Step-by-Step: Getting Your Loved One Out of Louisville Metro Corrections

Getting a phone call that someone you love has been arrested and is sitting in LMDC is terrifying. You want them home — and you want to know exactly what to do right now. This guide from Clark + Harris walks you through every step of bailing someone out of the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections.

Step 1: Confirm They Are in LMDC

Before you drive to downtown Louisville, confirm that your loved one is actually being held at LMDC. You can do this by:

Online Inmate Search: Visit the Louisville Metro Corrections website and use their inmate lookup tool. Search by first and last name.
Call LMDC: Phone (502) 574-2172 and ask the operator 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. Booking can take 4 to 8 hours, so if you cannot find them right away, wait and try again.

Step 2: Find Out the Bail Amount

Bail is set at arraignment, which typically happens within 24 to 48 hours of arrest. Until arraignment occurs, no bail amount has been set, and you cannot post bail. You can find out if bail has been set by:

Checking the online inmate lookup for bail information
Calling LMDC at (502) 574-2172
Contacting Clark + Harris at 859-474-0001 — we can check court records and advise you on next steps

Step 3: Choose Your Bail Option

Kentucky offers several ways to post bail:

Cash Bail: Pay the full amount. You get most of it back when the case concludes (assuming the defendant appears at all court dates). Pay at the LMDC cashier window at 600 West Jefferson Street.
10% Deposit Bond: This is Kentucky’s most common bail option. You pay 10% of the total bail directly to the court. On a $10,000 bail, that means $1,000 out of pocket. A portion is refundable at case conclusion.
Surety Bond (Bail Bondsman): Contact a licensed Kentucky bail bondsman. They will post the full bond for a non-refundable premium, usually 10% of the bond amount. This is the fastest option if you don’t have the cash on hand.
Release on Own Recognizance: The judge may release your loved one without any monetary requirement. This is more common for first-time offenders with minor charges and strong community ties.

Step 4: Post Bail at LMDC

If you are posting cash bail or a 10% deposit bond, go to the LMDC facility at 600 West Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY 40202. The cashier accepts cash, certified checks, and money orders. Credit cards may not be accepted for bail — call ahead to confirm current payment methods.

Bring the following:

Valid government-issued photo ID
The defendant’s full legal name and date of birth
The case number (if available)
Payment in the accepted form

Step 5: Wait for Release Processing

After bail is posted, your loved one will be processed for release. This is not instant. Release processing at LMDC typically takes 4 to 12 hours, and can take even longer on weekends, holidays, or after large arrest operations. There is no way to speed this up, so plan accordingly. Make sure you or another family member is available to pick them up when they are released.

Step 6: Call Clark + Harris

Getting out of jail is just the first step. Your loved one now faces criminal charges in Jefferson County, and what happens next matters enormously. An experienced criminal defense attorney can make the difference between a dismissed case and a conviction.

Clark + Harris represents clients across Louisville and Lexington in all criminal matters, from DUI and drug charges to assault and felony cases. We know the Jefferson County courts inside and out, and we will fight to protect your family’s future.

Call us right now at 859-474-0001. Day or night, we are here for you.

Important LMDC Information

Address: 600 West Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 574-2172
Hours for Bail Posting: 24/7 — bail can be posted at any time

Don’t navigate this alone. The criminal defense team at Clark + Harris is standing by to help your family through this crisis. 859-474-0001.

How to Bail Someone Out of LMDC in Louisville, Kentucky