Cash Bail vs. Bail Bond: Which Costs More
With cash bail, you need the full bail amount set by the court. If bail is $20,000, you need $20,000 in cash. With a bail bond, you only need 10% of the bail amount. If bail is $20,000, you pay $2,000 to the bondsman and the bondsman guarantees the full $20,000 to the court.
The vast majority of families use a bail bond because they do not have the full bail amount sitting in cash.
Using A Bail Bondsman: Only 10% Upfront
The 10% premium is the out-of-pocket cost when using a bail bondsman. That premium is non-refundable, but it is the cost of getting your loved one home while the case proceeds. The alternative is leaving them in jail, which has real consequences for their job, their family, and their mental health.
What If You Do Not Have The Full 10%
Payment plans are available. You can often pay a portion upfront as a down payment and pay the remainder in installments. Collateral such as a vehicle can also be used in some cases to help secure a bond without the full cash premium upfront.
Learn about bail bond payment plans.
Learn how collateral can help secure a bond.
Frequently Asked Questions
If bail is $10,000, how much do I actually need?
With a bail bond, you pay 10%, which is $1,000. With cash bail, you need the full $10,000.
What if I can't afford even the 10%?
Ask about payment plans. A down payment may be accepted with the rest paid in installments. Call us to discuss what is possible.
We post bail 24/7. Call us and we'll walk you through every step.