Wood County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Wood County bail and bond: the Wisconsin Rapids jail, the 1:30 intake court and the lobby window
Adults arrested in Wood County are held in the Wood County Jail at 400 Market Street in Wisconsin Rapids. Look up a person on Wood County Inmate Search for custody status and bail. New arrests see the Intake Courtroom Judge at 1:30 p.m. the next weekday. Wisconsin bans bondsmen, so you pay the court's cash bail yourself: at the Clerk of Courts on weekdays and in the jail's front lobby at all other times.
1. Where do I find a person who was arrested in Wood County?
Search Wood County Inmate Search. Adults arrested in the county are booked into the Wood County Jail, in the Wood County Courthouse building at 400 Market Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495. The search shows custody and any bail.
The jail's phone is 715-421-8730. The Sheriff's Office main line is 715-421-8700, and a second Sheriff's office serves the north end of the county at 1600 North Chestnut Avenue, Marshfield.
2. Why is a first appearance at 1:30 p.m. the day after an arrest?
Most new arrests and warrant arrests go before the Intake Courtroom Judge at 1:30 p.m. on the weekday after the arrest. The person appears in person or by video, and a monitor in the courtroom shows the hearing.
The courtroom is on the third floor of the City/County Building. The jail leaves court dates to the courts, so questions about the calendar go to the clerk.
3. Where do I pay a Wood County bond?
On weekdays go to the Clerk of Courts on the third floor of the City/County Building, 400 Market Street, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The clerk's number is 715-421-8490.
At every other time, pay in the jail's front lobby. Wisconsin law requires an officer who takes bail to give a receipt, so keep it.
4. What payment types does the jail lobby accept?
Cash, and credit cards through Government Payment Service. The cards are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Discover.
The card is authorized in person with a valid photo ID, a non-refundable transaction fee applies, and personal checks are not accepted.
5. How do I pay a bond on a warrant from another county?
The person must be in custody at a Wisconsin facility. The jail accepts the exact warrant amount in cash.
Wood County's warrant officer, at 715-421-8719, handles Wood County warrants.
6. Can a bondsman in Marshfield or Wisconsin Rapids post bond?
No. State law outlaws bail bondsmen who charge a fee. Wis. Stat. 969.12 requires a surety to be an individual who lives in the state and says no surety may be paid.
A person or company that advertises bonds for a fee is not lawful here. The only bail is the court's cash amount.
7. Is the lobby kiosk the place to pay bail?
The kiosk at the front lobby takes cash for deposits into an inmate's Trust account. That money is for commissary and calls, not for bail.
The system automatically takes a percentage of deposits toward debts such as medical or medication charges. Online deposits go through Inmate Canteen with convenience fees.
8. What are video visits and when are they offered?
Incoming video visits, emails and texts are allowed for a fee. Video visitation hours are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Two public video booths sit in the jail lobby. A family member must open and fund an Inmate Canteen account if the inmate has no funds. Video services can be unavailable when every tablet in the housing unit is in use.
9. Can I bring clothing or hygiene items?
No. Hygiene products, clothing and undergarments are not accepted by visit or mail. Regular-status inmates get basic hygiene supplies when they arrive and buy more through weekly canteen service.
Books must come from a reputable vendor by U.S. mail. An inmate may keep two magazines or newspapers per title from a subscription.
10. What does it cost to be held at the Wood County Jail?
Sentenced inmates pay $10 a day, and so does a person held only on a probation hold. A $40 booking fee applies. Other charges include $10 for a nurse visit and $25 for a doctor visit.
Huber board is $21 a day, and electronic monitoring is $21 a day in county and $30 out of county. Transport costs 70 cents a mile.
11. How do Huber and electronic monitoring work?
Huber lets sentenced inmates leave at set hours for work, school, treatment or family care. The Huber desk is at 715-421-8735, and the Electronic Monitoring Program is at 715-421-8768.
The applications are downloadable from the Sheriff's pages and must be filled out completely and brought to the report appointment. A person awaiting trial who cannot post bail is not eligible.
12. When do sentenced people report to the jail?
For Wood County charges, report on Mondays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or on Saturdays from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Do not report intoxicated or with any weapon.
Failing to report can lead to bond revocation and jail. Refusing a required DNA sample can lead to contempt sanctions.
13. Is bail capped for a misdemeanor in Wood County?
Yes. It cannot exceed the highest fine for the offense. Felonies have no cap and no statewide chart, and the judge decides.
Money bail requires a finding that it is needed to assure appearance, or, in a violent-crime case, a weighing of all the circumstances.
14. Can the court refuse bail in Wood County?
Only under Wis. Stat. 969.035, for listed serious charges or violent-crime charges with a prior violent conviction, and only when the prosecutor asks.
A hearing happens within 10 days. The state needs clear and convincing proof, and a denial lasts up to 60 days after it.
15. How does a domestic abuse arrest work in Wood County?
Officers must arrest when the legal tests are met, and the person is not released until bail is posted or a judge sees the case.
After release a 72-hour no-contact period applies to the alleged victim and the home. The person signs an acknowledgment. A knowing violation can bring up to $10,000 or nine months in jail.
16. What happens to the bond money later?
A dismissal or an acquittal returns the deposit to the person who paid it. After a conviction, leftover cash goes to restitution first and the judgment second.
Breaking a bond term or missing court can lead to forfeiture, and an intentional breach is bail jumping under Wis. Stat. 946.49.
17. Who is the public defender, and where are juveniles handled?
The State Public Defender's Wisconsin Rapids office is at 2811 8th Street South, Suite 8, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494, phone 715-303-5010. Ask the judge for a lawyer at the first hearing.
Juvenile matters go through the Register in Probate and Clerk of Juvenile Court, third floor of the courthouse, phone 715-421-8524, open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and closed 12:00 to 12:45 for lunch.
Wood County bail contacts
- Jail
- Wood County Jail, 400 Market Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495; 715-421-8730
- Sheriff's Office
- 715-421-8700; north office, 1600 North Chestnut Avenue, Marshfield
- Custody lookup
- Wood County Inmate Search
- Clerk of Courts (weekday bond)
- Third floor, 400 Market Street; 715-421-8490; Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Huber and monitoring
- Huber 715-421-8735; electronic monitoring 715-421-8768
- Public defender
- State Public Defender, Wisconsin Rapids, 2811 8th Street South, Suite 8; 715-303-5010
- Juvenile court
- Register in Probate and Clerk of Juvenile Court, third floor; 715-421-8524
Wood County can change its hours, fees and card rules, and a judge may set conditions that differ from the general rules here. Check with the clerk or the jail before you pay. This page explains the general rules and is not legal advice.
Wood County Jail
Address:
400 Market Street
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
Phone:
715-421-8730
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Wood County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Wood County?
Who can set bail in Wood County?
When is bail set in Wood County Wisconsin?
Does Wood County have bail?
Yes, Wood 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 Wood County?
The Wood County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Wood County?
Bail is set by a judge in Wood 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 Wood 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 Wood 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 Wood 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 Wood 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 Wood 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 Wood County have bail?
Yes, Wood 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 Wood County?
The Wood County courts recognize cash bail or10% cash percentage bonds. In some cases, a property bond will be considered.
Who can set bail in Wood County?
Bail is set by a judge in Wood 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 Wood County Wisconsin?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Wood 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 Wood 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 Wood County Jail for more information about the jails in Wood County.
What options are there to pay bail in Wood 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 Wood County Jail for more information about posting bail in Wood 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 Wood 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.