Attorney Referral Form

Minnesota Freedom Fund pays cash bail for those who can’t afford it. We believe wealth should never decide who is kept in detention and who goes free. PLEASE NOTE: We post bail only in the state of Minnesota. If you need bail assistance in another state, you may be able to find a local bail fund

All attorneys must obtain a signed Assignment of Bail to a Third Party Form. We require a separate signed form for each county where your client has a bail or warrant.

All attorneys submitting this request on behalf of their clients are expected to inform clients that they are making a formal request for bail, but with no guarantee that MFF will pay. If you have any questions about making a referral, [please email] referrals@mnfreedomfund.org.

If this is your first time submitting a referral or you would like to see a list of our priority groups, check out our website for tips and frequently asked questions.

REMINDER: MFF requires these steps to be completed for the referral to be considered a formal request. Incomplete referrals will not be considered.

To make a referral on behalf of a client currently in custody, fill out the form below.

All fields marked with * are required.

Attorney Name *

Attorney Email Address *

Attorney Phone Number (Format as 000-000-0000) *

What is your preferred method of communication? *

What type of attorney are you? *

In which county is the charge? *

Your client must understand that the judge may forfeit their bail if they do not abide by their conditions of release or miss a court appearance. Because we are a revolving bail fund, a forfeiture can affect dozens of requests moving forward. This needs to be emphasized with clients before MFF is willing to pay.

Have you discussed our model of assistance with your client? *

Yes No

We require signed forms stating that bail money will be refunded to Minnesota Freedom Fund and not the client once their case is resolved.

Has your client signed our Assignment of Bail to a Third Party Form and consent letter?

Has your client signed our Assignment of Bail to a Third Party form? *

Yes No

Legal First Name of Your Client *

Legal Middle Name of Your Client

Legal Last Name of Your Client *

Suffix of Your Client (ex. Jr, Sr, III, etc.)

Authentic/Preferred Name, if different from their legal name

Pronouns of Your Client (If Other, Specify in Special Concerns /Additional Notes Section): *

Gender of Person Your Client (If Other, Specify in Special Concerns/Additional Section): *

MFF recognizes that the criminal legal system is racist. We collect race data about the people we serve to ensure that our impact counteracts these racial disparities rather than contributes to them. This information is for statistical purposes and helps us tell the story of bail-setting practices in Minnesota. Race or Perceived Race of Your Client (If Other, Specify in Special Concerns/Additional Notes Section): *

Sexual Orientation of Your Client (If Other, Specify in Special Concerns/Additional Notes Section):

Is your client currently employed?

Yes No

It is necessary that MFF can contact your client after they are released. Please provide a valid phone number if possible. If unavailable, enter "Unknown."

Note: We do not make collections calls.

Phone Number of Your Client (Format as 000-000-0000) *

Email Address of Your Client *

What is the home address of your client? This can be a P.O. Box number, as well as a shelter where they often stay. If you don't have this information, enter "N/A" in all address fields and clarify in the "Special Concerns/Additional Notes" section if it is due to one of the following reasons: this information is unknown, they do not have a permanent address, or if the protected party lives at their last known address.

Street Address *

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Is this a shelter/halfway house/treatment facility? *

Yes No

What is your client's preferred method of communication? *

Date of Birth of Your Client *

Age of Your Client:

What is your client's primary language? Please note if they may need a translator. If unknown, enter “N/A”. *

What is your client's case number(s)? Please only list the case number with bail set. If there are other case numbers with the same bail amount, please note if paying for one will cover the others or if each case needs to be paid separately.

Please list any warrants that need to be paid here as well.

Case Number(s) *

In which facility is your client being held? *

Is the charge protest-related? If yes, explain in the Special Concerns/Additional Notes Section. *

Yes No

What is the total bail amount? Please put only number values here. Do not enter commas or dollar signs. *

When is your client’s next court date? *

Has MFF posted bail for your client in the past? *

Yes No

Is there any kind of no-contact or restraining order in place? *

If yes, will the your client have a safe address upon release?

Please provide any additional notes we should know:

In cases of DUI, do they fully understand the restrictions on driving and have alternate transportation plans in place, including how to get to and from work if employed? *

Please explain your answer:

Will this person be required to be on electronic home monitoring? *

Yes No

We can only pay bail if it equals release. Please double-check that if we post their bail, there aren't any outstanding warrants or holds that would keep them in custody. If your client has holds/warrants, please select yes. Please be sure to list all payable warrant case numbers as well. *

Please explain if you have plans for holds to be resolved/expire/quashed. If they have holds, please note if they are payable, the amount, the case number, and jurisdiction. If not, put "N/A". *

While a history of failure to appear (FTA) will not disqualify an application, we would appreciate any explanation that can be given along with notes on improvements to the circumstances around recent FTA's.

Failure to Appear History *

Please explain FTA circumstances:

Is your client being released directly to treatment? *

Please note if a treatment bed is available now for your client or if you need us to consider paying on a specific day or before a certain date to help them keep their treatment bed. If it is within the next 5 days of submitting this referral, email us at referrals@mnfreedomfund.org with further details.

Please tell us if there are any special concerns we should be aware of that put your client at risk for harm because they are detained. (ex. Fear of ICE, chemical dependency, pregnancy, homelessness, an individual on suicidal watch, trans individuals, health concerns, they are a caretaker, might lose housing or job, police violence, etc.)

If you listed "Other" as an option anywhere on the form, please clarify that here.

Special Concerns/Additional Notes: *

Please list up to two support contacts who can be contacted once your client is set to be released from custody. This can be a family member, a friend, a teacher, a caseworker, a religious leader, or anyone else supporting this person. Since we do not charge for our services, a support contact is not collateral. We will contact this person to let them know when this person's bail is about to be paid so they can make any necessary transportation arrangements. Please do not list yourself as a release contact.

Please list the name of the first support contact. If unknown, enter "N/A *

Please list the first support contact's phone number (or email address). If unknown, enter "N/A" (Format as 000-000-0000): * *

What is their preferred method of communication? *

What is this person's primary language? If unknown, enter "N/A". *

What is their relationship to your client? *

Please list a second support contact. If unknown, enter “N/A”:

Please list the second support contact’s phone number (or email address). If unknown, enter “N/A” (Format as 000-000-0000):

What is their preferred method of communication?

What is this person's primary language? If unknown, enter "N/A":

What is their relationship to your client?

Would you like to be added to our monthly MFF updates and announcements email list for attorneys?

Yes No

Referrer Name and Contact Information (please enter "See attorney info", or your name, email, and phone number if you are submitting a referral on behalf of another attorney) *

We operate on a first-come, first-serve basis and will try to get back to you as soon as possible if the request is within our limits. As a reminder, we prioritize populations most harmed in this system. If you would like to see these priority groups, visit the F.A.Q on our website. Unless there is a change in your client's case, please only submit one application. Thank you.

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