The jail is at 50 County Way, Portland, ME 04102, reached by turning onto County Way near Congress Street, just before a railroad crossing. Do not park in the fire zone in front. The sheriff's office shares the County Way campus; its command staff answer at 207-774-1444.

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Yes. Cumberland County Inmate Search is the place to start. The county's own confined inmate list is updated through the day and keeps a name on it until release. It leaves out federal inmates, so a missing name does not always mean the person is free. For a booking question the list cannot answer, the jail's administration line is 207-774-5939, ext. 2180.

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Go to the Information Officer in the lobby. That officer is the contact point for bail, and released inmates also leave through the lobby, so plan to wait there. Have the person's full name ready.

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No. The county says cash is required. It does not accept credit cards, debit cards, personal checks, cashier's checks or money orders for bail. There is an ATM in the lobby. A big bail can outrun an ATM limit, so ask the jail for the amount and visit your bank before you drive in.

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No. The jail takes deposits for the inmate's account online through Access Corrections, by phone at 866-345-1884, or by money order mailed to 50 County Way. That money buys phone time and store items. It does not buy release, and it is not a way to pay the bail commissioner.

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The county's page lists no fee. Maine law caps a commissioner's fee at $60 for the charges a person is held on. It cannot be charged to a person who has no present ability to pay, and a commissioner may not refuse to act because of that. Ask the Information Officer or call 207-774-5939 for the exact number before you bring cash.

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The county posts no lobby hours for bail. Bail commissioners are on call all day and night, holidays included, so ask at 207-774-5939 whether one can be reached now. Calling first beats a trip in the middle of the night that ends with a closed office or too little cash.

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Gorham's town website says its officers take arrested people to the Cumberland County Jail at 50 County Way. Other departments in the county may hold someone briefly before transport. If a town officer arrested your relative, ask that department first, then check the inmate search.

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Portland has the main courthouse at 205 Newbury Street, 207-822-4200, and it houses both Superior Court and District Court. Bridgton has its own District Court at 3 Chase Street, Suite 2, 207-647-3535. The first appearance must come within 48 hours of arrest, not counting weekends and court holidays.

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It can, if the property is in Maine. A court may require the person pledging it to swear to the Maine land they own, along with loans and value. In a murder or Class A, B or C case, the owner must file a bail lien with the register of deeds in the county where the land lies. The owner pays the filing and release costs.

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A commissioner cannot set bail for murder or for several domestic violence crimes, including some protection order violations. Maine's constitution allows holding a person for capital offenses when the proof is evident. For formerly capital crimes, the State can ask for a Harnish hearing within five court days. The judge may then deny bail only on clear and convincing proof of flight risk or danger.

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Often they mean no money at all. If the top charge is a Class E crime, a money condition is generally barred. The exceptions include family or household offenses, new crimes while on release, a missed court date on that charge, and a stipulated amount up to $5. A judge can also set non-cash conditions such as no contact or a curfew.

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A person held on a commissioner's decision can petition a judge for a new look, and that ruling is final. Bail set at arraignment can be reviewed by a different judge. Gather pay stubs, a lease and names of family who will vouch before the hearing.

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Casco Bay Public Defenders is at 45 Exchange Street, Portland, 207-822-6430, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services is at 207-287-3257. At the first appearance the judge can name a lawyer of the day.

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Long Creek Youth Development Center sits at 675 Westbrook Street in South Portland, inside this county. It is the one Maine corrections youth facility, and Androscoggin's jail sends arrested juveniles there. Its phone is 207-822-2600. State law says the arresting officer must ask for detention within two hours and a juvenile corrections officer decides within twelve. The Bail Code itself does not apply to juvenile crimes.

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Once an adult is serving a state sentence, the Maine Department of Corrections resident search may list them. It is updated daily. Someone held in a county jail on a new arrest or a jail sentence will not be there, so use the Cumberland search instead. State help line: 207-621-2600.

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Federal charges are heard by the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, whose Portland courthouse is the Gignoux building at 156 Federal Street, 207-780-3356. A federal detainee will not show on the county list, and state bail will not free someone held on a federal charge.

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