Henry County DUI Bail Guide

The Henry County Jail, located at 120 Henry Parkway, is the central processing hub for all arrests in the county.

DUI Bail Options in Henry County, Georgia

Getting arrested for DUI in Henry County, Georgia, can be a stressful experience. Understanding the bail process and your options for release is crucial. Here’s a guide to navigating DUI bail in Henry County:

Types of Bonds Accepted

• Cash Bond: You pay the full bail amount in cash to the Henry County Jail. This money is held in trust and refunded at the end of the case (minus a $20 fee), provided you meet all court requirements.
• Surety Bond (Professional Bondsman): This is the most common method. You pay a non-refundable fee (typically 12% to 15% of the total bond amount) to a private bonding company, who then guarantees the full amount to the court.
• Property Bond: A landowner in Henry County can pledge real estate as collateral. The equity in the property must be double the bond amount. Requires the original Warranty Deed, current tax statement, and all owners listed on the deed must be physically present.
• Transfer Bond: If you own property in another Georgia county, the Sheriff of that county assesses the property and seals the bond in an envelope, which must be delivered untampered to the Henry County Jail.

Securing Release: Jail Court and Shift Change

For standard misdemeanor DUIs, bond is often set automatically based on a "bond schedule". For DUIs with additional charges or complexities, you may need to appear before a judge. First appearance hearings are held at the Jail Courtroom at 120 Henry Parkway. The jail operates on strict shifts. Administrative processing slows down significantly during shift changes.

The 15-Day Property Rule

The Henry County Jail has a strict 15-day rule regarding inmate property. Inmates have exactly 15 days from the date of booking to have a third party pick up their personal clothing (belts, shoes, jackets, etc.). If these items are not retrieved within that timeframe, they are donated or discarded. The inmate must designate a specific person at booking to pick up the items. That designee must present valid photo ID between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. "Valuables" such as wallets, keys, phones, and jewelry are retained by the Property Section and returned to the inmate upon release.

Electronic Monitoring as a Condition of Release

As an alternative to jail, the court may order Electronic Monitoring (EM), which uses real-time tracking via cellular and satellite signals. For DUI offenders, the court often mandates SCRAM anklets, which sample the offender's sweat every 30 minutes to detect alcohol consumption. This costs the offender $25.00 (one-time activation fee) plus a daily rate of $40.00, or $280.00 per week, paid one week in advance.

Community Service Option

Henry County State Court offers a unique incentive for community service. For every 1 hour of work performed, the offender is credited with 2 hours toward their sentence. Community service takes place at 533 Hampton Street, McDonough, GA.

Inmate property can be picked up between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday.