What is Bail?
Bail is the property/money that a defendant pledges to the court in order to be released from custody instead of remaining incarcerated until the trial begins. It acts as a deposit to ensure the defendant will show up to all court proceedings. If any court proceedings are missed, the bail property/monies are forfeited to the court. Because of bail, the courts are more certain the defendant will appear for court and no taxpayer money is at risk.
How does Bail Work?
If you, a friend or family member has been arrested, he or she is first taken to a police station to be booked or processed into custody. Once this is completed, the defendant is allowed to make a phone call.
Once a Bond has been set, the amount can be posted in cash or via a surety bond issued by a bail bond agent with a bail bonding company.
When a defendant is unable to provide the full amount of set bond in cash bail, Out Bail Bonds can enter into a contract with the defendant, friend or family member that has Out Bail Bonds issue a surety bond for the full amount. Out Bail Bonds guarantees the defendant’s appearance to all court dates and assumes financial responsibility to the court on the bail amount. Typically the charge for service is 10% of the bond’s value, but other fees may apply as well. Defendants may be required to secure a cosigner in order to meet requirements as determined by Out Bail Bonds.
Out Bail Bonds will always take the necessary time to answer all questions and fully explain the bail process and conditions of the contract prior to anyone signing a bail bond contract issued by Out Bail Bonds.
The State of Iowa has a Uniformed Bond Schedule that determines the bond amount set for charges when the court is not in session. When arrested, the defendant may bond out at the Uniformed Bond Schedule amount or may wait until the initial appearance in front of a judge who may or may not enter the scheduled amount.
Iowa Uniformed Bond Schedule:
* Violation of 124.401 (1) (a)&(b) (class “B” felony charge for manufacture or delivery of certain controlled substances, counterfeit substances, or substitute substances, including heroin, cocaine and meth) – $1000,000
* Violation of 124.401(1)(c) (class “C” felony charge for the above type crimes) – $50,000
* Any class “B” Felony – $25,000
* Any class “C” Felony – $10,000
* Any class “D” Felony – $5,000
* Aggravated misdemeanor – $2,000
* Serious misdemeanor – $1,000
* Simple misdemeanor – $300
The new Bond Schedule effective July 2, 2017 states that bond my NOT be set for persons arrested for the following offenses until after they have been seen by a judicial officer:
* Forcible felony crimes, as defined in 702.11
* Manufacture, deliver, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, or distribution of methamphetamine under Code 124.401, as provided for in Iowa Code 804.21(1)
* Stalking, pursuant to Iowa Code section 708.11(5)
* Persons arrested or taken into custody pursuant to Iowa Code sections 236.11 or 236.12 (Domestic abuse assault)
* Persons arrested or taken into custody for intimidation with a dangerous weapon in violation of Iowa Code section 724.26(1)
* Persons arrested or taken into custody for possession of a firearm by a felon in violation of Iowa Code section 724.26(1)