Bail

[notPresidentAndrew]

If you are arrested and pay bail to get out of jail, and are not convicted of anything, do you get the bail money back?

[goofyfish]

If you post the bail, you get the money back.
If a bondsman posts it, he gets his money and keeps
the fee that you paid for his/her services.

:m: Peace.

[notPresidentAndrew]

What's a bondsman? A guy who loans money?

[goofyfish]

If you cannot afford a cash bond, a bail bondsman is a person
who puts it up for you. In return, you pay a percentage of the
total, in advance, for their services.

:m: Peace.

[ozmonster]

In the US, the basic fee is 10% of the bail amount (but this can be negotiated). And the fee, as mentioned above, is nonrefundable.

oz