What does bond exonerated mean?
When someone is arrested, one of the initial things that happen is that they are taken into custody, and a bond amount is set by the court. A bond is a payment that an individual makes to get out of custody while their case is pending. However, the arrestee is not entirely free when they post bond. They are still tied to the court and must appear for their court dates. But what happens when the case is over, and the judge announces bond exonerated? What does bond exonerated mean, and what does it imply? In this post, we help you understand this concept.
What does bond exonerated mean?
When a bond is posted for someone who is in custody, the individual is released from jail while they await the outcome of their case. If an individual fails to comply with court orders, or they do not show up to their court date, the judge may issue a warrant for their arrest. At this time, the bond could be forfeited.
Bond exoneration, on the other hand, occurs when the court cancels the bond, relieving the person who posted it of any financial responsibility or liability. When bond is exonerated, it means that the case is over, and the individual is no longer legally bound to comply with court orders.
Keep Reading: What happens to bond money when charges are dropped?
Why is a bond generally posted?
When a person is arrested for suspected criminal activity, they will be taken into custody by law enforcement entities. They may be required to post a bond to secure their release. The amount of bond is usually set by the judge, depending on the severity of the crime and other factors. Often, bond is posted to ensure that the defendant shows up for all court appearances. The defendant and/or their family members usually post the bond.
Keep Reading: What does post my bail mean?
What happens when the bond is exonerated?
When a bond is exonerated, the individual who posted the bond gets relieved of their financial obligations. However, it’s important to note that any fees paid to bail bondsmen are not refundable, and the bondsman will keep it as compensation for their services. Once the bond is exonerated, and if the defendant has appeared at all the court dates, the defendant is also released from any obligation to the court, and their case will be closed. In short, bond exoneration happens when all the court-mandated requirements have been fulfilled or the case is dismissed.
What happens after bond exoneration?
After exoneration of a bond, many things may happen. As we mentioned, the individual who posted the bond is no longer financially responsible for the bail amount. However, it may take some time for the refund to be processed.
Secondly, the defendant can resume their life after the case, without having to worry about any legal repercussions. Bond exoneration is also considered a significant milestone in the legal process because it signifies that a judgment has been made and that the defendant has satisfied all court-mandated requirements.