Bail Bond Solutions

WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS BAIL BOND "SOLUTIONS"?

Once an individual [who proclaims innocence] has been charged with a criminal offense and ordered to stand trial on those charges, there are four "pre-verdict" solutions available to facilitate the accused release. Once the appropriate solution has been implemented, the defendant's freedom will be restored until and unless a guilty verdict in the case is declared.

These four primary bond solutions include [A] Cash Only Bond, [B] Secured Bond, [C] Unsecured Bond, and [D] Signature Bond or Release on One's Own Recognizance [aka "ROR Bond"].

The essential differences between these four basic bond variations are [1] the amount or [2] the type or structure of financing required to secure the defendant's freedom, as highlighted below:

Cash Only: The defendant, a co-signer, and/or a bondsman must pay a designated amount of money directly to the Court. The defendant and/or a co-signer, where applicable, must also sign a bond order guaranteeing the appearance of the defendant at all further Court hearings.

Secured: The defendant must pay a designated amount of money or provide the Court or the bonding agent with security, such as title to property, stock certificates, etc., with a value equivalent to the prescribed bond amount. In addition, the defendant, and/or the co-signer, or the bonding agent, as applicable, must then sign a bond order guaranteeing the defendant's appearance for all further Court proceedings.

Unsecured: Defendants sign a bond, quite often with bonding agents, guaranteeing their appearance at all further Court hearings, subject to the understanding that if the accused don't appear, they will be responsible for paying the Court a designated amount of money. In certain instances, a hearing officer may require a responsible third party, such as a defendant's relative; sign the bond on behalf of the accused.

Signature Bond or Release on the Defendants' Own Recognizance ["ROR"]: The defendants sign bond orders personally guaranteeing their appearances at all proceedings. Signature Bonds are typically issued in lower risk situations, where

[1] The defendant's established reputation and stature in the community strongly suggest reliability,

[2] The charges are relatively unsubstantiated, especially in light of the defendant's ability to mount an aggressive defense,

[3] Even the consequences of a conviction can't justify the destructive impact certain to result from fugitive flight to avoid prosecution.

IS BAIL REFUNDABLE AFTER THE CASE IS FINISHED?

The percentage of the total bond amount that you pay to the bail bond agency, technically referred to as the premium, represents the fee the bondsman charges to pay or pledge the full bond amount to the court. Like a premium payment on any insurance policy, the premium on a surety bond is non-refundable. This fee is what allowed the defendant to get out of jail and is fully earned once the defendant is released from custody.