BAIL BONDS - DAYTONA BEACH FAQ

A judge typically sets bail during a court hearing. In some cases, such as for minor offenses, bail may be set according to a predetermined bail schedule

Bail is money or property that an arrested person gives to the court as a guarantee that they will return for their court dates. Think of it as a deposit or insurance policy.

A bail hearing (also called a "bond hearing") is a court proceeding where a judge decides:

IF the arrested person can be released from jail before trial.

HOW MUCH bail will be set (if any)

WHAT CONDITIONS must be followed for release

When Does It Happen?

Usually within 24-72 hours after arrest

For minor offenses, bail may be set automatically (no hearing needed)

For serious crimes (felonies, violent offenses), a formal hearing is required.

What Happens During the Hearing?

The Judge Considers:

✅ Severity of the crime - More serious = higher bail or no bail

✅ Criminal history - Past arrests, failures to appear in court

✅ Flight risk - Will they run? Do they have ties to the community?

✅ Public safety - Are they a danger to others?

✅ Financial resources - Can they afford to pay bail?

✅ Employment & family ties - Stable job, family in the area (less likely to flee)

The Judge Decides:

Release on Own Recognizance (ROR) - No bail required, just promise to appear

Set a Bail Amount - "$10,000 bail" for example

Deny Bail - Too dangerous or high flight risk (stays in jail until trial)

Set Conditions - Electronic monitoring, no contact orders, travel restrictions

Who Attends?

The defendant (arrested person)

Defense attorney (represents the defendant)

Prosecutor (argues for higher bail or no bail)

Judge (makes the final decision)

Sometimes family members in the courtroom

Cash Bail (Paying Full Amount Directly to Court):

When Posted:

Money goes to the court clerk's office

Held in a court trust account

Court keeps it as "insurance" that defendant shows up

When Case Ends:

✅ Defendant shows up to ALL court dates → Full bail amount is returned

❌ Defendant misses court → Bail is forfeited (kept by the court/county)

Deductions from refund:

Court fees

Fines

Restitution to victims

Public defender costs (if applicable)

Timeline: Can take 30-90 days to get money back after case concludes

Bail Bonds (Using a Bondsman like Bob Barry Bail Bonds):

What the Customer Pays:

10% non-refundable fee to Bob Barry Bail Bonds (Florida standard rate)

Example: $10,000 bail = $1,000 fee to Bob Barry Bail Bonds

Where That $1,000 Goes:

✅ Bob Barry Bail Bonds keeps it - This is their service fee/profit

❌ NOT refundable - Even if charges are dropped or found innocent

What Bob Barry Bail Bonds Does:

Posts the full $10,000 to the court on defendant's behalf

Takes the financial risk

Guarantees defendant will appear

When Case Ends:

✅ Defendant shows up → Court returns the $10,000 to Bob Barry Bail Bonds

❌ Defendant skips court → Bob Barry Bail Bonds loses $10,000 (and will hunt them down)

📊 The Money Flow - Visual Breakdown:

SCENARIO 1: Cash Bail

Family pays $10,000 → Court holds it → Case ends → Family gets $10,000 back (minus fees)

SCENARIO 2: Bail Bond

Family pays $1,000 to Bob Barry Bail Bonds (GONE FOREVER) ↓ Bob Barry Bail Bonds pays $10,000 to Court ↓ Defendant goes to all court dates ↓ Court returns $10,000 to Bob Barry Bail Bonds (profit + returned capital) ↓ Family gets NOTHING back (already paid the service fee)

What Does the Court/County Do With Forfeited Bail?

When someone skips court and bail is forfeited, that money goes to:

County general fund

Court operations

Law enforcement budgets

Victim compensation funds (in some cases)

In Volusia County specifically, forfeited bail money becomes county revenue.

Common Customer Confusion:

"If my loved one is found innocent, do I get my $1,000 back from Bob Barry Bail Bonds?"

