When a defendant complies with bond conditions and is convicted, may a court keep the bond to pay the fine?

• A. The bond is converted to a fine for the court
• B. The bond must be kept by the court to cover costs
• C. The bond shall be refunded and the defendant shall pay new money to satisfy the judgment
• D. The bond is voided and the defendant goes free

Answer: (C)

A bond is security to ensure the defendant will appear and follow court orders. If the defendant fulfills all bond conditions and a conviction is entered, there has been no breach of the bond terms, so the bond is exonerated and returned to the holder. The court then imposes a judgment that may include a fine (and possibly costs or restitution). The defendant must pay that judgment with new money to the court. The bond isn’t kept to pay the fine; its purpose was security for appearance and compliance, not a source of payment for the sentence.