Addison County Sheriff Inmate Bail & Bonds
Addison County bail and bond: from Middlebury to Marble Valley
Someone picked up in Middlebury, Vergennes, Bristol, or New Haven will not stay in a county jail, because Vermont has none. Men from Addison County are usually driven south to Rutland and held at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility. Call 802-786-5830, or look someone up with Addison County Inmate Search.
Where is someone taken after an arrest in Addison County?
Police or troopers book the person first, often at the New Haven state police barracks. If a judge sets bail that is not paid, a man is usually lodged at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility, 167 State Street, Rutland, VT 05701, 802-786-5830.
Women are sent to South Burlington, to the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility. It is the only place in Vermont that holds women. A woman may spend a short time somewhere closer first.
Which court hears criminal cases from Middlebury, Vergennes, and Bristol?
All of Addison County uses one criminal court: the Addison Criminal Division, 7 Mahady Court, Middlebury, VT 05753, 802-388-7741. That includes Ferrisburgh, Shoreham, Starksboro, Orwell, Salisbury, Monkton, and every other town in the county.
When is the Middlebury criminal court open?
Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It closes on state holidays. On the first Friday of each month, staff training keeps it closed from 8 a.m. to noon.
How can I find out if someone from Addison County is in custody?
Start with Addison County Inmate Search. You can also sign up for free custody alerts on VINELink, or call the Rutland facility at 802-786-5830.
Who sets bail after an arrest in Middlebury?
A Superior Court judge or a court clerk can set it (13 V.S.A. § 7554). When the arrest happens at night or on a weekend, the officer calls whoever is on call that night to set conditions (V.R.Cr.P. 5).
For lower-level charges, someone chosen by the state Court Administrator may also set bail before the first hearing (13 V.S.A. § 7559a).
Does everyone arrested in Addison County have to pay bail?
No. Vermont law starts with release on a simple promise to come back to court (13 V.S.A. § 7554). Money only comes into it if the judge decides the person might run, and even then the judge has to choose the lightest option that works.
People given a ticket to appear on a misdemeanor cannot be charged bail at their first hearing. For many minor charges the most a judge can set is $200, unless the person was already out on another case (13 V.S.A. § 7551).
What kinds of bail can an Addison County judge order?
There are two main money options. One is a deposit of up to 10 percent of the bond, paid to the court clerk and returned if the person comes to every hearing (13 V.S.A. § 7554(a)(1)(D)). The other is the full amount in cash, or a surety bond (13 V.S.A. § 7554(a)(1)(E)). The judge decides which one applies.
Can I use a bail bondsman for a Middlebury case?
Yes, but only an agent the state has approved (13 V.S.A. § 7554a). The court keeps an approved bail bond agents list. Expect to pay the agent a fee you will not get back. Most Addison County families never need one.
Where do I pay bail for someone held from Addison County?
During business hours, pay the clerk at the Middlebury court. After the court closes, bail can be paid at the Rutland facility itself (13 V.S.A. § 7559a). The staff there must give you a receipt and then send the money to the court (Judiciary testimony, Jan. 2025).
Before you go, call and ask which kinds of payment they accept. Court: 802-388-7741. Facility: 802-786-5830.
How soon will someone held from Addison County see a judge?
The rules say it must happen without needless delay (V.R.Cr.P. 5). Most people are seen on the next day the court is open, often by video from the facility (Judiciary testimony, Jan. 2025). A judge also has to find probable cause within 48 hours of the arrest.
Can an Addison County judge refuse to set bail at all?
Yes, in two kinds of cases. One is a charge that can carry life in prison when the proof is strong (13 V.S.A. § 7553). The other is a violent felony where the judge finds the person is a real danger and no conditions will keep people safe (13 V.S.A. § 7553a). If bail is denied, the trial has to start within 60 days (13 V.S.A. § 7553b).
How do I get bail lowered on a Middlebury case?
The person in custody, usually through a lawyer, asks the court for a review. If they are held because they cannot meet the bail, a judge must review it within 48 hours of the request (13 V.S.A. § 7554(d)). After that, the decision can be appealed to a single Vermont Supreme Court justice (13 V.S.A. § 7556).
What happens if someone misses an Addison County court date?
