BOND INFORMATION

Types of Bonds                                          Setting a Bond                                                                                       Español
Posting a Bond                                          Additional Court Costs and Bail
Releasing a Bond                                       Registered Bail Bond Agent Listing
Bond Agent Registration Requirements

Types of Bonds
A bond is a written agreement between the State of Ohio and the defendant. If the defendant meets the bond's conditions, the court will grant his or her release from jail using the bond as security until the case is heard.

By signing the bond, the defendant agrees to abide with the order and judgment of the court, maintain contact with court and legal counsel, appear as required, and not depart without permission of the court. If the defendant fails to appear as ordered, the court may revoke the bond and issue a warrant for the defendant's arrest.

Insurance Bond:   An Insurance Bond must be posted by a surety agent certified by the Ohio Department of Insurance and registered by the Butler County Clerk of Courts.

Property Bond:  The following qualifications must be met to post a Property Bond:

1.       The property must be located in Butler County

2.       All property owners must be present to sign the bond

3.       The property must be free of any liens or judgments

4.       The property's value must be more than twice the bond amount, over and above all encumbrances

5.       An attorney must file a notarized affidavit stating that the sufficiency for the property bond has been met

6.       A copy of the deed to the property from the Butler County Recorder must be filed

7.       A copy of the last tax statement from the Butler County Treasurer must be filed

If the defendant does not keep all court appearances, the property may be forfeited by order of the court.

Own Recognizance Bond:  This bond is often referred to as an O.R. Bond and guarantees that, by his or her own recognizance, the defendant will abide by the orders of the court, maintain contact with the court and legal counsel, appear from day to day and not depart without leave until final disposition of the case by the Butler County Court of Common Pleas. If the defendant does not appear in court on an O.R. Bond, a new felony charge may be filed.

Cash Bond:  Cash or a certified check are required tender for posting a Cash Bond.

10% Bond:  A 10% Bond allows the defendant to be released by posting 10% of the bond amount set by the court.

Setting a Bond
Bond is set by the court that has jurisdiction for the community in which the defendant was arrested. Judges use a court order called an entry setting bond to specify the type, conditions and amount of the bond.  The court files the entry setting bond in the Clerk of Courts office as part of the case's permanent record.

Posting a Bond
Bonds may be posted in the Clerk of Courts office Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m. Property bonds may only be posted during regular business hours because of the need to verify property value and ownership. The Butler County Sheriff's office and Jail can contact staff from the Clerk of Courts office to approve and execute bonds, with the exception of property bonds, after court business hours.  You can reach the Butler County Jail at (513) 785-1033 until 7:00 p.m. or (513) 785-1032 after 7:00 p.m.                 

Click here for directions to the Butler County Jail
Click here for directions to the Clerk of Courts office

Additional Court Cost and Bail
Ohio law requires Bond depositors to pay additional court costs and bail. These funds are collected by the Clerk of Courts for the Indigent Defense Fund and the Victims of Crime Fund. The costs are collected when the bond is posted and are not refunded if the defendant is found guilty.  

Releasing a Bond
To release any type of bond, the judge must file a court order called an Entry Releasing Bond after the final judgment. Depending on the type of bond, additional release provisions may apply.

Insurance Bond:  When the final judgment is filed, the bond's conditions are fulfilled. The bond is considered released.

Property Bond:   When the final judgment is filed, the Clerk of Courts office will issue a completed Release of Lien form to the Butler County Recorder's Office to release the lien from the property. 

Own Recognizance Bond:  Once the final judgment is filed in a criminal case, the conditions of an Own Recognizance Bond are considered met and the bond is released.

Cash Bond:   When the final judgment is filed, the amount of a Cash Bond will be refunded to the depositor by ordinary mail within 48 hours of the filing of the Entry Releasing Bond.

10% Bonds:   When the final judgment is filed, the amount of the 10% Bond will be refunded to the depositor by ordinary mail within 48 hours of the filing of the Entry Releasing Bond. In accordance with Criminal Rule 46, a 10% processing fee will apply. 

Surety Bail Bond Agent Registration Requirements
In accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 3905.87, a Surety Bail Bond Agent must register with the Clerk of Courts. The Surety is required to submit the following documentation:

To register as a Surety Bail Bond Agent, print the registration form and submit it and the required documents in person to the Butler County Clerk of Courts office, 315 High Street , 5th Floor, Hamilton , Ohio 45011.

