We put together this guide on how to bail someone out of the 4^th Ave Jail in downtown Phoenix to help answer any possible questions. In this Bail Guide, you will find information on the following:

• What is a Bail Bond and how does it work?
• How can I pay a Bond at the 4th Avenue Jail?
• What is a Bail Bondsman and do I need one?
• I’ve got the Bond, where do I go?
• Next Steps after posting the Bond

We must give our disclaimer “Nothing in this document constitutes legal advice.” If you have questions about a criminal legal matter, please give us a call at (602) 307-0808 or send us a confidential email.

**Note: We DO NOT have information on inmates, we are a Criminal Defense Law Firm that can and will assist you with a pending legal matter. If you have questions or want to confirm any of this information, please call the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Jail Information line at (602) 876-0322. To get inmate information from that phone number you will need their full name and date of birth.

What is a Bail Bond and How Does it Work?

When someone is arrested on suspicion of a crime in the Phoenix metro area or Maricopa County, they may be taken by law enforcement to the jail for booking. The defendant will arrive at the jail, a mugshot and fingerprints will be taken, and they will wait for their ‘day in court’ or until they are bailed out of jail. Depending on the day and time of day, a person arrested for DUI or other misdemeanor crime may be taken to the 4th Ave Jail. A person arrested for a felony most likely will be booked in the 4th Ave Jail.

So what is Bail?

Bail is a financial arrangement that a certain entity (a person, a bail bonds agency, etc.) will make on the defendant’s behalf to have the suspect released from jail for the exchange of money or collateral (assets, cash, other). This is arranged with the court and the bailing agent (person or agency), is then responsible for the defendant to show up to court. A bond is essentially an agreement that the full bail will be paid; some courts will accept either the full bond or a 10% down payment.

How Can I Pay a Bond at the 4th Avenue Jail?

What will the 4^th Avenue jail accept for payment and where can I get these forms of payment to bond someone out? Good question, if you need to get a money order, we’ve found a couple of locations close to the jail where you can get the correct money orders for the 4^th Avenue Jail. What if I want to use a Bail Bondsman?

When posting bond at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, 4^th Avenue Jail, they will only accept one of the following: Western Union Money Order, Postal Money Order, or cashier’s check made out to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Here are the forms of payment the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office accepts for bond and where to get them (as of 9/27/2019):

• Cash – Exact Amount. Personal Checks are not accepted.
• Credit Card/Debit Cards: Visa, Master Card, Discover and AMEX. ** A 6% Fee is Added
• Postal Money Order – This can be obtained at the Post Office.
• Cashier’s Check – This can be obtained at your bank. You will also need to take a business card from the bank so the Sheriff’s Office can call and verify the check. Note that if you are posting bond with a cashier’s check after bank business hours this could be an issue. If possible mention this requirement to your bank and ask if there are other numbers for the Jail to call to verify the check that way you can still post the bond.
• Western Union Money Orders – These can be obtained at a variety of locations including:
  • Circle K – Does NOT offer Western Union Money Orders. They only offer MoneyGram and the jail will not accept MoneyGram money orders as a form of payment.
  • Fry’s Food Store at 744 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013 (link to a map) (Phone: (602) 279-9001) (Almost all Fry’s Stores have Western Union Money Orders) – Western Union Money Orders can be obtained in increments of $750 however, you can purchase multiples. Anything over $2,999 needs a state ID/Driver’s License or a Passport. If a large number (over $10,000) manager approval may b e needed. This Fry’s on Camelback is open until 9pm to obtain a money order. Can pay for a money order with cash or a debit card (credit cards are not allowed for funding a money order).
  • 7-Eleven at 646 W Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013 (link to a map) (Phone: (602) 279-4998) – Western Union Money Orders can be obtained with an ID and SSN. Can pay for money order with cash only and only in increments of $500 but multiples can be purchased. After 8pm – 6am you can only get a money order for $2,000 or less (this may vary depending on the location).
  • Safeway at 340 E McDowell Rd Phoenix, AZ 85004 (link to a map) (Phone: (602) 252-4538) & 520 W Osborn Rd Phoenix, AZ 85013 (link to a map) (Phone: (602) 274-7422) – Western Union Money Orders can be obtained in increments of $500 but can be purchased in multiples. Any amount totaling over $2,999 requires a state ID; no limit on money order. The money orders are required to be cash only. Some stores won’t go over the $2,999 amount. The money order can be purchased from 8am – 8pm daily but depends on when the customer service center is open.

