What actually happens after an arrest in Virginia
Everyone arrested in Virginia is brought before a magistrate, usually within hours. The magistrate decides one of three things: release on personal recognizance with no money involved, release on an unsecured bond where you owe the amount only if you fail to appear, or a secured bond that has to be guaranteed before the jail will let you out.
The third outcome is where we come in. A secured bond means the court wants the money in hand. We post it, the jail processes the release, and you walk out — typically within one to four hours of us arriving, depending on how backed up the facility is that night.
If the magistrate denies bond entirely, you will be held until a bond hearing before a judge, generally the next business day. We can tell you over the phone which situation you are in once we have the name and the facility.
What a bail bond costs
Virginia law sets the premium. A licensed bail bondsman may not charge less than 10 percent or more than 15 percent of the bond amount. That band is statutory, not a matter of negotiation, and any bondsman quoting outside it is violating the terms of their DCJS license.
On a $10,000 bond, that means a premium somewhere between $1,000 and $1,500. The premium is earned when the bond is posted and is not refunded when the case ends, win or lose — it is the fee for the service of guaranteeing the money, not a deposit.
Virginia also prohibits a bondsman from lending money at interest to help someone obtain a bond. If a bondsman offers to finance your premium as an interest-bearing loan, that is not a payment plan, and it is not legal.
What a co-signer takes on
Most bonds require an indemnitor — a co-signer who guarantees the defendant will appear. The co-signer is agreeing that if the defendant skips, the co-signer is responsible for the full face amount of the bond, not the premium.
We will explain this in writing before anyone signs. It is the single most misunderstood part of the process, and the moment a family member most needs a straight answer rather than a sales pitch.
FAQ — Bail Bonds
What is bail?
Bail is the security a court requires before releasing someone who is awaiting trial. It is not a fine and not a punishment — it is a guarantee that the accused will come back to court. If they appear as required, the bail has done its job. If they do not, the court keeps it. Bail can be satisfied by paying the full amount to the court in cash, or by having a licensed bondsman guarantee it on your behalf for a percentage.
Who is a co-signer?
A co-signer, also called a guarantor or indemnitor, is the person who takes financial responsibility for the defendant while they are out on bail. They guarantee the full face amount of the bond, not the premium — on a $20,000 bond, the co-signer is on the hook for $20,000 if the defendant disappears, not the $2,000 to $3,000 premium. It should be someone with genuine influence over the defendant, and we explain the obligation in writing before anyone signs.
How is the bail amount determined?
A magistrate or judge sets it after weighing the seriousness of the charge, the defendant's prior record, their ties to the area — job, family, how long they have lived here — and whether they have failed to appear in court before. The question the court is answering is how much security it takes to make sure this particular person comes back. Bail can also be reduced at a bond hearing, which is something to raise with a defense attorney.
How can bail be paid?
Three ways. The defendant or their family can pay the full amount directly to the court in cash, which is returned at the end of the case minus any fines or costs. They can borrow it. Or they can use a licensed bail bondsman, who guarantees the full amount to the court in exchange for a premium of 10 to 15 percent of the bond — a band set by Virginia Code § 9.1-185.8, not by the bondsman — plus collateral in some cases. The premium is not refundable; it is the fee for the guarantee. Collateral is returned when the bond is exonerated.
How much does a bail bond cost in Virginia?
Between 10 and 15 percent of the bond amount. Virginia Code § 9.1-185.8 sets that band, and a licensed bondsman cannot legally charge outside it. On a $5,000 bond the premium is $500 to $750.
How fast can you get someone out?
Once we have the bond posted, release depends on the facility's processing speed. In Northern Virginia that is usually one to four hours. Weekend nights and holidays run longer because intake is busier.
Do I get the premium back if the charges are dropped?
No. The premium is the fee for posting the bond and is fully earned the moment we post it. It is not a deposit held by the court. Cash bail posted directly with the court is refundable; a bond premium is not.
What do you need from me to start?
The full name of the person in custody, their date of birth, the facility holding them, and the bond amount if you have it. If you don't have the bond amount we can look it up. From there we need a co-signer with verifiable identification and address.
Can I bail someone out if I have bad credit?
Credit is not the deciding factor. What matters is whether we can verify your identity, your address, and your relationship to the defendant, and whether the overall risk on the bond is one we can accept. We take payment plans and collateral into account.
What happens if the person misses court?
The court forfeits the bond and issues a capias for their arrest. The co-signer becomes liable for the full face amount. In most cases this is recoverable if the person is located and returned to court quickly, which is why calling us the same day matters enormously.
Are you really open 24 hours?
Yes — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. Not an answering service that takes a message: a licensed bondsman picks up and starts working. Magistrates set bond at every hour, most arrests happen at night and on weekends, and a jail does not slow down because it is Christmas. Call 703-231-4278 whenever it happens.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes — Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover, plus cash, certified check and money order. We can take a card over the phone, so you do not need to drive anywhere in the middle of the night to get the process started.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. If the full premium is out of reach tonight, we will set up a schedule that gets your family member out now and spreads the balance over installments you can actually meet. Tell us honestly what you can put down and what you can manage monthly — we would rather build a plan that works than one that collapses in week three.
Do you charge interest on a payment plan?
No, and no licensed Virginia bondsman may. Virginia Code § 9.1-185.8 prohibits a bail bondsman from lending money at interest to help someone obtain a bond. A payment plan spreads the premium you already owe; a loan with interest is a different product and it is not legal here. If another agency quotes you a financed premium with interest, that is a licensing violation.
What can be used as collateral?
Most commonly a vehicle title, real property, or cash held against the bond. What we ask for depends on the bond amount, the charge, and the co-signer's ties to the area, and Virginia law requires that it be reasonable in relation to the size of the bond.
When do I get my collateral back?
Once the case concludes and the bond is exonerated, and any outstanding fees are paid. We give you a written receipt when we take it, describing exactly what we hold and the terms of its return. If you make a specific request after those conditions are met, Virginia law requires the collateral back within fifteen days.