Written by our Subject Matter Experts, Updated on September 25, 2019
Our bail bond directory helps you learn about the bail bond process in Kentucky so you can get in touch with the right people in order to get your loved one out of jail. We answer many important questions on how bail bonds work in Kentucky and how much bail bonds cost.
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- How do bail bonds work in Kentucky?
- How much is bail in Kentucky?
- Free bail in Kentucky via bail funds
How do bail bonds work in Kentucky?
Upon arrest anywhere in the state of Kentucky, a person must be processed at the local county jail. To be released from jail, a few steps must occur, including being “booked in” and posting bail. Once the bail amount is confirmed, you can work with the jail directly to post the payment. The jail serves the role of a bail bondsman, so you won’t need to contact a commercial bail bond company to be released in Kentucky.
In Kentucky, the state will take a non-refundable 10% payment for your bail amount and you can be released from jail. The processing time typically can take anywhere from one to two hours to be completed. While cash bonds are acceptable, it is usually not frequently done due to it’s high expense, but you can certainly pay the Kentucky jail the full bail amount and get all of it back, minus court and administrative fees, upon attending all court dates.
After release, you are expected to make all court dates. If you miss a court date, a warrant for your arrest will be issued and you will land back in a Kentucky jail. Make sure you understand all rules in place after leaving jail, such as any check-ins with your officer, drug testing, rules on leaving the state, etc.
How much is bail in Kentucky?
When it comes to the question of “How much does a bail bond cost?“, Kentucky is a state where private bail bonds cannot be written. Since 1976, Kentucky has banned the private, commercial bail bond industry. No. KRS 431.510 makes it illegal to offer bail bonds in the state which means there is no formal fee structure that we see in other states.
Kentucky has Pretrial Services which handles recommendation to the court on pre-trial releases. An officers interviews the arrested person within 24 hours and makes a recommendation to the court for release based on the person’s prior criminal history, flight risk, employment, and other factors. If it’s determined the person can be released, various scenarios can be explored. Similarly to using a bail bondsman, you will pay the state a 10% bail bond fee to be released. There simply isn’t a middle man in this process which the state of Kentucky prefers. You can also be released by paying the full amount in cash or putting property up. Low flight risk, little criminal history, and a low-income situations may offer additional flexibility as the state wants to avoid discriminator practices that may hurt someone’s long term success in life.
Free Bail Money in Kentucky – Bail Funds
Charitable bail funds, or other similarly termed free charity bail bond options, are a great option to explore in freeing individuals who otherwise would not have a way out of jail.
Louisville Community Bail Fund
Louisville, KY
(502)272-0056
Website
Email
To familiarize yourself with bail bonds and related information, please browse through the frequently asked questions below.
How much does bail cost for different crimes?
When you post bail, what happens to the money?
A bounty hunter is hired by a bail bondsman to locate and arrest a person who does not show to court as agreed in their bail bond agreement. Bounty hunters are sometimes referred to as bail recovery agents.
Is a bail bondsman the same as a bounty hunter?
When does a bounty hunter come after me?
