Getting a call that someone you love is in jail is scary. You want to help fast. Understanding how to post bail in Cobb County can make a stressful situation much easier to handle. This guide walks you through every step of the process, from booking to release.
The Cobb County Adult Detention Center processes thousands of arrests each year. Whether your loved one was arrested in Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw, Acworth, Austell, Powder Springs, or Mableton, all arrests go through the same facility and follow the same procedures.
Cobb County Jail Contact Information
Before diving into the bail process, here is the official contact information you will need:
- Jail Address: 1825 County Services Parkway, Marietta, GA 30008
- Visitor Center: 1877 County Services Parkway, Marietta, GA 30008
- Bonding Information: (770) 499-4200
- Jail Administration: (770) 499-4221 (Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm)
Understanding Bail vs. Bond
People often mix up these two terms. Bail is the dollar amount the court sets. It serves as a guarantee that the defendant will show up for court dates. Bond is the method used to pay that amount. Think of bail as the price tag and bond as the payment option.
Step 1: What Happens After an Arrest
When law enforcement makes an arrest anywhere in Cobb County, they transport the person to the Adult Detention Center in Marietta. The booking process begins right away.
During booking, officers will:
- Take fingerprints and mugshot photos
- Enter personal information into the system
- Run computer checks for outstanding warrants
- Confiscate and store personal belongings
After booking is complete, the person in custody usually gets one phone call. Most people use this call to contact a family member or friend who can then reach out to a bail bondsman.
Step 2: How Bail Amounts Get Set
Georgia law has specific rules about when someone must see a judge. People arrested without a warrant must appear before a judge within 48 hours. Those arrested with a warrant must appear within 72 hours. This appearance determines if bail will be granted and at what amount.
For common offenses, Cobb County uses preset bail schedules. These standard amounts are already set for frequently charged crimes. Booking officers tell defendants these preset amounts right away.
For less common or more serious offenses, a magistrate judge holds a first appearance hearing. The judge looks at several factors when deciding bail amounts:
- How serious the alleged offense is
- The defendant’s criminal history
- Flight risk (how likely they are to run)
- Community ties like family, job, and home
- Any potential threat to public safety
For the most serious crimes (murder, armed robbery, rape, aggravated child molestation), only a Superior Court judge can set bail.
Step 3: Six Ways to Post Bail in Cobb County
Learning how to post bail in Cobb County involves knowing your options. The county offers six different methods to secure release. Each has its own requirements and costs.
Cash Bond
A cash bond means paying the full bail amount directly. For amounts up to $2,500 (including fees), you can post bail online at cashbondonline.com. Larger amounts require in-person payment at the detention center.
Important: The facility only accepts cash for in-person payments. They do not take checks or credit cards.
The good news about cash bonds is that they are fully refundable when the case ends. The defendant must appear at all court dates. The refund goes to the person listed as surety on the receipt. Expect to wait 2 to 12 weeks after case completion. Court fees, fines, or restitution may be deducted.
Each bond requires a $20 non-refundable fee. Multiple charges may require multiple bonds.
Professional Bail Bondsman
This is the most common way families secure release in Cobb County. Georgia law (OCGA § 17-6-30) sets the maximum fee a bail bondsman can charge at 15% of the bond amount, with a minimum fee of $50 per charge.
This fee is completely non-refundable. It covers the bondsman’s service of posting the full bail amount on the defendant’s behalf. Some bondsmen require collateral (property deeds, vehicle titles, jewelry). Many offer payment plans for the premium fee.
Professional bail bondsmen work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds serves all of Cobb County and can help guide you through the entire process.
Property Bond
Property bonds let defendants use real estate as collateral instead of cash. Cobb County has strict rules. The property must be residential and located within Cobb County, Georgia.
Everyone whose name appears on both the warranty deed (or quit claim deed) and the current tax bill must be present to sign. Required documents include:
- Warranty deed or quit claim deed
- Current tax bill
- Current mortgage statement
- Government-issued photo ID for all property owners
Out of County Property Bond
Own property outside Cobb County but within Georgia? You can still use it. The bond must be prepared by the sheriff of the county where the property sits. The documents must come to Cobb County in a sealed envelope. If the envelope is not sealed, they will not accept it.
Driver’s License Collateral
For minor offenses, Georgia allows defendants to use a valid Georgia Driver’s License as bond collateral. This option has very specific requirements:
- Must be a misdemeanor offense only (DUI charges are excluded)
- Defendant must have been in custody for at least 5 days
- Bond amount must be $1,000 or less (excluding surcharges)
If the defendant fails to appear in court, their license will be automatically suspended.
