A bail bond is a financial guarantee that a defendant will appear in court after being released from jail. It is typically provided by a bail bondsman, who charges a non-refundable fee (usually 10% of the total bail amount).

When someone is arrested, the court sets a bail amount. If the person can’t afford to pay the full amount, a bail bondsman can post a bond for them in exchange for a fee. The defendant is then released with the understanding they must appear in court as scheduled.

In most states, the cost of a bail bond is 10% of the total bail amount. For example, if bail is set at $10,000, the bail bond fee would be $1,000. This fee is non-refundable.

If the defendant fails to appear in court, the bond may be forfeited, and a warrant will be issued for their arrest. The bail bond company may also hire a bounty hunter to locate and return the defendant to custody.

If you paid the full bail amount directly to the court, it may be refunded after the case concludes, minus any court fees. However, if you used a bail bond service, the 10% fee you paid to the bondsman is non-refundable.

The co-signer is financially responsible if the defendant skips court or violates the bond terms. They may be required to pay the full bail amount or help locate the defendant.