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Money Matters

Money Matters

Money Matters / Posting Trusts and Criminal Bonds
There are many situations where the Court may order parties to a case to deposit funds to be held in trust by the Clerk of the Court. These funds are processed by the Document and Cash Management Services division of the Clerk of the Court's Office. Acceptable forms of payment for Trust Bonds include cash, cashier's check, money order, attorney trust check and Western Union Quick Collect check.

Criminal bonds are also processed by the Document and Cash Management Services of the Clerk of the Court' Office. A bond for the release of an in custody party may be paid by cash, Western Union Quick Collect checks and local attorney's trust fund checks. No other forms of payment are accepted for criminal bonds. Surety or "Paper Bonds" are obtained through a bail-bonding agency, are recorded and filed by the Clerk's Office, and are not processed through the accounting function as are cash bonds.

In Custody criminal bond payments over $2,000.00 are accepted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Payment may be paid by cash, Western Union quick collect check or local attorney trust fund check. No other forms of payment are accepted for criminal bonds.

In Custody bond payments may also be accepted 24 hours a day at the north entrance of the 4th ave jail, located at 201 S. 4th Ave. For further information, including acceptable forms of payment, please contract the jail directly at (602) 876-0322. Please have the full name, booking number, and/or date of birth available.

Requirements
Using property as the basis for bond is a time-consuming process that is less preferable than use of a cash or paper bond. Requirements for property–as-bond include:

  • An authoritative appraisal of the property to determine if its wholesale value is greater than the bond amount;
  • Documentation of the person’s equity in the property, sufficient to cover the bond;
  • A trust deed made out to the Clerk of the Court, and recorded in the County Recorder’s Office, along with the promissory note pledging the property to the Clerk of the Court; and
  • An order from the court authorizing the use of the specific property as bond, after the court has reviewed the previous items.

More information
Additional information regarding the requirements for posting property bonds can be obtained by calling 602-506-3587.

Money Matters / Release of Trust Monies

Cash Deposits
When monies used to post a cash bond are to be released at a later date, the Clerk’s Office procedures are strict, for security purposes. For a criminal case a certified copy of an Order of Exoneration (issued on behalf of the person who was the object of a complaint) must include a judge’s actual signature (not a facsimile stamp). For non-criminal cases, a certified copy of the signed order must be specific in the amount of money to be released and the name of the person to whom it is to be released. Two sets of orders should be presented to the Court with a request that each be signed by the Judge and one designated as a “Duplicate Original for Certification.” The Filing Counter or Customer Service Center will affix a certification stamp. The money will be released only in the form of an official Clerk of the Court check. Two forms of identification are required to claim the check and one must include at least a photo of the recipient and one bearing his or her signature. When check requests are made before 5 p.m., the checks will be released or mailed by 1 p.m. on the following day of business.

   
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