Bond Costs

Percentage Required for Bail Bonds

In Florida, the standard cost for securing a bail bond through a bondsman is 10% of the total bond amount for state charges. For federal charges the cost is 15% of the bond amount. This percentage is non-negotiable and is regulated by the Department of Financial Services.

Additional Fees and Collateral

In certain situations, particularly when the bond amount is substantial or when the defendant is considered a higher risk, additional fees may apply. These fees can be associated with extended services, higher bond amounts, or increased risk to the bail bond company. The specifics of these fees will vary depending on the circumstances of the case and the bail bondsman’s policies, but they typically cover administrative costs, increased monitoring, or additional legal work involved in securing the release of the defendant. In higher-risk cases, collateral may also be required to secure the bond.

Collateral serves as an additional assurance that the defendant will fulfill their obligation to appear in court. The collateral can take various forms, including property deeds, vehicles, jewelry, or other valuable assets. In some instances, a combination of cash and collateral may be required. If the defendant fails to appear in court as scheduled, the collateral may be forfeited to cover the full amount of the bond. Once all court obligations are met and the bond is discharged, the collateral will be returned to its owner, assuming no additional penalties or forfeitures are invoked.

Example Scenarios

• State Charge: For a state-level charge, if the court sets the bond amount at $5,000, you would pay 10% of that amount to the bail bond company. This means you would pay $500 as the bond premium.
• Federal Charge: Federal charges often come with higher bond amounts and stricter conditions. For example, if a federal court sets a bond at $100,000, the premium charged by the bail bond company could be 15% of the bond amount due to the increased risk associated with federal cases. In this case, the cost would be $15,000. For federal bonds, collateral is more likely to be required, which could include property, cash, or other assets to secure the bond.

Factors Influencing Bond Amount

Several factors can influence the bond amount, including:

• Nature of the Crime: Violent crimes often result in higher bond amounts.
• Criminal History: A history of prior offenses can lead to an increase in the bond amount.
• Flight Risk: If the court believes the defendant is a flight risk, the bond amount may be set higher.