Do You Pay the Full Amount of a Bond?
Cash Bail vs. Bail Bond
If a judge sets bail at $10,000, you technically have two options…
- Pay the full amount of cash bail directly to the court. This money is held until the case is finished and is refunded if all court appearances are met.
- Use a bail bond company, such as All In Bail Bonds, which requires only a fraction of the total bail, called the premium.
What Is the Bail Bond Premium?
In Kansas, the standard bail bond premium is usually 10% of the total bail. For example, if bail is set at $10,000, you would pay $1,000 to the bail bondsman. The bondsman then posts the full bail amount with the court, securing the defendant’s release.
Why the Premium Is Non-Refundable
The premium is a service fee. It covers the bail agent’s time, risk, and financial responsibility. Even if the charges are dropped or the defendant is acquitted, the premium is not refunded. If you pay the full bail directly to the court, you may get your money back at the end of the case, but most families find it difficult to cover large bail amounts out-of-pocket.
Sedgwick County Bail Rules
Sedgwick County follows Local Rule 303, which governs how bail and bonds are processed. Additionally, Kansas Senate Bill 473 outlines updated standards for bond procedures across the state. Working with a professional bail bondsman ensures your loved one’s release is handled correctly under these laws.
Why Choose All In Bail Bonds
All In Bail Bonds provides fast, affordable bail bond services in Wichita and Sedgwick County. Located at 700 N Market, we are available 24/7 to help families when they need it most. We make sure you never overpay and understand exactly what part of the bond you are responsible for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you pay the full amount of a bond?
No. If you use a bail bond company, you only pay a percentage (usually 10%) of the total bail, not the entire amount.
What if I pay the court directly?
If you pay cash bail directly to the Sedgwick County court, you must pay the entire amount, which may be refunded at the end of the case if all conditions are met. We highly recommend using a local bail bonds company for this instead of paying the full amount as the risk and accountability then falls on the bail bonds business instead of you.
Can bail bond payments be made in installments?
Yes, many bail bond companies, including All In Bail Bonds, offer payment plans depending on the situation and bail amount. However, it is mandatory that 5% of a bond premium be paid upfront and then payments can be made on the other 5%.