Bristol County bail: two jails, one release process
Bristol County has two facilities run by Sheriff Paul Heroux: the House of Correction and Jail at 400 Faunce Corner Road in North Dartmouth, and the Ash Street Jail and Regional Lock-Up at 226 Ash Street in New Bedford. See the full list of Bristol County jails. Look up the person with Bristol County Inmate Search to learn where they are, their booking status, release and bail amount. Then call 508-995-6400 (Dartmouth) or 508-996-6704 (Ash Street). The court sets bail, and cash is the safe payment to expect.
Which jail holds him, Dartmouth or Ash Street?
Check Bristol County Inmate Search for the location. The Dartmouth facility holds sentenced men plus pretrial men and women who need higher security. Ash Street holds more than 200 prisoners awaiting trial and about a dozen sentenced workers. If the name is missing, ask the desk at 508-995-6400 whether a transfer between the two is under way.
What is the Regional Lock-Up at Ash Street?
It is the short-term holding area that serves police who arrest people and need somewhere to keep them until bail, court or release. A 2025 audit says women in the lock-up wait there for court and bond status. If an arrest was made in New Bedford or a nearby town, the person may be at Ash Street first. Call 508-996-6704.
Where are women held in Bristol County?
The Women's Center sits on the Dartmouth grounds at 400 Faunce Corner Road and holds up to 106 women in medium security. The sheriff says the main Dartmouth building holds higher-security women and pretrial detainees. Ash Street's lock-up also holds women briefly. Call 508-995-6400 to ask where a particular woman is.
Is Ash Street closing soon?
In December 2025 the sheriff renewed his push to close the 1888 building, saying it needs about $11 million in repairs. The jail was still open then, and he gave no closing date. Because plans can change fast, check Bristol County Inmate Search and call 508-996-6704 before travelling to New Bedford.
When can I post bail at Ash Street or Dartmouth?
The sheriff's facility pages list addresses and phones but no bail times. Ask each desk when bail is next processed and how early to arrive. Bring photo ID, the full name, and the amount in cash. The person posting should expect a wait before release.
Who sets bail after a Friday-night arrest in Fall River or New Bedford?
A bail magistrate does, by phone or at the police station or jail, when the courts are closed. At arraignment a judge takes over. The magistrate may free the person on a signed promise to appear, set cash, or hold them for court. In an abuse arrest, an out-of-court release waits at least six hours.
Can I pay by card, check, or app?
Count on cash. State guidance says cash bail is paid in full to the magistrate. A 2022 Trial Court order allowed payments by Zelle, Venmo and similar apps if the payer consented. Ask the desk if that is still allowed, and never wire money to a stranger.
Is there a fee on top of the bail?
Ask. The state budget for fiscal 2025 shifted after-hours bail fees to the Trial Court, but some sheriff sites still tell families to bring a cash fee. For that reason this page lists no figure. Request a receipt for anything you hand over.
Can a bondsman post the bail?
Under General Laws chapter 276, section 61B, a surety may not be paid for serving. That makes a paid bondsman an unusual choice in Massachusetts. A relative or friend can be a surety without pay, or the person can be released on a promise to appear. Magistrates may not recommend a particular bondsman or lender.
Does Bristol County accept land or a house?
The statute lists cash, bank instruments and government bonds. The courts we reviewed publish no property-bond rules for the county. Call the clerk of Taunton District Court at 508-977-6000 or Bristol Superior Court at 508-823-6588 before you assemble deeds.
Which courthouse will the case go to?
It follows the town of arrest. Taunton District Court is at 40 Broadway, 508-977-6000. Fall River District Court is at 186 South Main Street, 508-491-3200. New Bedford District Court is at 75 North Sixth Street, 508-999-9700. Attleboro District Court is at 88 North Main Street, 508-222-5900. Superior Court sits at 9 Court Street, Taunton.
Are there set bail amounts for common charges?
No chart was located, so no per-charge amounts appear here. Judges weigh the offense, the record, work, family and missed dates, and must consider what the person can pay. A lawyer can tell you what is typical in New Bedford or Fall River for that charge.
Why would a judge refuse bail?
Two ways. A dangerousness hearing under section 58A can hold someone up to 120 days in District Court or 180 in Superior Court. A new charge while out can bring a revocation order of up to 60 days under section 58, and up to 90 days for a broken release condition. Ask the clerk which applies.
How do we ask for lower bail, and who is the free lawyer?
A lawyer can ask the court to review the amount, and a person denied release can petition Superior Court. At arraignment a judge appoints counsel for those who qualify, and the fee is at least $150. The CPCS Fall River office is at 508-675-9481, and the New Bedford office is at 508-997-3301.
What if the person is a teenager?
Bail cannot be set on a 12- or 13-year-old. Teens 14 to 18 go to a bail official, and only a parent or guardian generally pays. Fall River Juvenile Court is at 289 Rock Street, 4th Floor, 508-676-0090. The state youth agency's Southeast Region detention coordinator, based in a Taunton regional office, answers at 508-828-3838.
What help exists for a pretrial man at Dartmouth?
The Bristol County Reentry Project, run by Steppingstone, lists people in pretrial status at the House of Correction as eligible for its services. Its number is 774-202-5984. It is not bail help, but it can plan housing, treatment and work for release.
What if he misses a court date?
The judge can issue a warrant and keep the cash. Call the clerk and a lawyer the same day. When every date is kept, the money is held until the case closes and is then returned, less any fee still owed.
Bristol County bail contacts
- County jails
- Bristol County jails and bond help: House of Correction and Jail, 400 Faunce Corner Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747, 508-995-6400; Ash Street Jail and Regional Lock-Up, 226 Ash Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, 508-996-6704
- Bond guide
- Bristol County bail and bond pages
- Custody lookup
- Bristol County Inmate Search
- Superior Court
- 9 Court Street, Taunton, MA 02780; 508-823-6588
- District courts
- Taunton, 40 Broadway, 508-977-6000; Fall River, 186 South Main Street, 508-491-3200; New Bedford, 75 North Sixth Street, 508-999-9700; Attleboro, 88 North Main Street, 508-222-5900
- Public defender
- CPCS Fall River, 1822 North Main Street, Suite 205, 508-675-9481; CPCS New Bedford, 700 Pleasant Street, Suite 420, 508-997-3301
- Juvenile
- Fall River Juvenile Court, 289 Rock Street, 508-676-0090; DYS Southeast Region, 508-828-3838
- Reentry
- Bristol County Reentry Project, 774-202-5984
Facility plans, fees and numbers in this county have been changing, so a quick call to the right desk beats relying on this guide alone. It is a plain-language overview, and a lawyer should advise on a specific case.
