Union County Jail – Lake Butler, FL

Union County Jail is located in Union County, Florida and is the main jail for this county. Do you know somebody in Union County Jail? This guide tells you information about everything related to Union County Jail,such as: How to locate an inmate. How to view Union County Jail mugshots. The jail’s phone number and address. Bail and how to get out of jail. Intake procedures. Court records. And everything else.

The thought of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary and stressful idea, not only for the person who is incarcerated, but also that person’s friends and family. The goal of this guide is to give you information and tips that you’ll need to make going to jail a little less stressful. If you have a question, feel free to ask it, and any tips or comments that could be a benefit to others would be much appreciated.

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

Do you know somebody who has been arrested and you don’t know how to find out what jail they’re in?

In order to find out who is in jail at Union County Jail you need to visit their web site and perform an inmate lookup.

The Union County Jail Inmate Search is an online list of persons who were arrested and are now in jail, which includes status, bail amount (if applicable), and times the inmate can have visitors. Also, you can find information about anybody arrested and processed or released within the past 24 hours. Inmates are shown in alphabetical order by their last name. You can find their arrest information fast if you enter the arrestee’s first and last name, birth date, or inmate ID.

If the person you’re searching for might be at another jail you will want to look here: Florida County Jails

A mugshot, also called a intake photograph, is a picture that the police take during jail intake processing. They will take one and one profile photo. Your full name and jail booking number will appear on the mugshot, and they will be kept on file.

Mugshots are on the Union County Jail website, or you can go in person to the Union County Jail. When viewing mugshots online you will have to enter their first and last name, and the arrest date.

Are you trying to figure out what to do in order to get your mugshot taken down from the Union County Jail website? This is difficult, as the mugshot is a public record. To get your mugshot removed you must file a ‘Petition to Expunge’. This means that all of your arrest records will be sealed, and will not be accessible. Unfortunately, this happens very rarely.

Read our in-depth tutorial about getting your mugshot removed, the many different mugshot websites, and the mugshot removal services: How To Get Your Mugshot Removed

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Naturally, once you’re incarcerated, your main thought is about when and how you will get out. After you’ve gone through the booking process, your bail amount is set by a special judge called a magistrate. If there is no bail set this might mean that you will either get released, pending trial, or you are kept in jail until your court date.

If you are released from jail you must promise to be in court on your court date, and in the meantime you won’t be permitted to travel out of the county.

In most cases, an inmate are given early release in exchange for good behavior when they don’t break the rules and area a good inmate while in jail.

If you do exhibit good behavior and the jail believes you can be trusted, you might be given work release detail. You will either have to go back to the jail at the end of the day after work, or you might have the chance to move into a halfway house instead of the jail.

Your bail is 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. Someone you know will need to put up ten percent of the total that was determined so you are able to get out of jail. If you don’t show up for your court date, that person will lose that bail money.

To find out how much bail money you will need to bail someone out of jail need to call the jail or the county courthouse. If know the person’s information, including name, address and date of birth, they’ll be able to let you know what their bail is set at. You can also check their bail amount and status on the Union County Jail website.

Needing to bail someone out of jail is no fun, but most of the time, its easy if you have the money. To start with, you have to find out if their bail is a “Cash Bond Only”. If this is the case, you will not be able to use a bondsman. They only accept cash at the jail, so you have to take cash – the jail can’t accept a check. Once the cash bond has been paid, the prisoner will be released to your care. If they don’t violate the terms of their bail, the bail money you posted will be returned to you.

If the amount of bail set is large, or you can’t afford it yourself, you might need to use a bail bondsman. Bail bondsmen will generally charge you a fee of 10 to 15 percent of total bail, and usually with a minimum of $100. This money will not be returned to you and must be paid in cash. If bail is very large, the bondsman might request to use assets as collateral for the bond in addition to whatever their charges are.

To contact a bail bondsman visit our page about: Find a Bail Bondsman in Union County

Have you ever had to find a Bail Bondsman because you or someone you know got arrested? If so, please leave a comment below and tell about your experience and let us know how it worked out.

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• Early Release For Good Behavior
• Work Release
• Time Served
• Get Out on a Pre-Trial Release Program
• House Arrest
• Get Released on Your 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 busy, it will take a while to get processed.
• The first step is that you have to answer a bunch of questions, such as what your legal name is, address, birth date and contact person.
• You will also be asked about your medical and mental history.
• You will be given an inmate ID.
• You will be fingerprinted.
• They will take your mugshot.
• Any property you have will be taken from you and stored until you get released from jail.
• You will get to make a phone call to call a family member, friend, or bail bondsman.
• If you are expected to be released quickly, you might be able to wear your own clothes, but if you are not expected to make bail quickly you will be issued a jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through the jail intake procedure? If so, please tell us what happened. How long did it take to get processed? Were you treated fairly? Can you share any secrets that might help others to get through the process?

