If a defendant complies with bond conditions and is convicted, what is the legal treatment of the bond?

• A. The bond is kept by the court
• B. The bond is refunded; defendant pays new money
• C. The bond is transferred to a new case
• D. The bond is burned

Answer: (B)

When a defendant posts bond, the purpose is to ensure appearance in court. If the defendant fully complies with all bond conditions and the case reaches its disposition, the bond is exonerated. This means the money or property posted to secure release is returned to the person who posted it (cash bond is refunded or the property is returned). If a bail bondsman was used, the premium paid to the bondsman is typically not refunded, but the bond obligation itself is discharged. The bond is not kept by the court, not transferred to another case, and not burned. If there were a subsequent matter that required new bail, a new bond would be posted then.