To “post a bond” means to provide the necessary funds or collateral to secure the release of an individual from custody while they await trial. When someone is arrested and taken into custody, a judge may set a bail amount, which is a financial guarantee that the defendant will return to court for their scheduled hearings.

To post a bond, the defendant or their representative (such as a family member or a bail bondsman) must provide the required funds or collateral to the court or the jail.

There are several ways to post a bond…

1. Cash Bail – The full bail amount is paid directly to the court or the jail in cash, cashier’s check, or money order.

2. Surety Bond – A bail bondsman posts a bond on behalf of the defendant for a non-refundable fee, usually around 10% of the total bail amount. The defendant or their family provides collateral, such as property or assets, to secure the bond.

3. Property Bond – Real estate or other valuable property is used as collateral to secure the defendant’s release. The property must typically have a value equal to or greater than the bail amount set by the court.

4. Release on Own Recognizance (ROR) – In some cases, the defendant may be released without posting bail, based on their promise to appear in court as required.

Once the bond is posted and accepted by the court or the jail, the defendant is released from custody pending trial. Note that if the defendant fails to appear in court as required, the bond may be forfeited, and a warrant may be issued for the arrest. Also, if a bail bondsman is involved, they may take further action to locate and apprehend the defendant.