It is not uncommon for people to be arrested on a charge only to have the charges dropped. This can happen relatively quickly after posting bail, or it may take weeks for the charges to be dropped.
A common question most people have is will bail money be returned if the charges are dropped. The answer to that is yes, you do get the bail money back, but not the fee paid to the bail bond company. The bail bond company has completed its service by processing the bond and working with the court to allow the bond to stand instead of the family having to come up with 100% of the bond issued by the court. Instead, the family, individual, or friend only has to provide 10% of the total the court requires, and the bail bond company provides the balance.
What About Guilt and Innocence?
Bail is not about guilt or innocence; it is a tool used to reduce the risk that the individual charged with a crime will attempt to flee. By requiring the individual of their family or friends to pay money to the court, there is a greater likelihood for the individual to appear on their court date and have the money paid for bail, less the bail bondsman fee or 10%, refunded.
The answer to do you get the bail money back if an innocent is the same as do you get the bail money back if guilty. The answer is yes. In both situations, the bail money, less the bail bondsman fee, is returned to the cosigner or guarantor. The only requirement for this to happen is the accused must appear for his or her court date. For more information, reach out to us today.