Van Buren County Jail – Paw Paw, MI

Van Buren County Jail is located in Van Buren County, Michigan and is the correctional facility for this area. Do you know somebody locked up at Van Buren County Jail? This guide gives you about everything a person needs to know about Van Buren County Jailsuch as the following: Learn how to locate an inmate. Find mugshots. The jail’s phone number and address. Bailing out of jail. Van Buren County Jail intake procedures. Van Buren County court information. And much, much more.

The prospect of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary situation, not only for the person who goes to jail, but also that person’s family, friends, and loved ones. The goal of this guide is to give advice and information you need to make helping someone get out of jail easier. If you have questions, feel free to ask them, and also any tips or comments that could be beneficial to other people in the same situation would be much appreciated.

Do you have a family member, loved one, or friend in jail and want to find out where they are?

Has somebody that’s been arrested and you need to find them?

To find out who is in jail at Van Buren County Jail you will need to click on their web site and do an inmate lookup.

The Van Buren County Jail Inmate Locator is an online list of people who were arrested and are now in jail, which includes status, bail amount, and times you can visit. Also, you are able to get information about anybody arrested and processed or released in the last 24 hours. Prisoners are shown in alphabetical order by last name. You will be able to get their inmate information faster if you enter your friend or family member’s name, birth date, or arrest number.

If the person you’re searching for could possibly be in a different jail you can look here: Other County Jails in Michigan

A mugshot, or booking photo, is a photo taken by the police when you get booked into jail. They take one frontal photo and one profile photo. Your full name and booking number will appear on the mugshot, and they are kept on file.

Mugshots of inmates can be found online, or you can view them at the Van Buren County Jail. When viewing online you will need to input the legal name, and an arrest date, if you know it.

Are you trying to figure out what to do in order to have your mugshot taken off of the Van Buren County Jail website? This can be tricky, since the mugshot is public record. To get your mugshot removed you must file a Petition to Expunge in court. What this means is that the record of your arrest would be sealed, and unavailable to the public. It is difficult to do this, and you will most likely need the services of a lawyer.

For a more in-depth article about getting your mugshot taken down, the different mugshot websites, and the mugshot removal websites: How To Get Your Mugshot Taken Down

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Obviously, once you’re locked up, your main thought is about getting out. After you’ve gone through booking, a bail amount will be decided by a special judge called a magistrate. If there is no bail set this might mean that you will either be free to go until your trial, or you are kept in jail until your court date.

If you are released from jail you must promise to go to your court date, and you won’t be allowed to go out of town.

Usually, inmates in the Van Buren County Jail can earn an early release in exchange for good behavior when they follow the rules and don’t cause any problems while they’re in jail.

If you follow the rules, you may be allowed to do work release. Either you will have to stay jail each day after work, or you may get to move into a halfway house instead of the jail.

Bail is the amount of money that you are required to pay to be released from jail until your trial. The amount you will have to pay is determined by how serious your charges are. Someone you know will need to pay ten percent of the total that was set so you can bail out of jail. If you don’t show up for your court date, the person that bailed you out of jail will not get their money back.

To find out how much bail money you will need to bail someone out of jail must call the jail or the county courthouse. If know the person’s info, such as name, address and date of birth, they will tell you what their bail is set at. You can also find out how much their bail is on the Van Buren County Jail site.

Having to bail someone out of jail is never fun, but usually, it is simple to do if you have the money. First of all, figure out if their bail is a Cash Only Bond situation. If so, you can’t use a bondsman. Bail can only be paid by cash – they will not take a check. Once you have paid the bond, the inmate will be released. If this person doesn’t violate any of the terms of their release, you’ll get your money back.

If the bail amount is too high, or you just can’t afford it, you might need to use a bail bondsman. Bail bondsmen will usually have a fee of 10-15% of the total amount of bail set, and in most cases with a minimum charge of $100. This money will not be returned to you and the bondsman only accepts cash. If the bail is exceptionally high, the bail bondsman will usually require that they use your assets, such as home, property or cars, as collateral for the bond in addition to their charges.

To talk to a bail bondsman click here: How to find a bail bondsman

Have you ever had to find a Bail Bondsman for someone you know or yourself? If so, leave a comment below and tell your story, and let us know how it worked out for you.

