If you have ever been arrested, the stress and frustration of the situation can be overwhelming. In order to get out of jail as soon as possible, it’s a smart idea to acquire the services of a bail bondsman. But what happens if you use a bail bondsman, and then the court eventually concludes that you in fact are not guilty and the charges against you are dropped? You may be wondering if you can get your bail money back. Here’s what you need to know.
Do You Get Your Money Back if the Charges are Dropped?
Retaining the services of a bail bond company is in your best interest so you do not spend time in jail. Their experience and tools can protect you and offer you valuable advice and guidance so you can be confident in your situation. There are typically two situations where the bail money can be returned: If you were acquitted or if all charges were dropped. Unfortunately, there is not a standard rule for whether you will get all of your money back. It also depends on the type of bail bond.
Different Types of Bail Bonds
Surety Bond
For a surety bond, someone will pay the bail bond company a percentage of the bail amount and then the bail bondsman will post bail on behalf of your loved one. While this is the most affordable option for most people, the money paid to the bonds company is not refundable if the charges are dropped.
Cash Bail
A cash bail is when someone uses cash, a money order, or a credit card to post the full amount of bail for a friend or relative in jail. If bail is set at $10,000, this amount must be paid in full to the court. If the charges are dropped after the trail, the cash bail amount will be returned. However, if you used a bail bondsman, they will keep their portion of the fee.
Why Can’t You Get a Full Refund if You Use a Bail Bonds Company?
Working with a bail bondsman to get out of jail until your court date is one of the best ways to spend your time after you have been arrested. It is safer than sitting in a jail cell, and will allow you to stay close to your family and friends. However, these services are not for free. For their efforts to keep you out of jail until your court date and for their advice and assistance with your bail bond, they need to be paid. Therefore, if you are found innocent and the charges against you are dropped, the bail bonds company will need to be paid their fee for their service. The only way you can get your money back in full, is if your charges are dropped and you were able to pay the entire bail amount, in full to the court without using a bail bond agency. Since most people are unable to afford this, the assistance of a bail bonds company is vital.
How We Can Help
PCS Bail Bonds can help you if you need to post bail. We provide 24-hour bail bonds for all kinds of charges including theft, drug possession, embezzlement, traffic violations, assault, and more. If you’re concerned about our fees, you’re in luck, because we post 10% lower bond fees than our competitors.
Contact us now by phone at 817-335-1655, at our e-mail, visit in-person, or fill out our bail bond request form. You can be confident that you’re working with experts who are dedicated to helping you.