Surety Bail Bonds in Centennial, Colorado

In Colorado, surety bail bond premiums are regulated by state law and typically range from 10% to 15% of the total bail amount. For example, if bail is set at $5,000, you would pay between $500 and $750 to the bail bond company. This fee is non-refundable and covers the service provided by the bondsman. Some bonds may require additional collateral depending on the amount and risk factors involved. Mary Ellen's Centennial Bail Bonds offers payment plans to help make the premium more manageable for families.

When you pay cash bail, you post the full bail amount directly with the court. This money is held until the case concludes, then returned to you (minus any fines or fees) as long as the defendant appeared at all hearings. With a surety bond, you pay only 10-15% of the bail amount to a bail bond company, which then posts the full bail amount on your behalf. The key difference is that surety bond fees are non-refundable, while cash bail is returned. Most people choose surety bonds because they don't have thousands of dollars available to post as cash bail.

If the defendant fails to appear in court, the surety bond is forfeited, and a bench warrant is typically issued for their arrest. As the indemnitor (co-signer), you become responsible for paying the full bail amount to the bail bond company. The company may also pursue collection of any collateral that was pledged. This is why it's critical to ensure the defendant understands their court obligations and appears at every scheduled hearing. If there's an emergency or legitimate reason for missing court, contact us immediately so we can help address the situation with the court.

Collateral requirements vary depending on the bail amount, the charges, and the defendant's ties to the community. For lower bail amounts and straightforward cases, collateral may not be required. For higher bail amounts (such as $50,000 or more) or when the defendant is considered a flight risk, the bail bond company may require collateral to secure the bond. Acceptable collateral can include real estate, vehicles, jewelry, or other valuable assets. The collateral is returned once the case concludes and all obligations are met. Our bail agents will discuss collateral requirements during the application process.

Yes, you can secure a surety bond for someone arrested in Colorado even if you live out of state. Many of our clients are family members or friends calling from other states to help a loved one. We can complete most of the application process over the phone, and in some cases, documents can be signed electronically. However, the indemnitor (co-signer) will need to provide information about employment, residence, and references. Out-of-state indemnitors may be required to provide additional documentation or collateral depending on the circumstances.

Once we post the surety bond with the jail, release typically takes between 2 and 8 hours, though this can vary depending on how busy the facility is at that time and their internal processing procedures. Some jails are faster than others. We work as quickly as possible to complete the paperwork and coordinate with jail staff to expedite release. Our bail agents will provide realistic time estimates based on current conditions at the specific detention facility and keep you updated throughout the process.

To begin the surety bond process, we'll need the defendant's full name, date of birth, and the jail or detention facility where they're being held. We can look up the charges and bail amount. We'll also need information about the indemnitor (co-signer), including full name, address, employment details, and references. Having a valid ID ready will help speed up the process. If you don't have all this information, call us anyway at (720) 513-5382—we can help you gather what's needed and get started immediately.