Merrick County Jail – Central City, NE

Merrick County Jail is in Merrick County and is the jail for that region. Are you looking for someone locked up at Merrick County Jail? This guide tells you info about anything one might want to know about Merrick County Jail: How to do a jail inmate search. How to view Merrick County Jail mugshots. The jail’s address and phone number. Bail and bail bondsmen. Booking and intake procedures. Court information and records. And everything else.

The chance of going to jail is a daunting and scary prospect, not only for whoever gets arrested, but also their family, friends, and loved ones. This guide is meant to give information and tips you need to make helping a friend or family member get out of jail a lot easier. If you have a question, just ask them, and any comments or feedback that might be beneficial to other people in the same situation will be appreciated.

Do you have a family member, loved one, or friend that is locked up and need to find out where they are?

Do you know somebody that has been arrested and you want to find out what jail they’re in?

In order to see who is in jail at Merrick County Jail you should navigate to their website and do an inmate lookup.

The Merrick County Jail Inmate Roster has information on people who are in jail, including status, bail amount (if applicable), and times you can visit. You can find info on anyone who has been arrested or discharged in the past 24-hour period. Prisoners are listed in alphabetical order by last name. You will be able to find their arrest information quicker if you’ve got the arrestee’s name, birth date, or inmate ID Number.

If your friend or family member could possibly be incarcerated at a different jail you should look here: Other Jails in Nebraska

A mugshot, or intake picture, is the photograph that the jail takes when you get booked into jail. They take one face photo and a side-view photo. Your full name and jail booking number will appear on the photos, and they will be kept on file at the jail.

Mugshots of Merrick County Jail inmates can be found on the website, or you can see them at the Merrick County Jail. When you search for mugshots online you will need to enter the person’s name, and the arrest date, if you have it.

Want to have your mugshot removed from the Merrick County Jail site? This is difficult, since your mugshot is a public record. To get your mugshot removed you have to file a ‘Petition to Expunge’. This means that your arrest record will be sealed, and will not be available to the public. Unfortunately, this happens very rarely.

To learn more about getting your mugshot removed, the various mugshot sites, and the mugshot removal websites: How To Get Your Mugshot Removed

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Once you’re incarcerated, your main thought is about when and how you will get out. After you’ve gone through the intake process, your bail will be decided using the bail schedule or the magistrate will decide it. If no bail is set this can mean that you will either be free to go until your trial, or you don’t get released while you wait for your court date.

If you are released from jail you must promise to show up for court, and until that day you must not leave the county.

In most cases, a prisoner will earn an early release in exchange for good behavior when they follow the rules and area a good inmate while locked up.

If you do exhibit good behavior and the jail believes you can be trusted, you might be allowed to participate in work release. 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 sleep in a halfway house instead of jail, so it is kind of like an early release.

Your bail is money that you are required to pay to get out of jail until you go to court. Your bail amount is dictated by what crime you are charged with and how serious it is. You will need to put up 10% of the amount that was determined so you can get discharged from jail. If you miss your scheduled court date, that person will lose that money.

To find out someone’s bail amount you must call the jail. If know the person’s info, like name, address and date of birth, they’ll tell you the bail amount. You can also find out how much their bail is on the Merrick County Jail website.

Having to bail someone out of jail is an unpleasant situation, but usually, it is easy. First of all, you need to find out if it is a “Cash Bond Only”. If it is, you can’t use a Bail Bondsman. Cash only – they won’t take a check. As soon as you’ve paid the bail bond, the person will get released. If the conditions of bail are not violated, you’ll get the bail money back.

If bail is set too high, or you just can’t afford it, you might need to use a bail bondsman. Bail bondsmen usually charge a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the bail amount, and in most cases with a minimum fee of $100. This money will not be returned to you and bondsmen usually only accept cash. If their bail has been set particularly high, the bondsman may ask to use your personal assets as collateral for the bond.

To talk to a local bail bondsman click here: Find a bail bondsman

Have you ever had to use a bail bondsman because you or someone you know got arrested? If you have, please share your experience in a comment below, and let us know how it worked out for you.

