Frequently Asked Questions About Bail Bonds

A bail bond, also known as a surety bond, is a legal contract that guarantees the full bail amount will be paid to the court if a defendant fails to appear for their scheduled hearings. the indemnitor provides this guarantee on behalf of the defendant. To ensure your protection, it is always recommended to work with a licensed and reputable bail bond agency.

If you are arrested, there are several ways you may be released while awaiting trial:

✔ Surety Bond—A bail bondsman covers the bail amount for a non-refundable fee.

✔ Release on Recognizance (O.R.)—The court allows release based on trust and community ties, without requiring bail.

✔ Citation Release ("Cite Out")—An officer issues a citation with a court date instead of booking the individual.

✔ Cash Bail—The full bail amount is paid upfront to the court and refunded upon compliance with court dates.

✔ Property Bond—Real estate or other assets are used as collateral to secure release.

A cash bond requires the full bail amount to be paid directly to the court in cash or official bank check. If the defendant appears in court as required, the money is returned.  If they fail to appear, the full amount is forfeited.

A surety bond is arranged through a bail bond agency. The bail bondsman pays the full bail amount on behalf of the defendant, who pays a non-refundable fee for the service. If the defendant misses a court date, the indemnitor and defendant becomes responsible for the full amount.

In some cases, a judge may grant release on recognizance (O.R.), meaning the defendant is released without paying bail, based on factors such as community ties, past court appearances, and criminal history.  

A citation release, or "cite out," occurs when an arresting officer issues a citation instead of booking the individual into jail. The citation requires the defendant to appear in court on a designated date. Since this process often skips formal booking procedures, individuals with outstanding warrants could be mistakenly released.

A property bond (federal bond) allows a defendant to use real estate or other valuable property as collateral for bail. The court places a lien on the property, and if the defendant fails to appear, foreclosure proceedings may begin.

Contact a bail bondsman—provide basic details about the defendant and charges.

Risk Evaluation – The bondsman assesses eligibility for bail.

Sign the Agreement—Paperwork, including a bail application and indemnity agreement, must be completed.

Payment is Made—The bail bond fee is paid (or a payment plan is set up).

Bail is Posted—The bondsman submits the bail to the jail for defendant release.

The process typically takes 15 to 45 minutes for paperwork. Release times vary:

⏳ Local police stations—Usually under an hour.

⏳ County jails—Several hours or more, depending on workload.

Collateral is an asset (e.g., real estate, vehicles, jewelry, or cash) that is held as security for the bail bond. If the defendant fails to appear in court, the collateral may be seized or sold to cover the bail amount.

Collateral is returned once the case is fully resolved and the defendant has met all court obligations. This may occur when:

✔ Charges are dropped.

✔ The defendant is found not guilty.

✔ The case reaches sentencing.

🚨 Note: Collateral will only be released if there is no outstanding balance on the bail premium. A licensed bail agent is legally responsible for holding the collateral until the balance is fully paid.