The Brief
What You Need to Know. No More, No Less.
What Is Bail in Massachusetts?
Bail isn’t punishment—it’s a tool to ensure you come back to court. Learn how it works and how to fight for release.
Bail is money or conditions imposed by the court to ensure you return to court dates. It’s not about guilt or punishment—it’s about risk.
When setting bail, the court looks at:
- Whether you’ve missed court before
- The severity of the charges
- Your ties to the community
- Whether you’re on probation or parole
Judges can:
- Release you on personal recognizance (no bail)
- Impose cash bail or conditions (e.g., GPS, no contact)
- Hold you under the dangerousness statute (in certain cases)
If bail is too high, I can file a motion to reduce it or request a bail review in Superior Court. The goal is to get you released quickly—and with the least restrictions possible.
What Is an Arraignment in Massachusetts?
An arraignment is where your criminal case begins. Learn what happens at arraignment, what to expect, and how it can affect your record.
An arraignment is the first formal court appearance in a criminal case. It’s where the court reads the charges against you and asks how you plead.
Even though arraignments are usually quick, they matter—a lot.
Once you’ve been arraigned, the charges become part of your record. Even if they’re later dismissed, that record of being formally charged can follow you on background checks. That’s why the goal in many cases is to resolve things *before* arraignment—like at a clerk magistrate hearing.
At arraignment:
- You’re formally told what the charges are.
- Bail may be set (or not).
- The next court date is scheduled.
You usually enter a plea of not guilty. But by then, the real work has already started. I help clients avoid arraignment when possible. When it’s not, I’m there to protect your rights and fight your case from the start.