What is a Bail Bond, and How Do They Work?

Bail is a refundable deposit that allows the defendant to get out of jail until their court date. The deposit is used as collateral to ensure the defendant will return to court for trial or any applicable court proceedings.

Not all cases will be given the option for bail. Options for bail are offered based on the jurisdiction, the type of crime, and whether the court believes the defendant will attempt to go on the run.

If the defendant shows up for court, the bail is refunded by the court. If the defendant does not show up for court, the court keeps the deposit or collateral and a warrant is issued for an arrest.

Below we’ll break down what a bail bond is, how a bail bond works, what a bail hearing is, what happens when a defendant does not show up for court and what a bounty hunter is.

What is a bail bond?

A bail bond is a way for a defendant to pay the jail to get out of jail until their court date. If the defendant cannot afford bail, they must wait in jail until their court date.

Many defendants will want to be bailed out of jail as soon as possible to keep their jobs, take care of their children and prepare for their court proceedings with a clear head. Sometimes court proceedings can take weeks or months and it is understandable why people would not want to put their lives on hold while awaiting court or trial.

In many jurisdictions and situations, you do have the option of paying the full amount of bail yourself. There are many offenses that have small bond amounts. If the jail accepts credit card payments, defendants are also able to charge the amount for a fee.

If the defendant can pay the full amount of the set bail, finding a way to pay the jail is another tricky task. When you are taken into custody, often your personal items will be taken from you. Large amounts of cash may be taken as evidence. Some jail locations will not accept credit cards. If they do, there is usually a large fee involved.

Defendants also have the option of contacting a bail agent. The reason many people choose to do this is because they only pay a portion of the bond upfront when using an agency. Many times, friends or relatives of the defendant may contact a bail agent on their behalf.

If you decide to hire a bail bondsmen or agent, they will write up a contract to ensure that you understand that you are responsible for the defendant showing up in all court proceedings. If the defendant does not show up, you will be responsible for the full amount of the bail.

Remember that getting bailed out of jail is an option. Sometimes bail is set very high and choosing to bail someone out of jail carries a lot of trust and responsibility. It is important to make sure that you fully trust that person will show up to all court proceedings before choosing to bail them out of jail.

What are the different types of bail?

There are four different types of bail: surety bail, recognizance bail, cash bail, and property bail.

Surety bail is when a bail bond company posts bail on behalf of the defendant. The bail bond company will charge the defendant a fee (usually 10-15% of the total bail amount) and will post bail on the defendant’s behalf. If the defendant fails to appear in court, the person who took out the bail bond can lose any collateral or have additional penalties depending on their contract.

Recognizance bail is when the defendant signs a written agreement with the court stating they promise to abide by certain conditions and will appear in court when required. If the defendant fails to appear or abides by the conditions, a bail enforcement agent may be sent to bring them back to court and they may forfeit any bail that was posted.

Cash bail is when the defendant or a cosigner pays the bail amount in cash to the court. The bail amount is then returned to the payer at the end of the case as long as the defendant appears in all scheduled court appearances.

Property bail is when the defendant pledges property, such as real estate, jewelry, or stocks, equal to or greater than the bail amount. The property is held by the court until all scheduled appearances are made, at which time it is returned to the defendant.

How do bail bonds work?

Since arrests can happen at any time, bail bond agencies are typically open twenty-four hours a day. Many times, payment and paperwork can be completed electronically which can help expedite the process. The paperwork is a contract between the person posting bail and ensures that they fully understand that they are agreeing to be responsible for the defendant showing up to all court proceedings. The paperwork will also discuss what they have put on the line (some form of collateral) to ensure that person shows up in court. The paperwork will also discuss the fees involved. When contacting a bail agent, they will need to know the full name of the defendant, the booking number and the charges they were brought in for, as well as the location of the jail they are being held. From there, the bail agent will bond the defendant out of jail. When the bail bondsmen is at the jail, they are given the court date, a receipt and all the paperwork involved so that the bail bondsmen has all the pertinent information to follow up with the case. This can take several hours depending on procedures and how busy the jail is.

If the defendant fails to show up to any court proceedings, it will be the responsibility of the bail agent to pay the full amount of bail to the court. From there, the bail agent will hire a bounty hunter to track down the defendant and take them back to jail. If the defendant fails to appear in court, the person who took out the bail bond can lose any collateral or have additional penalties depending on their contract.

What is a bail hearing?

A bail hearing is where the court will set the bail amount. The judge will examine the details of the case and the nature of the crimes.

Depending on the jurisdiction and state laws, many times there are bail schedules that are posted with the jails. These schedules set the standard for how much bail is required depending on the crime and can often be paid directly with the jail before a bail hearing. Jailhouse bail schedules are typically set in stone and nonnegotiable.