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When you post bail, you will be allowed to go home after you get discharged. The discharge process may take from 15 minutes to hours or even all day long. Or, simply, the faster bail is posted, the faster you will get released. How quickly you get discharged will depend on whether or not you’ve been given a cash bond or if the magistrate still needs to figure out how much your bail will be. For a minor charge, you will get booked and get released without having to post bail. When you have served your sentence and know the release date, you should expect to be discharged that morning.

In the event there is a, or if you must start your sentence, you should do the right thing and turn yourself in willingly. If you have a warrant, go down to the jail intake area, and tell an officer that you think they might have an outstanding warrant for your arrest. They will check their system to see if there are any outstanding local, state or federal arrest warrants out for you, and if there is one, you will be taken into jail custody. When reporting to serve a sentence, go down to the jail at the time and date that the sentence order requires you to. Be very careful that you aren’t late. Make sure that you only bring necessary items when you go, for example your driver’s license or even ID, any prescription medication you might take, along with your doctor’s prescription, and a sentencing order.

To have visitors, you must give the name and date of birth of each visitor to the jail in advance. This information will be put in the visitors log for the inmate that requested the visitor. Every visitor will be required to provide acceptable photo identification. Any visitors showing up late or that does not have a visitation order will not be able to attend visitation.
Visitation procedures at Union County Jail can change, so you should review the official jail site before you try to go to visitation.

The only phone calls that inmates are allowed to make are with a pre-paid phone card or account, or are collect calls . Calls made in jail are usually pricier than regular phone calls. There is no limit to when and how often you can use the phone, but you should keep in mind that a long line can form at the phones, because everyone wants to use the phone, too. If you are disciplined for an infraction, an inmate’s phone privileges may be limited or forbidden.

The Union County Jail phone number is: (386) 496-2501

All mall sent to inmates is required to be sent via the US Postal Service. You shouldn’t use any other form of mail or package delivery. You have to print the name, inmate number, and the address of the jail on the outside of the letter that you send. Don’t send anything in a package, padded envelope, plastic or paper bag, or an envelope containing metal parts. All mail received by the jail gets opened and examined and read by the officers at the jail, and the mail will get sent back if the jail decides it is inappropriate.

If you would like to send a letter to an inmate at Union County Jail, use this address:

Union County Jail
50 Northwest 1St Street
Lake Butler, FL 32054

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Union County Jail
50 Northwest 1St Street
Lake Butler, FL 32054

The mail policy at Union County Jail changes frequently, so it would be best to double check the official website before you send a letter.

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When you get arrested, you should know you still have rights, and an important one is your right to request a lawyer. You only get so many phone calls when you get arrested, so it is a good idea to have a friend or relative find an attorney when you talk to them. You may be thinking ‘I don’t need a lawyer – I can just represent myself’ You are not required to have an attorney for some criminal charges, an attorney will advise you about your rights, help protect your best interests and guide you through the complicated legal system. The sooner you hire a lawyer to represent you and work on your situation, the better.

For more info on this subject, click here: How to Find a Lawyer

If you need an attorney, but can’t afford a lawyer, a Public Defender will be assigned to you. Also, the Public Defender Office is staffed by investigators, forensics experts as well as social workers. All Public Defenders are licensed attorneys that are members of the Florida State Bar and are completely licensed to practice law in Florida.

Have you ever had to use a court appointed attorney? Are you satisfied with how they handled your case and represented you in court?

All court records are public records and are available upon request. Court records are comprised of a court case file containing a docket and all motions, documents, and evidence that have been filed in your case. You have the ability to access the records and documents in your court case via the online service, or by going to the Clerk of Court.

The Clerk of Court is an officer of the court that manages the records. They also administer the oath for all court participants, and read the verdict when the jury makes their final decision. All records and documents associated with your court case are held at Union County Clerk of Court office.

Court costs and court fees are the fees and charges associated with your court case, for example filing charges, motion and claim fees, and court appearance fees. If you can’t afford to pay these fees and have court appointed legal counsel or a Public Defender, you can get a waiver for these fees.

A Magistrate is the type of judge that rules on your case. Magistrates are judges that do different tasks, which include setting your bail amount, writing arrest warrants, and acting as the presiding judge over first court appearances and detention proceedings.