Pretrial Release
Cobb County’s Pretrial Services program reviews inmates who remain in custody. They determine if someone qualifies for reduced bond amounts or conditional release. Pretrial officers interview eligible inmates and may recommend release with supervision.
Pretrial release comes with specific conditions. These might include regular check-ins, geographic restrictions, and behavioral requirements. Breaking these conditions can lead to immediate re-arrest.
Step 4: Release Timeline
Once bail is posted, how long until release? It varies.
- Best case: 30 minutes to 2 hours during regular business hours
- Typical: 4 to 8 hours, especially during evenings or weekends
- Complex cases: 24 hours or longer during high-volume periods
The timeline depends mainly on jail workload, staffing levels, and time of day.
Step 5: Conditions of Release
Getting out of jail is just the start. Released defendants must follow specific rules:
- Attend every scheduled court appearance
- Maintain good behavior and avoid new arrests
- Follow any offense-specific conditions the judge sets
Offense-specific conditions might include no-contact orders in domestic violence cases, travel restrictions, regular check-ins with pretrial services, or sobriety requirements. For alcohol or drug-related offenses, defendants may be required to use electronic monitoring services to verify compliance.
What Happens If You Miss Court
Missing even one court date triggers serious consequences. The moment you fail to appear:
- The judge issues a bench warrant for your arrest
- All bail or bond money is immediately forfeited
- Additional criminal charges are filed (contempt of court and bail jumping)
Bail jumping in Georgia (OCGA § 16-10-51) is a serious crime. Fleeing out of state brings even harsher penalties: 1 to 5 years in prison, fines of $1,000 to $5,000, or both.
If you accidentally miss court due to a medical emergency or honest mistake, contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. Sometimes, attorneys can resolve the issue without re-arrest. Time is critical.
How Georgia Regulates Bail Bondsmen
Georgia strictly controls who can work as a bail bondsman. All professional bondsmen must be licensed as Casualty Insurance Agents by the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner.
Requirements include:
- Passing the Georgia Property and Casualty Insurance exam
- Completing an 8-hour continuing education requirement
- Being at least 18 years old
- Being a Georgia resident for at least one year
- Being a U.S. citizen
- Having no felony convictions or crimes of moral turpitude
After state licensing, bondsmen must also register with the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office to operate locally.
Visiting Someone in Cobb County Jail
If your loved one is still in custody, here is how visitation works:
- Pre-register online at GTL Visit Me or at a kiosk at the Visitor Center
- Bring valid government-issued photo ID (no photocopies)
- Visits available any day except Wednesday, 9am to 7pm
- 30-minute visits scheduled on the hour
- One visit per week allowed, maximum two visitors per visit
- All visits are conducted via video and are monitored
Sending Money to Inmates
Family and friends can deposit money into inmate accounts through:
- GTL ConnectNetwork online
- Phone: 888-988-4768
- In person at the facility (cash deposits, 9am to 7pm daily)
- Kiosk at the facility
Mailing to Inmates
For personal mail: Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Inmate’s Name and SOID# PO Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131
For legal mail and books only: Cobb County Adult Detention Center Inmate’s full name and SOID# PO Box 100110 Marietta, GA 30061
Key Points to Remember
Understanding how to post bail in Cobb County reduces stress during a difficult time. The county offers six pathways to secure release, from cash bonds to professional bail bondsmen to property bonds.
The most important thing after posting bail is attending every court appearance. Missing just one can mean arrest, losing all bond money, and facing additional criminal charges.
If you or a loved one needs help navigating the bail process in Cobb County, contact A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds. With locations throughout Metro Atlanta, our team can guide you through each step and help your loved one get home faster.
About A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds
A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds is a family-owned bail bond agency serving Georgia and Alabama. With multiple locations across Metro Atlanta and Birmingham, our licensed bail agents have helped thousands of families through the bail process. We understand that an arrest affects the whole family, and we are committed to providing clear, honest information to help you make informed decisions during a difficult time.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. While we strive to keep this content accurate and up to date, bail laws, procedures, and fees can change without notice. The bail process may vary based on individual circumstances, the nature of charges, and judicial discretion.
This article does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges, we strongly recommend consulting with a licensed criminal defense attorney who can provide guidance specific to your situation.
Bail bond fees and requirements are regulated by Georgia state law (OCGA § 17-6-30) and are subject to change. The information about Cobb County jail procedures, contact numbers, and policies was accurate at the time of publication, but should be verified directly with the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office before taking action.
A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds is a licensed bail bond agency and not a law firm. Our team can assist with the bail process, but cannot provide legal advice or representation in court.
For the most current information about an inmate’s status, bail amount, or release procedures, please contact the Cobb County Adult Detention Center directly at (770) 499-4200.
