When arrested, you are placed in custody and taken to the county jail.  Depending upon the charge, you may have a bond set by a schedule approved by the judges. If so, you will be informed of what bail is necessary to secure your release.

You can post a cash bond which means you will personally (or through a friend or family member) put up the cash to secure release. When you post a cash bond, the money will be held and returned upon completion of your case.

Many individuals either do not have the money or do not wish to post a cash bond.  This is when to contact a bail bondsman. A bondsman will charge you a premium of usually 10% — that’s his fee — and require security for the remainder of the bond. The “security” maybe a car, real property or some other item that has a value at least equal to the amount of your bond.  However, many bondsmen will allow you to be released from jail with only 10% of the amount of bond paid up front.

There are other release alternatives such as if you have a good record, you can be released without bond, a jail over-population release program or home confinement. However, release without posting bond requires a longer stay in jail which many people are not willing to do in order to find out if they are qualified for other programs. Also, just because you do not have sufficient money to “bond out” does not mean that you will remain in jail indefinitely. You should request a friend or family member to contact an attorney to find out what release options you have.

You do not receive interest on money posted for bond. If you are convicted or plead guilty or “no contest” the court has the authority to order part or all of your bond money applied to fines and court costs imposed by the court.