How Many Types of Bail Bonds Are There?
There are six main types of bail bonds, each serving different situations based on crime severity, financial ability, and court requirements.
Cash Bail
- The full bail amount is paid in cash directly to the court.
- If the defendant attends all hearings, the money is refunded (minus court fees).
- Used for low-risk defendants who can afford it.
Surety Bond (Bail Bond from a Bondsman)
- A bail bondsman covers the full bail amount in exchange for a non-refundable fee (usually 10%).
- If the defendant skips court, the bondsman is responsible for the full bail.
- Requires a co-signer or collateral in some cases.
Property Bond
- Real estate or other valuable assets are used as collateral instead of cash.
- The court places a lien on the property until the trial concludes.
- Risky for the defendant, as failure to appear can result in loss of property.
Personal Recognizance (PR) Bond
- The judge releases the defendant without payment, based on trust and a written promise to appear in court.
- Usually granted to low-risk, first-time offenders.
Citation Release (Cite-Out Bond)
- Issued by a police officer instead of jail time for minor offenses.
- The defendant is given a court date but not detained.
- Common for traffic violations and minor infractions.
Federal Bail Bond
- Used for federal crimes, such as bank fraud, drug trafficking, or white-collar crimes.
- Higher bail amounts and stricter conditions apply.
- Often requires cash or property as collateral.
Bottom Line
The most common bail types are cash bail, surety bonds, and PR bonds, but property, citation, and federal bonds also exist depending on the case. The right bail bond depends on the crime, court policies, and financial ability.
