Sedgwick County Bail Information
Understanding bail amounts, the release process, and what happens after a arrest in Sedgwick County.
How Bail Bonds Work
Option 1: Cash Bond (Pay Full Amount)
How it works: Pay the full bail amount to the court
Pros: Get full amount back after case concludes (minus court fees)
Cons: Requires full amount upfront
Option 2: Bail Bondsman (Most Common)
How it works: Pay 10-15% fee to bondsman, they post full bail
Cost: Typically 10% of bail amount (non-refundable)
Pros: Only need 10% upfront instead of full amount
Cons: Fee is non-refundable, may require collateral, co-signer assumes liability
Co-Signer Liability Warning
Important for Co-Signers:
- You are 100% liable if defendant does not appear in court
- You must pay the full bail amount if defendant skips
- Bondsman can seize collateral (house, car, etc.)
- You cannot cancel the bond - only the court can
- Liability continues until case is fully resolved
Release Timeline
Arrest & Booking (2-8 hours)
Fingerprinting, photographing, background check, medical screening
Arraignment (Within 24-48 hours)
First court appearance, judge sets bail amount, charges are read
Bail Posted (1-4 hours)
Family contacts bondsman, paperwork signed, fee paid
Release (2-6 hours)
Processing, release paperwork, return of personal property, court date assigned
Total Time Estimate
From arrest to release: 12-48 hours depending on booking workload, time of arrest (weekends take longer), and how quickly bail is posted.
After Release: Critical Deadlines
1. Request MVD Hearing - 15 Days
You have only 15 days from arrest to request your administrative license hearing. This is separate from your criminal case.
2. Retrieve Your Vehicle
Impound fees accrue daily. Get your car as soon as possible to avoid hundreds in storage fees.
Calculate Impound Costs3. Hire an Attorney
A attorney can help with license hearings, plea negotiations, and potentially getting charges reduced or dismissed.
Find Sedgwick County Lawyers4. Appear at ALL Court Dates
Missing court will result in bond forfeiture, arrest warrant, and additional charges. Your co-signer will be liable for the full bail amount.
Situated in the extreme northeastern corner of the state, Sedgwick County represents a unique jurisprudential environment where high-volume interstate enforcement intersects with rural resource constraints. The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) relies on the Logan County Justice Center in Sterling for long-term detention, creating a 50-mile "release gap" that complicates bail logistics.
Sedgwick County DUI Bail: What You Need to Know
If you've been arrested for DUI in Sedgwick County, Colorado, understanding the bail process is crucial. Due to the county's unique logistical challenges, securing your release can be more complicated than in urban areas.
Where You’ll Be Detained
After an arrest, you'll initially be processed at the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office at 315 Cedar St, Ste 320, Julesburg, CO 80737. However, for longer-term detention, Sedgwick County relies on the Logan County Justice Center in Sterling, approximately 50 miles southwest of Julesburg. This means that even if you post bond in Julesburg, you might be physically released in Sterling, leaving you stranded.
Types of Bonds Accepted
The SCSO Bonding Policy, effective January 1, 2021, dictates acceptable bond instruments. They will facilitate bonding "whether housed in Sedgwick County or in another County." Here are the accepted forms of bond:
- Cash Bond: The full bail amount. They accept cash, money orders, cashier's checks, and credit cards (via a third-party vendor). Personal checks are strictly not accepted.
- Surety Bond: Posted via a bail bondsman. The Sheriff maintains a list of bondsmen but also a list of those prohibited due to default. Staff are forbidden from recommending a specific bondsman.
- Personal Recognizance (PR) Bond: A signature bond where no money is posted. These are typically reserved for local residents. Out-of-state defendants arrested on I-76 are rarely granted PR bonds initially due to flight risk concerns. A Co-Signed PR Bond allows a third party to sign for the defendant.
- Property Bond: Requires court approval and is rarely used in DUI cases due to the time involved.
Release Timeline Realities
The SCSO policy mandates a release target of within 6 hours of bond being posted. This window accounts for the administrative latency involved when an inmate is housed in Sterling but the bond is posted in Julesburg.
Transport Risks & Your Release Location
The transfer of inmates between Julesburg and Sterling presents logistical challenges. Remember, if bond is posted in Julesburg but you are in Sterling, the SCSO must coordinate with Logan County for your release. This could leave you 50 miles from your vehicle and the arrest location.
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is located at 315 Cedar St, Ste 320, Julesburg, CO 80737.
Sources
Colorado Penal Code
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office
Texas Department of Public Safety