How to Bail Someone Out of Jail in Prince George's County
If someone you love is locked up at the PG County Detention Center in Upper Marlboro, this guide walks you through exactly how to get them out. Prince George's County handles a high volume of arrests, so understanding the bail process here can save you hours of confusion and thousands of dollars. FrizWoods has an office across from the Upper Marlboro courthouse and handles PG County bail cases regularly.
Where Are They Being Held?
Most people arrested in Prince George's County are taken to the PG County Detention Center in Upper Marlboro for booking. If you need to confirm that your loved one is there, contact the facility directly with their full legal name and date of birth. You can also use VineLink to search for anyone currently in custody in Maryland.
Booking at the PG County Detention Center can take longer than other counties due to volume. Expect anywhere from 6 to 24 hours before your loved one sees a commissioner.
The Commissioner Review
After booking, a commissioner conducts the first bail review. This happens 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
The commissioner will make one of three decisions:
- Release on recognizance. No money needed. Your loved one signs a promise to appear in court.
- Cash bail. A specific dollar amount must be posted for release.
- Hold without bond. Your loved one stays in custody until a judge reviews the case.
Commissioners in Prince George's County deal with the higher volume processed in PG County. Seeing a commissioner can take longer at the Prince George's County Detention Center based on this volume.
How to Post Bail at the PG County Detention Center
If the commissioner sets a cash bail, you have two ways to get your loved one out:
Pay the Full Amount
Go to the PG County Detention Center and post the entire bail amount in cash. This money is returned to you after the case is resolved, minus any court fees, as long as the defendant makes all court appearances.
Use a Bail Bondsman
A bail bondsman posts the full amount for you in exchange for a non-refundable fee of typically around 10% of the total bail. For a $20,000 bail, the bondsman might charge $2,000.
Bail bondsmen near the PG County Detention Center operate 24/7. The bondsman may require collateral for larger bail amounts.
What If Bail Is Denied or Too High?
If the commissioner holds your loved one without bond or sets a bail your family cannot afford, the next step is a bail review hearing before a District Court judge.
In Prince George's County, District Court bail review hearings are held at 1:30 PM in Upper Marlboro, Room 261B on weekdays while Court is open. Weekend arrests will have to wait until the following Monday.
Circuit Court bail review hearings take place around 10:00 AM in a rotating courtroom.
At this hearing, a judge can:
- Lower the cash bail
- Switch to an unsecured bond
- Order pretrial supervision with conditions like GPS monitoring either privately or through the county, drug testing, or check-ins
- Release on recognizance
- Hold without bond
Having a bail review lawyer at this hearing is not optional if you want the best result. An attorney can present a release plan, provide evidence of community ties, and argue directly to the judge.
Max Frizalone, a former PG County prosecutor, handles bail hearings in Upper Marlboro every week. He knows the judges and the arguments that work in this courthouse. For a deeper look at the hearing process, see our PG County Bail Process guide.
After Bail Is Posted: What to Know
Once your loved one is out, the case is far from over:
- Court dates. Missing a court date means a bench warrant, forfeiture of bail, and re-arrest.
- Release conditions. The judge may have set conditions like no contact orders, drug testing, or curfew. Violating these can lead to re-arrest.
- Protective orders. In domestic cases, a protective order may be active. Violation is a separate criminal offense.
- Getting your money back. If you posted the full cash bail, it is returned after the case resolves. Bondsman fees are never refunded.
How Long Does It Take to Get Out After Posting Bail in PG County?
After you post bail at the PG County Detention Center, expect 1 to 4 hours for processing before your loved one is released. The facility handles a high volume, so release times can vary.
Common Mistakes When Bailing Someone Out in PG County
Waiting until after the judge hearing to call a lawyer
The 1:30 PM judge hearing is often your loved one's best shot at getting out. Show up without a lawyer and the chances of release drop significantly.
Not understanding the bondsman fee
The fee paid to a bail bondsman is gone forever. If your family can scrape together the full bail amount, you save that money in the long run.
Discussing the case on jail calls
While your loved one is waiting for bail, they may call you from the detention center. Those calls are recorded. Do not talk about the case. Say "We are working on bail" and "We got a lawyer."
Forgetting about court dates after release
Bail is not the end. It is a conditional release. Mark every court date on a calendar and do not miss a single one.
Why FrizWoods for PG County Bail
FrizWoods' Upper Marlboro office is at 14513 Main Street, Suite B, down the street from the courthouse. We handle bail hearings in PG County every week.
- Max Frizalone is a former PG County State's Attorney who knows this courthouse inside and out.
- Luke Woods brings over 20 years of criminal defense experience to every bail hearing.
We also handle the full criminal case after release, from drug charges to DUI to domestic violence to gun charges.
Call FrizWoods Now - 24/7 PG County Bail Help
If your loved one is at the PG County Detention Center and you need help with bail, contact us now. We answer day and night.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does bail cost in Prince George's County?
Bail amounts vary based on the charges and the defendant's history. The commissioner or judge sets the amount. If using a bondsman, you typically pay around 10% of the total, which is non-refundable.
Can I bail someone out of the PG County Detention Center at night?
Yes. Commissioners are available 24/7. If a cash bail has been set, you can post it at the detention center at any time.
How long does it take to get released after posting bail in PG County?
Release processing typically takes 1 to 4 hours after bail is posted, though delays are possible during high-volume periods.
What if the bail is too high to afford?
A defense attorney can request a bail review hearing before a judge and argue for a reduced bail, an unsecured bond, or pretrial supervision. The hearing is at 1:30 PM on the next business day.
Do I get the bail money back in PG County?
If you posted the full cash bail yourself, yes. The money is returned after the case is resolved, as long as all court dates were attended. Bondsman fees are not refundable.
Can I bail someone out on the weekend in Prince George's County?
Yes. Commissioners work around the clock. If a cash bail is set on a Saturday night, you can post it immediately. However, if bail is denied, the judge hearing will not happen until Monday.
Related Pages
- Just arrested in PG County? Read What Happens After an Arrest in Prince George's County.
- Learn more about the PG County Bail Process in detail.
- Statewide guide: How to Bail Someone Out of Jail in Maryland.
- See our Prince George's County Criminal Defense page.