The cost of a bail bond depends on what the bail bond amount has been set by a judge. After a person goes before a magistrate, that judge will set the amount. Usually a bail bond company can pay the full amount of the bail bond on behalf of the individual to be bonded out. The benefit that the US bail system provides is that a person does not need to have the full amount in order to have freedom. Instead, a bail bond company can place the full amount in trust, on behalf of that individual, in exchange for a set sum. The idea is that the accused makes a security deposit that they get back once the case is resolved. If the individual does not show up, then the State can keep that money.