Franklin County Regional Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

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Franklin County Regional Jail

Address:
400 Coffee Tree Road
Frankfort, KY 40604

Phone:

502-875-8782

Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Franklin County


Does Franklin County have bail?

What kind of bonds are accepted in Franklin County?

Who can set bail in Franklin County?

When is bail set in Franklin County Kentucky?


 

 

Does Franklin County have bail?

Yes, Section 16 the Kentucky Constitution guarantees the right to bail for all but capital crimes. However, Kentucky does not permit bond companies to operate within the state. Any bonds would be gotten through the Franklin County court system.


 

 

What kind of bonds are accepted in Franklin County?

Kentucky offers several options when it comes to paying bail including release on own recognizance, cash bail, percentage bond, property bond, surety bond or unsecured bond.


 

 

Who can set bail in Franklin County?

Pretrial officers are mandated to conduct an interview and assessment within 12 hours of arrest on individuals arrested on bailable offenses. If a defendant does not qualify for administrative release, pretrial officers then present the findings to a judge, who makes the decision about pretrial release. 


 

 

When is bail set in Franklin County Kentucky?

Bail is set either the day of the arrest or by a judge at the arraignment, which is when the defendant will also enter a plea. In most cases the arraignment will occur the morning following arrest.

What is Bail?

Bail is money paid that is held by the Franklin County or municipal court to make sure that the arrested does not flee the area before their trial. Bail amounts and other conditions are determined at the arraignment. 

The State of Kentucky has banned commercial bail by a bail bond company.  

Pretrial officers are mandated to conduct an interview and assessment within 12 hours of arrest on individuals arrested on bailable offenses. If a defendant does not qualify for administrative release, pretrial officers then present the findings to a judge, who makes the decision about pretrial release. 

It is always important to have family involvement after being arrested. Not only can they make calls and communicate on your behalf, but family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court, not only for the defendant’s own good, but because they may have signed bond paperwork and responsible to pay if the defendant does not show in court. 

(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.  There are no bond companies in Kentucky.)

If the pretrial officer and judge 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 Franklin County Regional Jail until the case is resolved or goes to trial. Bail can also be denied if the defendant did not comply with bail conditions from a previous arrest. 

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. 

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.  

What are the different types of bonds in Franklin County?

Based on a review of information from the pretrial officer, the judge will determine and notify the accused of which types of bonds are available to them. 

These are the bonds that the Clerk of Court can process in Kentucky:

For minor offenses, the defendant, friend, or family can pay the full amount of bail.

A personal recognizance bond is where the defendant or someone representing the defendant signs paperwork which only requires a signature and promise from the defendant to return to court. If the defendant does not return to court, a warrant for arrest and detention can follow.

An unsecured release requires the defendant’s signature and conditions to be met. If the defendant does not return to court, the bail amount would need to be paid.  

Cash percentage bond.  If the bond order permits, the defendant pays 10% to the court, which then holds the money until the case is over. 10% of the 10% paid remains with the court and in most cases, there are court fees or fines due in addition, so if the defendant returns to all court hearings, 90% of the money paid to the court will be returned but additional fines and fees might be owed. 

Third-party surety release requires another person called a surety to sign with the defendant. The other person would need to put up property or partial money. Surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety. 

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 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, although the court generally does not start the process to acquire the deed unless the defendant does not show to a court appearance.  

Does Franklin County Kentucky have bail?  

Yes, Section 16 the Kentucky Constitution guarantees the right to bail for all but capital crimes. However, Kentucky does not permit bond companies to operate within the state. Any bonds would be gotten through the Franklin County court system.

What kind of bonds are accepted in Franklin County?

Kentucky offers several options when it comes to paying bail including release on own recognizance, cash bail, percentage bond, property bond, surety bond or unsecured bond.

Who can set bail in Franklin County?

Pretrial officers are mandated to conduct an interview and assessment within 12 hours of arrest on individuals arrested on bailable offenses. If a defendant does not qualify for administrative release, pretrial officers then present the findings to a judge, who makes the decision about pretrial release. 

When is bail set in Kentucky?

Bail is set either the day of the arrest or by a judge at the arraignment, which is when the defendant will also enter a plea. In most cases the arraignment will occur the morning following arrest.

Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Franklin County Kentucky? 

Yes, your attorney can file a request for bail adjustment with the District Court Judge assigned to the case.

In Franklin County Kentucky, who can pay bail for me? 

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 to get their money back. A surety is not responsible for court fees or paying off personal debts for the defendant.

Can bail be paid online in Franklin County Kentucky?  

Kentucky does not have an online bail payment system; however, you can add funds to an inmate’s spending account which can then be used to post bail. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Franklin County Regional Jail for contact information about the jails in Franklin County or the Clerk of Court.

What options are there to pay bail in Franklin County Kentucky? 

Most all jail and courts accept cash, a cashier or bankers’ check.  Some accept a credit card with fees. Contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted: Go to the Franklin County Regional Jail for more information about the jails in Franklin County.

Will I get all my bond money back in Kentucky? 

Bail money is returned to the person who paid the bail; in whole or in part once the case is finished. Not all money is returned due to bond percentages and court fees.

Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Franklin 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 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. 

What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Kentucky?  

Kentucky does not allow bond companies to operate in the state. The bond is acquired through the courts. A cash bond or a personal recognizance bond does not require money down.

Instructions on how to post Bail or Bond in Franklin County

Because bail bond procedures in Franklin County and Kentucky may change, it is recommended to call Franklin County Regional Jail at 502-875-8782 or contact the court where the defendant was charged, such as Municipal or District Court, right after an arrest has occurred to confirm current guidelines.

When calling Franklin County Regional Jail or the Franklin County Court Clerk, ask the following questions:

  1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or bond?
  2. What is the bail amount, and are there additional fees?
  3. Where can I post the bail?
  4. Are there specific times when bail cannot be posted?
  5. What payment methods are accepted (cash, money order, credit card, surety bonds)?
  6. Will I need a bail agent to complete the process?

If you think the bail amount is too high, reach out to a lawyer or the defendant's public defender to explore options for a bail reduction. Acting quickly can speed up the release process.

Working with a criminal attorney or bail agent can make the entire process smoother and faster.

Option 1 - How to Post Cash Bail at Franklin County Regional Jail

A cash bond involves paying the full bail amount using cash, a cashier’s check, or a money order. Personal checks are not accepted.

Bail amounts can vary depending on the charge and range from $100 to $75,000 or more.

To post the bond, go directly to Franklin County Regional Jail or the court where the bail hearing took place. Going to the jail will help expedite the process, as paperwork from the court needs to be transferred to the jail.

Cashier’s checks and money orders should be made payable to Franklin County Regional Jail, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, or the Franklin County Court.

Money orders can be purchased from Western Union, Moneygram, or any Post Office.

Option 2 - How to Post a Surety Bond for a Defendant at Franklin County Regional Jail

If the full bail amount is not available, a surety bond is another option. A bail agent posts the bond in exchange for a premium, typically 10-15% of the total bail amount.

For instance, if bail is set at $5,000, the premium will cost between $500 and $750.

The bail agent may require collateral, such as property or valuables, to secure the bond in case the defendant does not appear in court.

By signing with a bail agent, you agree to take responsibility for the full bail amount if the defendant fails to appear in court.

Option 3 - How to Post a Property Bond for a Defendant at Franklin County Regional Jail

If you own property in Franklin 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 Franklin County, contact a local bail agent or attorney for more information.

For further details, click here to learn how to post bail at Franklin County Regional Jail.

Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Franklin County Regional 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 Kentucky state licensed Bail Bond firm.

Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.

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