Wichita Bail Bonds Blog

If charges are dropped before court, it means the case will not move forward and the accused will no longer face prosecution for those specific charges. When this happens, the legal process ends early, and the defendant is released from any further obligation to appear in court. Dropped charges can bring relief, but they do not always erase the record of the arrest.

Reasons Charges May Be Dropped

Prosecutors may choose to drop charges before a court date for several reasons…

• Insufficient evidence to support the case
• Witnesses unwilling or unable to testify
• New evidence that proves innocence
• Procedural errors during the arrest or investigation
• A desire to focus on more serious charges in another case

Only the prosecutor, not the victim or police has the final say in if charges are dropped. A victim can request it, but the prosecutor makes the legal decision based on the strength of the case and public interest.

Immediate Outcomes

When charges are dropped…

• • The case is dismissed and removed from the court calendar
  • The defendant is no longer required to attend hearings
  • If the defendant was in jail, they are usually released right away

If paid in cash, may be returned

Even though the case is over, the arrest may still show up on background checks unless further action is taken.

What Happens to Bail or Bond

If bail was posted, either in cash or through a bond company, the outcome depends on the method…

• Cash bail is typically refunded, minus court fees if applicable
• If a bondsman was used, the fee paid is non-refundable
• Collateral may be released once the court confirms dismissal

Make sure to follow up with the court or bond company to close out the case properly.

Expunging the Record

Even though charges are dropped, the arrest and booking may still be visible on a criminal record. To fully clear your name, you may need to file for expungement. This is a legal process to seal or erase the public record of the case. Each state has different rules about when and how this can be done.

If charges are dropped before court, the defendant is cleared of the accusation and no longer faces criminal prosecution for that incident. The legal process ends, bail may be returned, and the person is free to move forward. In some cases, additional steps like expungement may be needed to fully restore a clean record.