There is a push in Maricopa County Superior Court to refund money posted as bond to get someone released from jail while their criminal case is ongoing.
The commissioner leading the effort says she’s seen bonds ranging from $50 up to $2 million.
A bond is a promise by the accused to show up to court and honor all conditions of their release.
The money may be refunded, sort of like a rental car deposit, after the defendant is sentenced or case dismissed, and if they’ve kept their pledge.
Commissioner Ashley Rahaman has been going through old stacks of those agreements.
“And so I’m seeing bonds now that are decades old. More than decades,” said Rahaman.
Rahaman has authority to refund old bonds, in part and in full, or forfeit them to the county treasurer. She said bond posters might incorrectly view it as a fee.
“We want to get people their money back,” said Rahaman.
Paperwork to request a refund of bond money is available online via the court’s Law Library Resource Center.
Rahaman wants people to search their memories of the past decade for having posted a bond to help a family member or loved one.
“Truly, if you’ve got a defendant’s name and a case number, and your name, then we can figure out what bond you posted,” said Rahaman.
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