At a bail hearing, judges will set the bail amount. This is usually the first appearance after the suspect’s arrest. Judges will typically make uniform decisions depending on the crime. The judge will consider whether the crime was drug related, violent or nonviolent and the character and history of the defendant. The judge will take into consideration whether the defendant poses a threat to society if they are released while awaiting their court date.

While defendants do not need a lawyer to post bail, having a criminal defense attorney can help you at a bail hearing because both the defense and the prosecutor will have an opportunity to discuss bail with the judge at the bail hearing.

A criminal defense lawyer will have the opportunity to discuss bail factors and in some cases can attempt to have bail lowered at a bail hearing.

Sometimes, judges will consider releasing a defendant on their own recognizance. This means that the defendant signs a written agreement with the court stating they promise to abide by restrictions set by the court and that they will show up for their court date. This type of bond, known as a recognizance bond, means that there are no bail fees. This can save hundreds or thousands of dollars for the defendant. A criminal defense attorney may be able to negotiate with the judge and the prosecutor to have a recognizance bond as an option. In certain cases, this sort of bond will not be considered. This will depend on the type of crime, the jurisdiction and whether the court believes the defendant may be a flight risk. In most cases, violent crimes, felony crimes and gang related crimes will not be considered for recognizance bonds.

What is considered when bail is set?

The bail amount is set by the judge at the bail hearing. The bail hearing is usually the first appearance after the arrest. Judges will typically make uniform decisions depending on the crime. The judge will consider whether the crime was drug related, violent or nonviolent and the character and history of the defendant. The judge will take into consideration whether the defendant poses a threat to society if they are released while awaiting their court date.

In some cases, bail can be paid directly to the court before a bail hearing. This is typically done through jailhouse bail schedules that are posted with the jails. These schedules set the standard for how much bail is required depending on the crime and can often be paid directly with court before a bail hearing. Jailhouse bail schedules are typically set in stone and nonnegotiable.

What is a bail bondsman?

A bail bondsman is a professional who posts bail on behalf of a defendant. Bail bondsmen typically charge a fee, which is a percentage of the bail amount. In most cases, bail bondsmen will require collateral before they post bail. This can be in the form of property, cash or investments.

If the defendant fails to appear for their court date, the bail bondsman will be responsible for paying the bail amount to the court. The bail bond contract will also stipulate that the bail bondsman has the right to apprehend and surrender the defendant to authorities in order to recoup their losses.

What is a bail bond company?

A bail bond company is a business that offers bail services. Bail bond companies typically offer bail bonds, which are agreements that the bail bond company will pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up for their court date. Bail bond companies charge a fee, which is usually a percentage of the bail amount. The bail bond company may also require collateral such as property, cash or investments before they issue the bail bond. Bail bond companies typically have bail agents that specialize in bail bonds and can help clients understand the bail process.

How much is a bail bond?

Bail bond agencies will charge a fee if you use their services. Fees vary depending on the state and some states will have maximum fees that the bail bond agencies must abide by. For a full list of bail regulations and fees, click here. Fees also vary depending on the situation involved in the arrest, and the amount of risk that the bail bond agency takes on. Because there is risk involved in bailing someone out of jail, bail agents also usually require collateral. Collateral can be anything of value that the person who hires the bail agent owns. This collateral is used to guarantee that the defendant will show up for their court date. This fee is usually anywhere from 10-20% of the bail amount. In California, the maximum amount is 10%. The fee can be paid up front or on a payment plan depending on the agreement stated in the paperwork.

Conditions will be set by the bail agent. These conditions must be met to comply with the agreement. This will be stated in any paperwork that is filled out when the agreement is made. The agreement will include provisions stating that the defendant must show up for all court proceedings.

Keep in mind that bail bondsmen are not required to help you bail yourself or anyone else out of jail. They are taking all the risk involved in the situation and they are there to help you, but bail is an option and not a requirement.

What happens after I post bail?

Once bail has been posted, the defendant will be released from jail. If bail was posted by a bail bond agency, the bail agent will usually require the defendant to follow certain conditions that were set in their contract. These conditions can include regularly checking in with the bail agent or following a curfew before court proceedings begin. Failure to comply with these conditions can result in the bail bond being revoked and the defendant sent back to jail.

What is a bounty hunter?

If a defendant has used a bail bondsmen to get bailed out of jail and they go on the run, they are considered a fugitive and a warrant is issued for their arrest. The bail agent is responsible for paying the full amount of the bond to the court when this happens. The person who signed the agreement is now responsible for paying the bail agent the bond amount and/or any additional collateral as stated in the contract.

