How to Bail Someone Out of the Fayette County Detention...

Getting Your Loved One Released from the Fayette County Detention Center

Your phone rang in the middle of the night, and now you know: someone you love is sitting in the Fayette County Detention Center in Lexington. You want to get them out as fast as possible. This step-by-step guide from Clark + Harris will walk you through the entire bail process at FCDC.

Step 1: Confirm They’re at FCDC

Before you drive to the detention center, verify that your loved one is actually being held there:

Online Inmate Search: Use the Fayette County Detention Center’s online inmate lookup tool on the LFUCG website. Search by first and last name.
Call FCDC: Phone (859) 425-2612 and ask for inmate information. Have the person’s full legal name and date of birth ready.

If they were just arrested, they may not appear in the system for several hours while booking is processed.

Step 2: Find Out If Bail Has Been Set

Bail is not set until arraignment, which typically happens within 24 to 48 hours of arrest. Until a judge sets bail, you cannot post it. You can find out if bail has been set by:

Checking the online inmate search for bail information
Calling FCDC at (859) 425-2612
Calling Clark + Harris at 859-474-0001 — we can check Fayette County court records for you

Step 3: Choose Your Bail Option

Kentucky offers multiple ways to post bail:

Cash Bail: Pay the full bail amount. Most of it is refundable when the case concludes (assuming the defendant makes all court dates).
10% Deposit Bond: Kentucky’s most common option. Pay 10% of the total bail directly to the court. On $10,000 bail, that’s $1,000. A portion is refundable.
Surety Bond (Bail Bondsman): A licensed bail bondsman posts the full bond in exchange for a non-refundable fee, usually 10% of the total bail amount.
Release on Recognizance: For lower-level charges, the judge may release the defendant without any bail requirement.

Not sure which option is right for your situation? Call Clark + Harris at 859-474-0001 — we’ll explain your options and help you make the best decision for your family.

Step 4: Go to FCDC and Post Bail

To post bail in person, go to:

Fayette County Detention Center
600 Old Frankfort Circle
Lexington, KY 40510

Bail can be posted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID
Bring the defendant’s full legal name and date of birth
Bring payment in the accepted form — cash, certified check, or money order are standard. Call ahead at (859) 425-2612 to confirm current payment options.

Step 5: Wait for Release

After bail is posted, your loved one must be processed for release. This takes 3 to 8 hours at FCDC. During this time:

Release paperwork is prepared and signed
Warrant checks are run to ensure no outstanding warrants
Personal property is returned
Pre-trial conditions are explained to the defendant

Stay nearby — they will need a ride home. Releases happen from the main entrance of the facility. Bring a warm jacket and a phone charger.

Step 6: Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney

Getting out of jail is only the first step. Your loved one now faces criminal charges in Fayette County, and the decisions made in the coming days and weeks will shape the rest of their life. An experienced defense attorney can negotiate with prosecutors, file motions to suppress evidence, argue for reduced charges, and fight for the best possible outcome.

Clark + Harris is Lexington’s trusted criminal defense team. We handle everything from DUI and drug charges to assault, theft, and serious felonies. We appear in Fayette District Court and Fayette Circuit Court every week, and we know how to get results for our clients.

Call us at 859-474-0001 — we answer 24/7 and will begin working on your loved one’s case immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon should I contact Clark + Harris after being charged in Kentucky?

As soon as possible. Early representation protects your rights during questioning, preserves evidence, and often leads to better outcomes. Call 859-474-0001 — we respond promptly to new inquiries.

Does Clark + Harris represent clients throughout Kentucky?

Yes. We represent clients in all 120 Kentucky counties, both state District and Circuit courts, and federal courts in the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky.

What happens during a free consultation with Clark + Harris?

We review the specific charges and evidence, discuss available defenses, explain the likely process in the relevant court, and give you a clear roadmap of next steps — at no cost to you.

Related Resources

If this information applied to your situation, the following Clark + Harris guides may also be helpful:

How to Bail Someone Out of the Fayette County Detention Center in Lexington