Wichita Bail Bonds Blog

Ten percent of a $200,000 bond is $20,000. This is the standard fee that a bail bondsman would charge to post the full bond amount on behalf of a defendant. The 10% is known as the “premium” and is usually non-refundable, even after the court case ends.

When You Use a Bail Bondsman

In most criminal cases, if someone cannot afford to pay the full bond amount directly to the court, they turn to a licensed bail bondsman.

• Total bond set by court – $200,000
• 10% bail bond fee – $20,000 paid to the bondsman
• The bondsman posts the full $200,000 to the court as a surety
• You do not get the $20,000 fee back, even if the defendant appears in court and the case ends cleanly

What If You Pay the Full Bond to the Court?

In some situations, you can post the entire $200,000 in cash directly to the court. If you do,

• You get your money back at the end of the case, as long as the defendant follows all court requirements
• If the defendant skips court, the money is forfeited and kept by the court

Can You Finance the 10% Fee?

Many bail bond companies offer payment plans, especially on large bonds like $200,000. But you may need…

• A co-signer with a stable job or assets
• Collateral, like property, vehicles, or jewelry
• Down payment before financing is approved

Ten percent of a $200,000 bond equals $20,000. That’s the standard cost of hiring a bail bondsman, and it’s not refunded. If you pay the full amount directly to the court, you may recover it at the end of the case, assuming all conditions are met. Understanding how this percentage works can help you prepare financially and choose the best option for your situation.