Colorado Springs, CO criminal defense attorney Alexis Austin Litle talks about how bail works in Colorado. She explains that bail is the mechanism courts use to ensure individuals attend their scheduled court appearances. When someone is charged with a crime and bail is set, the court establishes a monetary amount that must be paid to guarantee the individual’s presence in court. Failure to appear results in forfeiture of this money.

There are several types of bail. A cash bond requires the full amount to be paid in cash, often by a friend or family member, as the individual in jail cannot access credit cards. Another option involves surety or property bonds, where a bail bondsman may post the bond on behalf of the defendant. In such cases, a family member typically pays the bondsman a percentage of the total amount, and the bondsman acts as the guarantor to ensure court appearance.

She notes that this system sometimes involves bounty hunters, who are tasked with locating and returning individuals who fail to appear in court, as the bondsman has financially guaranteed their attendance. These professionals are highly trained and can pursue the individual across state lines if necessary.

Overall, obtaining bail—whether through cash, property, or a bondsman—serves to assure the court that the defendant will attend their hearings. Higher bail amounts are generally set for more serious offenses, reflecting the increased risk of flight, whereas lesser charges, such as a DUI, typically involve lower amounts.