If you don’t have much experience with the legal system, you might be wondering what happens to the bail money that someone uses to get out of jail while they wait for their trial. This money is a big part of the process and has several different uses. That’s why we are here today. Ajua Bail Bonds is here to talk about some of the reasons why we have bail bonds, and what happens to that money when the court proceedings are done.
Purpose of Bail Money
When someone is first arrested, they are able to go before the court for a bail hearing. The judge sets the amount of money that needs to be paid to allow the defendant to go free while they wait for their trial. It is an incentive to the defendant to show up for their court date rather than skip town. There are times where court proceedings take months or even years to wrap up and this money plays a key role in ensuring people show up for their court hearings.
Where Bail Money Goes When a Defendant is Found Guilty
If you have posted bail, the court is going to hold onto that money until the case comes to a conclusion. At that point, the court could take some money from the bail amount to pay fees that are owed, otherwise, the full amount of the bail is given back to the defendant. If you have used a bail bonds company to pose bail, you will more than likely have to pay them a small fee that will not be given back regardless of whether or not you win or lose the case.
Where Bail Money Goes if You are Acquitted
The way that each court takes bail can be different. If you have been charged with a crime and then acquitted, the court will return the bail to you unless there are fees or fines owed to the court. If you wrote a check, the court will either have you come pick it up or they will mail it to you. Some courts will allow you to pay bail in the form of a credit card. In that case, the money will go back to the card that was used to post bail. No matter what method you used to post bail, the court will return the money to you if you are acquitted.
Where Does Bail Money Go if You Don’t Show Up at Court
If you fail to show up on the day of your hearing, that’s another story. When this happens, the court will keep the money and the money will go either the state or the county depending on the charges.
Bail Bond Services in Clovis, Reedley, Sanger, Selma, Atwater, Los Banos, Merced, Visalia, Porterville, Tulare, Hanford, Corcoran, Lemoore & Greater Fresno, CA
If you have found yourself in jail and need help posting bail, you can turn to Ajua Bail Bonds for help. We will make sure you have the money needed to get out and wait for your court date with those you love. Call us today!