Trenton City Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Search for an Inmate in Mercer County

Trenton City Jail

Address:
225 North Clinton Avenue
Trenton, NJ 8609

Phone:

609-989-3940

Frequently Asked Questions

Paying an Inmate's Bail or Bond in Mercer County

The Mercer County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Mercer 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 Mercer County, or in some cases the state of New Jersey, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Mercer County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
  • The typical fee for a bond in New Jersey 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 Trenton City Jail, or the courthouse in Mercer County where the offense took place.

Call 609-989-3940 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Mercer County inmate locator.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Mercer County


Does Mercer County have bail?

What are the different types of bonds in Mercer County?

What kind of bonds are accepted in Morris County?

Who can set bail in Mercer County?

When is bail set in Mercer County New Jersey?


 

 

Does Mercer County have bail?

No, New Jersey is a NO BAIL state.

Under current laws a defendant can only be held if a judge determines they are a risk to the community, likely to interfere with the investigation or fail to show for all required court dates. If the judge determines they are not a risk the defendant is released prior to trial.


 

 

What are the different types of bonds in Mercer County?

Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge or bail officer will determine and notify the accused of which release conditions are available to them. Professional bond companies are not permitted to operate in New Jersey.


 

 

What kind of bonds are accepted in Morris County?

Under the new system, if a judge decides a defendant does not pose a public safety or willful flight risk, then they will be released without being required to post any money. This is called released on their own recognizance in all states and can be considered a type of bond because a document will need to be agreed upon and signed.


 

 

Who can set bail in Mercer County?

A hearing is held by a judge to determine if the defendant qualifies for release. 


 

 

When is bail set in Mercer County New Jersey?

If a defendant is not released immediately, a hearing will be scheduled within 48 hours before a judge. 

What is Bail?

Bail is what the arrested in Mercer 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 in New Jersey, 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. 

What is the difference between Bail and Bond?

Bail is what the arrested 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. 

New Jersey has mostly done away with the bail/bond system since 2017, except for cases involving unpaid motor vehicle summonses.

Defendants with a serious risk of danger or flight can be detained pending trial. Low-risk defendants will be released. This is called released on their own recognizance in all states. If released, the defendant will be issued a summons to appear to court within 21 days.  

Pretrial service officers will monitor those defendants, based on the conditions of their release while the defendant is out of custody pending rial.

A judge may order a variety of conditions while the defendant is awaiting trial, such as a GPS location monitor, checking in via phone or in person with a pretrial services officer, no contact with an alleged victim, and other conditions similar to probation.

People who are arrested for serious felonies (including first- and second-degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, violent robberies and burglaries, home invasions and vehicular invasions) can still be denied pretrial release.

Prosecutors must request a detention hearing and the decision whether to hold someone will be made at the judge’s discretion.

This ruling will be based on several factors including the likelihood that the defendant will flee or any public safety risk that they may present.  

Does Mercer County have bail?  

No, New Jersey is a NO BAIL state.

Under current laws a defendant can only be held if a judge determines they are a risk to the community, likely to interfere with the investigation or fail to show for all required court dates. If the judge determines they are not a risk the defendant is released prior to trial.

What are the different types of bonds in Mercer County?

Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge or bail officer will determine and notify the accused of which release conditions are available to them. Professional bond companies are not permitted to operate in New Jersey.

What kind of bonds are accepted in Mercer County? 

Under the new system, if a judge decides a defendant does not pose a public safety or willful flight risk, then they will be released without being required to post any money. This is called released on their own recognizance in all states and can be considered a type of bond because a document will need to be agreed upon and signed.

Who can set bail in Mercer County?  

A hearing is held by a judge to determine if the defendant qualifies for release. 

When is bail set in New Jersey?

If a defendant is not released immediately, a hearing will be scheduled within 48 hours before a judge. 

Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Mercer County New Jersey?

Because New Jersey does not utilize a cash bail system there is no reason to request a reduction in bail. However, those previously denied release may have their attorney petition the court for another hearing to reevaluate eligibility. 

In Mercer County New Jersey, who can pay bail for me? 

This would not apply to New Jersey because money bail is not recognized.

Can bail be paid online in Mercer County New Jersey?

This would not apply to New Jersey because money bail is not recognized.

What options are there to pay bail in Mercer County New Jersey? 

This would not apply to New Jersey because money bail is not recognized.

Will I get all my bond money back in New Jersey? 

This would not apply to New Jersey because money bail is not recognized.

Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Mercer County? 

New Jersey does not require money down because it is a no bail state. There might be fees to pay however.

What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in New Jersey?

New Jersey has no bail. 

There are scammers who call families of arrested asking for information to process a bond. Not only are bondspersons not permitted to call for this information for any type of arrests, but they are also particularly offensive since there are no bail bond companies permitted to operate in New Jersey.

Instructions on how to post Bail or Bond in Mercer County

Since Mercer County and New Jersey may periodically update their bail bond procedures, it is always a good idea to contact either Trenton City Jail at 609-989-3940, or the court in the appropriate jurisdiction (i.e., Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the defendant was charged, immediately after an arrest has been made.

When you contact Trenton City Jail or the Mercer County Court Clerk, be sure to ask the following important questions:

  1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
  2. How much will the bail or bond be, and what additional fees apply?
  3. Where can I go to make the payment?
  4. Are there any specific times when I cannot post bail?
  5. What types of payment are accepted (cash, money order, credit card, collateral, surety bonds)?
  6. Is a bail or bond agent required to complete the process?

If the bail amount seems too high, you can seek a reduction by contacting a lawyer or the defendant's public defender, who may be able to expedite the process and secure a lower bail.

Having a criminal attorney or a bail agent manage this process will often make it more efficient and less stressful.

Option 1 - How to Post Bail with Cash for a Defendant at Trenton City Jail

One way to post bail is by paying the full amount in cash, cashier’s check, or money order. Personal checks are not accepted.

Depending on the crime, the bail could range from $100 to $75,000 or more.

To post a cash bond, visit Trenton City Jail or the court where the bail hearing took place. Visiting the jail directly can expedite the defendant’s release, as paperwork from the court must first be transferred to the jail.

Cashier’s checks and money orders should be made payable to Trenton City Jail, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, or the Mercer County Court, depending on where the defendant is being held.

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

Option 2 - How to Post a Private or Surety Bond for a Defendant at Trenton City Jail

If the full bond amount is not available, a private bond or surety bond is another option. This involves working with a bail agent or bondsman who will post the entire bail amount in exchange for a premium payment, usually 10-15% of the total bond.

For example, if bail is set at $5,000, the premium would typically cost between $500 and $750.

Bail agents may require collateral, such as a lien on a house, car, or valuable items like jewelry, to secure the bond. This collateral ensures the bail agent is compensated if the defendant fails to appear in court.

By signing an agreement with a bail agent, the signatory accepts responsibility for the full bail amount if the defendant does not show up in court.

Option 3 - How to Post a Property Bond for a Defendant at Trenton City Jail

If you own property in Mercer County, you may be able to post a property bond to secure the defendant's release. Property located within Mercer County can be used as collateral, but all property owners must be present to sign the bond.

For questions about using property outside Mercer County, contact a local bail agent or defense attorney for guidance.

For more information, click here for details on posting bail at Trenton City Jail.

Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Trenton City 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 New Jersey 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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