What You Need to Know About Secured Bonds and Bondsmen

If you or a loved one has received a letter from a bondsman about a secured bond, you might be wondering what it all means. Let’s break it down.

A secured bond is a type of bail where you must pay cash to the state before being released on your own recognizance, prior to your court proceedings. For example, if a magistrate judge sets a $10,000 secured bond, you’d typically need to pay that full amount upfront. The good news? If you attend all your court dates and handle everything properly, you get that $10,000 back when the case ends.

But what if you don’t have $10,000 lying around? That’s where a bondsman comes in. A bondsman offers a solution by charging you a fee—usually around 10% of the bond amount. So, for a $10,000 bond, you’d pay the bondsman $1,000. In return, they put up the full $10,000 to the state on your behalf. The catch? That $1,000 is theirs to keep, even if your case resolves successfully.

This can be a huge advantage, especially for larger bonds like $250,000. Very few people have that kind of cash readily available, and the ability to secure your release before trial is critical. Statistics show a staggering difference in criminal defense outcomes between those who get pretrial release and those who don’t—making a bondsman an important part of the justice system.

So, if you’re facing a secured bond and need help navigating your options, consider reaching out to a trusted resource like Dummit Fradin. Your pretrial release could make all the difference.