There may come a point in your life where you or a loved one gets arrested and has to post bail. Sometimes this can be caused by a simple accident, false arrest, or being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Nobody wants to wait in jail until trial, so it’s best to have a good bail bonds service in mind before an incident occurs.

Once a judge determines a bail amount for a defendant, it is possible to secure their release by one of two methods: cash or surety. There are clear differences between these two methods, and everyone should know what they are before moving forward.

Getting Out With Cash

This method is pretty straightforward. If the amount set for a defendant’s release is $50,000, that exact amount can be paid in cash and the defendant is released. The money is then held as collateral until the court adjudicates. When the case is over, and all required court appearances have been made, the money is returned.

Surety: The Common Route

Most people don’t have $50,000 to put up as collateral and opt to hire a bail bonds service instead. Typically, the defendant will pay a bondsman 10 percent of the bond amount, and the bondsman will put up the total amount for the defendant’s release. Again, the total bail amount is returned once the trial is complete, however the bondsman will keep the 10 percent as payment for his services.

There Are Some Risks

There are a number of risks that go along with securing someone’s release. The defendant may flee and avoid trial altogether, in which case the money is forfeited and a bench warrant is issued. The bail bondsmen will then do whatever they can – within the scope of the law – to find the fugitive and return him or her to jail. Sometimes, bounty hunters will be hired. It is not wise to skip bail, not only because these people will do everything in their power to locate and apprehend you, but additional charges will likely be added to the original allegations against you.

There are major differences between cash and surety bonds, and the choice is a matter of personal conviction. If you have enough money to post bail without suffering devastating financial consequences, and/or if you trust the person you are bailing out, then a cash bond may be your best bet. For most people, however, a surety is the best way to secure time at home during a trial.