What is bail?

A form of security, usually a sum of money, in exchange for the release of an arrested person as a guarantee of that person's appearance for trial.

How does a bail bond work?

A relative or a family friend contacts the bail agent, before the defendant is released, to arrange for the posting of a bail. The bail agent gets a percentage of the amount decided by the judge for that particular defendant. By signing the agreement with the bail agent regarding posting the bail, the defendant or the co-signer, who might be a relative or a family friend, must provide a guarantee that the bail amount will definitely be paid in full if the defendant fails to appear at the summons. After an agreement is signed, the bail agent posts a bond for the amount of the bail, to guarantee the defendant’s return to court.

What is a co-signer or guarantor?

A co-signer or guarantor is the person who is going to be responsible and dependable for the defendant even though they are out on bail waiting for their day in court.

What is a bail bond exoneration?

​Bond is set in criminal cases as extra assurance that the arrested person will return to court on the scheduled day. People who return to their scheduled court date are given back their bond money. In this event, it becomes an exonerated bail.

What is a bail bond forfeiture?

​A bail bond forfeiture is when a defendant, whose appearance in court has been guaranteed by the posting of a bond, fails to appear to his or her scheduled court date.

What is a summary judgement?

After a bail bond forfeiture a summary judgement is issued by the court.  After it is issued the full amount of the bail bond must be paid.

How does the court set the bail amount?

The courts/judge use specific factors to determine what how much and what type of bond should be posted. These factors are called “weighted release criteria” and they are required by Kansas State Statutes.