Posting Bail
Who Can Post Bail?
Any adult (18 or older), except another inmate, can post security at the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Adult Jail, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Security is commonly called bail.
At the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Adult Jail (DCSOAJ), an inmate who has been booked can post part or all of the security amount using cash in his or her possession at the time of the arrest. Another person can post the remainder by depositing money in the inmate’s account if needed. A lodged, pretrial inmate can post security anytime using money in his or her inmate account. If you deposit money in an inmate’s account for the inmate to use to post security, any security refund will go back to the inmate.
How Much Bail to Post
To find out an inmate’s security amount call (541) 388-6661. Normally, the amount is 10 percent of the security amount. However, for some traffic violation charges, it may be the full security amount.
The security needed may change at any time because of changes in the charges or a court’s actions regarding the security amount.
Where to Go to Pay Bail
To post security during regular business hours go to the main lobby of the jail, located in the Sheriff’s Office complex. This counter is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for holidays.
To post security after regular business hours or on weekends or holidays, go to the Inmate Services door, which is located in the front of the jail and is the door marked 'Inmate Services'. Push the intercom button for assistance.
Forms of Payment
At the jail, you can only post security using (or combining): cash; cashier’s check; or a US postal money order.
The jail does not accept any other form of money order other than US Postal; personal, two-party, travelers, payroll, or business checks; credit cards or banks debit cards; or other negotiable instruments or assets, such as property, for security.
The jail only accepts cashier’s checks during normal business hours and on a day the issuing bank is open. A cashier’s check may be from out of state, but not out of the United States. Please make the cashier check payable to the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Adult Jail.
Any person posting security cannot be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Release of the Inmate after Posting Bail
The jail will release the inmate as soon as possible; however, the operational needs of the jail at that time, and whether the inmate needs to check out of his or her housing unit and change back into civilian clothing, may cause delays in the release process. If you are the victim of the inmate you must leave the area before the inmate leaves the jail. The inmate will be released and will exit the jail through the Inmate Service door, located in the front of the facility.
Will Bail Be Returned to Me?
The jail does not handle, control, or refund security once it is posted. It is forwarded to the courts for processing.
The court does not refund security until all of the conditions of the release agreement are performed, all court appearances are complete, the defendant is discharged from all obligations in the case, and the case is closed. The security is subject to forfeiture if the defendant fails to appear in court as scheduled or violates the release agreement.
For 10% security, when giving a refund, the court keeps 15%of the security posted for expenses. The remaining 85% is refunded to the person named on the receipt, unless the court orders otherwise. The court may order that it be applied to any fines, fees, restitution, or court-ordered financial obligation in the case, or any other court-ordered financial obligations owed by the defendant, such as attorney fees or child support. This means the money you post may end up paying the debts of the defendant. You might not receive a refund.
There is not a 15% expense fee charged if the security posted was the full security amount; however, the court has the same discretion to apply security to court-ordered obligations as it does for 10% security.
Please direct your questions on the return of security to the Court Accounting Department during normal business hours. Their number is (541) 388-5300. They are located in the Deschutes County Circuit Courthouse, 1100 NW Bond, downtown Bend.
Recognizance Releases
If you are to be the responsible person for the purpose of a recognizance release of an inmate, you must sign a release agreement in person at the Inmate Services area of the jail, located at the door marked Inmate Services in the front of the jail. This is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To be recognized as a responsible person you must be at least 18 years olds and have official picture identification, such as a driver’s license. In addition, a responsible person must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol or be a current victim of the inmate.
Custody and Other Release Information
To find out if someone is in custody or was released within the last 24 hours go to the Inmate Custody List or call (541) 388-6661.
To find out an inmate’s release date or to find out an inmate’s charges call (541) 388-6661 or contact the inmate directly. Release dates are subject to change at any time because of the actions of the court or if work or good-time credits were granted or revoked.
