PARIS – Approximately 65 people were sentenced for having big hearts Wednesday and asked to do a little community service.

The inmates served their time at the Market Square Restaurant, helping to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Maine.

Four officers from the Norway and Oxford police departments rounded up the suspects. Their bail was set at $650, the cost to send a child suffering from muscular dystrophy or an associated disease to the Pine Tree Camp in Rome, Maine.

“We just had a lively group of people and it was a lot of fun,” said Kelly Gunn, program coordinator for the association.

Gunn said six people raised enough to make the bail, and the total effort brought in nearly $19,000.

Some community members had taken part in the fundraiser last year. Everyone who participated was given four weeks prior to the arrest to try to raise bail.

Lee Urban, the planning and development director for Portland, served as the judge of the proceedings. Wearing a robe and wig, Urban chastised those who pleaded “not guilty” to be generous. He usually sentenced new arrivals to make phone calls to raise money.

Urban said his wife was recently diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but that he has been involved with Muscular Dystrophy Association and its fundraising before the diagnosis.

“What you’re truly doing is asking someone to do a wonderful thing,” he said.

The jail featured a Hawaiian theme and “bread and water:” Coffee and donuts were donated by Dunkin’ Donuts and lunch was provided by Market Square Restaurant. Periodically, a prisoner would ring a bell to signify a donation, resulting in a chorus of cheers.

Brandin Turner of Common Ground Counseling was standing in for his boss at the event. He described the atmosphere as fun and relaxed.

“It’s a good chance to meet a few people,” Turner said.

The influx of prisoners didn’t lead to an overcrowding problem. Most stayed for an hour or two before being released.

Gunn said this is the second year the association has done a fundraiser in the Oxford Hills region.

“We tend to go back to the same towns,” he said, because there are “a lot of great people and a lot of repeat offenders as well.”