Lyon County Jail – Rock Rapids, IA

Lyon County Jail is located in Lyon County, Iowa and is the primary jail for this area. Know someone in Lyon County Jail? This site tells you info about anything you might want to know about Lyon County Jail,like: How to locate an inmate at Lyon County Jail. How to view Lyon County Jail mugshots. The jail’s address and phone number. Bail and how to get out of jail. Lyon County Jail intake procedures. Court information. And much more…

The thought of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary and daunting idea, not only for the person who gets locked up, but also that person’s family, friends, and loved ones. This guide is designed to give information and advice that you need to make going to jail a lot easier. If you have a specific question, please feel free to ask them, and any feedback or comments that could help other people in the same situation would be welcome.

Do you have a friend or family member that is incarcerated and want to locate them?

Has somebody who has been arrested and you want to find out what jail they’re in?

To see who’s in jail at Lyon County Jail you need to navigate to their link and perform an inmate search.

The Lyon County Jail Inmate Roster has information on persons currently in custody, including status, how much their bail is, and times you can visit. Also, you can find information on anybody booked or released in the past 24-hour period. Inmates are listed alphabetically by last name. You can find their inmate information fast if you have your friend or family member’s name, date of birth, or arrest number.

If the person you’re searching for might be locked up at a different jail you will want to check our guide to other Iowa jails: List of all county jails in Iowa

A mugshot, also known as a jail processing photo, is a photo taken by the police during jail intake processing. A mugshot is make of one face photo and a side photo. Your name and intake number will appear on the photos, and they will be on file.

Mugshots of people who have been arrested can be searched on the website, or you can view them at the Lyon County Jail. When viewing mugshots online you have to input the person’s legal name, and an arrest date, if you have it.

Need to know how to get your mugshot taken off of the Lyon County Jail site? This will be difficult, since your mugshot is public record. To get your mugshot taken down you have to file a ‘Petition to Expunge’. Basically, this means that your arrest record will be sealed, so no one will be able to access them. Unfortunately, this happens very rarely.

To learn more about getting your mugshot taken down, the various mugshot sites, and the mugshot removal websites: How To Remove Your Mugshot from the Internet

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Once you are in jail, your main thought is about when you get out. After you’ve gone through the intake process, bail is set either by bail schedule or magistrate. If you don’t get a bail set this might mean that you will either be released on your ‘own recognizance’ until your court date, or you don’t get released while you wait for your court date.

If you do bail out you are required to promise to go to your court date, and until then you must not leave the county.

Typically, inmates in the Lyon County Jail will be given time off for good behavior if they don’t break the rules and conduct themselves properly while they’re in jail.

If you prove to be trustworthy, you may be allowed to do work release. You will either have to return to jail every day when you’re finished at your job, or you might be allowed to live in a halfway house instead of living at the jail.

Your bail is the amount of money that you will be required to pay to get out of jail pending trial. The amount you have to pay depends on how serious your crime is. You will need to post 10 percent of the total amount that was determined so you can be released. If you fail to show up for your scheduled court date, the person that bailed you out of jail won’t get their money back.

You have to call the Lyon County Jail or the County Courthouse. If know the person’s information, such as name, address and date of birth, they will let you know how much their bail is. You can also find out how much their bail is on the Lyon County Jail site.

Having to bail a friend or family member out of jail is an unpleasant situation, but in some cases, it is really easy. To start with, you need to know if it is a Cash Only Bond situation. If this is the case, you can’t use the services of a Bail Bondsman. They only accept cash at the jail, so you have to take cash – they will not accept checks. Once the cash bond has been paid, the prisoner will be discharged. If the conditions of bail are not violated, you will get this money back.

If bail is set too high, or you can’t afford it yourself, you might need to use a bail bondsman. Bondsmen will generally charge a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the total amount of bail set by the magistrate, and usually with a minimum of $100. The amount you pay to the bondsman is non-refundable and bondsmen usually only accept cash. If the bail is extremely high, the bail bondsman will usually ask to use your personal assets as collateral for the bond in addition to their charges.

If you need a bail bondsman go to: Find a bail bondsman

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

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

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The jail intake procedure is made up of each of these steps:

• You will be placed in a waiting area or cell. If the jail is busy, it will take a while to get processed.
• You must answer a bunch of questions, like your full name, home address, birthdate and contact person.
• They’ll also ask about your medical and psychological history.
• You will be issued an inmate number.
• Your fingerprints will be taken.
• You will have your mugshot taken.
• All personal property will be taken from you and will be stored until you are released.
• You will get to make a telephone call so you can call a member of your family, friend, or bondsman to arrange bail.
• If they expect that you will make bail and be released quickly, they will let you keep wearing your own clothes, but if you are not expected to make bail quickly you will be given a jail jumpsuit.

Have you been arrested and gone through jail intake? If you have, please tell us what happened. How long did it take? Were you treated fairly? Do you have any secrets that could help other people make it through the procedure?

