When a person goes to jail, they’ll need to attend an arraignment hearing, during which the prosecutor will read their charges aloud. During this hearing, the judge will also assign a bail amount, provided the court determines the defendant is eligible for bail.
When the judge assigns bail, he or she will also specify which type of bond the court will accept to grant the defendant conditional release. In some cases, the judge will assign the defendant a cash-only bond, which is considerably different from the other types of bonds that can be used to bail a person out of jail. Here at DD Bail Bonds, we’ll go over cash-only bonds.
What exactly is a cash-only bond, and how does it work? Read on to find out.
What Is a Cash-Only Bond?
A cash-only bond is exactly what it sounds like: a bond that must be paid entirely in cash. Unlike a bond you can get from a bail bond agent (surety and property bonds are the most common), a cash-only bond requires that the full amount of the defendant’s bail be paid up front, directly to the jail or court.
Why Would a Judge Specify a Cash-Only Bond?
Cash-only bonds are typically ordered in cases where the defendant is considered a moderate flight risk, has a prior criminal history, or missed a court appearance in the past. Repeat offenders who fail to pay fines, court costs, or restitution associated with a previous case may also be issued a cash-only bond. Defendants who are arrested on an out-of-jurisdiction warrant are often issued cash-only bonds as well.
Since this type of bond requires a cash deposit that covers the full amount of the defendant’s bail, it’s often issued to ensure that an accused person will show up in court. If the defendant fails to appear in court as required, bail will be considered forfeit, and the full amount of the cash deposit will also be considered forfeit.
What does that mean? It means that whoever supplies the cash sum for the defendant’s bail will lose that money if the accused violates the terms of their bail agreement.
Where Does the Cash Go After Bail Is Posted?
When a person posts a cash-only bond with the court, that money is held by the court until the defendant’s case closes or the bond is exonerated. The court will refund the full amount of the bond to the individual who posted it within two to six weeks after exoneration.
Can You Get Help With a Cash-Only Bond?
If you don’t have the funds to bail someone out of jail on a cash-only bond, unfortunately, you won’t be able to get help from a bail bondsman. Why not? Because bail bond companies issue surety or property bonds since those types of bonds are backed by some type of insurance or collateral that helps mitigate the company’s financial risk.
Fortunately, there are other ways you can come up with the cash to get a friend or loved one out of jail if they’re issued a cash-only bond. Cash advances from a credit card can help, as can selling personal items you can afford to part with. It may also behoove you to ask family members or friends of the defendant for help as that can help spread the financial risk between multiple individuals.
Need a Bail Bond Agent on the Mississippi Gulf Coast?
Do you need to bail a friend or loved one out of jail? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at D&D Bail Bonds today to learn more about your bond options and whether we can help you. Our licensed bond agents serve the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To learn more or get started, feel free to give us a call today at [phone] or contact us online to schedule a free consultation, and we’ll get in touch right away.