It is also important to note that if you are posting a bond for $10,000 or more, your Social Security number will be required to get the money order(s) and you will also need use it again at the jail when you post the bond. This is a mandatory requirement from the IRS.

What is a Bail Bondsman and do I Need One?

A bail bondsman is a person or company that acts as a surety and will guarantee money or property as bail to ensure that the accused person will show up in court. Bail bond agents can usually secure a defendant’s release from jail within a few hours. It is also very important that you understand how bail bonds work in Phoenix and the State of Arizona.

In Arizona, as it is with most states, the fees paid to the bail bondsman or agency is 10% of the bail. It is important to know that these rates are non-negotiable and typically non-refundable even if the charges are thrown out. If you contact DM Cantor first, we can try to have the bail amount reduced or even argue that no bail should be required for the defendant. There are many different types of bonds offered by local bail bond companies and they vary depending on the offense or your ability to pay (GPS monitoring, Credit/Debit Card bonds, etc.). Depending on the circumstances, you may choose to work with a Bail Bond Agency.

Recommended Bondsman:

If you are choosing to use a bondsman, DM Cantor highly recommends Sanctuary Bail Bonds at (602) 224-5247 .  They can do zero money down in some cases, and defer their fee out of the posted bond once the case is over.  Tell them you were referred by “David Cantor’s office”.

I’ve got the Bond, Where do I go?

You will need to go to the jail, here’s the address:

MCSO 4^th Avenue Jail
201 S 4th Ave,
Phoenix, AZ 85003

Here’s a map showing the location of the 4th Avenue Jail:

More specifically, in order to post the bond, you will need to go to the basement of the 4^th Ave Jail (entrance doors are at the Northwest corner of the building, located on the Southeast corner of Madison St. and 4^th Ave). Here’s a picture of the entrance you need to use (click the image for a bigger version):

Special note: If you are planning on going to the jail to post bond and you 1.) have a warrant out for your arrest, 2.) have been incarcerated in a Maricopa County Jail within the last 12 months, 3.) have ever been convicted of a Felony, or 4.) an illegal alien – don’t go! You will either be thrown in jail (outstanding warrant) or denied entry (previous violation).

Hours You Can Post a Bond

As of May 20, 2014, Bonds can be posted daily at the 4^th Avenue Jail between the hours:

• 6:30 am – 1:45 pm
• 2:45 pm – 9:45 pm
• 10:45 pm – 5:30 pm.

It is important to note that if you there to post bond and arrive at 1:44PM in the afternoon, the window will close and no one will be able to post a bond until they re-open at 2:45PM. The same goes for any of the other listed times.

There is a button on the outside of the double doors (see picture above) that you will press if you are after normal business hours and let them know you are there to post a bond. They will let you in and you should go downstairs to the bonds and fines area.

• Note: If you are posting for a City of Phoenix Municipal Court bond, you will pay that at 300 W. Washington St. location if you are posting the bond during the week. You can post a bond there between the hours of 8-5pm. They will take both cash and credit.
• If you are posting bond on a weekend or a holiday for the City of Phoenix Municipal Court then you will need to post at the 4^th Ave jail in the old bonds and fines location (located behind the double doors at 4^th Ave Jail on Madison.) That window is open from noon-9pm on weekends and holidays.

As we noted before, this information is accurate as of May 20, 2014. If you want to call and verify any of this, please call the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Jail Information line at (602) 876-0322.

Next Steps after posting the Bond

If the accused was taken to the 4^th Ave jail then they are probably under suspicion of a fairly serious crime. It will be important to evaluate the situation and call a lawyer to see what they think of the case against the accused. It’s important to note that all defense attorneys in Arizona are not created equal.

DM Cantor has a 25 year plus history of successful criminal defense in Arizona. David Michael Cantor is a Certified Criminal Law Specialist by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization and the firm is AV® rated (highest rating) by Martindale-Hubbell®. We encourage you to view our case victories section and find cases that are similar to the situation the accused is facing.

We offer free case consultations at our office in downtown Phoenix, AZ. The consultation will take about 30 minutes and a lawyer will look over the case and give you their recommendations.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a defense lawyer, please give us a call 24 hours a day at (602) 307-0808.