Johnson County Jail: What to Do When Someone Is Arrested
Getting the call that someone you care about has been arrested is stressful, and the first few hours raise a lot of questions. Where are they being held? How do you find out what they're charged with? How do you get them out? This guide covers how the Johnson County, Kansas jail system works: where people are held, how to look someone up, how to post bond, and what happens next.
Where Is the Johnson County Jail?
The Johnson County Sheriff's Office runs two adult detention facilities:
Central Booking Facility: 101 N. Kansas Avenue, Olathe, KS 66061. Phone: 913-715-5100.
New Century Adult Detention Center: 27745 W. 159th Street, New Century, KS 66031. Phone: 913-715-5900.
These facilities house people who have been arrested and are awaiting trial, as well as people sentenced by Johnson County municipal courts or the 10th Judicial District Court.
How to Find Out If Someone Is in the Johnson County Jail
The Sheriff's Office has a free online inmate search that shows who is currently in custody at its detention centers. Enter the person's first and last name. To look up a past booking, use the "Show Previous Booking History" option.
The Sheriff's Office also publishes a booking and release report listing recent bookings and releases.
If the search shows a first appearance court date, keep in mind that the court can change it. The Sheriff's Office recommends checking the date and time after 11:00 a.m. using the Kansas courts' online case search.
What Happens During Booking?
Booking is the intake process after an arrest. It usually includes:
A search of the person and their belongings
Fingerprints and a booking photo
A medical screening
Issuing jail clothing and assigning a housing area
How to Post Bond in Johnson County
For District Court cases, the most common types of bond are:
Cash bond: the full amount, paid in exact cash. Cashier's checks and money orders aren't accepted. A credit card bond can also be paid through the county's online payment portal.
Surety bond: posted through a bonding company approved by the District Court. The list of approved companies is posted in the lobby of both jails and on the Sheriff's bonding page.
Own recognizance cash deposit (ORCD): when the court orders it, you post 10% of the total bond in cash.
Personal recognizance: release without paying money up front, if the court allows it.
Municipal bonds work a little differently. The Sheriff's Office accepts municipal cash bonds for Johnson County cities except Lenexa, Olathe, and Overland Park. For those three cities, you pay the city directly and bring the receipt to the jail.
Even after bond is posted, the release process can take several hours.
A judge may also order pretrial supervision as a condition of release. If that happens, the person has to contact their supervision officer within 24 hours of getting out. See our guide to pretrial supervision in Johnson County. For more on how bond amounts are set and how to get a lower bond, see our bail and bond FAQs.
What Happens at the First Appearance?
The first appearance is the person's first time in front of a judge after the arrest. The judge reviews the charges and the bond, and decides on conditions of release. Kansas law limits how long someone can be held before this happens; see how long you can be held before seeing a judge.
This is also one of the most important moments to have a lawyer involved, because bond and release conditions can often be argued.
How to Put Money on Someone's Jail Account
Money on an inmate's account can be used for commissary purchases, phone time, medical services, and other jail programs. The Johnson County jails use Summit for commissary and banking. You can add money:
At the lobby kiosk in either jail, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily, with cash or a credit or debit card. You'll need the person's six-digit Criminal File Number, which lobby staff can give you. Lobby staff can't accept cash, checks, or money orders directly.
Online at any time through JailATM (deposits.jailatm.com). For help, call (866) 335-2734, option 1.
Deposit fees may apply.
Phone Calls and Visits
The jails' inmate phone system is run through Smart Inmate, and the Sheriff's Office posts its mail and visitation rules on its website. Check those rules before you visit or send anything, since items that don't follow them can be rejected.
One important rule of thumb: don't discuss the case on jail phone calls or visits. Talk about the case only with the person's attorney.
What to Do Next
Find them using the Sheriff's inmate search.
Check the charges and bond amount, and confirm the first appearance date.
Call a criminal defense lawyer before the first appearance if you can. Bond, release conditions, and what the person says early on can all shape the case.
Post bond if it's been set and you're able to, using one of the methods above.
Add money to their account so they can make calls.
If someone you care about has been arrested in Johnson County, Roth Davies LLC can help with bond, the first appearance, and the case itself. Call (913) 451-9500 for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Johnson County jail?
The Johnson County Sheriff's Office runs two adult detention facilities: the Central Booking Facility at 101 N. Kansas Avenue in Olathe, and the New Century Adult Detention Center at 27745 W. 159th Street in New Century.
How do I find out if someone is in the Johnson County jail?
Use the Johnson County Sheriff's online inmate search. Enter the person's first and last name to see if they're currently in custody.
How do I bail someone out of the Johnson County jail?
Depending on the bond type, you can pay the full cash amount in exact cash or by credit card through the county's payment portal, use an approved bonding company, or post 10% in cash if the court ordered an own recognizance cash deposit. Municipal bonds for Lenexa, Olathe, and Overland Park are paid to the city directly.
How long does it take to get out after bond is posted?
The release process can take several hours after bond is posted.
How do I put money on someone's books in Johnson County?
Use the kiosk in either jail lobby (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) with the person's Criminal File Number, or deposit online through JailATM at any time.
