Adams County Bail Bond Guide: Everything a Family Needs to Know

Being informed when your family member or a close friend is arrested and taken into custody at the Adams County Detention Facility (150 N. 19th Ave, Brighton, CO) can be a stressful experience. Navigating through the criminal justice system may seem like deciphering an alien language.
A comprehensive understanding of the bail bond industry in Adams County is critical to making the best decision for your budget, family, and returning your loved one from jail as soon as possible with minimal stress.
This guide discusses everything an Adams County resident needs to know about bail bonds for family members in custody.

1. Getting Information About the Inmate
   Before contacting a bail bondsman and posting bail, the family needs to get vital information about the inmate and their charges. It is essential to provide the right information to the bonding agent and jail staff.
   Here is the key data you will be asked to provide:
   Full Name (Including Middle Names or Aliases): It is crucial to provide the correct spelling and legal name. Having correct middle names or aliases is helpful if the full name is unavailable.
   Date of Birth: This helps distinguish people with similar names.
   Booking Number: This unique number is used to confirm a person’s incarceration.
   Charges & Bail Amount: The charges against the defendant and the bail set either by the judge or as per the county’s bail schedules.
   Tip: The booking number, inmate status, and bond amount can be checked online or by calling the detention facility directly.
2. Everything About Bonds in Adams County
   A bail bond is a type of surety that ensures the defendant appears in court. It is released to the court as payment for the defendant’s release from jail. Bonds can be set in various ways depending on the judge’s discretion, the bail schedule, and the financial status of the defendant.
   Here is an overview of the bond options available in Adams County:
   Cash Bond: The defendant or their family member pays 100% of the bail amount to the court. The cash is refunded at the end of the trial if the defendant is found not guilty or the bond is exonerated.
   Surety Bond: This type of bond involves hiring a bail bondsman. The bondsman collects a non-refundable premium, usually 10% of the set bail amount, for the service. The bondsman charges 10% to 15% for the premium if the bail amount is more than $10,000.
   PR Bond (Personal Recognizance): This is a bond signed by the judge to release the defendant on their own recognizance. The defendant does not owe the court any money upfront, but they are held personally liable in case of failure to appear in court. The full bail amount is usually due if the defendant skips a court appearance.
   Property Bond: The defendant pledges real property as collateral for the bond. The process is expensive and requires getting property appraised and putting a lien on it, taking longer to process.
   Note on County Bond Fees: Adams County charges a mandatory $10 bond processing fee. Additionally, a standard administrative $40 booking fee is assessed upon arrest.
3. The Bail Bond Process in Adams County
   In most cases, the jail will not release a defendant before a hearing. Once the bail has been set, the family can opt to hire a bail bondsman to help them navigate the release process.
   The entire process generally takes between 2 to 6 hours.
   1.1. Contact a Bail Bondsman Agency:Initial Consultation.
   The first step is to contact a reliable bail bondsman agency. The agent will ask for details about the inmate and the set bail amount.
   2.2. Complete Bond Contract and Payment:Agreement & Premium.
   The bonding agent will inform the family about the financial obligations associated with the bail bond and request the indemnitor’s information (the person signing for the release). The indemnitor goes through a screening process before signing the contract and providing payment (usually 10% of the bond amount). Most bail service agencies offer electronic signing and payment options for convenience.
4. 
   3.3. Bond the Inmate:Official Filing.
   Next, the bail bondsman presents the surety bond directly to the detention records department at the facility or court.
   4.4. Jail Processing and Inmate Release:Discharge.
   The facility processes the paperwork. It is recommended to remind the inmate to keep track of GPS monitoring in case of electronic surveillance. The entire process of releasing the inmate typically takes between 2 to 6 hours.
5. Co-Signing Responsibilities for a Family Member’s Release
   Whenever a bail bond is signed for a family member, one of the close relatives becomes an indemnitor (the person who co-signs for the bail bond). This is a binding legal agreement that comes with specific obligations.
   Before signing a bail bond for a relative, the co-signer must understand the conditions:
   Guaranteeing Court Appearance: The most critical responsibility of the indemnitor is to ensure the defendant appears before the court at all times until the date when the judge dismisses or terminates the bond. Failure by the inmate to appear in court can result in the co-signer having to pay the full bond amount to the bonding agency or court.
   Paying the Bond Cash Value: If the defendant fails to appear before the court or flees after being released on bail, the indemnitor must pay the cash value of the bond.
   Posting of Collateral Securities: Depending on the bail amount, the bonding agency may ask the co-signer to pledge personal property (collateral) to secure the bond. Collateral refers to a personal asset such as a house title or car title. In case of default, the bail bondsman has the legal right to take possession of the collateral. The indemnitor gets the collateral back once the bond is formally terminated by the court.
6. What to Do After Returning the Loved One to Your Care
   Having your loved one released from custody is just the beginning. To ensure that their freedom is not cut short by skipping a court date, key conditions must be met:
   Verify Court Details: Ensure they understand the court date and confirm that the Notice to Appear (NTA) has the correct date, time, and court location in the city or county of Brighton.
   Remind the Defendant: It is the responsibility of the co-signer to remind the defendant about their court date. Failure to appear in court when expected can result in the revocation of bond and the co-signer being pursued to pay the cash value.
   Follow Pre-Trial Restrictions: Adams County judges often impose travel restrictions, alcohol and drug tests, spousal and child protection orders, and GPS tracking.
   Secure Legal Counsel: The defendant should hire a criminal defense attorney to help them navigate the bail process and prepare a strong legal defense before appearing in court.
   Summary Checklist for Families
   Finding Information Fast: Research and find the booking number and bond amount for the inmate in Brighton, Adams County via the online inmate search or by contacting the detention facility.
   Choosing the Right Bond: Evaluate what is most cost-effective—paying 100% of the bond amount in cash (refundable) or paying 10% via a bail bondsman (non-refundable).
   County Bond Fees: Remember the additional $10 Adams County bond fee, the $40 booking fee, and possible credit card processing fees if using a card.
   Indemnitor Responsibilities: Understand that co-signers must guarantee all court appearances for the relative they sign for.
   Processing Time: Expect to wait between 2 to 6 hours for facility processing and inmate release after posting the bond.