Answer: NO. The $1,000 was a service fee for:

Posting bail immediately (you didn't have $10,000)

Taking the risk on your behalf

Handling all paperwork

Being available 24/7

Guaranteeing court appearance

It's like paying a plumber—even if the pipe didn't need fixing, you still pay for the service call.

A bail bond is a financial agreement between a bail bondsman (like Bob Barry Bail Bonds), the court, and the defendant that allows someone to get out of jail while awaiting trial—without paying the full bail amount upfront.

Think of it as a payment plan + insurance guarantee combined.

How Does a Bail Bond Work? (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Person Gets Arrested

Taken to Volusia County Jail

Booked and processed (fingerprints, mugshot, paperwork)

Step 2: Bail Hearing / Bail is Set

Judge sets bail amount (e.g., $10,000)

Amount depends on: crime severity, criminal history, flight risk

Step 3: Family Can't Afford Full Bail

Court requires $10,000 cash

Most families don't have $10,000 sitting around

Solution: Call Bob Barry Bail Bonds

Step 4: Contact Bail Bondsman

Family calls Bob Barry Bail Bonds at (386) 258-6900

Available 24/7

Can be done by phone (no office visit required)

Step 5: Pay the Bondsman's Fee

Florida law: 10% of bail amount

$10,000 bail = $1,000 fee to Bob Barry Bail Bonds

This fee is NON-REFUNDABLE (it's the service charge)

Payment plans available at Bob Barry Bail Bonds

Step 6: Sign the Bail Bond Agreement

Legal contract with terms and conditions

Defendant promises to appear at ALL court dates

Co-signer (usually family member) guarantees defendant will show up

May require collateral (property, car title, etc.) for high bail amounts

Step 7: Bob Barry Bail Bonds Posts Bail

Bob Barry Bail Bonds pays the full $10,000 to the court

Court holds it as guarantee

Uses insurance backing and their own funds

Step 8: Defendant is Released

Usually within 30 minutes to a few hours after paperwork is complete

Depends on jail processing speed at Volusia County Jail

Bob Barry Bail Bonds has connections to speed this up

Step 9: Defendant Must Follow Rules

Attend ALL court dates (no exceptions)

Follow bail conditions (no travel, check-ins, etc.)

Stay out of trouble (no new arrests)

Step 10A: Defendant Shows Up to Court ✅

Case concludes (guilty, innocent, or dismissed)

Court returns the $10,000 to Mann Bail Bonds

Family's $1,000 fee is NOT returned (that was the service fee)

Bond obligation is complete

Step 10B: Defendant Skips Court ❌

Bail is forfeited - Court keeps the $10,000

Warrant issued for defendant's arrest

Bob Barry Bail Bonds is now out $10,000

Bounty hunter may be hired to find defendant

Co-signer is liable - May have to pay Bob Barry Bail Bonds the $10,000

Collateral (house, car) can be seized

The Three Key Players:

1. The Court

Sets bail amount

Holds the money

Returns it when case ends (if defendant complies)

2. Bob Barry Bail Bonds (The Bondsman)

Posts the full bail amount

Charges 10% service fee

Takes the financial risk

Ensures defendant appears in court

3. The Defendant/Family

Pays 10% fee

Signs contract

Guarantees court appearance

Gets loved one out of jail quickly

Real-World Example:

Scenario: Sarah arrested for DUI

Bail set: $5,000

Sarah's mom calls Bob Barry Bail Bonds

Mom pays: $500 (10% of $5,000) + signs as co-signer

Bob Barry Bail Bonds posts: Full $5,000 to court

Sarah released: Within 2 hours

Sarah attends all court dates: ✅

Case ends: Court returns $5,000 to Bob Barry Bail Bonds

Mom gets back: $0 (the $500 was the service fee)

Result: Sarah stayed out of jail for only $500 instead of $5,000

Why Use a Bail Bond Instead of Paying Cash?

Advantages:

✅ Immediate release - Don't need full amount upfront ✅ Only pay 10% - $1,000 instead of $10,000 ✅ Keep your savings - Money stays in your bank account ✅ Payment plans - Bob Barry Bail Bonds offers flexible payments ✅ 24/7 availability - Can post bail anytime, day or night ✅ Expert guidance - Bondsman handles all paperwork

Bail vs. Bond: What's the Difference?

