An arrest call at 2am does not come with a instruction manual. One minute it’s just a normal day, and the next someone you love is in a jail cell in Douglas County, Arapahoe County, or the Jefferson County jail in Golden and you’re not sure what happened, how much it will cost or how quickly you can help them. Once you understand the bail bond process in Colorado, it is straightforward. The problem is that most families are learning it under pressure, in the middle of the night, with a clock running. Before you make that call, there are some points you will need to know about bail bond services in Castle Rock, Aurora, and Golden.
How the Bail Bond Process Works in Colorado
In Colorado, the person arrested is booked into the local detention facility and a judge sets the amount of bail at a bond hearing. Bail is not a fine, but money that is deposited to assure that the defendant will appear at all court dates. Pay entire amount of bail in front of the court and get back at end of the case. The majority of families would not have a $10,000 to $50,000 cash infusion if asked to do so in a hurry, that’s where a bail bondsman comes in.
In Colorado, state law dictates that a bail bond agent will pay the entire bail amount and collect a premium, which is 15 percent of the bail amount and is not refundable. On a $20,000 bond, the premium is $3,000. Not only does that fee never come back, no matter what the case outcome is, but it also does not go to the woman. In return, the bondsman is liable for the entire amount of the bail if the defendant does not appear before the court.
Bail Bond Services in Castle Rock, CO
Castle Rock is in Douglas County and arrests are made through the Douglas County Detention Facility on Justice Way. One of the more efficiently run detention systems is the Douglas County, where the processing of a booking is quicker than in larger urban facilities, giving a bondsman a better chance to post bond and get the person booked out.
What to Expect in Douglas County
Douglas County bond hearings generally take place within 24 hours of arrest. Douglas County uses a risk assessment tool to determine the amount of bail. The amount of the bond for a misdemeanor charge is often in the $1,000 to $5,000 range. Felony bonds are not consistent and can range from $5,000 to $20,000, with some felony charges having much higher bonds.
Due to Castle Rock’s close proximity with Denver, many individuals arrested here have ties and connections to Douglas and Arapahoe County and when charges or court dates might cross over jurisdictions, it makes sense to specifically look for a bondsman with experience in both counties.
Bail Bond Services in Aurora, CO
The Arapahoe County Detention Facility is one of the busiest detention facilities along the Front Range, due to the population and geographic location of Aurora. In Arapahoe County, it may take longer than in smaller counties to process a person, with booking taking between 4 and 12 hours depending on the volume of people, the time of day and the type of charges.
What to Expect in Arapahoe County
The Aurora court system is housed in the 18th Judicial District, which includes Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties. Bond hearings usually take place within 24 hours of arrest, but can be delayed for weekend and holiday arrests. Arapahoe County’s bail amounts are based on Colorado’s bond schedule guidelines, but with a lot of discretion left up to the presiding judge depending on the severity of the charges, flight risk assessment, and criminal history.
Additionally, the City of Aurora has a system of municipal courts to address infractions of City ordinances and lesser level misdemeanors, which operate apart from the district court. While municipal bonds are usually smaller in size and move quicker, the bondsman does still have to be familiar with the procedures of Aurora Municipal Court, specifically to work through them quickly.
Bail Bond Services in Golden, CO
Arrests run through Jefferson County Detention Facility on Jefferson County Parkway, which is Golden, home to Jefferson County. One of the larger jails in the Denver metro area, Jefferson County Jail hands a lot of arrests from all over the county including Golden, Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge and Evergreen.
What to Expect in Jefferson County
The 1st Judicial District Court conducts Jefferson County bond hearings. Jefferson County is known for conditions judges here impose on a bond approval in addition to the money itself, including mandatory no-contact (domestic) orders that go into effect the moment the defendant is released and travel restrictions and pretrial check-ins with bond conditions.
It is important to know these conditions prior to your loved one exiting. Failure to follow a bond condition, even if not intentional, can lead to re-arrest and revocation of the bond without notice to the defendant, even if the defendant has appeared at all court dates.
How Much Do Bail Bonds Cost Across These Three Counties
Colorado law sets the bail bond premium at 15 percent statewide, which means the rate does not vary between bondsmen operating in Castle Rock, Aurora, or Golden. What does vary is the total bail amount set by the court, which determines what 15 percent actually translates to in dollars.
Typical Bail Ranges by Charge Type in Colorado
- Misdemeanor charges: $500 to $5,000 bond premium of $75 to $750
- Class 4 and Class 5 felonies: $5,000 to $25,000 bond premium of $750 to $3,750
- Class 2 and Class 3 felonies: $25,000 to $100,000 bond premium of $3,750 to $15,000
- Serious violent offenses: Bond amounts vary significantly at judicial discretion and can reach six figures
Most bail bond agencies offer payment plans for larger premiums. Collateral real estate, vehicles, or other assets may be required for high-value bonds where the bondsman’s financial exposure is significant.
What Happens If the Defendant Misses a Court Date
Failure to appear at an appointed time and place of court may result in a bench warrant and in bond forfeiture. In Colorado, the bondsman is given a statutory time frame usually 91 days to find the defendant and have him or her come into custody before the full amount of the bond is remanded to the court. In that time, the bondsman is legally allowed to arrest the defendant and hand him over to the detention facility.
A missed court date for the defendant’s family could lead to the loss of the collateral posted to secure the bond. It also refers to extra charges failure to appear in Colorado is an extra criminal charge that is imposed in addition to the initial crime. Please note, court dates are required and there are financial and criminal penalties for non-appearance.
What to Have Ready When You Call a Bail Bondsman
Getting someone out faster depends heavily on how prepared the caller is when they make first contact with a bondsman. Have the following information available before you call:
- The full legal name of the person who was arrested
- The facility where they are being held Douglas County, Arapahoe County, or Jefferson County
- The booking number if available this speeds up the verification process significantly
- The bail amount if it has already been set
- The charges as listed at booking
If the bond hearing has yet to take place and bail is not set yet, a bondsman can start the process, verify the facility’s location, and be prepared to post the bond as soon as the bail is set.
Conclusion
The bail process in Colorado’s three counties can be confusing and stressful enough without an arrest. Each county operates on its own court schedule, bond hearing schedule and release procedures and an efficient bondsman must know each system in particular, not just the system in general.
Fast & Easy Bail Bonds is available 24-hours a day, with local knowledge and relationships in all three counties to ensure your loved one is released as soon as possible as required by the system, for the Castle Rock, Aurora, and Golden areas.