What Does It Mean to Be Released on Bond After an Arrest?

“Trump was released on 200,000 bond following his arrest” some headlines read across the United States. While it’s common to hear the phrase released on bond after someone’s arrest, people may wrongly assume that defendants pay such sums of money to get out of jail. Do people arrested pay the full bond to get out of jail? In most cases, the answer is no. So what does it mean to be released on bond after an arrest?

With all the commotion caused by the arrest and release on bond of some high-profile guests at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia, people are raising questions about bail and how it works. The media has been broadcasting the development of this story by the minute and in a way educating citizens about their right to constitutional bail.

Before we discuss the phrase “released on bond” we should understand how bail works, the types of bail offered, and when someone can post a bond to get released from jail.

How Bail Works

After an arrest, the accused goes through the booking and fingerprinting process and receives a bond amount. Here is when the bail process starts. The person arrested can pay the full bail money to the courts or jail, or hire the services of a bail bondsman in exchange for a fee. Once the defendant is released from jail, they must follow some bail conditions. As long as this person makes it to all court hearings as expected, the bail contract ends when the criminal case is adjudicated.

Cash or Surety Bond

Generally, the bond a defendant receives is a cash or surety bond. This means the person arrested has two options for getting out of jail on bail:

1. Pay the bail in full in cash
2. Hire a bail bonds company for a fee

Cash or surety bonds are the most common payable options to get out of jail. However, the most crucial condition of release remains the same; they must return and appear for court hearings until the case is finished.

Surety bail is a popular option as it is convenient, more affordable, and allows a third party to keep track of the person released from jail.

Released on Bond

Being released on bond means the police or courts have released a defendant who has been criminally charged from jail after paying bail money. The bond requires someone or insurance to guarantee that the arrested person will show up for all court appointments until the case is resolved.

As mentioned before, to get released on bond, first, the accused must be given a bond amount which usually happens after booking. Following an arrest, the police or judge set bond amounts and conditions of release.

For example, former president Trump was released on a $200,000 bond after he was booked at Fulton County jail. While he could have put up the full bail money to the jail, he used the services of a bondsman through the surety bail option instead. Georgia bail fees range from 10% to 15 % according to the state website.

Do You Get Money Back When Released on Bond?

It depends.

When paying the total bond amount to the courts, defendants can recover the cash they put up only if they satisfy the bond contract requirements. Even if the court finds the accused guilty, they can still get their money back after deducting the court fines and fees, provided they fulfill the bond contract requirements. The appearance bond form for the state of Connecticut includes written text regarding payment of court fees and fines.

When using the services of a surety bondsman or a bail bonds company, the fee paid for the service is not refundable. Contrary to cash bonds, surety bonds processed with a bondsman bring peace of mind to the families. They know if their loved one misses court; they have the bail bond agency on their side. Bondsmen have the legal right to arrest a defendant if they have missed court on the case they posted bond.

It’s important to note that a common citizen has no legal authority to bring someone to the courthouse because they missed court, but a surety bondsman can.

A cash or surety bond once posted allows a defendant to be released on bond pending court hearings. It’s essential to understand the pros and cons of each option to choose the most appropriate for you.

What Happens When Someone Arrested Is Not Released on Bond?

Once authorities set a bond amount, the only way to release someone from jail is by paying the bail money. If the bond is not paid, the person will remain incarcerated for the duration of their trial.

After the arraignment in court, they will be sent to the respective county correctional prison to be booked and receive their own inmate number. Defendants, however, can have surety bail agents post their bail at any time. Bondsmen can post bonds at police departments, courthouses, and correctional prisons.

Unfortunately, once pretrial inmates are part of the prison system, the chance to fight their case diminishes for many reasons. For example, inmates are brought to hearings by prison staff in shared transportation and wear shackles and prison uniforms when they see the judge. Defendants released on bond, have the opportunity to dress accordingly and educate themselves about their criminal case before they appear in court.

To learn more about how to get a loved one released on bond, contact us today and speak with a surety bondsman at 3-D Bail Bonds. Our team of professionals is available 24/7 serving every police department, county prison, and courthouse in Connecticut. For immediate bail bond service at the most affordable cost, call 860-247-2245.