In Kansas, if you pay cash bail directly to the court and the defendant complies with all court appearances, the bail money is typically returned, minus any court fees or fines. Yet, if the defendant fails to appear in court as required, the bail money may be forfeited, and a warrant may be issued for their arrest.

If you use a bail bond company to secure the defendant’s release, you pay a non-refundable fee, usually around 10% of the total bail amount, to the bondsman. The bondsman then posts the full bail amount to the court on behalf of the defendant. In this case, you do not get the fee paid to the bondsman back, as it is their fee for providing the bail bond service. If the defendant complies with all court appearances, the bondsman’s collateral (such as property or assets) is returned once the case is resolved.

It’s necessary to understand the terms and conditions of bail, whether paid directly to the court or through a bail bond company, to ensure that you are aware of any potential consequences and requirements.