Wichita Bail Bonds Blog

No, a bond and a bailout are not the same, but they are closely related. The term “bail” refers to the total amount of money the court sets to ensure a defendant returns for their court dates. A “bond” is the financial guarantee used to pay the bail. In simple terms, bail is the amount, while a bond is how you pay it to get out of jail.

What Bail Means

Bail is the amount of money or security the court requires before releasing someone from jail while awaiting trial. It acts as a promise that the defendant will appear in court. The amount depends on several factors, such as the seriousness of the charge, criminal history, and risk of flight.

• Example – The judge sets bail at $10,000 for a misdemeanor case.
• If the defendant pays the full $10,000 to the court, they are released until trial.
• If they attend all court dates, the money is refunded after the case ends (minus fees).

What a Bond Means

A bond is a type of financial guarantee used to cover the bail amount when the defendant cannot afford to pay it in full. This is where a bail bondsman or surety company comes in. They post the bond on behalf of the defendant for a small, non-refundable fee, usually around 10% of the bail amount.

• Example – If bail is $10,000, the defendant pays the bondsman $1,000.
• The bondsman then posts a $10,000 surety bond with the court.
• If the defendant shows up for court, the bond is discharged; if not, the bondsman owes the court the full amount.

The Relationship Between the Two

Think of bail as the price of release and the bond as the payment method. A defendant can either pay the full bail directly (cash bond) or use a bondsman (surety bond) to post it. Both result in temporary release, but only a full cash bond is refundable.

Types of Bonds

• Cash bond – The defendant or family pays the entire amount to the court.
• Surety bond – A bail bondsman posts the bail for a fee.
• Property bond – Property is used as collateral instead of cash.
• Recognizance release – The judge releases the defendant without requiring money, based on trust.

Key Difference in Cost

When you pay the full bail yourself, it’s refundable once the case ends and all court appearances are made. When you use a bondsman, the 10% fee is non-refundable, since it’s a payment for their service and financial risk.

Bail is the amount set by the court to secure your release, while a bond is the financial arrangement, often through a bondsman, that pays that bail. In short, a bond is how you “bail out” of jail when you can’t afford the full amount.