Click here to share your story

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

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The intake procedure is made up of these steps:

• They’ll put you in a holding cell. If there are a lot of arrests, you will have to wait, sometimes for many hours, before you get processed.
• You will have to answer some basic questions, such as what your legal name is, home address, birthdate and contact person.
• You will also be asked about your medical and psychological history.
• You will be issued an inmate ID.
• You will get fingerprinted.
• You will get your mugshot taken.
• All of your personal property will get taken away from you and stored until you get released.
• You will be allowed to make a phone call in order to talk to a family member, friend, or bail bondsman.
• If they expect that you will make bail and be released quickly, you might be allowed to wear your own clothes, otherwise you will have to change into a jail issued jumpsuit.

Have you been arrested and gone through jail intake? If so, please tell our readers about your experience. How long did it take to get processed? What was your treatment like? Can you tell us secrets that will help other people that get arrested get through the process?

Click here to share your story

When you post bail, you will be discharged from jail. Getting discharged from jail takes anywhere between 10 minutes to hours or even all day long. In other words the faster you post bail, the sooner you will get discharged. It also might depend on if you’ve been given a cash bond or if the judge has to figure out the bail amount. For a minor offense, you will get booked and then released on your recognizance without having to pay bail. When you have served out your jail sentence and are given a date of your release, expect to be released in the morning.

In the event there is a, or if you must report to start a sentence, it is recommended that you follow the law and go down to the jail and turn yourself in. In the case of an outstanding warrant, report to the jail, and tell an officer that believe that there could be an outstanding arrest warrant out for you. A record check will be run, and if they verify that there is a warrant for your arrest, you will be taken into custody. When reporting to serve a sentence, report on the date and time that the sentence order or court paperwork states. Ensure that you don’t show up late. Just bring allowed items when you turn yourself in, for example your driver’s license or even your ID, any prescription medication you might take, and the sentencing order from court.

In order to have visitors, inmates have to list each visitor’s name and date of birth to the jail in advance of the visit. This information will go into the log for the inmate that requested the visitor. All visitors is required to provide acceptable photo identification when visiting an inmate. Visitors arriving late or that does not have a visitation order will be turned away.
The Van Buren County Jail visitation procedures change often, so we suggest that you review the official site before you try to visit an inmate.

The only phone calls that inmates are allowed to make are collect calls or through a pre-paid phone account. Jail phone calls are much more expensive than phone calls made at home. Inmates are able to make phone calls, with restrictions on when and how often you can use the phone, but inmates should keep in mind that a long line can form at the phones, because everyone wants to use the phone, too. If you are under any sort of disciplinary procedure, phone privileges may be limited or cut altogether.

Phone Number: 269-657-2171

All mail is required to be mailed using the US Postal Service. You can’t use any other type of delivery. You must write or type the person’s name, inmate number, and jail address on the letter that you send. Do not mail anything in a box, envelope with padding or insulation, plastic or paper bag, or an envelope with any metal in it. All mail received by the jail is opened and inspected and read by the jail staff, and will get sent back if they decide it is inappropriate.

The address that you should use if you are sending a letter to an inmate at Van Buren County Jail is:

Van Buren County Jail
205 S. Kalamazoo St.
Paw Paw, MI 49079

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Van Buren County Jail
205 S. Kalamazoo St.
Paw Paw, MI 49079

The mail policy can change, so be sure to double check the official Van Buren County Jail site before you send a letter to an inmate there.

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When you’ve been arrested, you need to be aware that you still have rights, the first of which is that you have the right to request a lawyer. You are only allowed to make so many phone calls in jail, so it is important to get a friend or family member to locate an attorney when you call. I know you’re probably asking yourself right now ‘do I really need an attorney?’ While you are not required to have one, a lawyer can advise you of your rights, protect your interests and guide you through the legal system in your county. The quicker you get a lawyer involved with your charges, the better your chances.

For more info on how to find an attorney, click: How to Find a Lawyer

If you cannot afford an attorney, the courts will assign you a public defender, which is a free lawyer. The Public Defender has a number of staff such as investigators, experts in forensics and social case workers. You will be reassured to know that Public Defenders are real lawyers that are admitted to the Michigan State Bar Association and are licensed to handle your case.

Have you ever had to use a Public Defender or court appointed attorney? How did they do?

Court records are public records. They have a file containing a docket sheet and each of the documents filed in the case. You are able to access your court records via the website, or by going to the Clerk’s office of the Court.

The Van Buren County Clerk of Court is an officer and clerk of the court who manages access to court records. They also administer the oath in a court case, and also read the court verdict when the jury has finished deliberations. All records and documents associated with your case are held at Clerk of Court’s office.

Court costs and court fees are the costs associated with your case, which include filing fees, motion and claim fees, and court charges. If you cannot afford these fees and have been assigned a Public Defender, you may not have to pay them.

