Wichita Bail Bonds Blog

When someone is held on a $20,000 bail amount and uses a surety bond to get out of jail, they pay only a portion of that amount to a licensed bail bondsman instead of the full $20,000. In Kansas and most other states, the typical rate charged by bail bond companies is about ten percent of the total bond. This payment is called a premium and is non-refundable, even after the case ends.

Typical Cost Breakdown

• Standard rate – Most bail bond companies charge 10% of the total bond. For a $20,000 bond, that means you pay $2,000 to the bail bondsman.
• Minimum fees – Some companies have minimum fees, so even if the bond is smaller, you might still pay a few hundred dollars.
• Payment plans – Many bail bond agents allow partial payments or financing, especially for larger bond amounts.
• Collateral – The bondsman may require collateral, such as a car title, house deed, or other valuable property, to secure the bond. This ensures they can recover losses if the defendant fails to appear in court.

How A Surety Bond Works

A surety bond is an agreement between three parties – the court, the defendant, and the bail bondsman. The bondsman guarantees the defendant’s appearance in court. If the defendant fails to appear, the bondsman is responsible for paying the full $20,000 to the court, which is why they charge a fee and often require collateral. The defendant or their co-signer must also sign a contract promising to reimburse the bondsman if the bond is forfeited.

Additional Costs To Expect

• Administrative or processing fees, usually between $25 and $100.
• Travel or monitoring fees, if the bondsman must locate the defendant or arrange special supervision.
• Attorney or court-related costs, which are separate from the bond fee.

Refunds And Responsibilities

The 10% bail bond premium is non-refundable because it is payment for the service of guaranteeing the bond. Even if the defendant attends every court appearance and the case is dismissed, the bail company keeps that fee. Any collateral posted will be returned once the case is resolved and the bond is discharged, provided all obligations were met.

To post a $20,000 surety bond in Kansas, you generally pay around $2,000 to a bail bondsman, plus possible small administrative fees. This payment secures your release from jail while guaranteeing your court appearances. Although the bond fee is non-refundable, it allows defendants to regain their freedom quickly without paying the entire bail amount upfront.