Bail is a procedure where one is set free after they have been arrested upon fulfilling the conditions set by the court. One can be released from custody or jail if they pay a sum of money known as a bail bond. Bail can also include delivering other items such as a title to property or any other security; to make sure that the person released can attend court hearings when needed to.
How does bail work in Colorado?
In Colorado, when someone is arrested, they will be booked at a law enforcement station. Before they can be incarcerated, they have several release options. Here are such options:
- Cash bail
- Surety bond
- Property bond
- One is released through personal recognizance (PR)
- Release on citation
The bail premium in Colorado is 15% or a minimum of $50. However, with some bail bond companies, 10% is charged for bonds that are $5,000 or more. Most courts in Colorado will charge booking, filing or bonding fee of $5 to-$50. As with cash bail, it means that one has to give the court the total amount charged in cash. This money will be returned in full if the defendant appears in court all the time when required to.
In Colorado, a surety bond is another alternative a defendant has. An admitted insurance company undertakes to pay bond forfeiture if the defendant does not make court appearances as scheduled. The bail agent guarantees this through a surety bond insurance company or through their property.
Property bonds can be posted in court whereby the court will record a lien on the defendant’s property as security for the bond amount.
A county-administered pre-trial program of release can be used to have a defendant released without any form of financial security. The employees of these release programs will interview the defendants and make recommendations to the court.
An arresting officer can issue a citation to the arrestee and inform them that they must appear in court at the appointed dates. This is known as citing out.
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