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When you post bail, you will be allowed to leave jail. Getting discharged will take between 10 minutes to all day long. So, the quicker you post bail, the quicker you will be released. Also, how fast you get released can depend on whether or not you have a cash bond or if a judge must figure out the bail amount. For lesser charges, you will simply be booked and then released on your recognizance without having to pay bail. When you have completed your jail sentence and know the discharge date, you should plan to be discharged anywhere between the hours of 9am and 12pm.

In the event there is a, or if you need to report to start a sentence, it is recommended that you do the right thing and go down to the jail and turn yourself in. If it is for a warrant, go to the jail intake center, and let them know that think that there is a warrant for your arrest. They will check to see if you have a warrant, and if they verify that there is a warrant for your arrest, you will be taken into the sheriff’s custody. When reporting to serve a sentence, go down to the jail at the exact time and date that the sentence order or court paperwork states. Be very careful that you are not late. Only bring allowed items with you, such as a driver’s license or even state issued ID, any prescription medication you might take, along with your doctor’s prescription, as well as a sentencing order.

In order to have visitors, inmates need to give each visitor’s full name to the jail before anyone can visit them. This information will be put into a log of approved visitors as an Authorized visit. Each and every visitor must provide acceptable photo identification when visiting an inmate. Anyone showing up late or that does not have a visitation order will not be allowed to visit the inmate.
The Lyon County Jail visitation procedures change often, so it would be wise to visit the official site before you go to the jail to visit.

Phone calls that inmates are allowed to make from jail are with a pre-paid phone card or account, or are collect calls . Calls made in jail are typically more expensive than phone calls made outside of jail. Phone calls are restricted on how often you can use the phone, but bear in mind lots of people want to use the phone – so you have to share. If you break the rules, phone privileges may be limited or totally denied.

The Lyon County Jail phone number is: (712) 472-8300

All mail must be sent using the actual US Postal Service, and not courier or delivery, or hand delivered. You can’t use any other form of mail or package delivery. You have to write or type the person’s name, prisoner number, and jail address on the letter. Don’t send a box, envelope with padding, plastic or paper bag, or an envelope with metal inside. All mail is opened and examined by the jail administration, and will get sent back if they decide it is inappropriate.

The mailing address for Lyon County Jail is:

Lyon County Jail
410 South Boone St.
Rock Rapids, IA 51246

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Lyon County Jail
410 South Boone St.
Rock Rapids, IA 51246

The Lyon County Jail inmate mail policy is always changing, so be sure to review the official Lyon County Jail site before send a letter to someone in jail there.

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If you have been arrested, you have rights, the first of which is that you have the right to request a lawyer. Remember that you may be limited to the amount of phone calls you can make, so make sure to get a friend or relative to find a lawyer for you. You might be asking yourself ‘I don’t have to get a lawyer – I can just represent myself’ You are not required to have an attorney for some criminal charges, a criminal defense attorney will make sure you know your rights, look after your best interests and help you understand the complicated court system that you are now faced with. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you and work on your charges, the better your chances.

For more detailed information on how to find an attorney, visit: How to Find a Lawyer in Lyon County

If you can’t afford a lawyer, you will be given a public defender for a lawyer. Also, the Public Defender’s Office has a number of staff such as independent investigators, experts in forensics and case workers. Public Defenders are real attorneys, admitted to the Iowa State Bar Association and are fully licensed to practice law.

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

Lyon County court records are public record and are available upon request to anyone who requests them – not just the person who they pertain to. They contain a file containing a docket sheet and every documents in your case. You, and anyone else, can access your court case records using the online service, or by going to the Lyon County Clerk of Court.

A Clerk of Court is an official part of the court that maintains court records and controls access to them. The Clerk of Court also administer the oath in a court case, and read the jury’s verdict. All records and documents associated with your case are maintained at Clerk of Court’s office.

Court fees are the charges from your case, which include filing charges, motion and claim fees, and court appearance fees. If you can’t afford to pay these fees and have a court appointed attorney, you can get a waiver for these fees and won’t have to pay them.

The Lyon County court magistrate is the judge that will preside on your court case. Magistrates do a number of different things, which include setting your bail amount, issuing warrants, and acting as the presiding judge over preliminary court appearances and detention proceedings.

A pre-sentencing report is put together to include your background information and as much detail about the defendant’s life and public history, which the judge will review and take into account when determining a sentence. Information, details, and character witnesses will be requested from the person on trial, the defendant’s family, and if necessary the victim of the crime. Bear in mind that you should ask to have a copy of your pre-sentencing report before your sentencing, and make sure that you go over it and correct any mistakes in it.

If you get convicted of a crime, you will then get sentenced. The presiding judge in your case will weigh several options when determining your sentence, including community service, house arrest, and probation, to prison or jail time. Depending on the severity of the crime, you will either be taken into custody, right there in court, or you could get a date to turn yourself into jail to do your time.