Your pre-sentencing report is prepared to include your background information and information about the defendant’s life history, which the magistrate will consider when determining a sentence. Information, details, and character witnesses will be collected from the person on trial, his or her family, and if necessary the victim. Bear in mind that you can ask to receive your own copy of your pre-sentencing report before your sentencing, and correct any inaccurate information.

After you are 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 to probation, to even prison or jail time. Depending on the particulars of your trial, the severity of your crime, and any sentencing guidelines that they judge will use, you might get locked up immediately, or you might be given a date to turn yourself into jail to serve your term.

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Do you need to find out if some you know is incarcerated, or has ever been in jail?

To do this, you will have to visit the Union County jail website and do an inmate search lookup, and do a search using:

• Name.
• Birth date.
• Their booking date.
• and their jail inmate ID.

If you’re not sure if your friend or family member is in jail, you can also call the jail to find out.

If you have a warrant out for your arrest, you can check the arrest warrants inquiry online or call the court. You have to have their first and last name. Or, you can just go the jail in person and ask one of the officers. Bear in mind that if there is a warrant for your arrest, you will be taken into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s name, and possibly an arrest date, contact the jail, either by phone, go there in person, or you can check online. An arrest is a matter of public record and these records are accessible to anyone.

A Civil Process is when you get served with papers, like a court order. You can find these civil process orders by contacting the Union County Sheriff’s office, by phone or online.

All people registered as sex offenders are registered and listed on either a national or state sex offender database. The people 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 this information on the internet but bear in mind that you won’t find the street address, but rather the address block they live on.

Court Records are public records and available to anyone. Court Records include a case file that includes a docket sheet and any of the filings and documents filed in the case. You are able to access the court records via the internet, or at the Union County Clerk of Court office in the county where the case was filed.

Each state keeps a record of their state citizen’s criminal background. These online databases are all connected and you can track criminal histories from any other state. You are able to go to the Union County Courthouse and check in person or you can check the website. It helps to know which county the crime occurred in, and in the event that it was in a completely different state, you might have to pay for a more comprehensive search.

When you look up a person’s criminal records you are able to find out if a person has ever been arrested, charged or convicted for crimes, which include:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
• Drug crimes like possession or trafficking.
• Kidnapping.
• Rape or other sexual assault.
• Violent crimes.
• Breaking and entering, theft, larceny.

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

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

To find this information, you have to do a driving history search.

Have you ever searched for criminal records? Was it a difficult process? Was your search online or did you have to call the jail? Was it correct? There are many reasons that folks search for criminal records, and your story might make it easier for others.

Click here to share your story

Most Wanted

For Federal crimes, the FBI has a listing of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. In Union County,The Sheriff’s Department keeps their own list of most wanted criminals and fugitives.

FBI Top Ten Most Wanted List: Link

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


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Everyone knows that spending time in the Union County jail is quite unpleasant, you will soon get accustomed to the daily routine. Inmates get an alarm to wake up at 6am, and then roll call. You will then 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 Union 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 Union 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 could change, so you should double check the official Union County Jail site 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 Union County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Union 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 Union 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 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:

• The right to protection from the accused.
• The right to notification.
• The right to attend proceedings.
• The right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• The right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• The right to restitution.
• The right to a speedy trial.
• 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 Union County Jail? Do you have a family member or friend that is an inmate there? Have you ever been to visit an inmate at Union County Jail?

If yes, then we would like you to write your review about it. Tell us about your experience because others can learn what to expect.

Things you could put in your review:

• Conditions in Union County Jail.
• Jail and pod facility and layout
• Staff and guards
• Commissary and food
• Visitation
• Inmates.
• Safety
• Jail gangs
• Prisoner activities and programs


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Tell Your Story

Everybody who’s been arrested and thrown in jail has a story to tell. Why were you locked up? Were you mistreated? How was day to day life at Union County Jail? Were the other inmates cool? Did going to jail affect your life? How?

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Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you make friends in jail? Trying to find out how to get in touch with somebody you met when you were locked up? Say hello here, just leave a message below.

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Links and Resources

Main Union County Jail Link
Union County Jail Inmate Search Link
View Union County Jail Mugshots
Union County Jail Bail Amount Link

Union County Jail Visitation
Union County Jail Mail Policy
Union County Jail Inmate Inquiry Link
Union County Warrants
Union County Jail Arrest Lookup
Send Funds to an Inmate at Union County Jail
Jobs at Union County Jail


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