Address:
226 Ash Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Phone:
508-996-6704
If you are bailing out an inmate and want them released the same day, you need to check in at least 30 minutes before the designated bail time because the Court Magistrate calls in 30 minutes beforehand to see who is paying bail.
There is a $40.00 bail fee on top of the bail amount.
The official bail times are as follows:
Monday thru Friday:
4:30 PM
7:30 PM
12 Midnite
3:00 AM
Saturday & Sundays & Holidays
9:00 AM
12 Noon
4:30 PM
7:30 PM
12 Midnite
3:00 AM
Please call the jail at 508-996-6704 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Ash Street Jail.
A bond is set according to a court-approved schedule.
The purpose of the bond is to assure the offender's appearance in court.
Instructions on how to post Bail or Bond in Bristol County
Because Bristol County and Massachusetts can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Ash Street Jail at 508-996-6704, 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 Ash Street Jail or the Bristol 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 Ash Street Jail
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 Ash Street Jail 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 Ash Street Jail where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Bristol County Sheriff's Office or to the Bristol 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 Ash Street Jail
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 Ash Street Jail
If you are a landowner in Bristol County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Bristol 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 Bristol 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 Ash Street Jail.
Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Ash Street Jail?
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.
When will the Cash Bail or Collateral be returned to me?
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, Bristol County Court may retain whatever amount of fines or fees have accumulated throughout the trial.
What happens to my Bail or Collateral if the Defendant misses Court?
The Bristol 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.
For inmates receiving mail in the Ash Street Jail there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.
All mail is to be shipped to the Ash Street Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#, & Unit-Cell#
Bristol County Jail
226 Ash Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.
To rent a tablet for an inmate in Bristol County follow these instructions:
If you have any questions:
For all Bristol County information on Tablet Rentals for your inmate, check out our Tablet Rental Page.
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Ash Street Jail follow these steps:
For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Ash Street Jail check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Bristol County.
To send commissary money to an inmate in Ash Street Jail follow these steps:
For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for Ash Street Jail.
To send a text or email message to a Bristol County inmate, do the following:
Ash Street Jail uses Securus eMessaging for Inmate Email.
Register here. (You are already registered if you signed up with Securus for 'Phone' or 'Remote Visitation' in Bristol County or any jail or prison in the country).
Steps:
1. Sign up for eMessaging
2. Find your Bristol County inmate.
3. Purchase a book of Securus ‘stamps’.
4. Type & Send message.
For all Bristol County information for sending secure messages to an inmate in Ash Street Jail, including instructions, video examples, fees, limits, tablet rentals and more, check out out Text/Email an Inmate Page.
To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from Bristol 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 Bristol 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.
