Getting Out of the Washington County Jail

The procedures detailed below only apply to Washington County Oregon.  Other jurisdictions will have different procedures:

Your phone rings, it’s from the Washington County Jail, your loved one has been arrested.  So many questions run through your mind, how do you find out how much the bail is, what to do if you cannot afford the bail amount.  I am here to help you through this process. 

How do you find out the bail amount?  There are two ways to find this out.  The first one is to go onto the Washington County Sheriff’s website http://www.co.washington.or.us/Sheriff/Jail/who-is-in-custody.cfm and locate your loved one by his/her last name.  Once you have done this, there will be a dollar amount listed under the security heading.  If there is not a security amount listed, chances are slim that your loved one has a bail amount and chances are slim that there is a release prior to his/her court appearance.  If you have found a bail amount, please note that this is the 10% and the amount of the bail.  You only need to post that 10%.  However, you are responsible for the full amount if he or she violates the terms of his or her release agreement.  The second way to find out the bail amount is to contact the Washington County Sheriff by telephone.  Their direct phone number is (503) 846-6826.

There is a bail amount, but you cannot afford the amount, now what?  This is a common problem when someone is arrested.  There is hope, however.  It’s referred to as a Third Party Release.  There are requirements to be that responsible third party.  If you can answer yes to all the following questions, you most likely are a good candidate for the responsible third party.

                #1.  Are you over the age of 18?

                #2.  Do you have a clean criminal history?

                #3.  Do you have current valid identification?

                #4.   Do you live within an area that you can be sure that the person in custody can get to court?

                #5.  Can the person in custody reside with you until his/her trial?

Once you have answered these important questions and are willing to be the responsible party, the information needs to be relayed to the release office.  The following information will be needed in order to complete the process: your full name, address, phone number, ID/ODL number, date of birth, and your relationship to the client.  Once that information has been compiled and the attorney files the request, one of two things will happen: the release officer will contact you and ask that you come to the Law Enforcement Center to sign and get your loved one out of custody or a hearing will be set before the Judge to discuss release without bail or a reduction in the amount of bail.  These hearings are always heard at 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Law Enforcement Center, located at 215 SW Adams Avenue, Hillsboro, Oregon 97123.  If a hearing is set before the Judge, the responsible party must attend that hearing.  When setting these hearings, I personally try to accommodate your schedule as well.

I hope this has helped you to understand the process of getting your loved one out of jail.  I look forward to hearing from you and helping you through this confusing process. 

-Jamela Knight, Legal Assistant