Due to a backlog of bail requests, we are unable to accept new bail request at this time.
We will begin accepting new requests on October 1, 2020.
We will begin accepting new requests on October 1, 2020.
The Massachusetts Bail Fund is a non-judgemental bail fund; we are charge, court history, and circumstance neutral.
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Where does the Massachusetts Bail Fund currently post bail?
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How much money will the Massachusetts Bail Fund contribute to bail?
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MBF is available to accept bail requests from the 1st to the 15th of the month. Due to a backlog of bail requests, we are not currently accepting new requests. We will begin accepting new requests on October 1, 2020. Referrals are accepted for half of the month to ensure that our small staff can work through everyone's request in a timely fashion. Thank you for understanding
Please read below before clicking through to the referral form.
The bail posting process in Massachussetts forces prolonged in-person interactions with facilities and people where exposure to COVID-19 is a certainty. We have had to significantly change our operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The above jails and houses of correction will accomodate a contactless or low contact bail posting process. As more counties make contactless or low contact bail postings available, we will expand our operations and update the above listing. Over this past summer, we explored the financial feasibility of posting bails higher than $5000, and have ended this exploration. We may explore this further in the future.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
- Referrals are generally accepted from court-appointed counsel. If your loved one is held on a bail that we can post, we are committed to helping. Please email information@massbailfund.org with as much information as you have about the case and we will help.
- The Massachusetts Bail Fund will contribute up to $5000.00 where the bail is over $5000.00 and all but $5000.00 has been collected. In situations where the Bail Fund contributes to a persons bail, the Bail Fund and the person' friend or family member will be co-sureties. Once the case is concluded, the friend or family member can go on their own to retrieve their share of the bail. However, due to the virtual nature of bail payments under COVID-19, we don't yet know how bail poolings can or will work. We are committed to figuring this out - so please submit these referrals.
ELECTRONIC MONITORING (GPS, SCRAM, Etc.)
At this time, we do not have clarity on the procedures for GPS fittings under COVID-19. We are, however, committed to figuring out the new process. Please let us know if Electronic Monitoring is a condition of this person's release and we will be in touch to coordinate.
TRANSPORTATION:
Because of COVID-19 safety concerns, MBF volunteers can no longer provide transportation for people who are released once bail is posted. There are some options for transportation from the jails outlined below.
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Middleton:
The staff at Middleton HOC will provide transportation to the court that has jurisdiction over the person's case. For example, if the case is being heard out of Salem District Court, the jail will drive the person to Salem District Court once they are released. Because of COVID-19 health and safety concerns, the HOC will not allow families or friends to pick a person up at the HOC. Instead, if there is someone who intends to drive the person home after they are released, they should plan to go to the courthouse the evening bail is being posted. |
South Bay House of Correction:
The HOC will provide $25 in funds to anyone whose case is out of jurisdiction. For example, if the case is being heard out of Plymouth County, the jail will provide $25 in cash for public transportation. Please provide contact information on the form so that MBF can coordinate with the ride. If the transportation plan is for the jail to provide $25 please let us know on the fom. |
Nashua Street Jail:
If there is someone who can provide transportation, please provide contact information on the form and we will coordinate with them. If there is no transportation plan, the person will be released to the street. |
Worcester County House of Corrections:
Worcester House of Correction: MBF staff/volunteers cannot provide transportation from the HOC. However, MBF will coordinate & pay for Taxi/Ride Sharing transportation for people whose bails we post at the Worcester House of Correction. If the person has family/friends who can provide transportation, this is preferable. Please let us know the name and contact information for this person so that we may coordinate with them. If the person needs transportation coordinated, please specify this and let us know where they need to be taken. |
We rely on attorneys who refer clients to us to let us know the essential information we need in order to post and pickup bail efficiently. We expect attorneys to read the above requirements and to let us know the following information when cases close:
1. Date of Case Closure - what date the case resolve?
2. Case Disposition - for example, Dismissal, or Guilty-Probation for 6 months
3. Attorney Fee Status- Bails are not available for pickup until the attorney fee is fulfilled in some way.
The need for our assistance is bottomless. The Massachusetts Bail Fund is dedicated to helping as many people as we can, and to do this we rely on attorneys to let us know case information as quickly as possible.
1. Date of Case Closure - what date the case resolve?
2. Case Disposition - for example, Dismissal, or Guilty-Probation for 6 months
3. Attorney Fee Status- Bails are not available for pickup until the attorney fee is fulfilled in some way.
The need for our assistance is bottomless. The Massachusetts Bail Fund is dedicated to helping as many people as we can, and to do this we rely on attorneys to let us know case information as quickly as possible.