Androscoggin County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Androscoggin County, Maine Bail at the Jail in Auburn
This page covers bail, bonds, and getting released after an arrest in Auburn, Lewiston, or the smaller towns around them. It explains who sets the amount, how to pay it, and what happens next. About 116,487 people lived in the county on July 1, 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Vintage 2025 estimate.
1. Who should I call first?
Start with the Androscoggin County Jail. Its main number is 207-753-2500, ext. 1992.
- Alternative number: for admission, release, and bail questions, dial 207-753-2500 and ask for ext. 1702.
- Have the person's first and last name ready. Staff need both names to look them up.
Call the jail for more information about a specific case.
↑ Back to the question list2. Who sets the amount?
For an arrest booked at 40 Pleasant St. in Auburn, the answer depends on the hour. In Maine, a bail commissioner or a judge decides release terms. Commissioners are on call around the clock, so a person can often be released at night or on a weekend. A commissioner cannot handle a murder charge, and once a judge sets bail, a commissioner cannot change it. You can read the rules in 15 M.R.S. §1023.
↑ Back to the question list3. How do I post cash bail here?
Bring cash to the jail lobby at 40 Pleasant Street in Auburn. Bail can be posted 24 hours a day.
- Tell the front desk who you are bailing out.
- Count out the cash. A jail staff member checks the amount.
- The bail commissioner takes the money and fills out the papers.
- Pay the commissioner fee in cash too.
An ATM is in the lobby if you come up short.
↑ Back to the question list4. What is the $60 fee?
Anyone bailing a person out of the Auburn jail should bring the commissioner's fee as separate cash. Maine law lets a bail commissioner charge up to $60 for setting or taking bail. That fee is on top of the bail amount, and the jail is not the one that keeps it. A person who truly cannot pay the fee should still be let go if they are otherwise eligible. Money you put on someone's jail account does not count toward bail. To add to an account, see our money page or commissary page.
↑ Back to the question list5. What kinds of release are there?
Many people leave Pleasant Street without paying anything. Most people get personal recognizance or an unsecured bond. Either one rests on a signed pledge to return for each hearing; nobody hands over cash that night. Cash or surety bail is saved for cases where the commissioner or judge sees a real risk of a missed hearing or a danger to someone. See 15 M.R.S. §1026.
↑ Back to the question list6. Is there cash bail for a Class E crime?
Usually not. On the lowest-level Androscoggin cases, the jail rarely collects money. Maine limits money bail when the most serious charge is a Class E crime. Some cases are left out of that limit, such as sex crimes, domestic violence crimes involving relatives, housemates, or dating partners, and certain bail violations. A missed court date on the Class E charge is another exception.
↑ Back to the question list7. What rules come with release?
Whether release happens from the Auburn jail or after a hearing on Turner Street, the paperwork carries conditions. Every release in Maine has some built-in terms. The person must not commit a new crime. They must also agree to waive extradition, which means they can be brought back from another state. Extra terms are common in Lewiston and Auburn cases, for example a ban on drinking or an order to keep clear of a particular person. Breaking a release rule is its own crime under 15 M.R.S. §1092, and it can mean a new arrest.
↑ Back to the question list8. Where are the courts?
Felony and jury cases are heard at the Androscoggin County Superior Court, 2 Turner St., Auburn, ME 04210; 207-330-7500. Many first hearings and lesser cases are handled at the Lewiston District Court, 71 Lisbon St., Lewiston, ME 04240; 207-795-4800. Both courts share one criminal case system, so a case may move between them. More details are on our court page.
↑ Back to the question list9. Can the bail be changed?
Yes. Lewiston and Auburn judges hear these requests. Defense counsel may file a motion asking a judge to take a fresh look at bail. A defendant short on funds for a private attorney may request an appointed one at the first hearing. The Tri-County Public Defenders office serves this county from 64 Lisbon St., Suite A, Lewiston, ME 04240; 207-753-7721.
↑ Back to the question list10. Is posted cash refunded?
Androscoggin cash bail ends up with the clerk at 2 Turner St. or 71 Lisbon St., and that clerk returns it. Once the matter wraps up, the court mails posted cash back, provided the defendant made each appearance and kept to the terms. The court can keep the money if the person skips court. The commissioner fee is not returned. Ask the clerk at 207-330-7500 how a refund will be sent to you.
↑ Back to the question list11. What if ICE has a hold?
Immigration requests reach the Auburn jail at 40 Pleasant St. from time to time. ICE may send the jail a hold request called a detainer, often on Form I-247A. That form asks a jail to keep someone up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released, under 8 CFR 287.7(d). Maine statutes, 5 M.R.S. §4763 and §4764, bar Maine jails from holding someone based only on that request. The jail must give the person a copy of it. To check if someone is now in ICE custody, use the ICE detainee locator.
↑ Back to the question list12. What about federal charges?
Androscoggin arrests on federal charges leave the county courts behind. Federal cases are handled by the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine. Its Portland clerk's office is at 156 Federal St., Portland, ME 04101; 207-780-3356. In those cases a federal magistrate judge decides release, and county bail commissioners play no part.
↑ Back to the question list13. What if they are not in this jail?
