Address:
555 SE 1st Ave.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone:
954-831-5900
Look up an Inmate's Bond online, call to get the information at 954-831-5900, or visit the information window, which is open 24-hours-a-day, located in the lobby of BSO's Main Jail at 555 SE 1st Ave.,
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Please call the jail at 954-831-5900 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Main Jail Bureau.
A bond is set according to a court-approved schedule.
The purpose of the bond is to assure the offender's appearance in court.
Instructions on how to post Bail or Bond in Broward County
Because Broward County and Florida can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Main Jail Bureau at 954-831-5900, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, right after an arrestee has been booked.
Ask the staff at the Main Jail Bureau or the Broward County Court Clerk these specific questions:
If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released.
This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.
Option 1 - How to Post Bail using Cash for a Defendant at Main Jail Bureau
The first option, a cash bond, is to pay the full bail amount in cash, cashier's check, or money order. Personal Checks are not accepted.
Depending on the crime, this amount could be anywhere from $100 to $75,000 or more.
To pay a cash bond, go to Main Jail Bureau or to the court where the bail hearing occurred. Going directly to the jail will quicken the release of the defendant as any bail paperwork processed at the court will have to be transferred to the jail.
Cashier's Checks and Money Orders may be made out to Main Jail Bureau where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Broward County Sheriff's Office or to the Broward County Court.
To purchase money orders visit any Western Union, Moneygram or Post Office.
Option 2 - How to Post a Private or Surety Bond for a Defendant at Main Jail Bureau
In the event that someone does not have the full bond amount available to him or her, there is what is called a private bond or surety bond.
This is an agreement made with a bail agent or bondsman who will post the full bail amount. In return, the defendant and/or cosigner will pay a premium to the bail agent. This premium will be 10-15% of the full bail amount.
For example, if bail is posted at $5,000, then the premium will cost approximately $500-$750.
A bail agent will often require some form of collateral, for example, a lien on a house, a car or jewelry. This is to ensure that if the defendant skips bail, or does not appear in court, the bail agent has some sort of compensation for the full bail amount being paid.
Remember, by making an agreement with a bail agent the signatory takes responsibility for paying the full bail amount if the defendant does not appear in court.
Option 3 - How to Post a Property Bond for a Defendant at Main Jail Bureau
If you are a landowner in Broward County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Broward County may be used as collateral to bail someone out. All owners of the property must be present to sign the bond in order for this to happen.
To find if property located outside of Broward County can be used as collateral, call a local bail or bond agent or contact a defense lawyer.
Click here for additional information on how to post bail at Main Jail Bureau.
Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Main Jail Bureau?
Anyone over the age of 18 who can produce a valid government-issued photo ID can post bail. Accepted forms of ID include a Photo Driver's License, Passport, or Motor Vehicle issued ID.
In many circumstances, if the defendant has the resources, they can post their own cash bail from jail.
Surety Bonds are arranged by a third party, typically a Florida state licensed Bail Bond firm.
Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.
When will the Cash Bail or Collateral be returned to me?
Money or collateral will not be returned until the defendant's court case is finished, so realistically it could take several months to years, depending on the severity of the charges. If a defendant posts his or her own bail, Broward County Court may retain whatever amount of fines or fees have accumulated throughout the trial.
What happens to my Bail or Collateral if the Defendant misses Court?
The Broward County Judge may order a failure to appear warrant for the person's arrest or the Judge may order a Bail Commissioner's Letter be issued that will be sent to the person with a new court date.
If cash bail was paid, the entire amount may be forfeited.
Option 1
Cash Deposits in Jail Lobby Kiosks - Lobby hours for deposits are 7:15AM – 10:00PM, 7 days a week.
Use the following locations:
Main Jail
555 SE 1st Ave.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
Paul Rein Detention Facility
2421 NW 16th Street
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
The Joseph V. Conte Facility
1351 NW 27th Avenue
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
North Broward Bureau
1550 NW 30th Avenue
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
Option 2
Use Western Union 'Bill Pay' to send deposits online,
in person, or by calling 800-634-3422.
Western Union accepts Credit Cards via phone or on-line.
Option 3
Western Union 'Quick Collect' Money Transfers
For each Commissary Quick Collect transaction the following information must be provided:
Pay to: Sheriff of Broward County
Code city & state: CANTEEN, FL
Account number: Inmate's name and arrest number
Attention: Inmate's name, date of birth and purpose: commissary
For complete information on how to deposit money for an inmate, including maximum amounts and who can make the deposits, check out our Inmate Money page.
Mailing Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate's Arrest Number
Central Intake Bureau
PO Box 9356
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33310
Letters in envelopes are NOT allowed.
** Legal Mail is exempt from this. Incoming and outgoing legal mail can be on letters, and in envelopes.
Unacceptable Postcard forms:
For full information on exactly what you can mail an inmate in Broward County, and where to send it, check out our Inmate Mail page.
Look up an Inmate's Bond online, call to get the information at 954-831-5900, or visit the information window, which is open 24-hours-a-day, located in the lobby of BSO's Main Jail at 555 SE 1st Ave.,
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
For complete information on Bail, Bonds, How to Pay, Who can Pay, Refunds and more, check out our Inmate Bail page.
To rent a tablet for an inmate in Broward County follow these instructions:
For all Broward County information on Tablet Rentals for your inmate, check out our Tablet Rental Page.
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Main Jail Bureau follow these steps:
For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Main Jail Bureau check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Broward County.
To send commissary money to an inmate in Main Jail Bureau follow these steps:
For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for Main Jail Bureau.
To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from Broward County do the following:
1. Enroll in an account with Securus Technologies.
2. Choose one of three account types, Securus Debit, Advance Connect or Direct Bill.
3. Choose [facility_name_1}, then connect with your inmate.
4. If you have any questions, call Securus: 972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591.
To find out fees, how to's, calling times, limits on phone calls and other systems Securus has do that you can communicate with your Broward County inmate, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: All of your inmate's phone calls are recorded and stored. It is advised not to discuss their pending case.
To schedule and set up a visit, either at-the-jail or remotely from your home, follow these instructions:
To get more complete instructions, and understand visit lengths, times, locations, fees and all the other rules including children, dress codes and more, check out or Visit Inmate Page.
NOTE: All visits are recorded and whatever you say and do will be monitored. It is best to never discuss sensitive information regarding your inmate's pending case.