Alternatives to In-Person Bail Payments: Commissary Deposits, Mail, and Refunds (Milwaukee County)
Trying to help someone get out of the Milwaukee County Criminal Justice Facility? The first thing to know: bail can't be paid online. Every bail form requires a surety's signature in person - no exceptions. If you can't show up yourself, you'll need another option.
One workaround is self-bail through the person's commissary account. You can deposit money into their account, and they can use those funds to post their own bail. It's a practical option when an in-person visit isn't possible.
Important: When bail comes from the commissary account, the occupant becomes the surety. Any refund from the Clerk of Courts goes to them - not to whoever deposited the money.
Another option: send bail funds by mail using a money order. Mail it to: Milwaukee County Criminal Justice Facility, 949 N 9th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233.
- ✓ Make the money order payable to the person in custody at the facility.
Paying with a cashier's check or money order? Timing matters. Staff will call the issuing institution to verify the payment, so this only works during normal banking hours. If they can't verify it, the payment won't be accepted.
Refunds don't come from the jail - they're handled by the Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court. Expect to wait three to four weeks after the case closes, and only if the defendant made all court appearances and didn't pick up new charges. To check on a refund, call the Clerk of Circuit Court at (414) 278-4538.
- ✓ Case number
- ✓ Defendant’s name
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