BAIL = The Amount of Money

Bond = The Method of Payment

They're related but NOT the same thing.

BAIL (The Amount)

Definition: The dollar amount set by the judge that must be paid to the court to secure release from jail.

Example: "Your bail is set at $10,000"

Key Points:

It's a number/amount ($5,000, $50,000, etc.)

Set by a judge at the bail hearing

Acts as insurance that defendant will return to court

The court holds this money until case ends

Think of it as: The price tag for temporary freedom

BOND (The Payment Method)

Definition: The financial arrangement or instrument used to pay the bail amount.

Example: "We'll post a bail bond for you"

Key Points:

It's the method or mechanism of payment

Can be paid different ways (cash, surety, property, etc.)

The guarantee to the court that bail will be paid

Think of it as: How you're going to come up with that money

Simple Analogy:

BAIL = The price of a car ($20,000) BOND = The way you pay for it (cash, loan, lease)

You need to pay the bail (price), and the bond (payment method) is how you do it.

Types of Bonds (Payment Methods):

1. Cash Bond

Pay the full bail amount directly to the court in cash

Example: Bail is $10,000 → Pay $10,000 to court → Get $10,000 back when case ends

2. Surety Bond ⭐ (This is what Bob Barry Bail Bonds provides)

Pay a bondsman 10% of bail

Bondsman pays the full amount to court

Example: Bail is $10,000 → Pay Bob Barry Bail Bonds $1,000 (non-refundable) → Bob Barry posts $10,000

3. Property Bond

Use real estate as collateral

Court places lien on your property

Example: Bail is $50,000 → Use your house (worth $200,000+) as guarantee

4. Personal Recognizance (PR Bond)

No money required

Sign a promise to appear

Example: Judge says "released on your own recognizance" → Walk out free

5. Federal Bond ( Bob Barry handles these types of bonds)

For federal crimes only

More complex, higher amounts

Stricter conditions

You may need a bail bond if you or a loved one has been arrested and cannot afford to pay the full bail set by the court.

Having this information that will help speed up the bail process (not required). Here's a comprehensive guide:

What You Should Know BEFORE Contacting a Bail Bond Agent

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION TO GATHER:

When you call Bob Barry Bail Bonds, having this information ready will speed up the process significantly:

1. DEFENDANT'S FULL INFORMATION:

✅ Full Legal Name (exactly as it appears on their ID)

Not nickname—legal first, middle, last name

Include any suffixes (Jr., Sr., III)

✅ Date of Birth

Month/Day/Year

✅ Social Security Number (if available)

Helps locate them in the system faster

✅ Physical Description (helpful but not required)

Height, weight, race, hair color, eye color

2. ARREST & JAIL INFORMATION:

✅ Which Jail Are They In?

Volusia County Branch Jail (Daytona Beach)

Volusia County Correctional Facility (Daytona Beach)

Other facility

✅ Booking Number / Inmate Number

This is KEY—speeds up everything

Usually given when person is booked

Can be found online on jail's inmate search

✅ Date & Time of Arrest

When were they arrested?

✅ Charges (what they were arrested for)

DUI, felony, domestic violence, etc.

Multiple charges? List them all

✅ Bail Amount (if known)

Has bail been set yet?

How much is it?

Sometimes this isn't known until bail hearing

3. YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION:

✅ Your Full Name

✅ Your Relationship to Defendant

Spouse, parent, sibling, friend, etc.

✅ Your Phone Number

Must be reachable 24/7 during this process

✅ Your Address

✅ Your Email Address (if doing bail by phone)

4. FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

✅ How Will You Pay?

Cash

Credit/debit card

Check

Payment plan (Bob Barry Bail Bonds offers this!)

✅ Can You Afford the 10% Fee?

Example: $10,000 bail = $1,000 fee

If not, ask about payment plans