Cherokee County Jail – Cherokee, IA

Cherokee County Jail is located in Cherokee County and is the main jail for that region. Do you know somebody locked up in Cherokee County Jail? This site gives you info about anything related to Cherokee County Jail: Learn how to locate an inmate. Find mugshots. The jail’s phone number and address. How to post bail. Intake procedures and booking. Cherokee County court information. And much more…

The thought of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary and daunting idea, not only for whoever is incarcerated, but also their family and friends. The purpose of this guide is to offer info you need to make getting locked up a lot easier. If you have questions, just ask it in the comment section below, and any tips or comments that might be a benefit to other people in the same situation is welcome.

Do you have a family member or friend that has gone to jail and need to contact them?

Do you know someone who has been arrested and you need to locate them?

In order to see who’s in jail at Cherokee County Jail you will need to click on their website and do an inmate lookup.

The Cherokee County Jail Inmate Roster is an online list of persons who have been arrested and are in custody, which includes status, bail amount (if applicable), and visiting hours. Also, you are able to find info for anybody who has been arrested or discharged in the past 24-hour period. Jail inmates are listed alphabetically by their last name. You will be able to locate their inmate information quicker if you have their first and last name, date of birth, or arrest number.

If your friend or family member might be at a different jail you will want to check our Iowa county jail guide: Iowa County Jails

A mugshot, also known as a jail booking photograph, is a photo that the jail takes during jail intake processing. A mugshot is actually one face photo and a profile photo. Your full name and intake number will appear on the photos, and they’re stored.

Mugshots of Cherokee County Jail prisoners can be viewed on the Cherokee County Jail website, or you can go in person to the Cherokee County Jail. When viewing mugshots online you have to input the inmate’s full name, and an arrest date, if you have one.

Do you want to get your mugshot taken off of the Cherokee County Jail website? This will be difficult, as your mugshot is a matter of public record. You have to file a Petition to Expunge with the court. What this means is that all of your arrest records would be sealed, so no one will be able to access them. It is difficult to do this, and you will most likely need the services of a lawyer.

For more information about getting your mugshot removed, the various mugshot websites, and the mugshot removal websites: How To Get Your Mugshot Taken Down

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Obviously, if you’re arrested and put in jail, your only thought is about getting out. After you’ve gone through the intake process, a bail amount will be set by a special judge called a magistrate. If you don’t get a bail set this might mean that you will either be free to go until your court date, or you are kept in jail until your court date.

If you do bail out you are required to agree to show up for court, and until that day you won’t be allowed to travel out of the county.

In most cases, prisoners at Cherokee County Jail are given early release in exchange for good behavior if they don’t break the rules and conduct themselves properly while in jail.

If you prove to be trustworthy, you may be granted work release. Either you will have to go back to jail every day when you’re finished working, or you may be permitted to live in a halfway house when you are not working.

Bail is how much money that you are required to pay to be released from jail until your trial. The amount you will be required to pay depends on how serious your crime is. You will have to pay ten percent of the total set in order to get out of jail. If you don’t go to court, the person that paid your bail will lose that money.

You will have to call the jail. If you have all the person’s information, such as name, address and date of birth, they will tell you how much their bail is. Also, you can see the bail amount on the jail website.

Needing to bail someone out of jail is never a fun thing, but fortunately, it is really easy if you have the money. First, you need to find out if they have a “Cash Bond Only”. If it is, you won’t be able to use the services of a bail bondsman. Bail can only be paid by cash – they will not take checks. As soon as you’ve posted (paid) bond, the prisoner will get released. If the conditions of bail are not violated, you will get this money back.

If their bail has been set too high, or you just don’t have the money, you should use a bail bondsman. Bail bondsmen will generally have a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the total amount of bail set, and in most cases with a minimum charge of $100. The money you pay to the bail bondsman will not be returned to you and the bondsman only accepts cash. If bail is very large, the bail bondsman will in these cases require that they use your personal assets as collateral for the bond in addition to their charges.

