Corrections - Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I send mail to someone who is in the Correctional or Community Release facilities?

Inmates are encouraged to maintain contact with family and friends through mail and visitation.

Mail may be addressed to the inmate at 3955 Lewis Speedway, St Augustine, Florida 32084. All mail will be processed daily, Monday – Friday (excluding holidays). Inmates must send or receive all mail through the facility mailing system. It should be noted all mail will be searched and scanned prior to delivery to the inmate.

Inmates may receive only cashiers checks and money orders. Inmates can not receive cash in the mail. Personal checks and cash (along with the letter) will be returned to the sender with a note of explanation that the St. Johns County Detention facility will not accept either by mail.

Unauthorized packages addressed to an inmate, either through U.S. Mail, private delivery service, etc., or brought to the front lobby will not be accepted. These items will be refused and marked “return to sender”. Any approved items not normally issued by the facility may be purchased from the Canteen.

All items received through the mail that is contraband, unauthorized, (i.e. hard back books, items that can be purchased through canteen such as envelopes and stamps) will be returned to the sender in its entirety. A note of explanation that the inmate cannot receive these items will be included. The inmate shall be notified in writing when incoming or outgoing letters are rejected.

Any incoming mail containing photographs, drawings or cartoons displaying nudity or sexually graphic content will be returned to the sender. No mail will be retained which is in an unsanitary condition, i.e., contains any type of body fluids, unidentified odors (i.e. perfume, body spray, etc), secretions, residue, hair or any other component of the human body or animal. Any types fitting this description will be destroyed.

Bail and Bond Information

The following information is provided for those seeking information regarding posting bail and securing a bond for release.

Q: What is bail or bond?

A person who has been arrested and charged with committing a crime may be required to post bail (a bond) before being released from jail. A bond is an insurance policy to guarantee that an arrestee will appear in court for trial. Should that person fail to appear for a court date, the bond money is forfeited.

A bond may be posted in cash, either by the arrestee or by someone on their behalf. Before you post a bond, make sure the person you want to bond out is in jail. Call the Saint Johns County Sheriffs Office (904) 824-8304. Most crimes, but not all crimes, are bondable offenses. The exception would be serious crimes, which are not bondable. The bond amount is either set by a judge or it is determined from an established schedule.

Q: How do I bail or bond someone out of jail?

There are 2 ways to post a bond:

Cash bond: The total amount of the bond, in cash, is placed with St. Johns County to guarantee the arrestee will appear in court for their hearing. Should the arrestee fail to appear, the money will be forfeited. Should a not guilty verdict be rendered or the case be dismissed, or at the conclusion of trial proceedings, bond money will be refunded. If a judge so orders, any court costs or court fines will be taken out of the posted bond. Once the case is disposed of, the remaining funds will be refunded. Refunds for cash bonds will be done at the Clerk of Courts Office in the Court House.

Cash, cashiers checks or money orders are the only accepted methods of payment for bond. Cashiers checks and money orders MUST be made out to: Clerk of the Court, St. Johns County, FOR LOCAL CHARGES. Should the bond be for another agency, IE, Putnam County, the cashiers check or money order should be made out to the court of that agency.

Surety bond: A bonding company posts a bond that guarantees an arrestee will appear at the next court date. Neither St. Johns County nor the Sheriffs Office participates in the contract between an arrestee and the bonding company. The bonding company charges a fee for each bond posted. Consult the Yellow Pages for listings of bonding companies.

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