Address:
149 Main Street
PO Box 252
Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone:
508-627-5173
Dukes County does not impose bail in a traditional sense. A Bail Commissioner/Bail Magistrate presides over the first appearance in court. If a judge in Massachusetts feels that the arrested will return to court for further proceedings, the arrested could be released under a conditional release without needing to pay bail money, just a $40 fee. This is called Released on Own Recognizance, or ROR.
Conditions for ROR might be to obey all court orders and laws, maintain contact with the lawyer, report changes in residence or have no contact with the victim. Family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court.
If the Bail Magistrate determines that bail is necessary to assure that the arrested returns to court, then bail must be paid in cash by the defendant, a friend or family member. If the cash is not paid, the defendant will remain in jail until the bail is changed or the case is finished.
If the judge or bail schedule determines that the defendant would be a danger to the public if they were released, bail can be denied, and the person detained in a jail or prison until the case is resolved or goes to trial.
The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
There are two types of bonds: Personal recognizance or cash.
Bail is set by a Massachusetts bail magistrate.
The bail magistrate will set bail after the defendant is processed, which is usually the same day as the arrest. If the bail magistrate is not available, for example on a weekend, the police may call the bail magistrate for permission to release the defendant until the next court day.
Bail is what the arrested in Dukes County must pay or do to stay out of jail until the first court appearance.
The agreement to bail acts as a promise that the arrested will return to court for court dates and trial. Bail usually refers to a dollar amount, but bail can also mean something that has to be done, or a condition such as reporting to an officer of the court, a curfew, restraining orders or attending a treatment program.
Bail is usually a significant enough amount of money and/or condition that the person will be negatively impacted and has incentive to return to court and not flee. A flight risk usually means that the person would flee the area, and not necessary that they are going to take an airplane.
If a judge in Dukes County feels that the arrested will return to court for further proceedings, the arrested could be released under a conditional release without needing to pay bail money. This is called Released on Own Recognizance, or ROR.
Conditions for ROR might be to obey all court orders and laws, maintain contact with the lawyer, report changes in residence or have no contact with the victim. Family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court.
If the judge or bail schedule determines that the defendant would be a danger to the public if they were released, bail can be denied, and the person will be detained in the Dukes County Jail and House of Correction until the case is resolved or goes to trial.
Bail can be denied if the defendant did not comply with bail conditions from a previous arrest. Bail is usually denied in cases of violent offenses.
Bail and bond are used interchangeably to mean the same thing but technically, they are different. The bail is the amount to be paid and a bond is a signed document promising payment of the bail amount with certain conditions.
The thought of being in jail can cause the arrested to panic and try to secure a bond immediately.
DO NOT panic and take the time to understand all the options.
On the other hand, as anyone who has ever been involved in their criminal defense understands, fighting your case while ‘out on the streets’ gives you a much better chance of either winning, or getting a more favorable sentence.
If the defendant is not released on their own recognizance, the other option is to pay cash. If the defendant does not show up to court, the full amount of the bail will be kept by the court and the court could send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
Dukes County does not impose bail in a traditional sense. A Bail Commissioner/Bail Magistrate presides over the first appearance in court. If a judge in Massachusetts feels that the arrested will return to court for further proceedings, the arrested could be released under a conditional release without needing to pay bail money, just a $40 fee. This is called Released on Own Recognizance, or ROR.
Conditions for ROR might be to obey all court orders and laws, maintain contact with the lawyer, report changes in residence or have no contact with the victim. Family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court.
If the Bail Magistrate determines that bail is necessary to assure that the arrested returns to court, then bail must be paid in cash by the defendant, a friend or family member. If the cash is not paid, the defendant will remain in jail until the bail is changed or the case is finished.
If the judge or bail schedule determines that the defendant would be a danger to the public if they were released, bail can be denied, and the person detained in a jail or prison until the case is resolved or goes to trial.
The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
There are two types of bonds: Personal recognizance or cash.
Bail is set by a Massachusetts bail magistrate.
The bail magistrate will set bail after the defendant is processed, which is usually the same day as the arrest. If the bail magistrate is not available, for example on a weekend, the police may call the bail magistrate for permission to release the defendant until the next court day.
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances for cash bail, let the bond commissioner know, or your attorney can request a change in bail conditions.
The defendant, family or friend can pay the cash bail.
