Bail Bond Release Center of the Palm Beaches

1. Find out where they are

In Palm Beach County almost everyone arrested is taken to the Main Detention Center on Gun Club Road in West Palm Beach. Arrests in the Glades usually go to the West Detention Center in Belle Glade.

It can take several hours for someone to appear in the booking system after the arrest. If you cannot find them yet, that usually means booking is still in progress, not that they are somewhere else.

2. Find the bond amount

Some charges have a bond set on a standard schedule, which means a bond may already exist within a few hours. Others require a judge to set it at first appearance, which happens every morning, including weekends.

If no bond is listed yet, that is normal early on. We can check for you.

3. Understand what the premium is

In Florida the bail bond premium is set by law at 10 percent of the bond amount, with a statutory minimum of $100 per charge. On a $10,000 bond the premium is $1,000.

The premium is the fee for posting the bond. It is fully earned once the defendant is released and is not refunded when the case ends, whatever the outcome. Any collateral held separately is returned when the bond is discharged.

Be careful with anyone quoting less than 10 percent. Undercutting the statutory rate is illegal in Florida, and an agent willing to break that rule is telling you something about how they will handle the rest of your case.

4. Decide who co-signs

The co-signer, called the indemnitor, is the person who guarantees the defendant will appear in court. This is a real financial obligation, not a formality.

If the defendant misses court, the co-signer can be responsible for the full bond amount, not just the premium, plus the cost of locating and surrendering them. Co-signers are usually family members or close friends with steady local ties.

Only agree to co-sign if you genuinely believe the person will show up to every court date. If you are unsure, say so before you sign rather than after.

5. How long release takes

Once the bond is posted, release normally takes four to twelve hours. The timing is controlled by the jail, not by us. Shift changes, headcounts, medical screening and how busy booking is all affect it.

Anyone who promises you a specific release time is guessing.

What we need from you

• Defendant's full name and date of birth
• Which jail they are in, if you know
• The bond amount, if it has been set
• A valid government ID for the co-signer
• A way to pay the premium

The online application walks you through all of it and takes about five minutes.