SJSO

ST. JOHNS COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

ROBERT A. HARDWICK, SHERIFF

"SERVE WITH EXCELLENCE"

JAIL FAQs

Jail frequently Asked Question

First, verify that the person you are looking for has actually been arrested in our county by searching for them in our inmate search.

If they have a bond and you wish to bond them out, you can pay the full amount at the jail in cash, or you may go through the bondsman of your choice and pay their fee. If they do not have a bond or you are unable to bond them out, you can have telephone communications with them by setting up an account with Paytel. You can call Paytel at 1 (800) 729-8355 to set up an account, or you can do it online at www.Paytel.com. If you wish to write them a letter, you can address it to their full name and mail it to 3955 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine FL. 32084. If you wish to set up a visit, you can contact our video visitation center at (904) 209-2222.

Upon entry into the facility, your love one will be entered into the computer system, fingerprinted and photographed. Once this is completed, they will be screened by a nurse and then placed into a holding cell. Once we receive all the charge information and our computer system is updated, they will be allowed to make a phone call to attempt to bond out. If they are unable to bond out, they will see a judge within 24 hours to set bond; this is called first appearance. First appearances are held daily between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. hours.

If they have a bond and you wish to bond them out, you can pay the full amount at the jail in cash, or you may go through the bondsman of your choice and pay their fee. If they do not have a bond, they will see the judge within 24 hours of their intake and the judge will set bond then.

Yes, they will stay in jail until they see a judge to resolve their case.

If you wish to set up a visit, you can contact our video visitation center at (904) 209-2222.

Our medical team will provide any and all medications an inmate will need. Medical records will be requested from the inmates primary care physicians.

You can drop them off at the detention center and our medical department will ensure they receive them.

We have a medical division that is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and they will provide all the medical attention they need.

You can call the booking department at (904) 209-3125 and they will advise you of the condition of your child and the nature of their criminal charges. If your child does not have to go to the Department of Juvenile Justice, you will be able to pick them up from the detention center. If they have to go to the Department of Juvenile Justice due to the severity of their charges, you can contact the Department of Juvenile Justice at (386) 238-4780 and they will advise you of their process.

Effective February 1, 2021, all non-legal inmate mail must be sent to the following address:

Smart Communications/St. Johns County Jail
Inmate Name and Inmate ID #
PO Box 9102
Seminole, FL 33775-9151

All regular inmate mail will be scanned into the system and available for the inmates to view on the tablets and kiosks. Original mail will be destroyed after 30 days. Do not send original documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, social security cards, etc.

You can contact the Clerk of Courts criminal division Monday thru Friday. 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Misdemeanor (904) 819-3619, Felony (904) 819-3618.

First appearance is when a judge will review the charging affidavit and determine if there is probable cause to arrest your loved one. If probable cause is determined, the judge will set bond on the charges. First appearance is held seven days a week. Due to the varying times of first appearance, please contact the booking department at (904) 209-3125 to find out what time your love one will attend first appearance, but it is usually held between 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. hours, daily.