The magistrate is the judge who presides over your court case. Magistrate judges do many different things, like setting bail amounts, issuing warrants, and presiding over preliminary court appearances and detention hearings.

A pre-sentencing report is put together with the defendant’s background information and as much detail about the defendant’s life and public history, which the magistrate judge will take into account when determining your sentence. Information and personal details will be solicited from the person on trial, his or her family members, and in some cases the victim. Keep in mind that you can ask to have your own copy of this report before sentencing, and correct the mistakes.

If you get convicted of a crime during your trial, you will be sentenced. There are a number of different options, including community service and probation, to incarceration in either jail (short term) or prison (long term). Depending on the severity of the crime, you could be locked up immediately, or you could receive a date to surrender and report to jail to serve your jail time according to your sentence.

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

To do so, you will have to access the Van Buren County jail website and do an inmate search lookup, and search using:

• Their name.
• Date of birth.
• Their booking date if you know it.
• and their inmate ID.

If you’re not sure if this person is in jail, you should call the jail confirm whether they’ve been arrested or not.

If you believe you have an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you can find out by checking the arrest warrants on the Van Buren County jail website or you are able to call the jail. You have to have the person’s first and last name. Or, you can just go down to the jail and inquire at the information desk. You should know that if there is a warrant for your arrest, they will take you into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s name, as well as the date of their arrest, contact the jail, either by phone, in person, or find out online. An arrest is in the public record and the information is available to anyone.

A Civil Process is when you are served with legal papers, such as , subpoenas, and arrest warrants. You can access civil process orders by getting in touch with the Sheriff’s office, on their website or by phone.

All registered sex offenders are required to be registered on a sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex offense. You are able to see sex offenders on the internet, but you should know that you won’t get the actual address, but rather the address block of the address that they registered.

Court Records are public records. They include a court case file that contains a docket and all of the documents and filings filed in your court case. You are able to access court records on their website, or at Clerk of Court office where the case was filed.

Each state maintains records of a person’s criminal background. These online databases are all linked so you are able to track criminal backgrounds from another state. You are able to go to courthouse and check in person, or you can check online. It helps to know which county the crime occurred in, and in the event that the crime was in a different state entirely, you might have to pay for a more comprehensive search.

A criminal records search you will be able to find out if someone has been arrested, charged, or convicted for the following crimes:

• DUI.
• Drug Possession.
• Kidnapping.
• Sexual offenses including rape, assault.
• Violent crimes like assault or murder.
• Theft, breaking and entering.

But, when you do a criminal records check, you will not see if they have had any moving violations, like:

• Speeding tickets.
• Drivers license suspended or revoked.
• Any accidents.
• Other moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To get this kind of information, you will have to do a search for their driving history.

Have you ever searched for criminal records? Was it a difficult process? Did you do your search online or did you have to call the local courthouse? Was it correct? There are many reasons that folks search for criminal backgrounds and records, and your story may help other people.

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Most Wanted

Everyone knows that the FBI keeps a list of the Top Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Van Buren County,The Sheriff’s Department maintains their own list of the top most wanted criminals in the county.

FBI Top Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

While the prospect of being incarcerated in Van Buren County Jail is no fun, eventually you will become accustomed to the daily routine. You will get a wake-up alarm every morning at six in the morning, and then roll call. Next, you will get breakfast. Following breakfast you will be required to work 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 Van Buren 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 Van Buren 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 money to inmates at Van Buren County Jail is always changing, so it would be best to visit the the Van Buren County Jail website before you send money 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 Van Buren County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Van Buren 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 Van Buren 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.

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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 spent any time in Van Buren County Jail? Do you have a friend or family member that is an inmate there? Have you ever been to visit a prisoner at Van Buren County Jail?

If you have, then please tell us about it. Write about your experience so other people can find out what to expect.

Things you can put in your review:

• Conditions in Van Buren County Jail.
• Jail and pod layout and facility
• Jail staff and Guards
• Commissary and food
• Visitation Days
• The other inmates.
• Prisoner safety
• Jail gangs
• Activities and programs


Click here to write your review

Tell Your Story

Anyone who’s ever been arrested and sent to jail has some stories about their time ‘inside’. Why’d you get arrested? Were you fairly treated? What was your daily routine in jail? Tell us about the other inmates. Did going to jail affect your life? How?

Click here to tell your story about Van Buren County Jail

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Make some good friends in jail? Do you need to send a message to someone from jail? Write your message below.

Post a message to people incarcerated at Van Buren County Jail


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