JUSTICE DIVISION

Inmate Bonding Information

NOTICE OF FEE CHANGE:

EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2010, THE BOND FEE WILL INCREASE TO $20.00 PER BOND (CHARGE).

Bonding company information is down the page, however, please read all of the information on this page very carefully to make the best decision on how to get your loved one out of jail.

SEARCH FOR AN INMATE'S BOND INFORMATION ONLINE!

Click this link to go to the Sheriff's Office On-line Jail Docket.

    You can get an inmate's bonding information online.  Please read the disclaimer before you proceed to the search.  These amounts DO NOT include a $13.00 per bond fee which must be paid in cash to the Accounting Office.  Additional county and state fees may be applied to the amount of the bond as well.  If you need any additional information, you may contact the Jail at 770-477-4413.

How do I make a person's bond?

Typically, a person's bond can be made in the following manner:

1.  Cash In Lieu of Property Bond-  This bond can be made by putting up the entire bond amount in cash or money order to the Sheriff's Accounting Office.  Whenever there is a final decision in the case (a disposition), the money will be returned by the Sheriff's Office upon receipt of the final sentence or dismissal.

2.  Use of Commercial/Professional Bonding Company-  You may choose to use one of the five licensed Commercial, or Professional, Bonding Companies located here in Clayton County.  These companies are privately owned and are not a part of the Sheriff's Office.  Thus, any contractual agreement would remain between you and the bonding company.  If you select a professional bondsman, the bonding process will not begin until the Release Officer receives what is known as an "intent to make bond" form from the bonding company you chose to select.

3.  Property Bond-  If you or someone you know owns real property here in Clayton County, or another county located in Georgia, it may be possible for you to use your property to secure a person's release.  Using this method will require that the property being used for bond must have enough equity in the home/property to cover the total amount of the bond, plus $10,000 for the Homestead Exemption.  For example, if a person's bond amount totals $1,800, it will require $11,800 in equity to make a person's bond.  If your property is located in another county it will be necessary for you to go to that county's Sheriff's Office and meet their requirements for making what some refer to as a "Transfer Bond."  The prepared bond will be sealed in an envelope to be delivered to the Clayton County Sheriff's Office by you.  In an effort to avoid having to go back and forth between agencies, it would be a good idea to reinforce to the other county, that when there is more than one charge, each charge must be placed on a separate bond.

NOTICE:

The items listed below are also required in order to initiate the bonding process:

• A current and valid state issued driver's license or state identification card.  Other verifiable identifications my be approved at the discretion of a Justice Division Supervisor.

• There is a $13.00 per bond fee.  If you do a Transfer Bond, the other agency might charge you a fee for processing the bond as well.  This does not include the fees that a bonding company might charge you.  This fee must be paid in cash or money order to the Clayton County Sheriff's Office Accounting Office.

• A copy of a Warranty Deed or a Security Deed (for property bonds) that has been stamped as Satisfied by the Clerk of the Court.

• Any other document(s) that a supervisor deems necessary for determining ownership and/or the property's equity.

All bonds over $20,000 (Twenty-Thousand Dollars) will require that a Deed to Secure Debt to be completed by the Sheriff's Office, resulting in a lien being placed against the property until the case is disposed of.

Approved Bonding Companies

    The Clayton County Sheriff's Office DOES NOT recommend or endorse ANY specific bonding company.  Anyone wishing to use a bonding company should check each company out for themselves and make their own decision as to which company they would like to use.  These companies are listed in alphabetical order and should not be viewed as one company being better than the other because it is listed before another.  The Sheriff's Office has no control over the terms and conditions of the bonding companies, so be sure to look over any contract or documentation carefully.

What Happens Next?

    Once you have selected from the above options, the bond process can begin.  Any of the above options will require that a $13.00 per bond administrative bond fee be paid to our Accounting Office.  This is also where you will pay the bond if you select the Cash In Lieu option.

    If you select a professional bondsman, the bonding process will not begin until the Release Officer receives what is known as an "intent to make bond" form from the bonding company you chose to select.

    If it is determined that you meet the qualifications necessary to make a Property Bond, the bond process will begin upon the Release Officer receiving a copy of the receipt for the $13.00 per bond administrative bond fee.

    Bonds are usually processed on a first come, first served basis.  However, other factors will also determine the length of time that it takes to process your bond.  Remember, this is a very large facility with many tasks being completed behind the scenes.  We also have one of the largest inmate populations in the metro area and the safety of the jail and community will always remain paramount.

   The Release Officer will generate your bond by computer, which significantly reduces your waiting time versus us having to hand write the bond(s).  Once the bond has been generated, the person securing the bond (that is the person paying for the bond) will have to sign the bond(s).  A bond is a legally binding contract placing additional responsibility upon the person securing the bond to ensure that the defendant appears for all of their scheduled court appearances.

   If the defendant does fail to appear for court, the bond will be forfeited and proceedings will begin to collect the bond amount plus any accrued interest.  This could result in the person who is listed as the security's money being forfeited or their property being sold in order to satisfy the debt.  The person who was bonded out will have a warrant issued for their immediate arrest and detainment.  The bonding process should be taken VERY seriously and you should only bond out individuals you can trust to show up to all court appearances.  If you believe that the individual being bonded out will not appear in court, it would be in your best interest to not help them make bond.

For information on putting money on an inmate's account, click here.

For information on visiting an inmate, click here.

For First Appearance information, click here.

For information on preliminary hearings and trials, click here.