To talk to a bail bondsman click here: Find a Bail Bondsman in Cherokee County

Have you ever used the services of bondsman to bail someone out of jail? If so, please share your experience in a comment below, and let us know how things turned out.

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• Get Time Off For Good Behavior
• Get Out on Work Release
• Released For Time Served
• Pre-Trial Release Programs
• Get Released on House Arrest
• Own Recognizance

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The intake procedure takes you through each of these steps:

• You will get put in a holding cell. If the jail is really busy, you will have to wait a while to get processed.
• Firstly, you will have to answer a bunch of questions, such as your legal name, home address, birthdate and contact person.
• They’ll also ask you about your medical and psychological history.
• You will be issued an inmate number.
• You will be fingerprinted.
• You will have your mugshot taken.
• Any personal property you have will get taken away from you and stored until you get released.
• They will allow you to use the telephone to contact a member of your family, friend, or bail bondsman.
• If they expect that you will make bail and be released quickly, they will let you skip the jumpsuit and keep wearing your own clothes, if not you will be issued a jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through the jail intake procedure? If you have, you should tell our readers about your experience. How long did you have to wait in the holding cell? Were you treated fairly? Do you know any tips that might help other people that get arrested make it through the procedure?

Click here to post a comment

When you post bail, you will get discharged from jail. This process can take between 10 minutes to quite a few hours. So, the faster bail is posted, the faster you will get released. Also, how fast you get released depends on if you’ve got a cash bond or if a magistrate needs to decide on the bail amount. For a minor charge, you will simply be booked and then released on your recognizance without having to pay bail. When you get to the end of your sentence and know the discharge date, plan to be released anywhere between the hours of 9am and 12pm.

issued for your arrest, or if you must begin your sentence in jail, it is highly recommended that you follow the law and go down to the jail and turn yourself in. If it is for a warrant, go to the jail, in the reception area, and tell the intake officer that believe that there could be an outstanding arrest warrant out for you. The officer will verify that you have an outstanding arrest warrant, and if they find one, they will take you into custody. If you are reporting to serve out your sentence, go to the jail on the date and time that the sentence order or court paperwork states. Ensure that you aren’t late. Just bring approved items when you go to jail, such as a driver’s license or photo ID, any prescription medication you might take, and the official sentencing order.

Inmates must list each visitor’s full name to the jail in advance. Your visitor’s information will go in a log of visitors for the inmate. Each and every visitor has to provide acceptable photo identification when visiting an inmate. Any visitors that arrives for visitation late or that does not have a visitation order will not be allowed to visit the inmate.
The Cherokee County Jail visitation procedures can change, so we suggest that you check the official jail site before you go to visitation.

The only phone calls that inmates are allowed to make are made through a jail approved pre-paid phone account or phone card . Calls made in jail are much more expensive than phone calls made outside of jail. There are certain restrictions about how often you can use the phone, but inmates must keep in mind that a long line can form at the phones, because everyone wants to use the phone, too. If you break the jail rules, an inmate’s phone privileges might get reduced or cut altogether.

Phone Number: 712-225-6738

All inmate mail has to be sent using the actual US Postal Service. You must not use any other type of mail delivery. You should print the name, inmate ID, and the address of the jail on the letter. Do not mail anything in a box, padded envelope, bag, or an envelope with metal inside. Any mail will be opened and read and inspected by staff, and will be sent back to the person who mailed it if it can’t be delivered.

The mailing address for Cherokee County Jail is:

Cherokee County Jail
111 North 5Th Street
Cherokee, IA 51012

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Cherokee County Jail
111 North 5Th Street
Cherokee, IA 51012

The mail policy changes often, so be sure to review the official website before you send a letter to an inmate there.

