Helpful articles for Brevard County families

Brevard County Bail Bond Guide

Cash Bond vs. Bail Bond: What Is the Difference?

Published: September 16, 2026  ·  By: Tom Culbreth Bail Bonds

When a judge or bond schedule sets bail, families often have to decide how to secure a defendant’s release. Two common choices are depositing a cash bond or working with a licensed bail bond agent. Both methods are intended to help secure the defendant’s release while requiring the defendant to appear for future court proceedings, but the amount paid up front, the refund rules, and the financial responsibilities are different.

What is a cash bond?

With a cash bond, the defendant or another person deposits money directly with the jail. In the cash-bond situation, the full amount established by the court must be deposited. For example, a $5,000 cash bond requires $5,000 to be deposited to secure the release of the defendant.

People choosing a cash bond must understand that all fines and fees will be taken out of the cash bond deposited before any funds, if any are left, will be returned after the bond is properly discharged. Therefore, the person who deposited the cash should not assume that the entire amount will be returned, and typically, the refund if any will be a small fraction of what was deposited.

What is a bail bond?

A bail bond—often called a surety bond—is arranged through a licensed bail bond agent and a surety company. Instead of depositing the entire bond amount with the jail or clerk, the person arranging the bond (indemnitor) pays the applicable bail bond premium and completes the required agreement. Depending on the bond and circumstances, collateral may also be required.

The bail bond premium is the cost of the bond and is not refundable once the bond has been executed. The person signing the agreement (indemnotor) also accepts financial responsibility if the defendant fails to follow the bond agreement or does not appear in court.

The primary financial difference

The largest practical difference is the amount of money that must be available immediately. A cash bond requires the full amount of the bond, while a surety bail bond requires the applicable premium of 10% with a minimum of $100.00.

A cash bond is normally not the best or least expensive choice merely because part of it may eventually be returned. Families should consider court deductions, fines and fees and what could happen if the defendant fails to appear at a required court appearance and the bond if forfeited.

What happens if the defendant misses court?

Florida law provides that when a defendant fails to appear as required, the court will declare the bond and any money deposited as bail forfeited. With a surety bond, a missed appearance can also create serious obligations under the bail bond agreement. Anyone released on bond should keep track of court dates and follow all release conditions.

Questions to consider before choosing

• How much is the bond?
• Can the family afford to deposit the full amount without creating financial hardship?
• How long might the funds remain tied up?
• How much will the court costs, fees, penalties, or other authorized deductions come to?
• What premium, paperwork, collateral, or indemnitor requirements apply to a surety bond?
• Does the defendant understand the court dates and all conditions of release?

Get clear answers before making a decision

Every arrest, bond, and financial situation is different. Tom Culbreth Bail Bonds can check available inmate and bond information, explain the surety bond process, and tell you what information is needed to begin. We provide bail bond assistance throughout Cocoa, Sharpes, Rockledge, Merritt Island, Titusville, Melbourne, Palm Bay, and the surrounding Brevard County communities.

Sources: Florida Statutes §§ 903.16, 903.26, and 903.286. This article provides general information and should not be interpreted as legal advice. Court procedures and individual circumstances may differ.

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Brevard County Bail Bond Guide

Do Bondsmen Extend Credit

Published: September 17, 2026  ·  By: Tom Culbreth Bail Bonds

Do Bail Bondsmen Extend Credit? Getting a loved one out of jail quickly is often the priority, but coming up with the full bail bond premium in cash on short notice isn't always possible. This raises a common question: will a bail bondsman let you pay over time?

Yes, Credit Is Sometimes an Option

Many bail bondsmen do extend credit on the bond premium, allowing the indemnitor (the person signing for and financially responsible for the bond) to make a partial payment upfront and pay the rest over time. However, this isn't guaranteed. Whether a bondsman agrees to a payment plan typically depends on their assessment of the indemnitor's ability to repay — including income, employment history, collateral, and overall creditworthiness. A bondsman is taking on financial risk by extending credit, so they'll evaluate that risk before agreeing to terms.

Watch Out for Shady Practices

Unfortunately, not every bondsman operates in good faith. Some use a troubling tactic: they accept a down payment, collect a few additional installments, and then — once they've decided they've collected "enough" — surrender the defendant back into custody. This releases the bondsman from further liability on the bond while allowing them to keep the payments already made, leaving the indemnitor out money with no bond in place. It's a predatory practice that takes advantage of clients who may not fully understand their rights or the terms of their agreement.

Choose a Reputable Bondsman

Because of practices like these, working with a licensed, reputable bail bondsman matters. A trustworthy bondsman will provide clear, written payment terms, explain the consequences of missed payments, and won't surrender a defendant simply because it's become more profitable to do so. Checking reviews, verifying licensing, and asking direct questions about payment expectations upfront can help you avoid being taken advantage of.

Know the Legal Minimums

It's also important to understand that a down payment is just that — a down payment, not the full obligation. Under Florida law, the full bond premium must still be paid according to the statutory rate: 10% of the bond amount, or a $100 minimum on any bond under $1,000, whichever is greater. Any payment plan a bondsman offers is simply a way of collecting that same required premium over time, not a discount or a way around it.

Bottom Line

Payment plans on bail bond premiums are common and can make a difference for families facing an unexpected arrest, but they come with risk if the bondsman isn't reputable. Understanding your state's minimum premium requirements and choosing a licensed, trustworthy bondsman are the best ways to protect yourself financially during an already stressful situation.

This article provides general information and should not be interpreted as legal advice. Court procedures and individual circumstances may differ.

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