Norfolk County Correctional Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
Norfolk County bail: Dedham jail, cash at the door, and which court has the case
A person held in Norfolk County waits at the Norfolk County Correctional Center, 200 West Street, Dedham, which Sheriff Patrick W. McDermott's office runs. The sheriff says pretrial detainees stay in the jail side and sentenced people in the house of correction. Type the name into % to see custody. Money questions are different. The jail takes bail in cash, with a bail commissioner coming to the building, and the sheriff asks you to phone first at 781-329-3705.
How do I find out if someone is inside the Dedham jail?
Use Norfolk County Inmate Search before anything else. If the name is missing, the booking may be brand new, or the person may still be at a town police station waiting to see a judge. The Sheriff's own FAQ answers status questions by phone, so the jail line is 781-329-3705.
Have the full name and birth date ready. Ask whether another court or agency has placed a warrant or detainer, because that can stop a release.
Can I pay bail at the jail in Dedham?
Yes. The Sheriff's FAQ says the person posting brings cash to the jail. A bail commissioner comes to the building after staff check for pending warrants or detainers, and the whole process can take about two hours. Allow for delays and do not arrive with only a few minutes before the evening cutoff.
Call 781-329-3705 first to confirm the bail amount and that no other warrant is waiting.
Which evening hours does bail posting run?
The sheriff's two web pages describe evening posting hours for weekdays and longer hours on weekends and holidays, but they do not match each other. Because the commissioner's availability sets the schedule, ask the Dedham desk at 781-329-3705 which hours apply on the day you plan to go.
Is there an extra fee on top of the bail?
The sheriff pages mention a $40 bail commissioner fee, but the state changed the law in its 2025 budget. The cap is now $80, and the Trial Court pays for bail taken outside regular working hours. Because the jail and the state disagree in print, ask at 781-329-3705 what you will be asked to pay at the door, and keep a receipt.
Do bail bondsmen work in Norfolk County?
Massachusetts law does not treat them as a normal option. G.L. c. 276, section 61B says a surety under that chapter may not be paid for the job, and bail magistrates are told not to take calls from professional bondsmen. Families usually rely on a promise to appear, cash, or an unpaid surety.
Walk away from anyone who asks for a fee to arrange your relative's release.
Can bail be set so high that a poor person cannot pay?
Not under the statute. G.L. c. 276, section 58 says the amount may be no higher than needed to make the person come back, and the judge must weigh what the person can afford. If the amount would likely keep a person in jail because they cannot pay, the judge must explain why on the record.
Your lawyer can ask the judge to review a number. Norfolk Superior Court hears bail reviews from the District Courts by video, with people held at the Norfolk County jail joining from there.
What does "held without bail" mean here?
Usually it means the prosecutor asked for a dangerousness hearing under G.L. c. 276, section 58A. For charges on the statute's list, the judge may order detention if the evidence clearly shows no condition can keep others safe. District Court detention is limited to 120 days, and Superior Court detention to 180, unless there is good cause. A District Court order can be challenged in the Superior Court, and Norfolk Superior Court says defense lawyers should talk to the criminal clerk to schedule that hearing.
Where in Norfolk County is the first court date held?
Check the town of arrest. The state lists District Courts in Brookline (360 Washington Street), Dedham (631 High Street), Quincy (One Dennis Ryan Parkway), Stoughton (1288 Central Street), and Wrentham (60 East Street). Felony cases move to Norfolk Superior Court, 650 High Street, Dedham, where the clerk answers at 781-326-1600 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
What if my brother was picked up by Quincy or Brookline police?
The local department can hold him at its station until a bail magistrate or the court acts. Ask which department arrested him and what name he was booked under. Come back to Norfolk County Inmate Search afterward to see if he has been moved to Dedham. If the police station seems to be the end of the line, the clerk of the district court that covers the town can tell you the arraignment date.
Where are women held while a case is pending?
The Sheriff's pages describe the Dedham facility without mentioning a separate women's unit, so do not assume where she is. Look up the name on Norfolk County Inmate Search, then ask the jail at 781-329-3705 where she is housed and when she can have visitors.
Do commissary deposits count as bail?
No. Money for phone calls and commissary goes into a spending account, and the sheriff lists a deposit line at 866-345-1884 for canteen payments. That money buys store items. It does not post bail, and no court counts it toward release.
How do I get an appointed lawyer in Norfolk County?
Ask the judge at arraignment. If the person qualifies, the court appoints a lawyer. The Committee for Public Counsel Services runs its Norfolk County trial office at 1515 Hancock Street, Suite 401, Quincy, 617-689-1090, which serves the Quincy, Dedham, Stoughton and Wrentham courts and Norfolk Superior Court. The minimum counsel fee is $150, and community service may be accepted if the person cannot pay.
