Address:
439 E 50 S
Covington, IN 47932
Phone:
765-793-3545
Register with them online or call them at 877-392-2455 for assistance.
To make a payment, you will need the following:
Does Fountain County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Fountain County?
Who can set bail in Fountain County?
When is bail set in Fountain County Indiana?
Yes, Fountain County Indiana recognizes most types of bonds.
Indiana recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Pre-trial release can come in several forms including release on own recognizance, cash bond, surety bond via a bail bond agent.
A judge sets the bail. In some counties bail is determined by a bail schedule. In other counties the judge makes the determination based on the seriousness of the charges, the defendant’s flight risk, and the defendant’s previous criminal history.
Bail is set in Indiana during the first court appearance, also known as the arraignment. This hearing will usually take place at least 48 hours after arrest and processing.
Bail is what the arrested in Fountain 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 Fountain 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 Fountain County Jail until 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.
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 bond payment is always written to the court in your municipality, Fountain County or district directly and does not go through the defendant. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.
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.
More courts are now trying to work with defendants to make bail work and might provide non-monetary options or even reduce the bail.
Payments to a bond company are not refundable. It is a long process to get back property title or money that was given to the clerk of court or bondsperson to secure the bond. This could put your loved ones into a difficult financial situation.
Another reason not to unnecessarily rush into securing a bond is that if the court notes that you came up with the money to pay a bond company, they may assume you have resources to pay a defense attorney and decline public defense.
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.
Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge or bail officer 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 or bail officer, clerk of court, bail magistrate or 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 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 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 family, friend or a bondsperson. 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 are multiple court fees involved to execute a property bond with the courts and a tedious process to get the property deed back. This is another type of surety bond if another person or a bond company is used to secure the bond.
You could also go to a local bank and take out a car loan offering property or anything of value for collateral. You may get someone to co-sign on the loan and offer their property. The bank charges fees, interest and could keep your property if you did not pay the loan back, or even on time.
A professional bondsperson makes money, at least 10% of the bond amount by providing you with a “loan” called a bond. The percent that they charge is fixed by the state and cannot be negotiated. The defendant or surety does not get that 10% or more back even if the terms of the bail are met.
With a property bond, the property deed would need to be signed over to the bondsperson and everyone on the deed would need to be involved.
Since the bondsperson signed off, to be responsible that you show to court as your surety, they can send a bounty hunter to bring you to court if you flee. A bondsperson does not have to give you a bond if the defendant seems to be too much of a risk.
Ask the bondsperson to explain all the costs: percentage, fees or court fees. There is never a reason to rush through signing the paperwork with a bond company. Make sure that everything told to you is in writing and that you understand what you are signing. Ask questions, and if you feel rushed or don’t understand the contract with the bond company, you might want to call another one.
(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.)
Yes, Fountain County Indiana recognizes most types of bonds.
Indiana recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Pre-trial release can come in several forms including release on own recognizance, cash bond, surety bond via a bail bond agent.
A judge sets the bail. In some counties bail is determined by a bail schedule. In other counties the judge makes the determination based on the seriousness of the charges, the defendant’s flight risk, and the defendant’s previous criminal history.
Bail is set in Indiana during the first court appearance, also known as the arraignment. This hearing will usually take place at least 48 hours after arrest and processing.
Yes, your attorney may file a request for bail modification.
The person posting bail should be a relative or close friend, called a surety, because they are promising and taking responsibility that you will return to court in order to get their money back. Anyone posting bail in Indiana must be at least 18 years of age have present valid identification.
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 Indiana could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Yes, Indiana counties do allow online payments for bail. There is a service fee (currently 4.5%) for this service.
Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Fountain County Jail for more information about the jails in Fountain County.
Cash, debit cards, credit cards or a surety. If paying with a surety it must be completed by an authorized bail bond agent. In-person payments can be made at the county clerk’s office in the county where the defendant is charged.
Contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted. Go to the Fountain County Jail for more information about posting bail in Fountain County.
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. If you used a bondsperson, you would not get your 10% back. Property is returned by the court or bondsperson after the appropriate requests and formal paperwork are completed with the court.
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.
The Fountain County Jail or court in this jurisdiction can provide you with a list of approved and licensed bond companies, but they cannot recommend a specific company. You are not obligated to use the first company available and can call several companies to compare what kind of bonds that the bondsperson is willing to execute.
The percentage of bail that the bond company can charge is set, usually at 10%, by the state and cannot be negotiated.
Bail bond procedures in Fountain County and Indiana can change, so it is recommended to contact Fountain County Jail at 765-793-3545 or the relevant court immediately after the defendant has been arrested. This will ensure that you receive the most accurate and up-to-date information.
When contacting Fountain County Jail or the Fountain County Court Clerk, ask these specific questions:
If the bail amount is too high, contact a lawyer or the public defender to discuss the possibility of a bail reduction. Starting early on this process will help speed up the defendant's release.
Having a lawyer or bail agent handle this process can make it easier and more efficient for you.
Option 1 - How to Post Cash Bail at Fountain County Jail
A cash bond requires the full bail amount to be paid in cash, cashier’s check, or money order. Personal checks are not accepted.
The amount may range from $100 to $75,000 or more depending on the charges.
To post the bond, go directly to Fountain County Jail or the court where the bail hearing occurred. Going to the jail will expedite the release process, as paperwork from the court must be sent to the jail.
Cashier’s checks and money orders should be made out to Fountain County Jail, the Fountain County Sheriff’s Office, or the Fountain County Court.
You can purchase money orders from Western Union, Moneygram, or any Post Office.
Option 2 - How to Post a Surety Bond for a Defendant at Fountain County Jail
If you don’t have the full bail amount, a surety bond is another option. A bail agent posts the full bail in exchange for a premium, which is usually 10-15% of the total bail amount.
For example, if bail is set at $5,000, the premium will be between $500 and $750.
The bail agent may require collateral, such as property or valuables, to secure the bond. If the defendant fails to appear in court, the agent may collect this collateral.
When you sign an agreement with a bail agent, you become responsible 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 Fountain County Jail
If you own property in Fountain County, you may be able to post a property bond. All property owners must be present to sign the bond agreement.
For properties located outside of Fountain County, contact a local bail agent or defense attorney for more details.
For more information, click here to learn how to post bail at Fountain County Jail.
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 Indiana state licensed Bail Bond firm.
Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.
Can I pay a Fountain County Jail inmate's bond online?
Yes, you can pay a Fountain County Jail inmate's bond online using a third-party service called 'allpaid'. The instructions are easy... From their website, look up Fountain County Jail or Fountain County, input the inmate's name, and then use your credit or debit card to deposit the bond amount. As soon as the payment is processed and the information is sent to the Fountain County Jail, the jail will begin the release process. You do not have to be present for all of this to take place. Learn more about how to bail or bond out an inmate in the Fountain County Jail, call allpaid directly at 877-392-2455, or call the jail at 765-793-3545.