You Are Found Guilty Of A Crime in Florida. What Happens To Your Bail Money?

A court may require you to post a bond to secure your release from jail if you are arrested. Anyone can pay your bail. This includes family, friends and of course, a bail bondsman. You paid your bail. This is also called posting a bond. Consequently, the bond guarantees your presence in court for hearings. 

Bad Girls Bail Bonds has designed this article to help you understand that scenario. 

Will I Get My Bail Cash Back?

That depends on who you paid your money to. It also depends what happens during your case. If you used a bail bondsman, you will have to pay him a premium. That portion of the bond is non-refundable.

Is Your Court Case Still Pending?

You may get money back depending on the outcome of your court case. The court will refund your bond if the charges were dropped. They will also refund it if you are found not guilty.

A Bondsman Paid My Bail

The use of a bail bond company is a great option if you can’t afford bail. The bond company will require a fee paid upfront. It’s typically 10% of the full bail amount. Money paid to the bond agent is payment for their services. Therefore, it is non-refundable and any refunded bail money goes back to them.

I Paid Someone Else’s Bail, Will I Get My Money Back?

If you posted bail for someone else, getting your money back may be difficult. So, now the court has found you or your friend guilty and it’s off to prison. You want your money back. You  need to inform their lawyer that it was you who paid. This will also avoid allowing the court to deduct the defendant’s court costs from it. What happens to the money is ultimately up to the court system. Also, there is no guarantee that the defendant will hand over any refund they receive from the court.

What Are My Bail Options?

Go ahead and pay the full bail amount if you are feeling lucky that you will beat the charges. However, if you’re short on cash, contacting an experienced bondsman is the way to go. You’ll only be responsible for about 10% of the bail amount. The court will most likely process your release faster using a reputable bond compony. The bond company can get you out before you even see the judge.