Bail Information

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

When arrested, suspects are transported to the DeKalb County Jail to be booked. Booking includes and is not limited to fingerprinting, photos, medical screening, and receipt of charging information from the arresting law enforcement officer. Once booked, they are held for the crime they allegedly committed, unless bail is authorized by the court and paid.

Bail is a financial arrangement that allows the defendant to be released from custody while they await trial. When a person is arrested, they may be held in jail until their court date. However, bail allows the accused to secure their release by paying a sum amount of money set by the court. The purpose of bail is to guarantee that the defendant appears at their scheduled court hearings.

The court determines the bail amount based on a few factors, including the defendant’s criminal history, the severity of the charges, and the likelihood of them fleeing before trial.

A pre-determined bail schedule is set by the judges of DeKalb County. The bail will vary depending on the level and type of crime the suspect is accused of. The judges of DeKalb County have determined that individuals charged with the following crimes are to be held without bail until seen in court. 

  • Murder

  • Any, Level 1 Felony

  • Level 2 Felony

  • Level 3 Felony

  • Level 4 Felony

  • Level 5 Felony

  • Any charge of Battery

            *After being seen in court, the judge may or may not set a bail.

How do I pay bail?

You can come to the sheriff’s office lobby 24 hours a day/7 days a week to bail an individual out of jail.

Bail is paid through the kiosk located in the jail lobby. You will need to set up an account in order to deposit money for bail. An account can be created through www.accesscorrections.com. 

Bail can be paid with cash or with credit card. Fees for cash transactions will be calculated as funds are deposited. If you pay by cash and cannot pay in full, you cannot request a refund. You will need to return to the kiosk location and pay the remaining amount balance.

All bonds are to include an additional $5 required by Indiana Code 35-33-8-3.2(a) and (d);5-10—10-5(a).

Different types of bail

A suspect may have different types of bail, which are set by the court:

  •  Cash Bail - Requires the full bail amount + Sheriff Fee + Service Fees

  • Own Recognizance Bond (OR) - This is when the judge releases an individual with their written promise to appear for their next hearing date. An OR Bond does not require any money.

  • Clerk Bond - Requires 10% of the required bond fee. This does not require a co-signer. This requires 10% of the set bond + Sheriff Fee + service fees (these are paid through the kiosk locations or if incarcerated, through the jail banking system).

  • Surety Bond - A surety bond is through a bondsman. A list of bondsmen is located in the jail lobby and is also accessible to all inmates on the jails inmate phone system. 10% of the required bail fee (paid to the bondman you choose). The jail required Sheriff Fee + Service Fees (paid through the jail’s kiosk).