Jefferson County Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Jefferson County

Missouri • Jefferson County • Bail & bond help

Jefferson County bail: the Hillsboro detention center, step by step

Hillsboro is the seat of Jefferson County, Missouri, the fast-growing county just south of St. Louis. Arnold, Festus, Crystal City, De Soto, Herculaneum, Pevely, and Byrnes Mill are among its cities, and communities like Imperial and High Ridge fill in the unincorporated areas. State-law arrests from Arnold to De Soto usually end with booking at the detention center in Hillsboro. Inmate search: Jefferson County Inmate Search.

Jefferson's detention center on First Street

The Jefferson County Detention Center is at 510 First Street, Hillsboro, MO 63050. Call 636-797-5513 about anyone in custody.

The sheriff's main line is 636-797-5000, with mail sent to PO Box 100, Hillsboro.

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The circuit clerk

Jefferson County's circuit clerk takes mail at PO Box 100, Hillsboro, MO 63050 and answers weekday calls at 636-797-5443. Bond filings, court records, and refunds run through that office.

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Searching the roster

Look up the name on the Jefferson County Inmate Search. Arrests by Arnold, Festus, or other city police may start at a local station, so the person may not reach Hillsboro, or the roster, right away. If you can't find them, call the detention center or the arresting department.

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Questions to have answered

  • Is the person at the First Street detention center or a city jail?
  • What charges are listed?
  • Has a bond been set, and in what form?
  • Is there a hold from St. Louis, Illinois, or anywhere else?
  • What booking number should I reference?

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No bond figure yet

Prosecutors may still be reviewing the arrest. Without a warrant, state law gives Jefferson prosecutors one day to charge or let the person go, and the judge typically sets terms after the filing. If police served an existing warrant, the bond amount may already be printed on it.

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Who decides release

Jefferson County makes up the 23rd Judicial Circuit by itself. Most state cases begin with a first appearance before an associate circuit judge in Hillsboro, who sets the initial release conditions.

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The legal test for bail

Under Rule 33.01, judges in Missouri should pick the lightest terms still likely to bring a defendant to every hearing while protecting the public. Cash bail isn't mandatory. When the court does require money, it's expected to weigh what the defendant can realistically pay.

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Recognizance release

A judge may let a defendant out on a signed promise to appear, no money needed. Conditions often ride along, such as avoiding a specific person, not drinking, a curfew, or regular reporting. A job, a home in the county, and relatives nearby make this outcome more likely.

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Kinds of release

  • Signature only.
  • Full cash bond.
  • Partial cash, when the order permits it.
  • A surety bond from a bail agency.
  • Real estate equity, if approved.
  • GPS, sobriety monitoring, or supervision.

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Timing of the first hearing

Hillsboro has a busy docket, but weekend and holiday arrests can still wait. If the defendant stays in custody because the terms can't be met, a Rule 33.05 motion gets the terms in front of a judge again quickly.

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Bondsman fees

Bondsmen back the full amount to the court and pocket a percentage-based premium in return. Agencies from Hillsboro, Festus, and the St. Louis area all write bonds here. Compare a few, and ask about the rate, added charges, collateral, payment plans, and co-signer obligations before signing anything.

Missouri licenses every bail agent through its insurance department. Ask for the number and check it.

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Pledging a home

Real estate can back a Jefferson bond when the judge is satisfied there's enough equity. Plan on producing the recorded deed, a lender's payoff letter, and an assessor's or appraiser's figure. Because that takes time, many families use an agent first.

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Paying the bond

Ring 636-797-5513 first and ask what forms of payment the detention center accepts at that hour. During business hours, ask whether the clerk at 636-797-5443 should take the bond instead. Bring photo ID.

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Debit and credit cards

We weren't able to verify whether First Street takes cards. Ask on the phone, and have a money order or cashier's check as a fallback. Card payments often carry a fee.

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Who may post

Most adults with valid ID can post. Cash refunds usually go to the depositor, so keep the receipt in your name.

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Release after paying

Call for an update. Staff finish paperwork, check other warrants, and return property. A busy night or an outside hold can slow everything.

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Warrants from St. Louis County, Franklin County, or Illinois

A Jefferson County bond takes care of Jefferson County charges and nothing else. With St. Louis County right across the Meramec, its warrants show up often, along with ones from St. Louis City, Franklin, Washington, St. Francois, and Ste. Genevieve. Monroe County, Illinois, sits across the Mississippi, so out-of-state warrants can also appear; those may involve extradition, and a lawyer should explain the options.

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Detainers and other holds

Parole supervisors, judges outside Missouri, and immigration officials are all able to lodge a request asking Hillsboro to keep someone. Jefferson bail leaves those untouched, so bring them up as soon as someone answers.