Call the sheriff's jail at 207-753-2500, ext. 1992, first. If they are not there, try a jail in a county next door:
- Cumberland County: Cumberland County Jail, 50 County Way, Portland, ME 04102; 207-774-5939
- Franklin County: Franklin County Detention Center, 121 County Way, Farmington, ME 04938; 207-778-3032
- Kennebec County: Kennebec County Correctional Facility, 115 State St., Augusta, ME 04330; 207-623-2270
- Oxford County: Oxford County Jail, 26 Western Ave., South Paris, ME 04281; 207-743-5870
- Sagadahoc County: Two Bridges Regional Jail, 522 Bath Rd., Wiscasset, ME 04578; 207-882-4268
Androscoggin County Jail
Address:
40 Pleasant Street
Auburn, ME 04210
Phone:
207-753-2500 ext.1992
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Androscoggin County
Does Androscoggin County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Androscoggin County?
Who can set bail in Androscoggin County?
When is bail set in Androscoggin County Maine?
Does Androscoggin County have bail?
Yes, because Maine is a bail state, bail is accepted in Androscoggin County.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Androscoggin County?
Androscoggin County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Bail is available in several forms including personal recognizance, unsecured bail, cash bail, surety bail or a supervision contract.
Who can set bail in Androscoggin County?
In most cases bail is set by a bail commissioner. For more serious or violent crimes bail must be set by a judge.
When is bail set in Androscoggin County Maine?
If the defendant qualifies for the services of a Androscoggin County bail commissioner bail will be set shortly after arrest. In cases where a judge is required to set bail this will take place at the initial appearance. This hearing is usually scheduled within 48 hours, not including weekends or holidays.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Androscoggin 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 Androscoggin 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 Androscoggin County Jail 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.
What is the difference between Bail and Bond?
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.
Think of a bond as a loan to pay for the bail.
The bond payment is always written to the court in your municipality, Androscoggin County or the district court directly and does not go through the defendant. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.
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.
More courts are now trying to work with defendants to make bail work and might provide non-monetary options or even reduce the bail.
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.
What are the different types of bonds in Androscoggin County?
Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge or bail officer will determine and notify the accused of which types of bonds are available to them. Maine courts will process bonds, eliminating the need for a professional bond company.
There are three types of bonds recognized by the Maine courts:
1. A personal recognizance bond which is the promise and signed statement of the defendant to abide by conditions of release and return to court when ordered. There is no money or property (almost always real estate) to be put up. The bail commissioner may charge up to a $60 fee.
2. An unsecured Bond is when the defendant is released without paying bail upfront, but they must pay the full amount if they do not appear in court. The bond commissioner can charge up to a $60 fee to execute this type of bond. If the defendant fails to appear in court or violates a condition of bail, the judge may issue a warrant for arrest.
3. A secured Bond is when the defendant pays a portion of the bail up front in cash, or property. If they show to court, the cash or property (valued at least 1 ½ the amount of bail) would be returned and if they don’t show up to court, would have to pay the entire bail amount. The bail commissioner may charge up to a $60 fee.
A professional bondsperson makes money, at least 10% of the bond amount by providing you with a bond. They are not often used in Maine because the courts can execute bonds and do not charge as much as a bondsperson would. The defendant or surety does not get that 10% or more back even if the terms of the bail are met.
(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.)
Does Androscoggin County have bail?
Yes, because Maine is a bail state, bail is accepted in Androscoggin County.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Androscoggin County?
Androscoggin County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Bail is available in several forms including personal recognizance, unsecured bail, cash bail, surety bail or a supervision contract.
Who can set bail in Androscoggin County?
In most cases bail is set by a bail commissioner. For more serious or violent crimes bail must be set by a judge.
When is bail set in Maine?
If the defendant qualifies for the services of a Androscoggin County bail commissioner bail will be set shortly after arrest. In cases where a judge is required to set bail this will take place at the initial appearance. This hearing is usually scheduled within 48 hours, not including weekends or holidays.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Androscoggin County Maine?
Yes, a judge may reduce bail set by a bail commissioner during the arraignment. If a judge set sets the initial bail your attorney may file a motion with the court for reconsideration.
In Androscoggin County Maine, who can pay bail for me?
The person posting bail should be a relative or close friend, called a surety, because they are promising and taking responsibility that you will return to court to get their money back. A surety is not responsible for court fees or paying off personal debts for the defendant.
Can bail be paid online in Androscoggin County Maine?
Maine counties do not currently offer online payment for bail. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Androscoggin County Jail for more information about the jails in Androscoggin County.
What options are there to pay bail in Androscoggin County Maine?
Cash, credit card, money order, debit care or surety. All bail payments must be made in person at the Androscoggin County Jail where the defendant is being held.
Contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted. Go to the Androscoggin County Jail for more information about posting bail in Androscoggin County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Maine?
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.
If you used a bondsperson, you would not get your 10% back. Property is returned by the court or bondsperson after the appropriate requests and formal paperwork are completed with the court.
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Androscoggin County?
Yes, Maine offers several types of bail which will not require money down including personal recognizance, unsecured bail, and property surety.
Please remember that if a bail commissioner is assigned to the case there is a fee which must be paid in addition to the bail itself.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Maine?
The Androscoggin County Jail or court in this jurisdiction can provide you with a list of approved bonds through the court or bond agent.