And that $40,000 was a premium that is gone forever, just the beginning of the costs to this family. This will end up costing each of the three families a bundle, even if it's dismissed before trial, which it should be.
I, thank heavens, don't know how this works. I'm confused.
I thought bail was paid upon release to compel return of the charged person to court, i.e. to prevent flight. All $400,000 is tied up as long as the charges are unresolved. I thought it was all refundable even if the charged person is eventually convicted as long as the charged person made his/her court dates. I thought that the majority of the $400,000 was paid by a family friend. Surely that friend (unlike a bail bondsman) wouldn' be charging the accused a 10% premium. What am I missing?