Bond Definitions

Cash Bond

A cash amount is paid by the defendant to cover the total cost of the bond.  This can be paid in the form of cash, cashier’s check, money order, or online by credit card.  Personal checks are not accepted.

Co-Signed Personal Recognizance Bond

A dollar amount of the bond is established; however a person other than the defendant has to sign the bond promising that the defendant will appear for their future court dates.  The “co-signer” must be approved through the courts. The “co-signer” is also responsible for paying the cash amount of the bond in the event that the defendant fails to appear in court.

No Bond

A defendant does not qualify for a Bond until seen by a judge.  In most cases this should happen within 48 hours of the arrest.

Personal Recognizance Bond (PR)

A dollar amount of the bond is established; however the defendant only has to sign the bond promising to appear on the future court dates.  The defendant must have a mailing address and phone number.

Property Bond

This type of bond requires the courts approval.  The defendant or family, friends, etc. must post property with the court that is of greater value than the bond.  The courts would retain legal title to the property and could sell it in the event the defendant fails to appear in court.

Surety Bond

The defendant or family, friends, etc., must contact a professional bail bondsman to post the bond.  The bondsman has an attached fee for their services and usually requires some type of collateral.  Their fee is generally 15%, and they usually require a minimum fee to provide the service.  The Bondsmen are registered through the state, and we maintain a list of unacceptable bondsman who have defaulted on their bonds.  Staff members will not recommend a bondsman.

Go back to Detention web page.