Wichita Bail Bonds Blog

A bondsman makes money by charging a non-refundable fee, usually 10% of the total bail amount, to secure a defendant’s release from jail. This fee is the bondsman’s profit for taking on the financial risk of posting the full bail to the court. Even if the defendant follows all the court’s orders, the bondsman keeps the fee.

How the Fee System Works

When bail is set at a high amount that a defendant cannot afford, a bondsman steps in and offers to post the full bond in exchange for a percentage fee.

• Bail set at $50,000 – Bondsman charges $5,000 (10%) as a premium
• The fee is paid up front or in installments with collateral
• This fee is non-refundable; it’s the bondsman’s income

That 10% fee covers the risk the bondsman takes. If the defendant skips court, the bondsman may lose the full amount of the bond.

Other Ways a Bondsman Protects & Profits

• Collateral – Bondsmen often collect assets like car titles, real estate deeds, or jewelry to back the bond
• Payment plans – Some offer financing with interest, generating extra income
• Recovery fees – If the defendant runs, the bondsman may charge recovery fees to bring them back or cover costs

Risk & Reward

The bail bonds business involves risk. If a defendant fails to appear in court,

• The bondsman must pay the full bail amount to the court
• They may use bounty hunters to locate and return the defendant
• Collateral can be seized to recover losses

To protect their investment, bondsmen thoroughly screen defendants and often require a reliable co-signer.