All bonds, other than surety bonds, must be posted in the form of cash, certified check or cashier's check except for surety bonds. A surety bond is obtained through a bondsman. The bondsman is then responsible for filing the proper paperwork with the court to assure the bond.

• List of Approved Bail Bondsmen (for Surety Bonds)

If you are posting a 10% bond, no matter what the outcome of the case is, upon return of bond you will only receive 90% back. The Court will keep 10% of the bond.

Example: Your bond is set at $1,000 with a 10% provision allowed. You would have to post $100. If the bond was returned to you, you would receive a check for $90 and the Court would keep $10.

Be aware that some or all of the bond money may be used to pay for fines and/or costs. The full amount may not be returned.

If you are posting bond for someone that is in jail, you would post the bond at the Court during the Court's business hours. You can only post the bond for a case that is in our Court. We do not accept payment of bond for other Courts. After business hours, bond is posted at the jail.

If you have posted a bond for someone else and the defendant fails to appear for court, you will lose your bond and it will be forfeited. If the defendant does appear, the bond can be transferred to pay fines and costs or returned to you.

You as the poster have two options:

1. Bring the bond receipt into the Court to authorize payment of fines and costs or to have it returned to you.
2. Make a copy of your ID, sign the copy, and write out what you want done with the bond money. This document can be delivered to the court in person, by mail or emailed to 522AR@oakgov.com.

Then the defendant can bring in the original bond receipt to have it processed.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the bond, or if you do not understand the procedure, you should contact the court.