Dutchess County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Dutchess County Jail

Address:
150 North Hamilton Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Phone:

845-486-3900

How do Bail Bonds work at Dutchess County Jail

Dutchess County Bail Bond Instructions & Procedures

If the Dutchess County Court has set bail in an incarcerated individual’s case, the incarcerated individual may be bailed out seven (7) days per week, twenty-four (24) hours per day, including holidays.

Bail for an inmate can be paid the following ways:

  • In person at Dutchess County Jail
    150 North Hamilton St.
    Poughkeepsie NY 12601
  • Online using Touchpay
  • By phone 866-232-1899

Bail paid in person must be paid in its entirety via cash (U.S. Currency) or credit card. Checks will not be accepted! 


 

Who do I call to find out the Bond for an Inmate?

Please call the jail at 845-486-3900 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Dutchess County 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 Dutchess County

Because Dutchess County and New York can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Dutchess County Jail at 845-486-3900, 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 Dutchess County Jail or the Dutchess County Court Clerk these specific questions:

  1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
  2. How much will the bail or bond be, and what are the additional fees?
  3. Where do I go to pay it?
  4. Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
  5. What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
  6. Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?

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 Dutchess County 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 Dutchess County 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 Dutchess County Jail where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office or to the Dutchess 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 Dutchess County 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 Dutchess County Jail

If you are a landowner in Dutchess County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Dutchess 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 Dutchess 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 Dutchess County Jail.

Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Dutchess County 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 New York state licensed Bail Bond firm.

Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.

Dutchess County Justice System Flowchart

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, Dutchess 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 Dutchess 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.

Dutchess County Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

For inmates receiving mail in the Dutchess County 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 Dutchess County Jail:
Inmate Name
Dutchess County Jail
P.O. Box 1389
Poughkeepsie, New York 12602


For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.


 

How to Deposit Money in an Inmate's Trust Account in Order to Purchase Prepaid Calling Cards, Phone Calling Time or Commissary

To Deposit Money in an inmate's account follow these steps:

  • Create a ConnectNetwork account 
  • Select your inmate, and add to them to your account,
  • Deposit money into his or her commissary account.

**NOTE** GTL is in a transition merging into a new company called ViaPath Technologies.


Features:

  • Deposit options available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via phone 877-650-4249, and online.
  • Mobile-friendly deposit options are available via their app.
  • Deposits and payments made through automated channels (ConnectNetwork Website, Mobile App, Toll Free Phone, or Kiosk at the jail) are transmitted to the facility within one business day.
  • Deposits that are mailed are processed the next business day after they are received by GTL.
  • Inmate can choose how to spend the funds you deposit.

All the information you need to understand depositing money into an inmate's trust fund, specifically for phone calls, but also for Commissary, in Dutchess County, can be found on our Send Money Page.


 

How to use a Tablet to Access Services at Dutchess County Jail

To find out how to get access to a tablet for an inmate read the following:

1.  First, Register or Sign In to GTL / Viapath Services.

2.  In the top menu, click on 'Services', then on 'Inmate Devices & Content'.
3. All inmates have free access to the tablets to read their letters from family & friends, but there are many other services available to keep your inmate busy while incarcerated... such as Games, Books, Music and Movies. These other services come with fees that you can pay for when you pay for phone service.

To learn more about Tablet Rentals for inmates, including the cost, all the services available and everything else you need to know, check out our Tablet Rental Page.


 

How to Email an Inmate at the Dutchess County Jail

Follow these instructions on how to arrange secure messaging (aka email and texting) of an inmate at the Dutchess County Jail

  • Sign in to GTL, or Register if you haven't already.
  • Select Dutchess County Jail.
  • Select your Inmate.
  • Using a credit or debit card, purchase credits to send messages, and, depending on the facility, purchase additional credits to receive responses from your inmate.
    Compose a message, attach credits for a reply…and send!

You can also send photos and videos to your inmate, along with your message.
For all the information you need to know regarding using GTL to send messages, photos and videos, how much it costs, tips and guidelines and more, check out our 
Text/Email an Inmate Page.


 

How Do You Communicate with an Inmate in the Dutchess County Jail by Phone

Follow these instructions on how to open an account with GTL Connect Network (aka Viapath Technologies)

  • Advance Pay - This phone account allows you to prepay so that your inmate can call you (and only you) whenever he/she wants and the cost of each call is deducted from your balance. You can even be notified by text when your balance gets low. You still have the option of accepting or rejecting each call.
  • Pin Debit  -  This option allows you to fund an inmate's commissary account and lets him pay for phone calls to you and others with the money. You will have no control over who your inmate calls.
  • Voicemail  -  You can leave a secure voicemail without having to contact the facility. When you call the local phone number for a facility offering Inmate Voicemail (call Customer Service at 877-650-4249 to get the local voicemail number for Dutchess County Jail, you will be informed of the cost for leaving a message. To leave your message, simply select the inmate by ID number. Then, record your voicemail.

For full instructions on the Dutchess County Jail Inmate Phone System, what the costs are, how it works, and tips and guidelines on rules, regulations and saving money on calls, check out our Inmate Phones Page.


 

How to Deposit Money into an Inmate's Account in Dutchess County Jail

To deposit money into the account of an inmate in Dutchess County, follow these instructions:

  • Create an account with Touchpay Services, a GTL company.
  • Select New York.
  • Select Dutchess County Jail
  • Enter the Inmate ID of your inmate.  This can be found by calling 845-486-3900 or by looking up the inmate's name in the Inmate Search link.
  • Enter your billing information and send money.
  • You can also deposit cash using the kiosk at the Dutchess County Jail.  To do this you need the Inmate's ID Number and the Facility Locator Number for Dutchess County.

For all the information you need regarding making an inmate deposit, what it costs, how much you can send, how long it takes for your inmate to receive funds and more, and to get the Facility Locator Number, check out our Send Money Page.


 

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Dutchess County

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Dutchess County Jail follow these steps:

  • Register here to create an account with icaregifts for Dutchess County.
  • Choose New York, then Dutchess County Jail, and then the products you want shipped to them, and input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Dutchess County at any one time.
  • There are a total of fourteen (14) pre-determined icaregift packs available to choose from. 
  • The gift packs for inmates in Dutchess County range in price from $10.49 for ten pre-stamped envelopes, 2 pens and a pad of writing paper, to $104.99 for a box of 85 snack and food items.

For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Dutchess County Jail, as well as sending money to the inmate so that they can purchase their own items, check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Dutchess County.


 

Photos of this facility
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