In most criminal cases involving a jail sentence, the defendant will be given the option to sign up for jail time within a certain period of time. This is called a “delayed mittimus.” (Mittimus means the date and time at which someone must report to jail.)
Most delayed mittimus cases in Johnson County, Iowa will involve two deadlines. The “sign-up” deadline, often 10 days following judgment, and the “mittimus” deadline, often 90 days following judgment. Essentially, one must make their reservation within 10 days, and make that reservation for a date within 90 days.
To make this reservation, the Johnson County Sheriff asks the defendant to arrive in person. It is a good idea to arrive with your judgment order, just in case it cannot be located at the jail. (The jail will not accept you without a judgment, no matter how badly you’d like to serve time). The Johnson County Jail is small and overbooked, and therefore it helps the jail staff when these mittimus arrangements are made well in advance.
At the time of writing this post, the jail was booked roughly six weeks in advance. So it is in your interest, when booking a mittimus, to arrive as soon as possible.
The jail staff will let you know what dates are available, and ask you to pick one within the requirements of your judgment. Once a date is selected, the jail will review the guidelines you must follow when you return to serve your time.
You must arrive sober and completely free from the influence of all illegal drugs. A test can be given to you to determine drug or alcohol use, and even a BAC of .001 can be a problem. All too many defendants have decided to have a big night out before jail, and this can result in being refused entry into jail, being held in contempt, or even a new public intoxication charge. Therefore, show up sober.
Any medicines must be brought in their original prescription bottles, and will be dispensed according to the schedule listed on the bottle.
The defendant will be informed of his prior credit for time served, and the discharge date and time will be listed. The staff will also discuss what items are allowed to be brought into jail and this list will be given to the defendant.
Johnson County Jail Sign-up Sheet
The jail will request a $40.00 fee to arrive for mittimus on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. An $80.00 fee must be brought for Friday, Saturday and Sunday mittimus dates. This must be paid in cash, at the time of mittimus.
If you have questions about your jail mittimus, make sure to ask the jail staff, or your attorney well in advance.