The Lanier County Sheriff’s Office rescinded a new policy that barred cash payments for bail or bond after the ACLU of Georgia challenged the change and urged the office to follow state law.
In June 2026, Sheriff Nick Norton announced a new policy on Facebook that the sheriff’s office would no longer accept cash payments for bail or bond, citing concerns about drug residue on U.S. currency. The policy threatened the rights of people in jail who don’t use or have access to credit systems, banking institutions, or real property, such as a house or boat. Once a court sets bail for someone’s pre-trial release from jail, Georgia law requires people be allowed to satisfy the bail or bond by paying cash. The now-rescinded policy unlawfully burdened people who don’t use credit or debit cards or have property for securing their release from jail before they’ve even had a trial.
The ACLU of Georgia sent a letter explaining the policy violates the law and demanding LCSO withdraw the policy and return to its practice of accepting cash payment as an authorized form of satisfying bail or bond. Sheriff Norton withdrew the policy after receiving the letter.
"No one should stay locked up just because they don't have access to certain forms of payment or own property," said Raneem Ashrawi, staff attorney, ACLU of Georgia. “State law allows Georgians to pay a court-ordered bail amount with cash, and sheriffs are required to abide by those laws. We're glad that Sheriff Norton restored Lanier County’s prior policy to comply with Georgia law, and we urge sheriffs across the state to ensure their counties are accepting, at minimum, all authorized forms of bail or bond.”
Read the ACLU of Georgia’s letter here.
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