It is common for individuals to not understand what to anticipate about Cuyahoga County bail bonds until they or their family members are arrested. Thus, they usually have concerns about bail, bonds processes, and related costs. At 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we provide general information on these and more related topics. Plus, we provide fast, affordable, and reliable bail bond services throughout Cuyahoga County. Call us for help if you or your loved one is under arrest, and bail is an option.

What Bail Means

When a police officer arrests you, and you are charged with an offense, they will often take you in and hold you in a jail cell. Then, early in your case, the judge offers you bail to await your trial from outside jail. At this point, you are presumed innocent.

Bail refers to an agreement or deal between an accused and the court. The agreement allows the accused to secure their release from detention while they await their court trial and other hearings.

How Bail Works In Cuyahoga County

A judge usually sets the terms and conditions of bail at the start of a case. They can change those terms later. Sometimes, the judge agrees to free defendants if they simply decide to make court appearances and follow the court-imposed conditions. In other situations, the accused must deposit cash with the court to secure their jail release. They will receive their money back if they attend all their court proceedings as required. If they do not, they forfeit the funds to the court.

The assurance a defendant gives the court, be it their word, property, or cash, is known as a bond. The defendants themselves can pay a bond, or another person can pay it for them.

Types of Bonds in Cuyahoga County

Judges determine what kind of bond to set for every accused person. At times, they will depend on an assessment or interview of the defendant conducted by an employee of the court. A judge in Cuyahoga can decide to set any of these bonds:

Personal Bond or Own Recognizance BondL

A personal bond is a signed promise whereby you agree to make future court appearances. You also must promise to obey the court-imposed conditions, like regular check-ins with the authorities or wearing a GPS monitor.

You can be rearrested and placed in custody if you do not attend court as required or violate court rules. Or, the court judge can impose another bond or additional conditions. Sometimes, personal bonds come with a monetary value attached that you could also owe if you violate the bond deal. Personal bonds are alternatively called personal recognizance or own recognizance bonds.

Property Bonds

You can use real estate, often a house, as collateral to secure your jail release. In this case, the court puts a lien on your property. If you fail to make court appearances or violate bond conditions, the court may seize the property. 

Cash Bonds

A cash bond is a payment you deposit with the court in exchange for jail release while your case is pending. If you fail to attend court or violate the court-ordered conditions, the police can rearrest you. Or, the court judge may impose another bond or additional conditions. Also, the court could keep the payment you had previously made.

Cuyahoga County Bail Bonds

Cuyahoga County bail bonds are also called surety bonds. Here, you pay part of the imposed bail value, often 10% plus administrative fees, to a local Cuyahoga County bail bonds service. For example, if your bail value is ten thousand U.S. dollars, you will pay $1,000 to the bond company. This amount is non-refundable as it is the company’s service fee. The administrative fee is also non-refundable. 

After you pay the company, its bondsman will issue an insurance policy to the court stating that the company will pay the full bail amount if you fail to attend court. If you fail to make court appearances or violate court-imposed conditions, the bondsman will be compelled to pay the entire bail amount to the court. The company will generally then attempt to recover the money from you.

For this, some Cuyahoga County bail bond companies require that defendants provide a co-signer, collateral, or both to guarantee their appearance. Should the accused disappear and the bondsman must pay the bail amount to the court, they can pursue the co-signer for collection or sell the collateral to recover their money.

What Becomes of a Bond When the Case Ends?

A case primarily ends when:

  • The court dismisses the case
  • The defendant is found either guilty and subject to sentencing or
  • The jury or judge finds the defendant not guilty

Once any of the above happens, provided the court has not directed the bond forfeited or revoked, the court clerk will release the bond money to the company or person who paid it. The court could return the whole cash bond amount if it found you not guilty or dismissed the case. Or it could take court fines, costs, and administrative fees related to the case should the individual who paid the bond permit it. The court would release the lien if you posted a bond using a property.

Judges Do Not Always Grant Bail

In Cuyahoga County, judges virtually always grant bail. However, Ohio law also allows judges not to grant bail. The law provides conditions for judges not to set bail. According to this process, a judge must schedule a court hearing and consider evidence from the defense and prosecution.

A judge could decide to deny bail if evidence shows the defendant perpetrated the offense and poses a threat to a witness, victim, or the general public. Also, the judge must believe no safety measure, such as electronic ankle monitoring, would safeguard the community to deny bail. When the judge denies bail, you will remain behind bars until your trial. This is called being remanded without bail.

Court Information

Court of Common Pleas, General Division

1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113

Phone No.: 216-443-8560

Jail Information

Cuyahoga County Jail

1215 W 3rd St.
Cleveland, OH 44113

Phone No.: 216-443-6000

Contact a Reliable Cuyahoga County Bail Bonds Service Near Me

When a person hires a bonds service to assist in making bail, they will be reassured during the intricate process. They will have a bondsman on their side, conversant with local jails and courts, and available round the clock to offer help. The bondsman will ensure the accused understands their responsibilities and the significance of attending court.

At 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we are devoted to assisting people in navigating this challenging moment. We are available 24/7 and offer flexible payment options. If you are looking for professional Cuyahoga County bail bonds services, call us at 800-930-8999 today.