Understanding the Difference Between Cash and Surety Bonds in Indiana

Are you looking for a way to secure your release from jail in Indiana? One of the most common options is to post either cash or surety bonds. While both are viable choices, it’s important that you understand the difference between them and how they impact your financial situation. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between cash and surety bonds in Indiana so that you can make an informed decision about which type of bond is right for you.

Call 317-876-9600 For Surety Bonds in Indianapolis Indiana
Call 317-876-9600 For Surety Bonds in Indianapolis Indiana

Cash Bonds Versus Surety Bonds

Cash Bonds

Cash bonds are the most common type of bond used in Indiana. They are usually desired by the court because they guarantee that the defendant will appear for all required court proceedings. Cash bonds must be paid in full and cannot be borrowed from a bail agency or other third party. The court will hold onto this money until all legal matters have been resolved, at which point it will either be refunded to the person who posted it or distributed to other parties as part of a settlement agreement.

Key Points of Using a Cash Bond:

a) A cash bond is a type of bail that allows a defendant to be released from jail until their court date.

b) A cash bond is typically set by a judge at the defendant’s initial court appearance.

c) The amount of the bond is based on the severity of the crime, the defendant’s criminal history, and whether they are considered a flight risk.

d) A cash bond allows the defendant to be released from jail without having to pay the full amount of bail.

e) A cash bond may be posted by the defendant or by a bail bondsman.

f) If the defendant fails to appear for their court date, they will forfeit the entire amount of the bond.

Surety Bonds

In contrast, surety bonds involve a third-party guarantor such as an Indiana bail bond company. These agencies typically charge nonrefundable fees for their services while guaranteeing payment of the bond amount if needed. In return, they require collateral from the defendant or a co-signer, such as property deeds and other forms of personal assets. Typically, the court will hold onto these assets until all legal matters have been resolved.

Top 5 Benefits of Surety Bail Bonds:

1. A surety bond is a financial guarantee that is provided by a third party to the court on behalf of the defendant.

2. The purpose of the bond is to ensure that the defendant will appear for all scheduled court appearances.

3. If the defendant fails to appear in court, the surety company that issued the bond will be required to pay the full amount of the bond to the court.

4. Surety bonds are typically used in criminal cases, but they can also be used in civil cases.

5. There are a number of benefits of using a surety bond to get out of jail, including:

✏ The defendant does not have to pay the full amount of the bond upfront.
✏ The defendant can be released from jail while awaiting trial.
The surety company that issues the bond will typically provide some level of supervision for the defendant.
If the defendant fails to appear in court, the surety company will be responsible for paying the full amount of the bond to the court.

You Cannot Go Wrong With a Bond That Gets You Out of Jail

In summary, cash and surety bonds are both viable options for securing your release from jail in Indiana. However, it’s important to understand that each type of bond carries its own unique financial implications. Cash bonds must be paid in full up front and are often refunded at the end of proceedings if all conditions have been met. Surety bonds involve a third-party guarantor who charges fees while providing collateral in return—typically, this collateral will remain with the court until all legal requirements have been satisfied. Ultimately, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each type of bond to determine which is right for your specific situation.

We hope this blog post has helped you understand the differences between cash and surety bonds in Indiana. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for trusted 24 hour bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve over 30 counties throughout the state. Request a free estimate or information, anytime.

Related Posts:

What is the Difference Between Surety VS Cash Bonds?
Explaining the Process of Posting a Bond for Someone Else
Understanding the Laws Surrounding Bail Bonds in Indiana

Which Type of Bail Bond Do You Need?

Did you know there are multiple types of bail bonds? It’s true; aside from the conventional bail bond you use to get out of jail, there are additional bond options that you may or may not qualify for. Continue reading to review some of the more common types of bail bonds offered in Indiana, and learn which one will best suit your needs for getting yourself or a loved one out of jail.

24 Hour Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
24 Hour Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

The Importance of Bail

There are several ways bail bonds help people.  Having the chance to leave jail and await a court hearing from the comfort of their own home can increase the chances of a person improving their legal situation. You see, when a person is arrested, they are taken to jail to await their court hearing.  Depending on the amount of traffic in the jail, and the type of crime the person was arrested for, court dates can be scheduled days, weeks, or even months away from the date of arrest.

So, if a person cannot gain a release from jail before their court date is scheduled, they are forced to stay incarcerated until then. If this happens, not only must a person make certain arrangements for kids, work, school, and all other important personal matters, they also have to make arrangements for their legal situation or use the court appointed legal counselor for representation in court. Neither scenarios are desirable. Fortunately, bail bonds offer some relief. So, always use a bail bondsman to get out of jail.

Here are the Most Common Types of Bail Bonds:

☑ Property Bonds

These types of bonds are used when someone does not have the cash to bail themselves out of jail; so instead, they put up some of their property.  This can be a house, car, or anything of value that has the equivalent value of the bond.  These bonds are not always available and different from state to state.  If the person shows up for their hearing, then the property is released back to them, as if it were just collateral.  If the person does not show up for their scheduled hearing, then the courts begin to repossess their property, and often times, auctions it off for money.

☑ Surety Bonds

A surety bond is more commonly called a bail bond.  It is the type of bond used in most states to promise the release of someone in jail.  In most cases, the bail agency will charge a standard rate, usually 10% of the full bond amount.  If the total bond amount is $10,000, then you pay a non-refundable service fee of $1,000 to get that person released from jail.  If the person does not show up for the scheduled court date, the bail agency is required to pay the full bail amount for them, unless they can find the defendant who jumped bail, and return them to the courts.  These people are called bounty hunters, and really do exist. 

☑ Release on Your Own Recognizance (OR’d)

This is usually for first time offenders and very minor charges, like unpaid traffic tickets.  This is when the federal law allows a person to be released from jail without bail, under the agreement that they will show up for their scheduled court date, and avoid any more illegal activity.

☑ Citation Release

This is for very minor charges like j-walking.  It is a strategy also used by many county jails to avoid over population issues.  Instead of being arrested and taken to jail, the police officer will issue you a citation or ticket, obligating you to show up for court.  In this situation, a person is free to carry on with their day, but attend a future court date and probably ordered to pay a fine.

Where to Get Fast and Affordable Bail Bonds

Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional, 24 hour bail bond services in Indiana. Not only can we get you out of jail fast, we can prearrange a bail bond if you need to surrender to an arrest warrant. We provide all Local, State, and National bonds, and serve over 30 Indiana counties. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600