The judge can issue an arrest warrant, and any bail that was posted can be forfeited after a hearing (13 V.S.A. § 7560a). Failing to appear without a good reason is also a separate crime, with up to two years in jail or a $5,000 fine (13 V.S.A. § 7559).
Does a public defender cost anything in Addison County?
Usually there is a small fee. Most people pay at least $50, due within 60 days, unless the court finds they cannot afford even that (13 V.S.A. § 5238). People with higher household incomes pay a larger share. Children never pay.
What if a teenager is arrested in Addison County?
Most cases involving kids go to the Family Division, not adult criminal court. If a 14- to 16-year-old is charged with one of the serious crimes on the state list, a judge must see them within 24 hours (13 V.S.A. § 7554(j)).
Do speeding tickets from Addison County involve bail?
No. Speeding, town ordinance, and fish and wildlife tickets are civil, not criminal. They go to the Judicial Bureau in White River Junction. See the Judicial Bureau page.
Where would a federal case from Addison County be heard?
Vermont has two federal courthouses, in Burlington and Rutland. See the federal court locations page. Federal judges follow their own release law (18 U.S.C. § 3142).
Who do I call to confirm bail on an Addison County case?
On weekdays, call the Addison Criminal Division at 802-388-7741. After hours, the Rutland facility can help: 802-786-5830.
Addison County bail contacts
- Usual facility
- Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility, 167 State Street, Rutland, VT 05701; 802-786-5830
- Women
- Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility, 7 Farrell Street, South Burlington, VT 05403; 802-863-7356
- Court
- Addison Criminal Division, 7 Mahady Court, Middlebury, VT 05753; 802-388-7741
- Inmate search
- Addison County Inmate Search
This page is not legal advice.
Addison County Sheriff
Address:
35 Court Street
Middlebury, VT 05753
Phone:
802-388-2981
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Addison County
Does Addison County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Addison County?
Who can set bail in Addison County?
When is bail set in Addison County Vermont?
Does Addison County have bail?
Yes, Addison County recognizes most types of bonds.
In Vermont, bail is not imposed at the initial appearance for misdemeanor offenses unless the defendant is deemed a flight risk. In the case of a flight risk, a $200 bail is set. For felonies and infrequent misdemeanor bail amounts, the defendant can pay the full amount to the court or use a commercial bond agency that is approved by the State of Vermont.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Addison County?
Addison County offers several types of bail including own recognizance, conditional release, and cash bail. State law requires the release on own recognizance unless the court has reason to believe the defendant will not appear for all hearings.
Who can set bail in Addison County?
A judge or court clerk determines bail until the time of arraignment. State law requires the release on own recognizance unless the court has reason to believe the defendant will not appear for all hearings.
When is bail set in Addison County Vermont?
Bail is set during the first court appearance, also known as an arraignment hearing. This hearing will be set on the first available court date after arrest, not counting weekends or holidays.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested must pay or do to stay out of jail until the first court appearance. In Addison County.
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 Addison 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 Addison County Sheriff 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. Think of a bond as a loan to pay for the bail.
The thought of being in jail can cause the arrested to panic and try to secure a bond through a bond company right away.
DO NOT panic and take the time to understand all the options.
Payments to a bond company are not refundable. It is a long process to get back property title or money that was given to the clerk of court or bondsperson to secure the bond. This could put your loved ones into a difficult financial situation.
More courts are now trying to work with defendants to make bail work and might provide non-monetary options or even reduce the bail.
Another reason not to unnecessarily rush into securing a bond is that if the court notes that you came up with the money to pay a bond company, they may assume you have resources to pay a defense attorney and decline public defense.
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 Addison County?
Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge or bail officer will determine and notify the accused of which types of bonds are available to them. In Vermont, the judge will set bail at either cash, ROR with conditions or obtaining a bond through a bond company.
To describe the types of bonds, let’s use an example of buying your neighbor’s car. Your neighbor decides the price of the car and how they would be paid.
Similarly, the court determines the bail amount and how it would be paid.
Here are different options that the seller of the car or the court might consider:
You could pay full asking price for the car in cash. This is similar to paying cash bail. The full amount of bail would be paid to the town or county clerk or at the jail. Cash, cashier’s checks and credit cards are usually accepted.
