In Maricopa County criminal cases, it is common for the court to order a defendant to deposit funds in a trust managed by the Clerk of Court; these funds are referred to as “criminal bail bonds.” According to the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office, Maricopa County, “The funds are processed by the Accounting Division of the Clerk of Court’s Office.” When defendants post bond, the court will only accept methods of “guaranteed payment,” such as:
- Cash
- Wire transfers
- Local attorney trust fund checks
It’s important to note that wire transfers are only accepted for defendants who are currently in custody in Maricopa County. If a defendant is in custody in another county or state, and a transfer is made, it will likely be rejected and returned to whomever sent it.
Conditions for Criminal Bonds in Maricopa County
In Maricopa County, a criminal bond will be accepted under the following conditions:
- The defendant is being held in Maricopa County Jail.
- The defendant is present when the bond is paid.
- The exact amount of the bond is paid, not a dollar or cent less.
- When the bond is paid, the defendant receives notice of the time, date, and location of their court appearance.
What if you, or your loved one is in custody and you cannot afford to pay the full bond amount? In that case, you may be able to obtain a criminal bail bond from a local bail-bonding agency. Just be aware that once a defendant is released on bond, he or shemust show up for all future court dates as scheduled by the court. If a criminal defendant fails to appear in court, a judge will issue a bench warrant and the police will seek an arrest, even if it means going to the defendant’s home in the middle of the night. Failing to appear for a court appearance in Arizona is a separate crime that’s usually a Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor depending on the facts of the case.
Are you, or someone you love facing criminal charges in Phoenix? Contact our office to schedule a free consultation with a former prosecutor!
