Do you have to pay 100% of your bond? You typically do not have to pay 100% of your bond in many situations. You may be able to pay a fraction of that amount to be released from jail while you wait for your trial to occur.
There are several options available that could reduce the amount you have to pay for your release to as little as 10%. Numerous factors play a role in the value of the Columbus bail bonds you must pay. Working with a bail bondsman allows you to examine all of the options available to you based on the individual factors in your case.
Understanding How Bail Bonds Work in Ohio
To better understand how much of the bail bond you must pay, consider how bail bonds work in the state of Ohio (in most situations). A bail bond is an agreement you obtain with the bail bondsman, who is a fully licensed professional recognized by the state. The bail bondsman guarantees the full bail amount to the court. Because of this, the court may allow you to leave until you must appear again.
As the defendant in this situation, you must pay a non-refundable premium. As noted, this is typically 10% of the total bail amount set by the court in your case. There is no ability to negotiate this rate as it is set by the Ohio Department of Insurance. Once you contact the bail bondsman after you are arrested, booked, and arraigned, they will provide you with insight into your options and have you sign a contract. This process is often done by the family of the person charged with a crime.
Once the details are agreed to, you will sign the contract and pay the 10% fee plus any additional fees set by the court (which can range up to $100). The bail bondsman will submit the power of attorney and bond to the court so you can be released. This process typically takes several hours, depending on the situation. As long as you attend all of the hearings and meet the court’s expectations as set in your bond hearing, you are able to remain out on bond. The bond is then exonerated upon the resolution of your case.
Refunds for Your Bond Payment
In some situations, if you pay a 10% appearance bond to the court, you may be able to request a return of some of those funds as long as all of the court’s required appearances happen. If you paid 10% to the court, up to 9% (or 90% of what you paid) can be returned to you. This only applies if you attend all court dates. Keep in mind that payments made to a bail bondsman are not refunded. Review our FAQs today.
Call (614) 221-0100 today to speak with our experienced Ohio bail bondsman!
Types of Bonds in Ohio and How Much They Require
There are several types of bonds you may be eligible for under the Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2937, depending on the situation. Each one has different requirements and, as a result, different requirements for how much you must pay to leave jail. Consider the following examples:
- Appearance bond: An appearance bond typically allows you to pay just 10% of the total bond amount. This amount is paid to the court. The appearance bond will remain in place as long as you appear at all hearings as required by the judge. This option is typically available to low-risk individuals.
- Surety bond: A surety bond is one you obtain from a bail bondsman. You will pay the bail bondsman a non-refundable fee for their service. This is typically 10% but can differ depending on the situation. It is typically a percentage of the total bond. The bail bondsman then posts the full amount of bail required by the court in your favor.
- Cash bond: A cash bond may be required by the state in some situations. In these situations, you must pay 100% of the bond that is set by the court. The court may require a cash bond for high-risk situations.
Each of these has different requirements, and not all will be available to you. Depending on the situation, you may wish to seek one or the other to help you leave jail. Meet with a bail bondsman to discuss your options.
What Happens When the Defendant Fails to Meet the Court’s Expectations
The goal of a bond is to promise the court that you will be there when they expect you to be at appointments and that you will adhere to any court-required appointments during the process of waiting for your trial. If you fail to meet those obligations, you can expect the court to take action.
This typically means that the full amount of the bond is forfeited. You cannot recover any of the funds you paid towards the 10% appearance bond. In situations where you obtained a surety bond through a bail bondsman, the bail bondsman loses those funds.
In some situations, the bail bondsman may have used collateral to back up the value of the bond, such as the equity in your home or other assets. In those situations, you may lose those assets as the bail bondsman seeks to recover the damages suffered. In nearly all situations, the best decision is to attend all appointments and remain in compliance with the courts. Doing so protects you and your assets from further, often aggressive, legal steps.
Contact our bail bondsman today at (614) 221-0100 to get your bail bond now!
How Much of a Bond Do You Have to Pay?
Typically, you will only pay 10% of the bond value set by the court, but this is not always the case. When you meet with a bail bondsman, they will provide you with more insight into what your rights are, including what your costs are, what fees you can expect, and what limitations exist if you fail to meet the court’s requirements to appear.
Work with a licensed bail bondsman to help you secure a reliable and verified bail bond to help you get back to your family while you wait. Speak with the team at Andy Callif Bail Bonds today.
Our Ohio bail bondsman is available 24/7, call us (614) 221-0100!