A: Mastercard and Visa credit cards are accepted for all payments except for posting bonds. No other credit cards will be accepted. Bonds can only be posted with cash.

A: If you are posting bond during the Clerk of Courts working hours (Mon. - Fri. 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) you will need to go to that office. After working hours, please contact the Portage County Sheriff's Department/Jail. Please have the name of the person you are posting the bond for along with what they were picked up for. Our office will fill out a bond form with the proper information and have you sign it. We will then give that form to you to take to the Portage County Sheriff's Department/Jail and they will process the paperwork there. Please read the following information prior to posting ANY bond:

In the event the Court orders a judgment for a fine or costs, or both, the amount of cash deposited with this bond, if any, shall be applied to the payment of the judgment. This means that before any money is returned to the person or persons making the cash deposit, the cash deposit will first be used for payment of the judgment. Any excess will be returned to the person or persons making the cash deposit. (See ss.l969.02 and 969.03 Wis. Stats.)

Also please be advised, in the event the person you are posting the bond for does not appear at any appearance, the bond may be forfeited.

Government Payment Services (GPS), a contracted company is available for posting bonds for defendants in jail. Contact either the Clerk of Courts Office or the Portage County Sheriff's Dept. for further information.

A: In the event the defendant is found guilty and sentenced, the bond money will be used for any fine and/or costs and any balance will be returned to the poster. If the charges are dismissed, the bond money will be returned to the poster. If you wish to receive your bond money back prior to the closing of the case, the defendant shall be turned over to the Portage County Jail and a letter shall be written to the proper Court, requesting the bond money be returned.

A: On average, it takes the Clerk of Courts Office 2-4 weeks to return any bond money to the poster.

A: An appearance is REQUIRED for ALL scheduled hearings unless otherwise noted. If you fail to appear for any appearance, a warrant WILL be issued for your arrest and you may be charged with bailjumping. If you are unable to appear, you should immediately contact your attorney or, if you have not retained an attorney, the District Attorney's Office or the Clerk of Courts Office.

A: Appearances on new charges are held at different times throughout the day/week. Please contact either the District Attorney's Office or the Clerk of Courts Office anytime after 10:30 a.m. These appearances are normally held during the late morning hours or in the early afternoon. If a call is made too early, the information will not be available. The defendant may or may not appear in person in the courtroom for the appearance. Many times they will appear by video appearance at the jail.