You could sign an agreement on your own or with another person to pay for the car at a future date knowing that your neighbor would know where to find you if you stopped payment. This would be similar to a cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond which are bonds to where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front.
If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible for making sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up.
Surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety. The following examples are types of bonds that a bond agent might consider:
You could also go to a local bank and take out a car loan offering property or anything of value for collateral. You may get someone to co-sign on the loan and offer their property. The bank charges fees, interest and could keep your property if you did not pay the loan back, or even on time.
A professional bondsperson makes money, at least 10% of the bond amount by providing you with a “loan” called a bond. The percent that they charge is fixed by the state and cannot be negotiated. The defendant or surety does not get that 10% or more back even if the terms of the bail are met.
With a property bond, the property deed would need to be signed over to the bondsperson and everyone on the deed would need to be involved.
Since the bondsperson signed off, to be responsible that you show to court as your surety, they can send a bounty hunter to bring you to court if you flee. A bondsperson does not have to give you a bond if the defendant seems to be too much of a risk.
Ask the bondsperson to explain all the costs: percentage, fees or court fees. There is never a reason to rush through signing the paperwork with a bond company. Make sure that everything told to you is in writing and that you understand what you are signing. Ask questions, and if you feel rushed or don’t understand the contract with the bond company, you might want to call another one.
(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.)
You could sign an agreement that if the car were not paid off, that your neighbor would get your house or something of value.
A property bond is a bond in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate (mobile homes are not accepted).
Usually, the property must be in the same state as the courts, and it must be worth at least 1 ½ - 2 times the amount of the bond.
There are multiple court fees involved to execute a property bond with the courts and a tedious process to get the property deed back. This is another type of surety bond if another person or a bond company is used to secure the bond.
Does Addison County have bail?
Yes, Addison County recognizes most types of bonds.
In Vermont, bail is not imposed at the initial appearance for misdemeanor offenses unless the defendant is deemed a flight risk. In the case of a flight risk, a $200 bail is set. For felonies and infrequent misdemeanor bail amounts, the defendant can pay the full amount to the court or use a commercial bond agency that is approved by the State of Vermont.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Addison County?
Addison County offers several types of bail including own recognizance, conditional release, and cash bail. State law requires the release on own recognizance unless the court has reason to believe the defendant will not appear for all hearings.
Who can set bail in Addison County?
A judge or court clerk determines bail until the time of arraignment. State law requires the release on own recognizance unless the court has reason to believe the defendant will not appear for all hearings.
When is bail set in Vermont?
Bail is set during the first court appearance, also known as an arraignment hearing. This hearing will be set on the first available court date after arrest, not counting weekends or holidays.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Addison County Vermont?
Yes, your attorney may file a motion requesting bail be reduced or modified.
In Addison County Vermont, who can pay bail for me?
The person posting bail could be the arrested, a relative or close friend, called a surety, because they are promising and taking responsibility that you will return to court. A surety is not responsible for court fees or paying off personal debts for the defendant. A professional bondsperson who is approved by the State of Vermont could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Addison County Vermont?
Yes, Addison County does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: Go to the Addison County Sheriff's Office for more information about paying bail online.
What options are there to pay bail in Addison County Vermont?
Most all jail and courts accept cash, a cashier or bankers’ check. Some accept a credit card with fees. Please contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted: Go to the Addison County Sheriff's Office for more information about paying bail online.
An alternative would be to contact the Clerk of Court during working hours.
Will I get all my bond money back in Vermont?
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. If you used a bondsperson, you would not get your 10% back. Property is returned by the court or bondsperson after the appropriate requests and formal paperwork are completed with the court.
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Addison County?
The judge or officer who sets bail determines which kind of bail will be an option for you, but a cash bond and PR bonds usually do not require cash down, though you might have to pay court fees.
A cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond are bonds where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front.
If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Vermont?
The Addison County Sheriff or court in this jurisdiction can provide you with a list of approved and licensed bond companies, but they cannot recommend a specific company. You are not obligated to use the first company available and can call several companies to compare what kind of bonds that the bondsperson is willing to execute.
The percentage of bail that the bond company can charge is set, usually at 10%, by the state and cannot be negotiated.