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Even if you’ve been arrested, you should know you still have rights, one of these being the right to request an attorney. You are only allowed to make so many phone calls in jail, so it is important to have a friend or relative locate an attorney when you call them. You may be thinking ‘why do I need a lawyer?’ You are not required to have an attorney for some criminal charges, a criminal defense lawyer will make sure you know your rights, help protect your interests and help you navigate the court system in Cherokee County. The sooner you get a lawyer involved with your case, the better off you’ll be.

To read more about the benefits of and how to hire an attorney, read: Find a Lawyer

If you are in trouble, but can’t afford an attorney, you will get a public defender. In addition, the Public Defender’s Office is staffed by independent investigators, crime scene and forensics experts and case workers. Public Defenders are actual attorneys who are admitted to the Iowa State Bar Association and are licensed to handle your case.

Have you or someone you know had to use a Public Defender or court appointed attorney? Do you think they properly handled your case?

Court records are public records. Court records include a file containing a docket and all motions, documents, and evidence that have been filed. You can access your court case records via the internet service, or by going to the Clerk’s office of the Court where the case was filed.

The Clerk of Court is a member of the court that manages the records. They also administer the oath in a court case, and also read the verdict when the jury makes their final decision. All court records from your court case are kept and available to you at the office of the Clerk of Court.

Court fees are the fees and charges associated with your court case, for example filing fees, motion fees and various court charges. If you don’t have the money to pay these fees and have been assigned a Public Defender, you will not be responsible for these fees.

A Magistrate is the type of judge that rules over your court case. Magistrate judges do different tasks, which include setting bail, issuing warrants, and presiding over preliminary court hearings and detention proceedings.

A pre-sentencing report is completed with information about the arrestee’s background and details of the arrestee’s life, which the magistrate judge will take into consideration when deciding on the sentence. Information will be collected from the defendant, their family, and in some cases the victim of the crime. Be sure to remember that you can request to receive your own copy of your pre-sentencing report before sentencing, and go over it and correct any mistakes in it.

When you are convicted of a crime, you will be sentenced. The presiding judge in your case will weigh several options when determining your sentence, including community service, house arrest, and probation, to even prison or jail time. Depending on sentencing guidelines and the severity of your crime, you will either be taken into custody, right there in court, or you might be given a date to surrender and report to jail to serve your jail term according to your sentence.

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Do you want to find out if a family member or friend is incarcerated, or has ever been locked up?

To find this out just visit the Cherokee County jail website and do an inmate search lookup, and search using:

• Name.
• Birth date.
• Approximate booking date.
• or jail ID.

If you think this person is in jail, you should call the jail to find out.

If you believe you have an outstanding warrant, you can check the arrest warrants inquiry on the website or you can call the jail directly. This requires a first and last name. Or, you can just go the jail in person and ask the officer in charge. You should know that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you should be prepared to get taken into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s name, and the date of their arrest, contact the jail, on the phone, in person, or find out online. Records of arrests are in the public record and these records are available to anyone.

Civil processes are when you are served with legal papers, like a court order. You can find these civil process orders by going to the Sheriff’s office, on their website or by phone.

All convicted sex offenders have to be listed and registered on the sex offender databases required by the area they live in. The people on these databases have been convicted in a court of law of a sex offense. You are able to view sex offenders on the internet, but remember that you won’t see the street address, but rather the block of the address that they registered.

Court Records are public records and available to anyone. They include a case file that contains a docket and any of the documents filed in your case. You are able to access the court records on the internet, or at Clerk of Court office in the jurisdiction where the case was filed.

Each state maintains a record of someone’s criminal background. These databases are connected and you can track criminal backgrounds from another state. You are able to go to the Cherokee County Courthouse and make an inquiry, or check online. You must know which county the crime occurred in, and in the event that the crime was in a totally different state, you may have to pay a fee for a more comprehensive search.

When you look up a person’s criminal records you will find out if a person has ever been arrested, charged or convicted for any crimes they may have committed, which could include:

• DWI or DUI.
• Drug offenses.
• Kidnapping.
• Sexual offenses including rape, assault.
• Violent crimes like assault or murder.
• Property crimes like theft or larceny.

