What Does A $100,000 Cash Only Bond Mean?
A $100,000 cash only bond means the full amount of $100,000 must be paid directly to the court in cash before the defendant can be released from jail. This type of bond does not allow the use of a bail bondsman, property bond, or surety bond. The entire amount must be paid in full, up front, without financing or partial payments.
Why Courts Use Cash Only Bonds
Courts issue cash only bonds when they want to ensure that the defendant has a strong financial incentive to appear in court. These bonds are usually ordered in cases where…
- The defendant has a history of missing court dates
- The charges are serious, such as violent felonies or high-level drug offenses
- The judge believes the defendant is a flight risk
- The court does not trust that a bail bondsman would provide enough accountability
In these situations, the court wants the full amount secured by actual money as a way to guarantee the defendant will return for trial.
No Bail Bondsman Allowed
With a cash only bond, a bail bond company cannot be used to post the bond. That means you cannot pay a 10% fee to a bondsman and be released. Instead, someone, often a friend or family member, must bring the entire $100,000 to the jail or court in an approved form such as…
- Cash
- Cashier’s check
- Certified funds, depending on the county’s rules
The money must be deposited directly with the court or jail before the release process begins.
What Happens to the Money
Once the bond is paid and the defendant is released, the money is held by the court as a guarantee. If the defendant appears for all required hearings and complies with court orders, the money is usually returned after the case ends. But if the defendant fails to appear, the bond can be forfeited and the court keeps the money.
Financial Burden & Risk
A cash only bond can be financially devastating. Coming up with that much money on short notice is difficult, and the money is tied up until the case is fully resolved. If the defendant does not follow court rules, the entire amount can be lost, even if someone else paid it on their behalf.
A $100,000 cash only bond means the court requires a full $100,000 in cash to secure the defendant’s release. No third-party bondsmen are allowed. The court holds this money until the case is over and returns it only if all conditions are met. It is one of the strictest types of bond and is often used in high-risk or serious criminal cases.