The cost of a bail bond is typically a percentage of the total bail amount. In many states across the U.S., the fee that bail bond companies can charge is set by law at around 10-15%. So, if bail is set at $20,000, a bail bond could cost around $2,000 to $3,000.

This is a non-refundable fee that the bail bond company keeps in exchange for posting the full bail amount with the court. The person who pays the fee (the defendant or someone on their behalf) will not get this money back, even if the defendant is found not guilty or the charges are dropped.

Remember, if the defendant doesn’t show up for court, the bail bondsman could lose the entire bail amount they posted with the court. The bail bond agreement typically includes a clause that makes the defendant or whoever signed the agreement responsible for paying the full bail amount in this case.

Some bail bond companies may require collateral, such as a house, car, or other valuable property, in addition to the fee. This protects the bail bondsman if the defendant doesn’t show up in court and the bail bond company has to pay the full bail amount.