When you do a criminal history search, usually won’t find out if they had:

• Speeding or reckless driving.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Any accidents.
• Moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To search for driving records, you will have to do a driving history search.

Have you ever had to look for criminal records online? Was it easy? Did you do your search online or did you call the jail? Was it correct? There are plenty of reasons that folks search for criminal backgrounds and records, and your feedback may help other people.

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Most Wanted

Everyone knows that the FBI has a list of the Top Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Cherokee County, the Cherokee County Sheriff has their own list of the most wanted criminals, that you can access online.

FBI Top Ten Most Wanted List

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department’s Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Just the thought of spending time in the Cherokee County jail is something you wish you could avoid, soon you will become accustomed to the daily routine there. You will get an alarm to wake up each morning at 6:00AM, and next they’ll do roll call. Next, you will get breakfast. When you finish breakfast you will have to work in the work program or other activity that you are assigned. This could be working in the kitchen, laundry, or some sort of manufacturing job. While this may seem tedious, it may help you when you leave jail, as you are gaining experience in a certain field of work. Other inmates go to school, while some take part in mandated treatment programs. After lunch, there will be another roll call, then back to work. Your evening will be spent either in your cell or a common room. During this time dinner is served and you will be expected to take a shower. After another roll call, it’s lights out. Even though you will be confined to your cell, there may be enough light to read or write letters. Then again, most inmates welcome lights out, and try to get as much sleep as they can.

Most people are frightened at the idea of jail because they don’t know what to expect. If you have spent any time in Cherokee County Jail, your experiences would be welcomed, if it can help another person to deal with it.

Dress Code

When incarcerated, all inmates are expected to wear the Cherokee County Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

You will have your own ‘bank account’ while in jail. This money is used to purchase items from the Commissary. Family and friends can deposit money into this account for you, and any money you earn while in prison will also be deposited into your account. Outside money can be paid in to your account via a money order, cash or check. If someone sends a check or money order, make sure that they write your inmate ID on it. The maximum amount you are allowed in your account is $290 per month.

The procedure to send funds to people in jail is likely to change, so we suggest that you visit the site when you send funds to an inmate there.


Commissary

The commissary is the jail store. You can purchase a number of things here, such as toiletries, snacks and writing supplies. Bear in mind that you will probably want to use the commissary daily, and any infractions will get that privilege taken away from you.

Inmate Medications

If you are on any type of prescription medication, you will be allowed to continue taking it while in jail. When you are first processed, you will be asked what medication you take. You will then be referred to the jail nurse or doctor who will be in charge of monitoring your health and prescribing your medication.

Meals

You will get three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. As expected, they are very basic, but healthy. A typical breakfast might be cereal, toast, coffee and fruit. Lunch might be spaghetti, salad, bread and milk. Dinner could be chicken casserole, rice, vegetables, dessert and milk. Contrary to popular belief, prison food has greatly improved over the years, and you might find that it’s not much different from what you would eat at home.

Pods / The Yard

The jail is designed in a ‘pod’ layout, with self-contained housing arranged around an outdoor yard. Each pod has a central control station and a common room, and the inmates take turns in using the yard. The jail is designed this way to keep certain inmates together, and others away from the general population.

Gangs

As with life in general, gangs are a part of prison life. Obviously it is best to avoid becoming a part of this environment as it will only lead to trouble. When you first enter prison, you might find yourself being ‘primed’ to join a gang, or worse, you might get their attention in a negative way. The best thing to do is keep your head down and don’t get involved.


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News and Media

News

Photos / Pictures

Videos


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Jobs

Types of Jobs at Cherokee County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Cherokee County Jail, overseeing the day to day operations and administration of the jail. An inmate is unlikely to have much interaction with the Deputy Sheriff, unless they have committed an infraction. Detention Officers are responsible for the custody and care of the inmates. They maintain order in the jail, and handle security. A Detention Officer is assigned to a certain pod, and therefore is responsible for the same inmates each day. They get to know the inmates on a certain level and are well equipped to handle any problems that may occur.

