Washington County Sheriff Inmate Bail & Bonds
Washington County bail and bond: from Montpelier and Barre to a state facility
Washington County holds the state capital but not a jail. Men arrested in Montpelier, Barre, Waterbury, or Northfield usually go east to St. Johnsbury, to the Northeast Correctional Complex. You can reach it at 802-748-8151. Inmate search: Washington County Inmate Search.
Where does a Washington County arrest end up?
Men are often lodged at the Northeast Correctional Complex, 1266-1270 US Route 5, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819, 802-748-8151. When there is no room, some are held at Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport, 802-334-3364.
Women from Washington County are usually sent to the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility. Some stay at a nearer facility for a short time.
Which court hears Montpelier and Barre criminal cases?
The Washington Criminal Division, 255 North Main St, Suite 1, Barre, VT 05641, 802-479-4205. Waterbury, Northfield, Berlin, Waitsfield, Warren, Cabot, Plainfield, and Marshfield cases are heard there too.
When is the Barre criminal court open?
On weekdays the hours run from 8 in the morning until 4:30. State holidays are off. On the fourth Wednesday of each month, the doors open at noon.
How do I find someone from Washington County who was arrested?
Try Washington County Inmate Search. VINELink can send free updates. The person could be in St. Johnsbury at 802-748-8151 or in Newport at 802-334-3364.
Who sets bail after an arrest in Montpelier?
A Superior Court judge or court clerk (13 V.S.A. § 7554). After hours, police use the county's after-hours checklist, check with the on-call prosecutor, and then call the judge or clerk on duty (V.R.Cr.P. 5). Lower-level charges can also be handled by a Court Administrator designee (13 V.S.A. § 7559a).
Will someone arrested in Barre have to pay bail?
Most will not. Vermont law begins with letting people go on their word (13 V.S.A. § 7554). A judge can only add money to address a real risk of running, and must keep it to the least that works.
A person cited for a misdemeanor cannot be asked for bail at the first hearing. Many small charges are limited to $200 (13 V.S.A. § 7551).
What kinds of bail does the Barre court use?
Sometimes the judge allows a deposit with the clerk instead of the full amount. The deposit can be up to 10 percent of the bond and is returned when the person comes to court (13 V.S.A. § 7554(a)(1)(D)). Other times the judge sets full cash bail or a surety bond (13 V.S.A. § 7554(a)(1)(E)).
Can a bail bondsman help in Washington County?
Yes, if the state has approved the agent (13 V.S.A. § 7554a). The approved bail bond agents list has the names. The agent keeps the fee.
How is bail paid on a Washington County case?
Weekdays, go to the clerk on North Main Street in Barre. Evenings and weekends, pay at the facility that is holding the person (13 V.S.A. § 7559a). The facility gives a receipt and sends the payment to the court (Judiciary testimony, Jan. 2025).
Call ahead to learn which payment types they accept. Court: 802-479-4205. St. Johnsbury: 802-748-8151.
How soon does someone held from Washington County see a judge?
Promptly, the rules say (V.R.Cr.P. 5). Most first hearings take place the next court day, and many are done on screen (Judiciary testimony, Jan. 2025). If the person is held, a judge has 48 hours to find probable cause, and weekend calls to the judge happen between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Can bail be denied in a Washington County case?
For a few charges, yes. A crime that can carry life, with strong evidence, can mean no bail (13 V.S.A. § 7553). So can a violent felony if no conditions would keep others safe (13 V.S.A. § 7553a). The trial must then start within 60 days (13 V.S.A. § 7553b).
How do I ask the Barre court to lower bail?
Ask for a bail review, usually through a lawyer. If the person stays in jail because they cannot pay, the hearing must come within 48 hours (13 V.S.A. § 7554(d)). Next, a Supreme Court justice can hear an appeal (13 V.S.A. § 7556).
What if someone does not show up for court in Barre?
The judge may issue a warrant and, after a hearing, take the bail (13 V.S.A. § 7560a). Not coming to court without a good reason can also be charged as a crime, carrying as much as two years or a $5,000 fine (13 V.S.A. § 7559).
Does a public defender cost money in Washington County?
For most adults there is a $50 minimum, due within 60 days (13 V.S.A. § 5238). Higher household income means a larger share. Children do not pay.
What happens when a teenager is arrested in Washington County?
Most cases go to the Family Division. If a teen aged 14 to 16 is charged with a serious crime on the state list, a judge sees them within 24 hours (13 V.S.A. § 7554(j)).
Do Washington County traffic tickets involve bail?
No. Civil tickets are decided by the Judicial Bureau, which has its clerk in White River Junction. They are not criminal. See the Judicial Bureau page.
Where would a federal case from Washington County go?
To federal court in Burlington, or sometimes Rutland. You can find both on the federal court locations page. The release rules there come from federal law (18 U.S.C. § 3142).
How do I confirm bail on a Washington County case?
Call the Washington Criminal Division at 802-479-4205 in the daytime. At night, call St. Johnsbury at 802-748-8151 or Newport at 802-334-3364.
Washington County bail contacts
- Usual facility
- Northeast Correctional Complex, 1266-1270 US Route 5, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819; 802-748-8151
- Other facility used
- Northern State Correctional Facility, 2559 Glen Road, Newport, VT 05855; 802-334-3364
- Women
- Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility, 7 Farrell Street, South Burlington, VT 05403; 802-863-7356
- Court
- Washington Criminal Division, 255 North Main St, Suite 1, Barre, VT 05641; 802-479-4205
- Inmate search
- Washington County Inmate Search
This page is not legal advice.
Washington County Sheriff
Address:
10 Elm Street
Montpelier, VT 05601
Phone:
802-223-3001
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Washington County
Does Washington County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Washington County?
Who can set bail in Washington County?
When is bail set in Washington County Vermont?
Does Washington County have bail?
Yes, Washington 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 Washington County?
Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County have bail?
Yes, Washington 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 Washington County?
Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County Vermont?
Yes, your attorney may file a motion requesting bail be reduced or modified.
In Washington 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 Washington County Vermont?
Yes, Washington County does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: Go to the Washington County Sheriff's Office for more information about paying bail online.
What options are there to pay bail in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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.