Bail Assistance Request: Attorneys/Paralegals

Due to the disproportionate impacts the criminal punishment system has on Black, Indigenous, people of color and transgender people as well as our limited funds, the bail fund prioritizes bail assistance for people who hold these identities. Factors that we will additionally prioritize and consider include but are not limited to health factors, pregnancy, impending loss of job, housing or shelter bed, caretaking responsibilities, and potential separation of families.

All fields marked with * are required.

Current Bail Amount (numbers only, no commas or $ sign) *

Original Bail Amount if bail has been reduced or changed (numbers only, no commas or $ sign) *

Arrest Date *

Arraignment Date *

Arraignment Judge / Commissioner *

Has the judge ordered a 10% cash option or an unsecured/appearance bond?

A 10% cash option is when the judge allows for 10% of the bail to be paid to the courts, rather than to a bail bond agency. An unsecured/appearance bond is when the judge orders the above with the stipulation that the entire bail amount is due if the person misses court. Both are typically listed on the Conditions of Release.

FTA/BWQ/VIO Judge/Commissioner

Is this the lowest possible bail? If not, please explain bail reduction possibilities.

First Name of Person Needing Bail *

Middle Name of Person Needing Bail

Last Name of Person Needing Bail *

Preferred Name, if different to their legal name

Date of Birth of Person Needing Bail *

Ideally, we want to support every community member who needs bail assistance. However, given that we only have so many funds, we do prioritize those with marginalized identities given they are disproportionately impacted by the criminal legal system.

Race or perceived race *

Orientation *

Cis -- means the person identifies as the same gender they were assigned at birth.

Gender *

It is helpful for NCBF to be able to make contact with your client. Please provide a phone number if at all possible. If you do not have a phone number, please leave this field blank.

Phone Number of Person Needing Bail

Email Address of Person Needing Bail

Please provide the name and contact information (both phone number and email address) for family members, friends, teachers, case-workers, religious leaders, or anyone else who is supporting this person. Please provide as many contacts as possible.

Alternate contact - Name of someone they are in regular contact with

Alternate contact - Phone number of someone they are in regular contact with

Alternate contact - What is the relationship of this contact to the person needing bail

Case Number *

Charges *

Jurisdiction *

Jail they are being held in *

Will this person be required to be on Electronic Home Monitoring (EHM)? *

We've had several attempts to pay bail go un-released due to outstanding holds. Please double check and confirm they will be released when we pay.

Does this person have other outstanding warrants? If yes, what is the amount and jurisdiction for the other hold(s)? How likely is it that they are transported or held on the other hold(s)? *

Our assistance is paid for with donations, and we reuse funds many times over as court cases resolve, in a pay-it-forward model. In addition to the detrimental personal effects on bailees such as more jail time and worse case outcomes, a forfeiture can affect dozens of requests moving forward. Is your client aware of this? *

When we are able to post bail, we ask you to commit to having the bail exonerated once the case is resolved. This usually requires an on the record motion either verbally in court or a filed motion. We've noticed many posted bails are not being returned after disposition, which contributes to longer waitlists for future requests. If the bail isn’t exonerated, we need to take on attorney costs to recover the funds, so any assistance in ensuring the exoneration is completed is greatly appreciated. Do you agree to this commitment? *

Yes No

Do you have permission from your client that we pay their bail? *

Are there factors that put this person at risk of extreme harm while they are in jail/as a result of being in jail? Example risk factors include (but are not limited to): mental health, physical health (including pregnancy), caretaking responsibilities, job loss, housing loss, immigration concerns, and/or language barriers.

When possible, NCBF coordinates bail posting with someone from your client’s support network to ensure they have what they need upon release. Does your client have a case manager, social worker, mitigation specialist and/or other support person? (Please update us via requests@nwcombailfund.org if a social worker does get assigned between the time you submit the request and we post bail.) If yes, please provide their contact information, ideally email.

NCBF is not always able to provide advance notice or scheduling of bail posting. We currently cannot and do not offer additional services or support other than paying bail; we just want to be sure we do not interfere with release plans made by other people. If social workers, mitigation specialists, or jail release planners are involved in providing post release support, is it important to hold bail posting until we've coordinated with them? Please note that if we don’t hear back from this person within a week, we will post the bail as soon as we have available funds.

Yes No

Comments: Is there any other useful information we should have?

Your Name *

Your Email Address *

Your Phone Number *

Are you a public defender or paralegal? *

Which division or law firm are you with?

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