How to Release an Inmate - Making a Bond

Most persons held in custody on State or County criminal charges can be released upon the posting of an appearance bond. Appearance bonds can be posted 24 hours a day in the Jail Clerk's Office located at the David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center at 300 North Denver. Four types of appearance bonds are acceptable in Tulsa County:

Cash

• The full amount of the bond set - IN CASH – must be presented to the clerk.
• The person with the cash must be present to sign the bond as surety, in the presence of the clerk.
• I.R.S. Form #8300 is required if the bonds total more than $10,000.00. The person who presents the money and signs as surety must have a social security number and must present a photo driver's license in order to complete this form.
• When the case is over - if the defendant has made all court appearances, the judge will order the cash bond refunded to the surety. The original receipt must be surrendered in order to begin the refund process which takes 2 – 4 business days.

Surety

• Licensed bail agents post appearance bonds for a fee. The fee is usually a percentage of the bond amount and is not refunded when the case is over. See listings under BAIL in the yellow pages of the telephone book.

Property

• Property bonds can only be posted at the Court Clerk's Office [County Courthouse, 500 South Denver, Second Floor Criminal Division] between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 3:30 P.M. on days that the Courthouse is open. Call 918-596-5471 for more information.

Pre-Trial

• Inmates are screened by Tulsa County Court Services for possible release under the Tulsa County Pre-Trial Release Program on certain charge. Specific qualifications are required and a Judge must approve all Pre-Trial releases.