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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
• Get Released on Your Own Recognizance

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The intake procedure includes each of these steps:

• You will get put in a holding cell. When the jail is busy, you will have to wait a while to get processed.
• You have to answer a number of questions, like your full name, home address, birth date and an emergency contact.
• They’ll also ask you about your medical and mental history.
• You’ll be given an inmate ID.
• 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 are released.
• You will then be allowed to make a telephone call so you can talk to a member of your family, friend, or bondsman to arrange bail.
• If you think you will get released quickly, they will let you wear your own clothes, if not you will have to wear a jail jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through processing at jail? If you have, you should tell your story so other people can learn from your experience. How long did it take to get through intake? Were you treated fairly? Do you have any secrets that might help other people that get arrested to get through jail intake?

Click here to post a comment

When you pay your bail, you will be allowed to go home after you get discharged. This process takes from 15 minutes to all day long. So, the faster you can pay your bail, the faster you will get released. How quickly you get discharged might depend on whether or not you have a cash bond amount or if a judge has to determine the amount of bail to be set. For minor offenses, you will be booked and get released without having to post bail. If you have served a sentence in jail and know the date of your release, you should expect to be discharged that morning.

warrant out for your arrest, or if you must begin your sentence in jail, it is highly advisable that you follow the law and go down to the jail and turn yourself in. For a warrant, report to the jail intake area, and tell an officer that believe that there could be a warrant out for your arrest. They will do a record check, and if you do, you will be taken into custody. When reporting to serve a sentence, go to the jail on the date and time that the sentence order or court paperwork states. Ensure that you don’t show up late. Be sure to only bring approved items when you go, such as your driver’s license or ID, prescription medication, as well as a sentencing order from court.

Inmates have to provide the name and date of birth of each visitor to the jail in advance of any visit. Your visitor’s information will go in a Visiting log as an approved visitor. Every visitor will be required to provide acceptable photo identification when visiting an inmate. Visitors that gets to visitation or without a visiting order will not be allowed to visit the inmate.
The Merrick County Jail visitation procedures are always changing, so review the official jail site before you go to the jail to visit.

The only phone calls that inmates are allowed to make are collect calls or through a pre-paid phone account. Jail phone calls are typically pricier 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 you should keep in mind lots of people want to use the phone – so you have to share. If you break the jail rules, phone privileges could be reduced or cut altogether.

The Merrick County Jail phone number is: 308-946-2345

Any mail that you send to an inmate must be mailed using the US Postal Service. You shouldn’t use any other method of mail or package delivery. Clearly print the inmate’s name, prisoner number, and the jail address on the envelope. Do not mail a box or package, padded envelope, plastic bag, or an envelope with any metal in it. All mail sent to inmates is opened and read and inspected by the jail administration, and the mail will be returned if the jail decides it is inappropriate.

The mailing address for Merrick County Jail is:

Merrick County Jail
1821 16Th Ave.
Central City, NE 68826

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Merrick County Jail
1821 16Th Ave.
Central City, NE 68826

The mail policy changes, so double check the site before you send a letter.

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When you get arrested, you have rights, the most important of which is your right to request a lawyer. You are only allowed to make so many phone calls in jail, so you would be wise to get a friend or family member to locate a lawyer for you. You may be thinking ‘I don’t have to get a lawyer – I can just represent myself’ You’re not required to have an attorney in all cases, a criminal lawyer will advise you about your rights, help protect your interests and help you through the criminal justice system that you are now faced with. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you and work on your situation, the better your chances.

To read more about this subject, read our guide: Find an Attorney

If you can’t afford an attorney, you will get a public defender. Also, the Public Defender’s Office has a number of staff such as investigators, crime scene and forensics experts and social case workers. You will be reassured to know that Public Defenders are licensed lawyers, admitted to the State Bar and are fully licensed to practice law.

Have you ever had to use a court appointed attorney? What was your experience?

Merrick County court records are public and available to anyone who requests them. They are comprised of a court case file with a docket and every motions, documents, and evidence that have been filed. You can access the records and documents in your court case with the internet service, or at the Merrick County Clerk of Court.

A Clerk of Court is an official part of the court that maintains the records. They also administer the oath in a court case, and read the verdict when delivered by the jury. All records associated with your court case are available at Clerk of Court.

Court fees are all costs from your case, such as filing fees, motion and claim fees, and court charges. If you don’t have the money to pay these fees and have a court appointed attorney, you can get a waiver for these fees.

The magistrate is the person who presides over your court case. Magistrates do different tasks, like setting bail amounts, issuing warrants for arrest, and acting as the presiding judge over preliminary court proceedings and detention hearings.