Apply for a Job at Cherokee County Jail

Requirements:

• You must be over the age of 21.
• You must possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You must be a US Citizen.
• You must pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You must pass a drug test.
• You must have a good level of fitness.
• You must be in good health.
• You must have a valid Driver’s License
• An applicant for Deputy Sheriff must possess a Law Enforcement Certification.


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Family Resources

There are resources for families of both the perpetrator of the crime and the victim. The social and emotional impact of crime is far reaching, affecting many. Families can receive professional counseling, court related assistance, social services assistance and help in navigating the criminal justice system.

If you are a family member, which resources did you find to be particularly helpful? Please let us know, as this will be helpful to other families in the same situation.

Click here to post a comment


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Victim Resources

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.

Victim’s Rights

The Victim Rights Act grants victims the following rights:

• You have the right to protection from the accused.
• You have the right to notification.
• You have the right to attend proceedings.
• You have the right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• You have the right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• You have the right to restitution.
• You have the right to a speedy trial.
• You have the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

The definition of victim includes:

• Spouses and children of all victims.
• Parents and guardians of minor victims.
• Parents, guardians and siblings of mentally or physically incapacitated victims or victims of homicide.
• Foster parents or other caregivers, under certain circumstances.

There are a number of services and programs designed to help victims and their families. You can find out about these services by contacting the courthouse, or local law enforcement agency.

Victim Notification

The Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS) is a system that provides victims with information pertaining to their case and/or any defendants in the case. You will receive a Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that will allow you to access VNS via the internet or by phone. Here, you will find information about future court hearings, historical court events, and detailed information about the defendant. This will include criminal charges filed, the outcome of charges, sentence imposed, custody location, projected release date and any other release information. The VNS website is updated daily. You will also receive any ongoing information by mail or email.

Have you, a family member or friend ever used the Victim Notification System? If so, was it effective? Did you get the information in a timely manner? Was the system difficult to use? We would like to hear from you, so please post any comments here.

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Sex Offender Information and Search

All people registered as sex offenders are registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access this information online, but bear in mind that you will not get the exact address, rather the block that they live on.

Domestic Violence

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there are services to help you. Your county will have a Domestic Violence Services office. They provide free and confidential services, such as emergency shelter information, legal advocacy, support groups and domestic violence education. They will work to help you create a safe and violence-free life, and heal from the trauma of abuse.

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.


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Reviews

Reviews of this Jail

Have you ever been locked up at Cherokee County Jail? Do you have a family member or friend that is a prisoner there? Have you ever visited a prisoner at this jail?

If you have, then we would like you to write a review about it. Write about your jail experience because others will know what to expect.

Things you can include in your review:

• Conditions in Cherokee County Jail.
• Jail, yard and pod layout and facility
• Guards and jail staff
• Commissary and food
• Visitors
• Inmates.
• Inmate safety
• Jail gangs
• Prisoner activities and programs


Write a Review

Tell Your Story

Everbody that’s been incarcerated has some stories to tell about the whole experience. How’d you end up in jail? How did the guards treat you? What was your daily routine in jail? What were the other inmates like? How has this experience impacted your life?

Tell the World All About It

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Make some good friends in jail? Trying to send a message to a person you met in jail? Post a message to them below.

Say Hello

Links and Resources

Main Cherokee County Jail Link
Cherokee County Jail Inmate Search
Cherokee County Jail Mugshots
Cherokee County Jail Bail Link

Cherokee County Jail Visitation Policy Link
Cherokee County Jail Jail Mail Link
Find an inmate at Cherokee County Jail
Cherokee County Warrant Inquiry
Cherokee County Jail Arrest Inquiry
Send Money to an Inmate at Cherokee County Jail
Cherokee County Jail Jobs


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