Wichita Bail Bonds Blog

The amount you have to pay for a $25,000 bond depends on if you post the bond yourself or use a bail bondsman. If you pay the bond directly to the court, you must pay the full $25,000 in cash or certified funds. If you use a bail bondsman, you typically pay a nonrefundable fee of about 10 percent of the total bond amount.

Paying the Full Bond in Cash

If the judge sets bail at $25,000 and you pay it yourself, you must pay the entire $25,000 to the court to get released. This money acts as a guarantee that you will appear for all court hearings. If you attend every required court date, the money is refunded at the end of your case, minus any court fees or fines.

Using a Bail Bondsman

Most people use a bail bondsman because paying the full bond amount upfront is expensive. A bondsman usually charges a fee of around 10 percent of the total bond. For a $25,000 bond, you would pay $2,500 to the bondsman. This fee is nonrefundable, even if you attend all court hearings. The bondsman then posts the full bond with the court on your behalf.

Collateral Requirements

In addition to the 10 percent fee, the bail bondsman may require collateral to cover the rest of the bond amount. This could include property, vehicles, jewelry, or other assets. If the defendant fails to appear in court, the bondsman can seize the collateral to recover the loss.

Refunds and Responsibilities

If you pay the bond directly to the court, you will get your money back after the case concludes, as long as all conditions are met. If you go through a bondsman, the fee you pay is their payment for taking the financial risk, so it is not refunded under any circumstances.

For a $25,000 bond, you must pay the full $25,000 if you post it directly to the court, or about $2,500 (10 percent) if you use a bail bondsman. The fee to a bondsman is nonrefundable, but paying the full amount to the court is refundable if you follow all court requirements.