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City court charges

Nearly every city in the county, from Arnold and Festus to Pevely and Byrnes Mill, keeps a municipal court for local ordinances. Each sets its own bail, apart from the 23rd Circuit, and someone could sit in a city lockup before ever reaching Hillsboro. Have the jail separate city charges from state ones before you pay.

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What to do with the paperwork

Posting bail leaves you holding a release form and a receipt. The form lists each Hillsboro court date and every rule the defendant must follow, and the receipt proves who paid. Keep both in a folder and save phone pictures as a backup.

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Breaking a condition

If a release rule is broken, prosecutors can ask the 23rd Circuit judge to revoke. The fallout might be an arrest, a steeper bail, or custody for the rest of the case. If a rule doesn't fit a shift schedule at work or school pickup, mention it to counsel early so a change can be requested.

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Bondsman surrender

Surety contracts usually let the agent return the client to First Street and step off the bond. Agents tend to do it after missed check-ins, an unreported move, or a sense the client may disappear. Keeping the agency informed is the defendant's best protection.

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Reducing the bond

Through a written motion, counsel can ask the Hillsboro judge to trim the figure or relax conditions. Back it up with check stubs, rental or ownership papers for a local address, school or medical schedules, and letters from relatives who depend on the defendant.

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Court dates online

Search Case.net under the 23rd Circuit by the defendant's name. Write down each setting, along with the division, since Hillsboro has several courtrooms.

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Cash bond refunds

At the end of a Jefferson case with perfect attendance, the bond is exonerated, and a refund check is issued in the depositor's name. Costs, fines, and restitution can be subtracted beforehand. Allow several weeks, and send the clerk a new address if you move.

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The premium

A bondsman's premium is the agency's earned fee, kept even if the case is dismissed soon after. Collateral should come back once the court releases the bond, under the terms of your agreement.

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Dismissed cases

A dropped case frees the bond. Money held by the court goes back to the payer, minus assessments. Save the slip in case prosecutors refile.

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Missing a hearing

A missed date in Hillsboro typically produces a warrant and possible forfeiture of the bail. A surety company that loses money may pursue the client and bill the co-signer. If a crash on Interstate 55 or a medical emergency caused the absence, tell the lawyer that day.

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Teens taken into custody

Minors are handled by the 23rd Circuit's juvenile division under rules apart from adult bond, and a detained youth generally goes to a juvenile center. A parent should phone the juvenile office quickly to learn where the child is and when a hearing is set.

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Public defender

State-funded defense lawyers serve Jefferson County residents who can't pay for one. Ask the judge at the opening hearing and complete the income form; an assigned attorney may then argue for terms the family can live with.

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Federal arrests

Jefferson County is in the Eastern District of Missouri, so federal cases go to the Eastern Division courthouse in downtown St. Louis. A magistrate judge decides release there, and Hillsboro can't accept money for a federal case. See the Eastern District website.

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What if the arrest was by St. Louis County police near the county line?

Officers sometimes make arrests just across the Meramec or near Fenton and Arnold. If the arrest happened inside St. Louis County, the case and bail belong there, not in Hillsboro, even for a Jefferson County resident. Ask the arresting agency which county is filing so you don't drive to the wrong jail.

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Does Jefferson County hold people for other agencies?

Detention centers often hold prisoners on behalf of cities, the state, or federal agencies under agreements. A person sitting on First Street might be there for another agency's case, which would have different bail rules. Ask staff whose case keeps your relative there and who can set release.

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Call Hillsboro first

Phone 636-797-5513 before driving out. Make sure the person hasn't been transferred, have the deputy read back the bail and its type, check for St. Louis County or Illinois detainers, and learn which kinds of money First Street takes right then.

Keep a driver's license and the booking number in hand. Everything above sketches how bail runs in Jefferson County; the defense attorney is the one to consult on the charges themselves.

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Paying an Inmate's Bail or Bond in Jefferson County

The Jefferson County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Jefferson County.

However if you don't want to use a bail bond agent:

  • You can always pay a cash bond yourself, or use your home in Jefferson County, or in some cases the state of Missouri, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Jefferson County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
  • The typical fee for a bond in Missouri is between 10-20% of the bail amount; usually 15% or less.  So if an offender has a bail of $10,000.00, their bond will be $1,500.00.
  • Pay by cash, cashier's check, money order or credit card at the Jefferson County Detention Center, or the courthouse in Jefferson County where the offense took place.

Call 636-797-5513 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Jefferson County inmate locator.

Jefferson County Detention Center

Address:
510 First Street
Hillsboro, MO 63050
Phone:
636-797-5513

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Jefferson County


Does Jefferson County have bail?

What kind of bonds are accepted in Jefferson County?

Who can set bail in Jefferson County?

When is bail set in Jefferson County Missouri?

 

 

Does Jefferson County have bail?

Yes, Jefferson County recognizes most types of bonds and bail conditions.

 

 

What kind of bonds are accepted in Jefferson County?

