BAIL BOND

The amount of money paid for bail by a bondsman or bail bond agent, who acts as a surety for those who cannot afford the entire bail. Usually the defendant pays a fee of 10-12% of the amount due for bail. In many jurisdictions, the courts have responded by recently instituting a practice of accepting 10% of the total bond amount in cash, for example, posting $20,000 bond or $2,000 in cash. Usually this deposit is returned if the defendant appears in court and the case concludes without violation of bail conditions. This smaller amount due for bond has provided greater incentive for defendants to pay cash for bail.