Massachusetts counties do not currently offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: go to the Dukes County Jail and House of Correction for more information about the jails in Dukes County.
Cash, bank check, treasurer’s check, cashier’s check or government money order. Please contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted. Go to the Dukes County Jail and House of Correction for more information about posting bail in Dukes County.
Bail money is returned to the person who paid the bail; in whole or in part once the case is finished. There may be fees, restitution (money to pay for damage caused by the crime) or fines that come out of that amount.
Yes, you may be released on personal recognizance or your attorney can apply for relief from the Massachusetts Bail Fund.
Massachusetts does not permit private bail bond companies to operate.
There have been phone scams where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information. A bondsperson will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.
Please call the jail at 508-627-5173 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Dukes County Jail and House of Correction.
A bond is set according to a court-approved schedule.
The purpose of the bond is to assure the offender's appearance in court.
Because Dukes County and Massachusetts can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Dukes County Jail and House of Correction at 508-627-5173, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, right after an arrestee has been booked.
Ask the staff at the Dukes County Jail and House of Correction or the Dukes County Court Clerk these specific questions:
If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released.
This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.
Option 1 - How to Post Bail using Cash for a Defendant at Dukes County Jail and House of Correction
The first option, a cash bond, is to pay the full bail amount in cash, cashier's check, or money order. Personal Checks are not accepted.
Depending on the crime, this amount could be anywhere from $100 to $75,000 or more.
To pay a cash bond, go to Dukes County Jail and House of Correction or to the court where the bail hearing occurred. Going directly to the jail will quicken the release of the defendant as any bail paperwork processed at the court will have to be transferred to the jail.
Cashier's Checks and Money Orders may be made out to Dukes County Jail and House of Correction where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Dukes County Sheriff's Office or to the Dukes County Court.
To purchase money orders visit any Western Union, Moneygram or Post Office.
Option 2 - How to Post a Private or Surety Bond for a Defendant at Dukes County Jail and House of Correction
In the event that someone does not have the full bond amount available to him or her, there is what is called a private bond or surety bond.
This is an agreement made with a bail agent or bondsman who will post the full bail amount. In return, the defendant and/or cosigner will pay a premium to the bail agent. This premium will be 10-15% of the full bail amount.
For example, if bail is posted at $5,000, then the premium will cost approximately $500-$750.
A bail agent will often require some form of collateral, for example, a lien on a house, a car or jewelry. This is to ensure that if the defendant skips bail, or does not appear in court, the bail agent has some sort of compensation for the full bail amount being paid.
Remember, by making an agreement with a bail agent the signatory takes responsibility for paying the full bail amount if the defendant does not appear in court.
Option 3 - How to Post a Property Bond for a Defendant at Dukes County Jail and House of Correction
If you are a landowner in Dukes County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Dukes County may be used as collateral to bail someone out. All owners of the property must be present to sign the bond in order for this to happen.
To find if property located outside of Dukes County can be used as collateral, call a local bail or bond agent or contact a defense lawyer.
Click here for additional information on how to post bail at Dukes County Jail and House of Correction.
Anyone over the age of 18 who can produce a valid government-issued photo ID can post bail. Accepted forms of ID include a Photo Driver's License, Passport, or Motor Vehicle issued ID.
In many circumstances, if the defendant has the resources, they can post their own cash bail from jail.
Surety Bonds are arranged by a third party, typically a Massachusetts state licensed Bail Bond firm.
Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.
Money or collateral will not be returned until the defendant's court case is finished, so realistically it could take several months to years, depending on the severity of the charges. If a defendant posts his or her own bail, Dukes County Court may retain whatever amount of fines or fees have accumulated throughout the trial.
The Dukes County Judge may order a failure to appear warrant for the person's arrest or the Judge may order a Bail Commissioner's Letter be issued that will be sent to the person with a new court date.
If cash bail was paid, the entire amount may be forfeited.
To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from Dukes County do the following:
1. Enroll in an account with Securus Technologies.
2. Choose one of three account types, Securus Debit, Advance Connect or Direct Bill.
3. Choose [facility_name_1}, then connect with your inmate.
4. If you have any questions, call Securus: 972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591.
To find out fees, how to's, calling times, limits on phone calls and other systems Securus has do that you can communicate with your Dukes County inmate, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: All of your inmate's phone calls are recorded and stored. It is advised not to discuss their pending case.