The Jefferson County court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Bail is available in several forms including a recognizance bond, uncompensated sureties, 10% cash bond or cash bond. 

In Missouri, Uncompensated Sureties make it so an individual may act as their own surety if they are at least 21 years of age and a resident of the state of MO. They must have net assets with a value in excess of exemptions at least equal or greater than the amount of the bond set. 

They cannot have been found guilty or pled no contest within the past 15 years to any felony charge and they can’t have any outstanding unsatisfied judgment entered on any bail bond in any court in Missouri or the US. 

POST YOUR OWN 10% CASH BOND: Bonds are generally set at a specified cash amount by the court. In Missouri, the defendant is in most instances entitled to be released upon payment of a 10% cash fee paid to the Court Clerk as the bond. This money, unlike money paid to a bondsman, is then refunded to the defendant at the conclusion of the case. 

This money will not be refunded to the defendant at the conclusion of the case if you have any court costs due etc. and will instead be applied to those costs which is 99% of the time almost always the case.

 

 

Who can set bail in Jefferson County?

Some offenses have preset bail according to a bail schedule and can be processed at the jail without waiting for a judge. In other cases, the bail will be set by a judge.

 

 

When is bail set in Jefferson County Missouri?

For some offenses is set according to a pre-determined bail schedule. If this is the case the jail will inform the defendant of the bail amount during processing. In other cases, bail will be set by a judge. A bail hearing is generally scheduled within 48 hours of arrest.

What is Bail?

Bail is what the arrested in Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson County Detention Center 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. 

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 bond payment is always written to the court in your municipality, Jefferson 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.  

What are the different types of bonds in Jefferson County?

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. This is one of the more popular bonds in Missouri.

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. 

In Missouri, Uncompensated Sureties make it so an individual may act as their own surety if they are at least 21 years of age and a resident of the state of MO. They must have net assets with a value in excess of exemptions at least equal or greater than the amount of the bond set. 

They cannot have been found guilty or pled no contest within the past 15 years to any felony charge and they can’t have any outstanding unsatisfied judgment entered on any bail bond in any court in Missouri or the US. 

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.)

Does Jefferson County have bail?  

Yes, Jefferson County recognizes most types of bonds and bail conditions.

What kind of bonds are accepted in Jefferson County? 

The Jefferson County court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Bail is available in several forms including a recognizance bond, uncompensated sureties, 10% cash bond or cash bond. 

In Missouri, Uncompensated Sureties make it so an individual may act as their own surety if they are at least 21 years of age and a resident of the state of MO. They must have net assets with a value in excess of exemptions at least equal or greater than the amount of the bond set. 

They cannot have been found guilty or pled no contest within the past 15 years to any felony charge and they can’t have any outstanding unsatisfied judgment entered on any bail bond in any court in Missouri or the US. 

POST YOUR OWN 10% CASH BOND: Bonds are generally set at a specified cash amount by the court. In Missouri, the defendant is in most instances entitled to be released upon payment of a 10% cash fee paid to the Court Clerk as the bond. This money, unlike money paid to a bondsman, is then refunded to the defendant at the conclusion of the case. 

This money will not be refunded to the defendant at the conclusion of the case if you have any court costs due etc. and will instead be applied to those costs which is 99% of the time almost always the case.

Who can set bail in Jefferson County?

Some offenses have preset bail according to a bail schedule and can be processed at the jail without waiting for a judge. In other cases, the bail will be set by a judge.

When is bail set in Missouri?

For some offenses is set according to a pre-determined bail schedule. If this is the case the jail will inform the defendant of the bail amount during processing. In other cases, bail will be set by a judge. A bail hearing is generally scheduled within 48 hours of arrest.

Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Jefferson County Missouri? 

You can get the court to reduce an excessive bond - sometimes if the bond is set unfairly high, it can be reduced to a more manageable amount by an attorney – your own or court appointed/public defender. This can usually be accomplished early in proceedings shortly after arrest. 

In Jefferson County Missouri, who can pay bail for me? 

The person posting bail could be the arrested, a relative or close friend. All could be considered a surety, because they are promising and taking responsibility that you will return to court to get their money back. 

A professional bondsperson who is approved by the State of Missouri could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.

Can bail be paid online in Jefferson County Missouri?

Missouri counties do not currently process online payments for bail. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: Go to the Jefferson County Detention Center for more information about the jails in Jefferson County.

What options are there to pay bail in Jefferson County Missouri? 

All Jefferson County courts accept cash or surety from a bail bonds agent. Some courts allow payment via credit or debit card, money order or cashier’s check. Go to the Jefferson County Detention Center for more information about posting bail in Jefferson County.  

Will I get all my bond money back in Missouri? 

Bail money is returned to the person who paid the bail and in Missouri, usually to the defendant. 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.

Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Jefferson 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 Missouri?  

The Jefferson County Detention Center 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.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Jefferson County

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Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.