Wisconsin Bail Bond Calculator

Bail bond agents in Wisconsin

Commercial bail is effectively prohibited: a surety must be a natural person (except traffic-bond surety companies under s. 345.61) and may not be compensated for acting as surety. (Wis. Stat. § 969.12(2))

A surety under this chapter shall be a natural person, except a surety under s. 345.61 . No surety under this chapter may be compensated for acting as such a surety.

Cash bail in Wisconsin

Bail may be imposed only on a court finding, such as a reasonable basis to believe it is necessary to assure appearance. (Wis. Stat. § 969.01(1)(b))

Bail may be imposed at or after the initial appearance only upon a finding by the court that any of the following is true: 969.01(1)(b)1. 1. There is a reasonable basis to believe that bail is necessary to assure the defendant’s appearance in court.

On a felony conviction, the cash deposit balance after bond costs goes first to restitution and then to the judgment; it is returned in full if the case is dismissed or the defendant acquitted. (Wis. Stat. § 969.03(4)-(5))

If a judgment of conviction is entered in a prosecution in which a deposit had been made in accordance with sub. (1) (d) , the balance of the deposit, after deduction of the bond costs, shall be applied first to the payment of any restitution ordered under s. 973.20 and then, if ordered restitution is satisfied in full, to the payment of the judgment.

How bail is set in Wisconsin

The state constitution makes all persons eligible for release under reasonable conditions before conviction. (Wis. Const. art. I, § 8(2))

All persons, before conviction, shall be eligible for release under reasonable conditions designed to assure their appearance in court, protect members of the community from serious harm as defined by the legislature by law, or prevent the intimidation of witnesses.

Note: Amended April 2023.

If a court date is missed in Wisconsin

If the bond conditions are not met, the court enters an order declaring the bail forfeited. (Wis. Stat. § 969.13(1))

If the conditions of the bond are not complied with, the court having jurisdiction over the defendant in the criminal action shall enter an order declaring the bail to be forfeited.

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