The Different Types of Bail for Different Crimes

Mistakes happen. So when they do and there’s a hefty bail amount to pay for those mistakes, what do you do?

The good news is that there are various types of bail and resources to handle bail payments. Keep reading to learn how each one can apply to you. 

Types of Bail

First of all, what is bail?

Bail is a transactional means of ensuring that someone will appear in court at their appointed time after they’ve been arrested or charged with a crime.

In order to avoid immediate jail time and appear in court later, the defendant is required to pay some form of compensation, also known as bail. 

Here are the most common types of bail you can expect to find:

• Cash Bond
• Cite Out/Release on Citation
• Bail Bond/Surety Bond

Here’s how each one works.

Cash Bond

Cash bond bail is usually one of the more familiar forms of bail where a friend or family member pays bail for the defendant. Note that the method of payment isn’t limited to physical “cash,” and includes check, credit card, or debit card as acceptable forms of payment.

However, if this is the type of bail you encounter, know that the full balance is expected upfront. Because of this, cash bond bail may be a financial impossibility for some, and lead you to choose another form of bail.

Cite Out/Release on Citation

This type of bail involves a written notice from the officer who made the arrest mandating that the defendant must appear in court. The notice should also include the date, time and place for the defendant to follow and appear in court as scheduled.

This method is meant to reduce the rate of incarceration, especially for defendants with nonviolent, minor offenses and does not involve bail payment.

Surety Bond 

If neither the defendant nor the friend or family member can afford bail upfront, they can receive a bond from a bail bond agency. 

Bail bond companies may cosign a bond along with the defendant so that the defendant can pay a fraction of the full payment. With our bail bond services, you can pay just 15 percent of full bail payment to avoid immediate jail time. 

Types of Crimes and Their Bail Payments

Have you ever wondered how bail amounts are determined? It’s all based on the severity of the crime, the defendant’s criminal history, and individual state law. 

Often, the severity of the crime dictates how much bail will mount to.

For instance, personal crimes such as assault, battery, and arson may have a much higher bail amount than statutory crimes such as traffic, drug, or alcohol offenses. 

However, if the defendant is a repeat offender, the bail amount can be high. This happens frequently with drug or alcohol charges.

In North Carolina, the highest potential bail amounts are related to drug trafficking. For serious cases, the state may recommend that defendants obtain $1,500,000 in secure bonds in order to pay for bail.

On the other hand, misdemeanors often have the lowest bail amount with a maximum of $1,000.

Know How to Handle Different Types of Bail

The bail system can pose a stressful process sometimes there are resources to help you with the different types of bail. One of the biggest stressors is the price, but we can help you get the services you need to navigate the bail process.

If you need financial help with bail, we’re prepared to get the right resources for your specific case. We have 24/7 support and low prices to help reunite you with your loved ones. Contact us today to get help.