A defendant’s pre-sentencing report is prepared with the defendant’s background information and details of the arrestee’s life history, which the magistrate judge will take into consideration when determining a sentence. Information and personal details will be gathered from the person on trial, the defendant’s family, and in some cases the victim of the crime. Keep in mind you are allowed to request to see your own copy of the report prior to sentencing, and correct any mistakes that it contains.

If you get convicted of a crime, you will then get sentenced. The judge will have several different options when sentencing you, ranging from community service, house arrest, and probation, to even incarceration in either jail (short term) or prison (long term). Depending on the severity of the crime, you will either be immediately taken into custody, or you could get a date to report to jail to serve your sentence.

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Do you want to find out if someone is locked up, or has gone to jail in the past?

To do this, you should visit the Merrick County jail website, and search using:

• Their name.
• Date of birth.
• Approximate booking date.
• and their inmate ID.

If you’re not sure if this person is in jail or not, you can call the jail get confirmation.

If you think you might have a warrant out for your arrest, you can find out by checking the arrest warrants on the Merrick County court website or call the jail. You have to have their first and last name. Or, you can just go the jail in person and ask the officer in charge. Keep in mind that if there is an arrest warrant out for you, you will be taken into custody immediately.

If you have a first and last name, and their arrest date, contact the Merrick County jail, on the phone, in person, or you can check online. Records of arrests are public record and the information is accessible by the public.

A Civil Process is when you get served with papers, such as , subpoenas, and arrest warrants. You can find these civil process orders by going to the Sheriff’s office, online or by phone.

All convicted sex offenders must be listed and registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex offense. You are able to view these listings online, but remember that you won’t see the exact address, just the neighborhood block that they live on.

Court Records are public records. These records include a case file that contains a docket and all of the documents filed in the court case. You are able to access the court records on the website, or at the Merrick County Clerk of Court in the county where the case was filed.

Every state keeps a record of someone’s criminal history. These databases are connected so you are able to track criminal histories from any other state. You are able to go to the courthouse and check in person or you can check online. It is helpful to know the county the crime was committed in, and in the event that the crime was in a totally different state, you may have to pay a fee for a more intensive search.

When you look up a person’s criminal records you can get a listing of all the arrests, charges, or convictions for the following crimes:

• DWI or DUI.
• Drug crimes like possession or trafficking.
• Kidnapping.
• Rape or other sexual assault.
• Violent crimes.
• Breaking and entering, theft, larceny.

During a criminal records search, in most cases will not be able to see if that person had:

• Speeding.
• Drivers license suspended or revoked.
• Any accidents.
• Minor infractions or moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To search for this information, you have to do a driving records search.

Have you ever had to look for criminal records online? Was it an easy process? Did you search online or did you make a phone call to the local courthouse? Was it correct? There are many reasons that people search for criminal records and backgrounds, and your account might help other people that are in the same situation.

Click here to share your story

Most Wanted

The FBI keeps a list of the Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Merrick County, the Sheriff has their own list of the most wanted criminals, that you can access online.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Just the thought of spending time in Merrick County Jail is quite unpleasant, soon you will become accustomed to the routine that is set for you in jail. Inmates get a wake-up alarm at 6:00 AM, and next you’ll have roll call. You will then eat breakfast. When you finish eating 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 Merrick 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 Merrick 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 rules for sending funds to inmates is likely to change, so check the official Merrick County Jail site before you send money to an inmate.


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 Merrick County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Merrick 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 Merrick 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 tell about all about it


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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.

Click here to share your story

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 a prisoner in Merrick County Jail? Do you know anybody there? Have you ever been to visit someone there?

If your answer is yes, then we would like you to leave a comment below about it. Write down your jail experience so that others can learn what to expect.

Things you might want to put in your comment:

• Conditions at the jail.
• Jail, yard and pod layout and facility
• Jail staff and Guards
• Jail food and commissary
• Having Visitors
• The other inmates.
• Inmate safety
• Jail gangs
• Inmate activities and programs


Click here to review Merrick County Jail

Tell Your Story

Everbody that’s been incarcerated has a story about it. How’d you end up in jail? Did you get fair treatment? How was life in jail? Tell us about the other inmates. How did it affect you to go to jail?

Tell the World All About It

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you make friends in jail? Do you need to say wassup to somebody you met when you were locked up? Send a message to them here.

Say Wassup


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