Wichita Bail Bonds Blog

If you don’t bond out after an arrest, you will stay in jail until your case is resolved. Bond is a financial guarantee that allows a defendant to be released from custody while awaiting trial. When you choose not to pay or are unable to pay the bond, you remain incarcerated until the court makes a final decision on your case.

What It Means Not to Bond Out

Failing to post bond means…

• You stay in jail – You won’t be released unless the judge changes your bond status or your case concludes
• You go to all hearings in custody – You’ll be transported to court from jail for every required appearance
• Your trial may take time – Legal cases can take weeks or even months to resolve, meaning a long stay in jail

Reasons People Don’t Bond Out

• Can’t afford the cost – Even with a bondsman, 10% of the total bond can still be too expensive
• No one to co-sign or provide collateral
• Choosing to wait – Some defendants may decide to stay in custody if their sentence would be short and they can receive credit for time served
• Bail denied – In serious cases, the judge may order “no bond,” meaning you can’t bond out at all

What Happens While You’re in Jail

• You can still talk to a lawyer – Even in custody, you have the right to legal representation
• Your case continues – Your attorney can file motions to reduce bond or request a recognizance release
• You earn time served – If you’re convicted, time spent in jail may be subtracted from your sentence

Options to Get Out Without Paying the Bond

In some cases, there are ways to avoid paying a bond.

• Own Recognizance (OR) Release – The judge may release you without payment if you have no criminal history and are not a flight risk
• Bond reduction hearing – Your lawyer can ask the judge to lower the bond to something more affordable
• Pretrial release programs – Some counties offer programs that allow supervised release without paying cash