                                                                  SURETY BAIL BOND AGENT REGISTRATION FORM

Registered Surety Bail Bond Agents Listing
The Surety Bail Bond Agents listed below are registered to file bonds with the Butler County Court of Common Pleas.  If a Surety Bail Bond Agent would like to request a change in the information posted, he or she should contact us.  Surety Bail Bond Agents are required by Ohio law to re-register by the first day of August of each odd numbered year.

1.   AA All American Bail Bonds, Inc.
      317 East Ninth Street
      Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
      Phone: (513) 333-0079
      E-mail: jrconniebailbonds@aol.com

2.   A-1 Bail Bonds Inc.
      191 E. Main Street
      Batavia, Ohio 45103
      Phone: (513) 732-1900
      Fax: (513) 732-5092

3.   AA Buckeye Bail Bonds

4.   AA-Craven Bail Bonds
      109 North Fountain Avenue
      Springfield, Ohio 45502
      Phone: (937) 323-1001
      Fax: (937) 323-8221
      E-mail: jcgabailbond@ameritech.net

5.   Aldridge Bail Bond Agency
      912 Baker Court
      Middletown, Ohio 45044
      Hamilton Phone: (513) 863-4500
      Middletown Phone: (513) 422-1755
      Cell Phone: (513) 932-9060

6.   American Bonding Co., Inc.
      808 Main Street
      Bridgeport, Ohio 43912
      Phone: (740) 635-2700   Toll Free (800) 274-6717
      Fax: (740) 635-4516   Toll Free (800) 559-1565
      Web site: www.americanbondingco.com

7.  A.T. Bails, Inc.
     Nationwide Service
     3335 E. 55th Street
     Cleveland, Ohio 44127
     Cell: (216)347-2883
     Pager: (216) 807-8606
     (216) 883-BOND (2663)

8.   Best Bail Bonds
      2110 South Main Street
      Middletown, Ohio 45044
      Phone: (513) 423-5008

9.   Bob Shropshire and Sons Bonding and Insurance
      806 Main Street
      Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
      Phone: (513) 721-3915
      Fax: (513) 721-8554
      E-mail: rsiii@zoomtown.com
      Web site: http://www.bobshropshire.com/

10.   Butch Hill Bail Bonds
      311 N. Clinton Street
      Middletown, Ohio 45042
      Phone: (513) 424-1311

11. Carolyn's Bail Bonds

12. Castle Bail Bonds Inc.
      41 North Center Street
      Springfield, Ohio 45502
      Hamilton Phone: (513) 844-2772
      Middletown Phone: (513) 424-8222
      Fax: (937) 323-2072

13. Chandler Bail Bonds

14. Charles J. Miller Bonding Inc.
      191 East Main Street
      Batavia, Ohio 45103
      Phone: (513) 732-1600
      Fax: (513) 732-5092
      Web site:   http://www.ohiobailbonds.com/

15. Don's Bail Bonds
      243 High Street
      Hamilton, Ohio 45011
      Phone: (513) 895-8942
      Fax: (513) 894-5319

16. Free U Bail Bonds Inc.

17. John Craven General Agency Inc.
      109 North Fountain Avenue
      Springfield, Ohio 45502
      Phone: (937) 323-1001
      Fax: (937) 323-8221
      E-mail: jcgabailbond@ameritech.net

18. Jonathan L. Miller, Sr.

19.  Liberty Bail Bonds
       Corparate Headquarters
       1139 Penn Avenue
       Pittsburg, PA 15222
       James Wells, Local Agent
       513-887-0180

20. R and K Bail Bonds
      727 S. Erie Highway
      Hamilton, Ohio 45011
      Phone: (513) 893-0405   (513) 874-0872

21. Thomas E. Short Bail Bonds
      P.O. Box 10071
      130 West Second Street, Suite 1636
      Dayton, Ohio 45402
      Phone: (937) 223-0299
      Fax: (937) 223-2007
      E-mail:  tshortbond@springnet.cc

22. You Walk Bail Bond Agency, Inc.
       Phone: (513) 894-9255