Cash bonds are posted by friends, family, or yourself when you're arrested for a crime. These bonds require the full bail amount and are not financed through a bail bondsman. You thereby guarantee your own presence in court. The court holds and restricts the total bail amount until the case is concluded. Posting a cash bond can consequently tie up necessary living funds and savings. Once the case is finalized, the bail is returned to you. Failure to appear for trial forfeits the bail to the court. The court then issues a bench warrant for your arrest. It's intended that you will have more to lose and a greater incentive to appear at court proceedings by either restricting the full bail amount or issuing an arrest warrant. In cases involving drug trafficking, all bail money must have proven origination from non-drug sources before it can be used as bail. For additional information on cash bonds, contact an attorney or court officer.
