Types of Bail Bonds in Gwinnett County

There are five main types of bail bonds that we encounter at AA Professional Bail Bonding, though some are more commonly used than others. We service surety bonds, which are the most common.

Cash Bail
This is a type of bail in which the accused pays the full cost in cash. You do not need the services of a bail bond agent in a cash bail, as the accused is responsible for paying the bail in its entirety.

Surety Bond
This bond is the most common variety, and represents what people typically refer to as a “bail bond.” This requires a friend or relative of the accused to contact a bail bondsman or agent, which can secure the release of the accused by pledging to pay the full cost of the bail if the accused fails to appear in court. They can then pay a percentage, anywhere from 10 to 30 percent, to secure the release of the accused.

Property Bond
A property bond allows a defendant to provide property as collateral for their release, such as a home, car, or boat. In cases like these, the court gets a lien on the property, and they may seek to foreclose or repossess the property in the event that the accused does not show up for court. A bond agent is not necessary for this variety of bond.

Cite Out
Occasionally, an officer will simply issue a citation to the accused to appear in court without formally booking them. This is called a Cite Out, and it places the responsibility of showing up to court squarely on the accused, with no collateral, cash, or surety bond.

Personal Recognizance
Sometimes a judge may release a suspect on his own recognizance. This means that the accused is held responsible for showing up to their own court date without a written citation or a bail. This usually only applies in minor or nonviolent crimes where the accused is not a flight risk.