There are a variety of different types of bail that you may have to post. Posting cash bail to the courts to get out of jail is only one form of bail. Two other common types of bail include surety bond and property bond bail. How you get your bond back for every three types of bond varies.

Getting Money Back on a Surety Bond

With a surety bond, you enlist the help of a bail bond company to help you pay the bond. When you work with a bail bond company, you do not have to pay the entire bail amount. Instead, you are asked to pay a premium on the bond. With a bail bond, you will not get back the premium that you pay. The premium covers the bail bond company's investment, services and risk. The premium basically covers the services that the bail company is providing you with.

If you are asked to put up collateral by the bail company, their hold on your collateral will release when the defendant attends all their court proceeding and the case is either dismissed or the defendant is sentenced.

Getting Money Back on a Cash Bond

With a cash bond, you have generally paid the courts the full amount, or close to it, in order to get the defendant released from jail while the court proceedings go on. With a cash bond, it is all about the defendant acting responsibly once they are released from jail.

In order to get your cash back, the defendant needs to show up to court. You also need to make sure that the defendant doesn't engage in any actions that get them arrested again while out on bail.

The defendant needs to be present during the legal process and allow it to be completed. You will get the bond back when the case is complete, regardless of if the defendant is found guilty or not. If the defendant is found not guilty, you'll get your money back when the case is discharged. If the defendant is found guilty, you will get your money back when the defendant shows up for sentencing.

Getting Money Back on a Property Bond

With a property bond, that means that you put the value of your property up as collateral with the courts in order for the defendant to be released from jail. Property bonds work like cash bonds, the defendant needs to show up and be present for all court proceedings, and the property remains yours if the defendant shows up until the case is discharged or they are sentenced. If the defendant fails to show up, ownership of your property will be turned over to the courts.

The key to getting your bail money back is to make sure that the defendant doesn't run off or act irresponsibly. Make sure that they show up for all court appearances if you want to get your money and your property back. If you use a bail bond company, be prepared to pay a small premium for their services that will not be returned to you.