Maryland Bail Bond Calculator

Bail bond agents in Maryland

A person may be a surety for compensation on criminal bail bonds only if approved under court rules and, where required, licensed under the Insurance Article. (Md. Code, Crim. Proc. § 5-203(c))

A person may not engage in the business of becoming a surety for compensation on bail bonds in criminal cases unless the person is: (1) approved in accordance with any rules adopted under this section; and (2) if required under the Insurance Article, licensed in accordance with the Insurance Article.

A premium may not be more or less than the rate filed with and approved by the Insurance Commissioner. (Md. Code, Ins. § 27-216(b)(1)(i))

A person may not willfully collect a premium or charge for insurance that: (i) exceeds or is less than the premium or charge applicable to that insurance under the applicable classifications and rates as filed with and approved by the Commissioner;

Percentage deposit with the court in Maryland

If the court expressly authorizes it, a defendant or private surety may post a bail bond by depositing with the clerk the greater of 10 percent of the bond or $25. (Md. Code, Crim. Proc. § 5-203(a)(2))

if expressly authorized by the court, a defendant or a private surety acting for the defendant may post a bail bond by executing it in the full penalty amount and depositing with the clerk of court the greater of 10% of the penalty amount or $25.

Cash bail in Maryland

The release statute is to be read to rely on criminal sanctions instead of financial loss to ensure a defendant appears. (Md. Code, Crim. Proc. § 5-101(a))

This section shall be liberally construed to carry out the purpose of relying on criminal sanctions instead of financial loss to ensure the appearance of a defendant in a criminal case before verdict or pending a new trial.

When a bail bond is discharged and the receipt surrendered, the clerk returns any collateral security to the person who deposited it. (Md. Rule 4-217(j)(2))

Upon the discharge of a bail bond and surrender of the receipt, the clerk shall return any collateral security to the person who deposited or pledged it and shall release any Declaration of Trust that was taken.

Note: Rule 4-217 PDF header: effective July 1, 2023.

If a court date is missed in Maryland

The court must give a surety 90 days after the failure to appear (180 days for good cause) to return the defendant before requiring payment of any forfeiture. (Md. Code, Crim. Proc. § 5-208(b)(2)(i))

The court shall allow a surety 90 days after the date of the defendant’s failure to appear or, for good cause shown, 180 days to return the defendant before requiring the payment of any forfeiture of bail or collateral.

For the rest of what can follow a missed date, see missed court in Maryland.