What Happens If You Don't Pay the $12 Booking Fee at Newaygo County Jail

Everyone booked into Newaygo County Jail owes a $12 booking fee. It's charged per booking, so factor it into release planning and follow-up paperwork.

If the $12 fee isn't paid before release, the jail issues a civil infraction citation - basically a ticket - for the unpaid amount. It doesn't just disappear. It becomes a formal citation that needs to be handled.

You have 14 days after release to pay the booking fee. Pay by credit card through ExpressAccount online or by calling 866-422-6833. Want to prevent the citation from escalating? That 14-day window is your deadline.

• ✓ Pay in person at the Newaygo County Sheriff/Jail Administration Office with a credit card
• ✓ Pay in person with exact cash (no change is made)

Miss the 14-day deadline and the citation gets turned over to District Court for collection. Things escalate fast from there: a warrant may be issued, plus a $150 fine and court costs. That's a lot more than the original $12.

Once it reaches court, unpaid booking-fee citations and fines must be paid at the 78th District Court. To confirm what's owed or how to pay, call 231-689-7255.

Paid the fee but later found Not Guilty - or had all charges dismissed? You can apply for a refund. Pick up a Booking Fee Refund Form at the Jail Administration Office. Once approved, the refund comes by check.

1. Confirm whether the $12 fee was paid before release - If it wasn’t paid, expect a civil infraction citation (ticket) to be issued at release.
2. Pay within 14 days of release - Use credit card payment through ExpressAccount online or by phone at 866-422-6833 to stay inside the 14-day window.
3. Use the in-person option if that’s easier - Pay at the Newaygo County Sheriff/Jail Administration Office by credit card or with exact cash (no change is made).
4. If the case is dismissed later, ask about the refund form - An inmate who paid and is later found Not Guilty, or has all charges dismissed, can request the Booking Fee Refund Form at Jail Administration to apply for the $12 refund.