Will I Get My Bail Money Back?

Bailing your friend or loved one out can be expensive. You won’t always have your money returned. This quick guide will give you a better idea of whether you can expect to have your bail bond money returned to you.

Surety Bail

Enlisting a bail agent to write a surety bond for the defendant will be cheaper because you will pay a bail premium, which is just a percentage of the total bail amount. This is what is commonly known as a bail bond. The bail bond premium is non-refundable. The premium is a fee for the bail agent’s services to manage the defendant and make sure he or she shows up to all required court appearances.

Cash Bail

If you paid cash bail to the court, meaning you paid the full bail amount, you will have that money returned to you after the defendant makes all required court appearances. If the person does not show up in court, that money will be forfeited and you will not see it again. And if the defendant gets arrested again while out on bail, no refund will be given. 

If a defendant is found not guilty, the bond is discharged; if the defendant pleads guilty, the bond is discharged at the time of sentencing. 

Property Bond

If you secured a property bond, it means you offered the real value of your property to the court in exchange for the defendant’s release. Property bonds are similar to cash bail in that the court will legally seize the property if the person does not show up in court.