General Laws of Massachusetts - Chapter 262 Fees of Certain Officers - Section 24 Bail fees; persons authorized to take bail; restrictions

Section 24. (a) The maximum fee to be charged by any person authorized to take bail or release on personal recognizance in the case of a person arrested for any misdemeanor or felony shall be $40.

(b) If, in addition to recognizing for a court within the territorial jurisdiction of the magistrate authorizing the release, the arrested person is being required to recognize for a court outside of such territorial jurisdiction, the person, so authorized, may charge an additional $5 for each such extraterritorial recognizance, but in no event shall the total fee for any release exceed $50.

(c) The person authorized to take bail who goes to the place of detention where the prisoner is held shall receive the fee before completing the determination of the terms of release, regardless of whether the prisoner ultimately recognizes out-of-court, and is the only person entitled to the compensation provided for in this section. Fee splitting arrangements are prohibited. No person authorized to take bail shall administer by telephone, or otherwise than in the physical presence of the affiant, any oath or affirmation required in the course of taking bail or releasing on personal recognizance. No person authorized to take bail shall delegate the setting or taking of bail or the setting or taking of release on personal recognizance to any other person.

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Last modified: September 11, 2015