Why Can’t I Get My Money Back for a Bail Bond?

The number one question all bail bondsmen get from phone calls and clients has to do with paying for bail bonds. So many people want to know if they’ll receive their money back after a trial or case has closed, or when a defendant completes probation. The quick answer is that bail bonds are not refundable, ever. Just like buying a share of stock, you cannot ask or get your money back once you have agreed to the transaction.

Continue reading to learn more about why bail bonds cannot be refunded, and who you can trust for accurate and honest answers to all your bail bond questions.

Noblesville Bail Bondsman 317-919-2489

Noblesville Bail Bondsman 317-919-2489

Non-Refundable Bail Bonds

Although a popular circulating question, lawyers, police officers, and jail staff might not have the appropriate answer for you. It is always best to consult a licensed bail bondsman directly for accurate and updated answers to questions about bail. No matter what ends up happening in court, a defendant cannot get a refund for bail bond services. And all bail bond agencies will inform clients upfront that there are no refunds for their services.

The reason bail bonds are not refundable has to do with liability. A bail bond company is assuming all responsibility for a client, in terms of bond amount and initial court appearances. If a person fails to appear for their initial scheduled court date following their arrest, the bail bond company that provided their services will have to forfeit all of the money they “put up” for the defendant’s release from jail.

So if a person’s bond is set at $10,000, they can either pay that money in-whole to the jail to be released, OR, they can purchase a bail bond for 10-15% of that amount (Ten to fifteen percent is the standard Indiana rate for bail bonds). That 10 to 15% is non-refundable because if the defendant misses or skips their court hearing, the bail bond company does not get back the $10,000 THEY paid to have their client released from jail.

Hamilton County Bail Bonds

Boone County Bail Bonds 317-919-2489

Boone County Bail Bonds 317-919-2489

Call Uptown Bail Bonds at 317-919-2489 for prompt and professional bail bonds in Hamilton County, Indiana. Our licensed and insured bail bondsmen are on duty 24 hours a day so they can get you in and out of jail for a bench warrant in as little as a few hours! Call 317-919-2489 to learn how to get started, today. We are open 24 hours and 7 days a week!

3 Ways to Raise Money for a Bail Bond

When you don’t have the cash to bail yourself or a loved one out of jail, there is still hope to raise the funds you need. Raising money to pay for a bail bond is not easy, and can sometimes require you to make some personal sacrifices or compromises, but it can be done. Continue reading to learn how.

Hamilton County Bail Bonds 317-919-2489

Hamilton County Bail Bonds 317-919-2489


Not only is it ardently stressful to bail friend or loved one out of jail, it is also expensive. Depending on the crime, a bail bond can range anywhere from $250 to one million or more! In most states, a bail bond agency is only allowed to charge ten to fifteen percent of the total bond amount. This means if a person’s bond amount is five thousand dollars, a bail bond would cost anywhere from 500 to 750 dollars; a non-refundable fee.

The only other option is to pay the total bond amount of five thousand to avoid paying for a bail bond; which you get back in full once you show for your scheduled court date. Not many people have this kind of cash availability, which is why a bail bondsman is such a wonderful service. If you are wondering how to pay for a bail bond, continue reading and learn what it takes to find funds for bail.

💰 Take Out a Cash-Advance Loan

If you need money for a bail bond because you do not get paid for a few more days, then try using a Payday Loan company. These branches work great for exactly this type of issue. When it is a few days until your scheduled pay day, you can take out a payday loan from one of these companies to cover the cost of bail. Once you receive your paycheck, you simply return to the store and pay back the money you borrowed including a small non-refundable fee for their service. If your friend or loved one has been arrested, you can use these cash-advance branches to get the money you need in a matter of minutes. This is definitely an option to consider in an emergency situation.

💰 Borrow Money From a Trusted Person

If a cash-advance approach doesn’t work for you, try asking a friend or family member to borrow the money. Once you bail your friend or loved one out of jail, you can have them repay your family back. Or if you are turning yourself in for an arrest warrant and prearranging bail, you can borrow their money and work to repay it after you are released from jail. This is a quick and easy way to obtain the funds to bail you or your loved one out of jail; however, it can cause altercations among friends and family if the funds are not repaid. Be sure your friend or family member can repay once the bond is purchased.

💰 Sell Personal Possesions

If none of these ideas are options for you, then think about selling some stuff to get the money you need. For example, gather up old clothes, books, DVDs, electronics, and other items you never use anymore, and sell them to a thrift shop for cash. You can also have a yard sale; another great option for selling your old stuff for cash. If you have a junk car that doesn’t work anymore, take it to a scrap yard and sell it for cash too.

Hamilton County Bail Bonds

Hamilton County Bail Bonds 317-919-2489

Hamilton County Bail Bonds 317-919-2489

Call Uptown Bail Bonds at 317-919-2489 for prompt and professional bail bonds in Hamilton County, Indiana. Our licensed and insured bail bondsmen are on duty 24 hours a day so they can get you in and out of jail for a bench warrant in as little as a few hours! Call 317-919-2489 to learn how to get started, today. We are open 24 hours and 7 days a week!