BONDS
Bonds are set by the court that has jurisdiction for the community in which the defendant was arrested.  The entry setting the bond is filed in the Clerk of Courts office. Ohio law requires bond depositors to pay an $85.00 fee, which is not refunded if the defendant is found guilty.

POSTING A BOND
Bonds may be posted in the Clerk of Courts office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For after-hours bonds, call the jail at 740-773-1187.
Property bonds may only be posted during regular business hours.  

Own Recognizance Bond (O.R. Bond):  
If a defendant, who has been released on an O.R. Bond, does not appear in court, a new felony charge may be filed.  
Once the final judgment is filed in a criminal case, the conditions of an O.R. bond are considered met and the bond is released.

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

• The property must be located in Ross County.
• All property owners must be present to sign the bond.
• The property must be free of all liens and judgments.
• The property's value must be at least twice the bond amount, over and above all encumbrances.
• An attorney must file a notarized affidavit stating that the sufficiency for the property bond has been met.
• A copy of the deed to the property from the Ross County Recorder must be filed.
• A copy of the last tax statement from the Ross County Treasurer must be filed.
• A lien will be immediately filed against the property in the Ross County Recorder's Office. The property may be forfeited if the defendant fails to appear for ALL court appearances.

When the final judgment is filed, the Clerk of Courts office will send notice to the Recorder's Office to release the lien from the property.

Cash Bond:
Cash or a cashier's check are required tender for posting a cash bond.

When the final judgment is filed, the amount of a cash bond will be refunded to the depositor by ordinary mail.

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

When the final judgment is filed, 90% of the deposit shall be returned upon compliance with all conditions of the bond.

Insurance Bond: 

An insurance bond must be posted by a surety agent who is certified by the Ohio Department of Insurance and registered in the Ross County Clerk of Courts office. When the final judgment is filed, the bond's conditions are fulfilled and the bond is considered released.

SURETY BAIL BOND AGENT REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

To register as a Surety Bail Bond Agent, submit required documents to the Ross County Clerk of Courts Legal Division.

In accordance with the Ohio Revised Code:  

(A) A surety bail bond agent shall not file a bond in any court of this state unless:
the agent is licensed and appointed pursuant to the Revised Code and has registered with the clerk of courts.  

(B) To register with the court, a surety bail bond agent shall file with the clerk of courts, a copy of the agent's surety bail bond license; a copy of the agent's driver's license or state identification card; and a certified copy of the surety bail bond agent's appointment by power of attorney from each insurer that the surety bail bond agent represents.  An agent shall renew the registration biennially by the first day of August of each odd-numbered year.

(C) The clerk of courts makes available a list of court-registered surety bail bond agents to the jail not later than the first day of September.  The clerk of courts sends updated lists, as needed, to the jail.