Three kinds of money, three different answers
| What you paid | Refunded when charges are dropped? | Who gets it |
|---|---|---|
| Cash bail posted with the court | Yes, on exoneration, less court-ordered deductions | The depositor of record |
| Bail bond premium (10%) | No — fully earned at release | N/A |
| Collateral pledged to the surety | Yes, once the bond is exonerated | The indemnitor who pledged it |
Why cash bail comes back
Cash bail is a deposit, not a fee. Under Penal Code §1305(a)(2), the court loses jurisdiction to declare a forfeiture and bail is released if the case is dismissed or no complaint is filed within 15 days of arraignment.
When the case ends, the court exonerates bail and the clerk issues a refund check to the depositor named on the receipt — which is why the name on that receipt matters. Under Penal Code §1297, money deposited by a third party is returned to that party unless it was assigned in writing.
Refunds are not instant. Los Angeles County refunds routinely take 30 to 90 days after exoneration, and the court can deduct outstanding fines, restitution, or fees before cutting the check.
Getting collateral released
- Obtain the minute order or docket entry showing dismissal or exoneration.
- Send it to the bail agent so the surety can close the file.
- Property liens are reconveyed and titles released once the bond is closed out.
- Cash collateral is returned by the surety, typically within a few weeks of exoneration.
If the payment plan still has a balance, that balance survives dismissal — the premium was earned. Armstrong will confirm your remaining balance and collateral status in writing on request.