Stuck in Jail? How Bail and Bond Work in Muscogee Creek Nation

Understanding Bail and Bond in Muscogee Creek Nation Court

My name is Ted Hasse. I’m a Muscogee Creek Nation tribal court attorney practicing in both federal and tribal courts here in Indian Country, Oklahoma.

We’re continuing our series on questions that people often ask online — and that we get directly from defendants and their families when they call.

Can I Get Bail or Bond in Muscogee Creek Nation Tribal Court?

The question is: Can I get bail or bond in Muscogee Creek Nation tribal court? The short answer is yes, you can.

Bail and bond in Muscogee Creek Nation and most other tribal courts generally work in a way that’s similar to how bail works in state courts, but very different from how it works in federal court.

How Bail and Bond Work in the Muscogee Creek Nation

Here’s how it works: When a defendant is charged, a judge has to set a bond amount before that person can be released from custody. Unlike many state courts that have standard bond schedules for common charges, the Muscogee Creek Nation does not maintain a fixed list of preset bond amounts. That means each defendant’s bond must be individually set by a judge in the Muscogee Creek Nation District Court — and that process can sometimes take time.

Once a bond amount is set, there are two main types of bonds:

1. 1. Surety Bond – This is handled through a bail bondsman. Usually, the defendant or a family member pays about 10% of the bond amount to the bondsman, who then posts the full amount with the court. For example, if the bond is $5,000, the cost to the family would typically be around $500.

 

1. 1. Cash Bond – This means someone pays the entire amount of the bond directly to the court on the defendant’s behalf. The upside is that once the case is resolved and all court appearances are made, that money is refunded in full.

 

Summary and Next Steps

In short, yes, you can get bail or bond in Muscogee Creek Nation tribal court — but the process can sometimes be slow since a judge has to set the amount.

If you or a loved one are facing charges and waiting on a bond decision in Muscogee Creek Nation, we may be able to help move that process along or explain your options.

Contact Us for a Low-Cost Consultation

You can reach us at 918-932-2800. Again, my name is Ted Hasse, and I’m a Muscogee Creek Nation criminal defense attorney. If you need assistance with bail or bond, don’t hesitate to get in touch for a consultation and guidance through your case.