How does posting a bond work?
A. The court sometimes requires that an arrested person post bond before he or she can be let out of jail. That person can post the full amount of the bond. In that case, the entire amount is returned at the end of the case. It’s also possible to hire a bondsman. Typically, someone who hires a bondsman has to pay 10% of the total amount of the bond, and the bondsman will post a bond for 100% of the amount. The 10% does not get returned at the end of the case. Bond can be set very high in certain felony cases. Especially in our current economy, this leaves some people with the tough choice of having to choose between posting bond and hiring a private attorney. Think about contacting a lawyer on behalf of your loved one or friend before you post bond. Sometimes, your lawyer may be able to get a reduction in the bond amount.
