Question 1

How much is the bail bond normally set by Maryland judges/commissioners?

Accepted Answer

There is no set amount that commissioners or judges set in Maryland criminal cases.  Sometimes a person is released without having to pay any bail for less serious charges.  In most cases where a bail bond is set, the amount depends on a number of factors including the charges the person is facing, the person’s criminal history (if any) and whether the person has ever failed to appear in court.

Question 2

When a bail bond is set, do I have to pay it in cash? Or will the Court take credit cards?

Accepted Answer

When a bail bond is set, there are a number of ways it can be paid.  Any person 18 years of age or older can pay the bond in cash or provide the deed to a property that is worth at least as much as the bond.  A bail bondsman can also be employed, and the person normally pays the bondsman a percentage of the bail and the bail bond company pays the rest.

Question 3

Will a bail bonds company take credit cards?

Accepted Answer

Yes, most bail bonds companies take credit cards.  Please check with the particular bail bondsman on how they take payment.

Question 4

Do I get my bail bond money back when the trial is over?

Accepted Answer

Provided the Defendant has appeared for all court appearances, once the trial is over, the COurt will release all the bail bond funds to the person who put them up.  When a bail bondsman is used, the percentage paid is the bondsman’s fee and that is not refundable.

Question 5

Is there a difference between a bail and a bond?

Accepted Answer

In the context of the criminal court system, the terms “bail” and “bond” are synonymous.

Annapolis	Anne Arundel	Beltsville
Beltsville	Bethesda	Baltimore
Charles County	Chevy Chase	Catonsville
College Park	Ellicott City	Frederick County
Frederick	Gaithersburg	Germantown
Glen Burnie	Greenbelt	Hyattsville
Howard County	Lanham	Laurel
Montgomery	Montgomery County	Olney
Potomac	Prince George’s County	Rockville
Severna Park	Silver Spring	Upper Marlboro

Criminal Stalking/Harassment