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Want to find out if someone is in jail, or has been an inmate in the past?

You can you need to go to the Lyon County jail website and do an inmate search lookup, and do a search using:

• The inmate’s name.
• Birthdate.
• Their approximate booking date.
• and their inmate ID.

If you’re not sure if your friend or family member is in jail, you should call the jail find out if they’ve been arrested.

If you think you might have an outstanding warrant, you can check the court records on the website or call the court directly. You have to have the person’s first and last name. You can also go to the local jail and ask one of the officers. You should know that if you do have an outstanding warrant, they will take you into custody immediately.

If you have a first and last name, and their arrest date, contact the jail, either by phone, go there in person, or check online. Arrest records are public record and this information is freely available.

Civil processes are when you get served with papers, like , subpoenas, and arrest warrants. You can access civil process orders by contacting the Sheriff’s office, on their website or by phone.

All people registered as sex offenders must be listed and registered on the sex offender databases required by the area they live in. Those listed on these databases have been tried by jury and convicted in a court of law of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access these offenders online, but you should know that you will not be able to see the precise address, rather the address block they live on.

Court Records are considered public records, so they are accessible to anyone who requests them. Court Records include a case file that contains a court docket and all filings and documents filed in the case. You can access court records via the internet service ‘Public Access to Court Electronic Records’, or at Clerk of Court in the jurisdiction where the case was filed.

Every state keeps a record of a person’s criminal background. These databases are all linked and you can track criminal backgrounds from other states. Go to courthouse and make an inquiry, or check the website. It is helpful to know the county, and in the event that it was in a completely different state, you might have to pay a fee for a more comprehensive search.

A criminal history search you will be able to find out if someone has been arrested, charged, or convicted for any crimes they may have committed, which could include:

• DUI or DWI.
• Drug offenses.
• Kidnapping.
• Rape or other sexual assault.
• Violent crimes.
• Property crimes like theft or larceny.

But, when you do a criminal records check, in most cases will not find out if that person had:

• Tickets for speeding.
• Lost their driver’s license or license revoked or suspended.
• Any accidents.
• Other moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To find this information, you must do a driving records search.

Have you ever searched for criminal records? How easy was it? Did you do your search online or did you make a phone call to the local courthouse? Was the information you received correct? There are many reasons that folks search for criminal records and backgrounds, and your story could make it easier for others.

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Most Wanted

For Federal crimes, the FBI maintains a list of the Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Lyon County, the Lyon County Sheriff has their own list of the most wanted criminals, that you can access online.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List: External Link

Lyon County Sheriff’s Department Ten Most Wanted List: External Link


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

While the prospect of serving a jail sentence in the Lyon County jail is something you wish you could avoid, eventually you will get accustomed to the daily routine. You should expect an alarm to wake up at about 6am, and next you’ll have roll call. After roll call you will eat breakfast. When you finish breakfast participate in the work program that you’ve been assigned to. 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 Lyon 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 Lyon 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 process for sending money to inmates changes, so check the the Lyon County Jail website 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 Lyon County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Lyon 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 Lyon County Jail

Requirements:

• You have to be over the age of 21.
• You have to possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You have to be a US Citizen.
• You have to pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You have to pass a drug test.
• You have to have a good level of fitness.
• You have to be in good health.
• You have to 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 share your story


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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:

• Victims have the right to protection from the accused.
• Victims have the right to notification.
• Victims have the right to attend proceedings.
• Victims have the right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• Victims have the right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• Victims have the right to restitution.
• Victims have the right to a speedy trial.
• Victims 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 an inmate at this jail? Do you have a friend or family member there? Have you ever visited an inmate at Lyon County Jail?

If yes, then you should leave a comment below about it. Write about what you experienced so other people can find out what to expect.

Things you might want to write in your comment:

• Jail conditions.
• Jail facility and layout
• Guards and jail staff
• Jail food and commissary
• Visitation Days
• Other Inmates.
• Prisoner safety
• Gangs
• Prisoner activities and programs


Write a review about Lyon County Jail

Tell Your Story

Everybody who’s been arrested and thrown in jail has some stories about their time ‘inside’. Why’d you get arrested? Were you mistreated? What was your daily routine in jail? Were the other inmates cool? How did going to jail affect your life?

Click here to post a comment

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you meet some cool folks in jail? Need to reconnect with someone you met in jail? Say hello here, just leave a message below.

Say Hello to someone at Lyon County Jail

Links and Resources

Main Lyon County Jail Link
Lyon County Jail Inmate Search
Lyon County Jail Mugshots
Lyon County Jail Bail Amount Link

Lyon County Jail Visitation Procedures
Lyon County Jail Jail Mail Link
Lyon County Jail Inmate Search
Lyon County Jail Warrant Inquiry
Lyon County Jail Arrests
Send Money to an Inmate at Lyon County Jail
Jobs at Lyon County Jail


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