Henry County DUI Bail Guide

A first DUI in Henry County usually has a preset bond, so a defendant can be released from the jail at 120 Henry Parkway in McDonough without seeing a judge. Cases with extra charges, like family violence, go to a first appearance in the jail courtroom instead, held daily and by WebEx on weekends. A cash bond covers the full face value and comes back at the end of the case minus a $20 fee. A bonding company charges a non-refundable 12 to 15%. A property bond needs equity worth double the bond, the original warranty deed, a current tax statement, and every owner named on the deed present to sign; property in another Georgia county requires a sealed transfer bond from that county's sheriff.

The rule that trips up families has nothing to do with the legal case. The jail discards an inmate's clothing, belts, shoes, and jackets, exactly 15 days after booking if nobody picks it up. The inmate has to name a specific person at booking, and that person has to show a photo ID between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on a weekday. Wallets, keys, phones, and jewelry are handled separately and returned to the inmate at release, but the bulky clothing is gone on day 16.

Jail phone calls run through a paid system with a PIN issued at intake, and every call is recorded. In a DUI case that matters: a defendant saying "I only had three beers" on a jail line hands the prosecutor evidence. Families who haven't set up a prepaid account before the arrest leave the defendant with no way to call out at all.

Visiting is done by video. Families can connect from home seven days a week for a fee, or use the free lobby kiosks on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays during set hours, scheduled in advance.

Georgia's Senate Bill 63, effective July 2024, also ended signature-only release for more than 30 misdemeanor charges statewide, with a later failure to appear among them.