When a defendant becomes a fugitive, there is still the issue of how they will be captured and brought to justice. This is where the bounty hunter comes in. A bounty hunter is a trained or registered professional that is responsible for finding and capturing fugitives on behalf of the bail bondsmen. Many states have regulations for bounty hunters, and four states do not allow bounty hunting at all.

Bounty hunters get paid a portion of the defendants total bail amount. This portion is usually 10 – 20% of the total bail amount. This amount is paid after the bounty hunter has successfully located, tracked and captured the fugitive. Many bounty hunters have backgrounds in criminal justice or private investigation and specialize in gathering pertinent information and locating and apprehending suspects. Bounty hunters not only help keep the interest of the bail bondsmen, but are also helping the interest of the community by getting criminals back into the justice system. In some states a bail bondsmen can also be the bounty hunter.

What if the judge denies bail?

In rare cases, a judge may decide there is too high a risk to allow the defendant to be released. This usually occurs when the charge is very serious or if the defendant has a history of failing to appear. If bail is denied, the defendant must stay in jail until the case is resolved or until the judge changes the order. You can sometimes challenge a denial of bail with a separate hearing or by filing a motion to reconsider.

Can I lower my bail amount?

You can request a bail reduction. You do this through a formal bail hearing or a motion to the court. Your lawyer will present reasons why a lower bail is appropriate—such as a stable job, strong family ties to the area, or no criminal history. The judge might reduce the amount or keep it the same. In some cases, the judge could even increase bail if there is evidence the defendant poses a bigger risk than originally thought.

Can I get my bail money back if the charges are dropped or I’m found not guilty?

If you posted a cash bail and appeared for all court dates, you will usually get your money back at the end of the case, regardless of the outcome. However, bail bond fees paid to an agency are not refundable. The fee is how the bondsman makes money. Even if charges are dismissed or you’re acquitted, the bail bond agency will keep its percentage.

What if I can’t pay the bail amount?

Many defendants cannot afford to pay large bail amounts. You have other options:

• Bail Bond – Pay a fee to a bail bond agency to secure release.
• Motion to Reduce Bail – Ask the judge for a lower amount if you can show good reasons.
• Own Recognizance (OR) – Request release without paying bail. This often requires a strong argument that you pose little flight risk.

Some community organizations also offer bail assistance or charitable funds in limited situations.

What is ‘excessive bail?’

The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits “excessive bail.” If your bail is set so high that it is clearly punitive or unreasonable given your charges, your attorney can argue it violates your rights. Judges do have wide discretion, but truly extreme amounts can sometimes be challenged successfully.

Can I change my mind if I post bail for someone and worry they won’t appear?

Yes. If you’re a co-signer and have serious concerns about the defendant’s intent to flee or violate terms, you can contact the bail bond agency. They may revoke the bond and return the defendant to jail. Each bail contract outlines these circumstances and any potential financial consequences for the co-signer.

What is a 1275 hold in California?

A 1275 hold occurs when law enforcement or the court suspects the bail money comes from illegal activity. The court places a hold to investigate the source of the funds. Bail will not be accepted until the defendant proves the money is legitimate. An attorney can help clear a 1275 hold by presenting documentation that the money is lawfully obtained.

How fast can a bail bond be posted?

In many cases, a bail bond can be posted quite rapidly — within a few hours — depending on how quickly a bail bond agency can complete the paperwork and coordinate with the jail. Some jails are busier and process releases slowly. Electronic paperwork has sped up the process, but delays can still happen on weekends, holidays, and in crowded facilities.

What if I’m out on bail and get arrested again?

If you face new charges while on bail, the judge can revoke your current bail and require you to remain in custody. You may also have to pay additional fees or face stricter conditions if you’re granted bail again. Repeated arrests while on bail show the court you might be a higher risk.

Do I need a lawyer to deal with bail issues?

While you can post bail on your own, having a criminal defense lawyer can help you in many ways:

• Bail Hearings – They can argue for a lower bail or an own recognizance release.
• Motions and Holds – They can handle any paperwork or legal hurdles, like a 1275 hold.
• Advising the Co-Signer – They can explain risks and responsibilities for family or friends who post bail.

An attorney can also make sure all steps in the bail process are handled properly to avoid extra costs and complications.

Get legal help now – call 800-834-6434

When you or a loved one is in jail, bail may seem like a daunting task. You’re not alone. Many people do not know how bail works or how to get bail money.

If you have been arrested and need bail, contact Robert M Helfend at the Helfend Law Group at 800-834-6434 now for immediate assistance.

Published March 29, 2017. Updated February 18, 2025.