How Bail Bonds Work in New Jersey
Complete guide to the bail process, costs, and laws in New Jersey (NJ).
New Jersey Bail Bond Quick Facts
New Jersey Bail Laws Overview
The Criminal Justice Reform Act replaced cash bail with a risk-based system. Judges use the Public Safety Assessment (PSA) tool to make pretrial decisions. Defendants are either released with conditions or detained.
New Jersey virtually eliminated cash bail in 2017 through the Criminal Justice Reform Act. A risk assessment tool determines whether defendants are released or detained. Commercial bail bonds are rarely used.
Bail Bond Costs in New Jersey
The standard bail bond premium in New Jersey is N/A — Mostly eliminated of the total bail amount. This fee is non-refundable and is paid to the bail bond agent for their service.
Example Costs in New Jersey
Step-by-Step: Getting a Bail Bond in New Jersey
Arrest and Booking
After an arrest in New Jersey, the defendant is taken to a local county jail or city jail for booking. This process includes recording personal information, fingerprinting, and taking a mugshot. Booking can take 1-4 hours depending on the facility.
Bail Is Set
A judge or magistrate sets the bail amount based on the charges, criminal history, and flight risk. Many New Jersey courts use a bail schedule for common offenses. For serious charges, a bail hearing may be required.
Contact a Bail Bondsman
Call a licensed bail bond agent in New Jersey. Most are available 24/7. Provide the defendant's full name, booking number, jail location, charges, and bail amount. The agent will explain what's needed.
Pay the Premium
Pay the bail bond premium (N/A — Mostly eliminated of the bail amount) to the bondsman. Most New Jersey bail bond companies accept cash, credit cards, and offer payment plans. For larger bonds, collateral such as property or vehicles may be required.
Bond Is Posted
The bail bond agent posts the bond with the jail or court. Many New Jersey facilities accept electronic bonds, which speeds up the process.
Defendant Is Released
The jail processes the release. Times vary — smaller New Jersey jails may release in 1-2 hours, while larger county facilities can take 4-12 hours.
Attend All Court Dates
The defendant must appear at every scheduled court hearing in New Jersey. Missing a court date results in bail forfeiture, a bench warrant, and potential additional charges. The bail bond company may send a fugitive recovery agent.
Case Concludes
When the case ends, the bond is exonerated and any collateral is returned. The premium paid to the bondsman is not refunded regardless of the case outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bail in New Jersey
How much does a bail bond cost in New Jersey?
The standard bail bond premium in New Jersey is N/A — Mostly eliminated of the total bail amount. For example, a $10,000 bail would cost approximately $1,000 for the bond premium. This fee is non-refundable.
Can I get a bail bond at any time in New Jersey?
Yes, most bail bond agents in New Jersey are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. You can start the bail bond process at any time after bail has been set.
Do I get my money back after the case is over?
The premium paid to the bail bond agent (N/A — Mostly eliminated) is non-refundable — it is the fee for their service. However, any collateral posted is returned when the case concludes and the bond is exonerated.
What happens if the defendant misses court in New Jersey?
If the defendant fails to appear in court in New Jersey, the judge will issue a bench warrant for their arrest and the bail is forfeited. The bail bond company may hire a fugitive recovery agent to locate and return the defendant. The indemnitor (co-signer) becomes responsible for the full bail amount.