Where does a juvenile from Norfolk County go?
Young people are heard in the Juvenile Court, not the adult jail. Dedham Juvenile Court, 55 Allied Drive, Dedham, serves Avon, Brookline, Canton, Dedham, Dover, Foxborough, Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Needham, Norfolk, Norwood, Plainville, Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, Wellesley, Westwood and Wrentham. Its clerk and probation line is 781-329-1500.
Secure detention is run by the Department of Youth Services. The Southeast Region detention coordinator, which covers Norfolk, was listed at 508-828-3838, and the central office is 617-727-7575. A child of 12 or 13 cannot be given bail.
What happens if he skips court after bail is posted?
The court issues a warrant, and the cash bail can be forfeited. A new arrest while out can bring a hold of up to 90 days. Telephone a lawyer and the clerk right away. Your lawyer may be able to have the warrant recalled by bringing him in.
When does the bail money come back?
The court holds cash bail until the case is closed, then it can be returned, less any unpaid court counsel fee, unless a missed date led to forfeiture. Keep the receipt, and ask the clerk of the court where the case sits who receives the refund.
Is a text demanding payment for release a scam?
Almost certainly. Release money goes through a bail commissioner at the jail or through the clerk, never to a person's phone app on a stranger's request. If you are told to buy gift cards, stop and call the jail yourself at 781-329-3705.
Norfolk County bail contacts
- Jail
- Norfolk County Correctional Center, 200 West Street, Dedham, MA 02026; 781-329-3705
- Bail guide
- Bail and bond instructions
- Custody lookup
- Norfolk County Inmate Search
- Sheriff
- Patrick W. McDermott, Norfolk Sheriff's Office
- Superior Court
- 650 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026; clerk of courts 781-326-1600
- District Courts
- Brookline, Dedham, Quincy, Stoughton and Wrentham
- Public defender
- CPCS Norfolk County Trial Office, 1515 Hancock Street, Suite 401, Quincy, MA 02169; 617-689-1090
- Juvenile court
- Dedham Juvenile Court, 55 Allied Drive, Dedham; 781-329-1500
- Youth detention
- Department of Youth Services, Southeast Region 508-828-3838; central office 617-727-7575
Hours, fees and court details in Norfolk County are updated by the sheriff and the courts without warning. Use these notes to plan your questions, and check each point with the jail or clerk. A lawyer is the right person to advise on a particular case.
How do Bail Bonds work at Norfolk County Correctional Center
Bail payments are normally processed between the hours of 4:30pm and 10:00pm on weekdays and between 9:00am and 10:00pm on weekends and holidays.
All bail hours are dependent upon the availability of the Bail Commissioner.
Call 781-329-3705 to make arrangements.
To bail out an offender, you must provide the Lobby Officer with:
- the name of the offender to be bailed;
- a valid photo ID proving that you are at least 18 years of age;
- the person posting the bail shall bring the cash bail amount or surety and the Bail Commissioner fee of $40.00 cash
Norfolk County Correctional Center
Address:
200 West Street
Dedham, MA 02027
Phone:
781-329-3705
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Norfolk County
Does Norfolk County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Norfolk County?
Who can set bail in Norfolk County?
When is bail set in Norfolk County Massachusetts?
Does Norfolk County have bail?
Norfolk 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.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Norfolk County?
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.
Who can set bail in Norfolk County?
Bail is set by a Massachusetts bail magistrate.
When is bail set in Norfolk County Massachusetts?
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.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk County Correctional Center 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.
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.
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.
What are the different types of bonds in Norfolk County?
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.
Does Norfolk County have bail?
Norfolk 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.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Norfolk County?
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.
Who can set bail in Norfolk County?
Bail is set by a Massachusetts bail magistrate.
When is bail set in Massachusetts?
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.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Norfolk County Massachusetts?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances for cash bail, let the bond commissioner know, or your attorney can request a change in bail conditions.
In Norfolk County Massachusetts, who can pay bail for me?
The defendant, family or friend can pay the cash bail.
Can bail be paid online in Norfolk County Massachusetts?
Massachusetts counties do not currently offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: go to the Norfolk County Correctional Center for more information about the jails in Norfolk County.
What options are there to pay bail in Norfolk County Massachusetts?
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 Norfolk County Correctional Center for more information about posting bail in Norfolk County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Massachusetts?
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.
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Norfolk County?
Yes, you may be released on personal recognizance or your attorney can apply for relief from the Massachusetts Bail Fund.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Massachusetts?
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.