pay if the judge approves.
What does the court do with the bond money later?
If the defendant fails to follow the bond conditions, the money can be forfeited. If the defendant is found guilty, the court can apply it to restitution, fines, or costs. If the charge is dismissed or the defendant is acquitted, the deposit goes back to the person who made it.
Is he free the moment I pay?
Paying is the legal release. A Wisconsin court has held that "release" means posting the bond, even before the person steps outside. A separate warrant or a probation hold can still keep a person in custody, so ask the Sheriff's Office whether anything else is on the booking.
How does a domestic abuse arrest change release?
The arrested person cannot be released until bail is posted or a judge sees the case (Wis. Stat. 968.075). The officer must also read and have the person sign the rules for the next 72 hours: no contact with the alleged victim and no going to her home. Someone who refuses to sign is not released.
Can a judge deny release?
Only under Wis. Stat. 969.035, for certain serious charges or a violent charge with a prior violent conviction. The district attorney must request it, the hearing starts within 10 days, and the state must prove the need by clear and convincing evidence. A hold lasts up to 60 days after the hearing.
How is the first court appearance handled?
The law requires a prompt appearance in the county where the offense happened, and it may be done on the record by phone or live video. For a warrantless arrest, a judge reviews probable cause within 48 hours. The Clerk of Courts can tell you the date.
Can a person be freed without paying money?
Yes, in some cases. The judge may release a person on an unsecured appearance bond, which is a written promise to pay the stated amount only if the terms are broken (Wis. Stat. 969.02 and 969.03). The judge can instead use non-money rules, such as limits on travel, a ban on weapons, or a custodian who agrees to supervise.
What are the penalties for ignoring bond terms?
Intentionally violating a bond is bail jumping under Wis. Stat. 946.49. It is a Class A misdemeanor if the person was released on a misdemeanor and a Class H felony if on a felony. A released person must also tell the clerk in writing within 48 hours about any change of address.
Can the bail be reduced?
A lawyer can ask the judge to lower it under Wis. Stat. 969.08. After 72 hours in custody following the first appearance, a person who cannot meet the terms can request a review. The judge must explain a decision to keep them.
Where is the public defender?
The State Public Defender office for Vernon County is at 149 6th Street S., La Crosse, WI 54601. The phone is 608-766-4001. An appointed lawyer is requested from the judge at the first hearing.
Who can tell me about a juvenile arrest?
The juvenile clerk, 608-637-5347, in Suite 115 of the courthouse. Staff can give the hearing date and tell you which facility holds the youth. Juvenile files are closed to the public, so Vernon County Inmate Search leaves out any child.
How do I make sure an online payment page is real?
Reach the page through the Clerk of Courts or the Sheriff's Office, and match the facility code to the numbers on this page. No office asks for gift cards or crypto. When in doubt, phone 608-637-5340.
Vernon County bail contacts
- Jail
- Vernon County Jail, Sheriff's Office, 1320 Bad Axe Court, Viroqua, WI 54665
- Custody lookup
- Vernon County Inmate Search
- Clerk of Circuit Court
- 400 Courthouse Square, Suite 115, Viroqua, WI 54665; 608-637-5340
- Card payments
- 877-392-2455; facility code 3086 (clerk) or 1827 (all bonds)
- Juvenile clerk
- Suite 115; 608-637-5347
- Public defender
- 149 6th Street S., La Crosse, WI 54601; 608-766-4001
Fees, hours, and codes can change, so confirm them with the office before you pay. This page is general information and not a legal opinion.
Vernon County Detention Center
Address:
1320 Bad Axe Court
Viroqua, WI 54665
Phone:
608-638-5780
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Vernon County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Vernon County?
Who can set bail in Vernon County?
When is bail set in Vernon County Wisconsin?
Does Vernon County have bail?
Yes, Vernon 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 Vernon County?
The Vernon County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Vernon County?
Bail is set by a judge in Vernon 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 Vernon 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 Vernon 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 Vernon 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 Vernon County Detention 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 Vernon 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 Vernon County have bail?
Yes, Vernon 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 Vernon County?
The Vernon County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Vernon County?
Bail is set by a judge in Vernon 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 Vernon County Wisconsin?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Vernon 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 Vernon 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 Vernon County Detention Center for more information about the jails in Vernon County.
What options are there to pay bail in Vernon 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 Vernon County Detention Center for more information about posting bail in Vernon 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 Vernon 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.