Bibb County Bail Information
Understanding bail amounts, the release process, and what happens after a arrest in Bibb 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 Bibb 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.
Upon a traffic stop in Bibb County, whether for a moving violation or at a checkpoint on Eisenhower Parkway, a Bibb County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) deputy will initiate a standardized DUI investigation. This includes Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) and, if arrested, reading the Georgia Implied Consent Notice.
Booking Logistics at the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center (LEC)
All custodial DUI arrests in Macon-Bibb are processed at the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center located at 668 Oglethorpe Street, Macon, GA 31201. You can contact them at (478) 746-9441. The intake process at the LEC is designed to handle high volumes, especially on weekend nights. Detainees undergo medical screening, and personal belongings are cataloged. Access to cell phone contacts is restricted until booking is complete and the inmate is placed in a holding cell.
Inmate Mail
A critical detail for Bibb County involves inmate mail. To prevent contraband, the BCSO has outsourced mail screening to a third-party vendor in Florida. The mailing address for inmates is:
Incarcerated Name & ID # Bibb County GA PO BOX 25414 Tampa, FL 33622
Bond Hearings and Schedules
Under Georgia law, if arrested without a warrant, you must be brought before a judicial officer within 48 hours. In Bibb County, the Magistrate Court handles these first appearance hearings, typically daily. While the Magistrate Court is located at the J. Taylor Phillips Courthouse (601 Mulberry Street, Room 401), bond hearings for incarcerated defendants are conducted virtually via video conferencing between the jail and the judge.
For misdemeanor DUI offenses, Bibb County uses a bond schedule. However, if a defendant cannot afford the scheduled bond, they are entitled to a hearing to determine their ability to pay.
Pretrial Release Conditions
Bibb County courts may require a SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) for repeat offenders, an ankle monitor that detects alcohol consumption through the skin. Companies like ProntoTrak and A 2nd Chance Monitoring provide these services locally. The cost is typically $10-$15 per day.
Vehicle Impound
If a driver is arrested for DUI, the vehicle is seized "incident to arrest." The BCSO uses a rotation list for towing companies, and the wrecker service must respond within approximately 30 minutes. Upon release from jail, the defendant receives a "tow slip." If lost, contact the BCSO Records Division at (478) 310-4119 or the Traffic Division at (478) 803-2586 (District 4 Traffic).
If the DUI involved a serious accident, a fatality, or if the vehicle is evidence in a felony case, a "hold" will be placed. The owner must go to the Sheriff’s Support Operations Bureau at 111 Third Street, Suite 1A, to obtain a written release, presenting a valid driver’s license, proof of ownership, and proof of valid insurance.
Administrative License Suspension (ALS)
If issued a DDS-1205 form, a 30-day countdown begins. File an appeal with the DDS for $150 to Georgia Department of Driver Services, P.O. Box 80447, Conyers, GA 30013.
Alternatively, first-time offenders can opt for an Ignition Interlock Limited Permit (IILP), waiving the ALS hearing, and installing an approved IID on their vehicle within 30 days of arrest. Visit the Macon DDS location at 200 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201. Hours of Operation: Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Sources
Georgia Penal Code
Bibb County Sheriff's Office
Texas Department of Public Safety