Bonds
Bonds are used to secure a defendant's appearance for a court matter. Bonds must be paid with cash or credit card only (checks are not accepted when posting bond). Bonds may be posted in person at the 54B District Court Clerk's Office, 101 Linden St., or by telephone with a credit card, during business hours.
A third party (friend or relative) (PDF) may post a bond for the defendant, but may not get it back if the defendant fails to comply with all of the bond conditions or if the money is applied to fines and costs.
Bond Types
A third party (friend or relative) (PDF) may post a bond for the defendant, but may not get it back if the defendant fails to comply with all of the bond conditions or if the money is applied to fines and costs.
Bond Types
- Interim: This bond is posted at a police department and requires the defendant to appear in court for an arraignment, usually within 10 days. At the time of arraignment, the judge will make a determination about the bond and it will become a bail bond.
- Cash: Must post 100% of the bond set by the judge and agree to follow all bond conditions. If the defendant fails to comply with all bond conditions, the bond may be forfeited.
- 10%: Must post 10% of the bond set by the judge and agree to follow all bond conditions. There will be a bond fee collected at the time the bond is discharged. That fee will be equal to 10% of the amount posted. Example: $1,000 10% bond = $100 to post, $10 will be applied as the bond fee. If the defendant fails to comply with all of the bond conditions, the entire amount of the bond may be due.
- Surety: A bonding agent guarantees to pay the court the amount of the bond set by the judge if the defendant fails to follow all of the bond conditions.
- Personal Recognizance (PR): The defendant signs a form promising to follow all bond conditions. No money is required to post a PR bond, but the judge assesses a dollar amount to the PR bond. If the defendant fails to follow all of the bond conditions, the entire amount of money may be due.