You are here

Posting and Return of Criminal Bond

Posting and Return of Criminal Bond

The information below relates to posting bond in the US District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin.  If you have questions regarding bond in a Milwaukee County Circuit Court case, please call 414-278-4538.

Posting Bond - Federal Court

Bonds may be posted with the court for criminal bail, appeal, temporary restraining orders, and other matters as ordered by a judge.  Bonds may be ordered to be posted in the form of cash, secured bond through a surety, property, or a combination of these forms.  All bonds must be ORDERED by the court before being accepted by the Clerk's Office.

Cash bonds

Cash and/or cashier's check (payable to the Clerk, U.S. District Court) are the ony acceptable forms of payment for criminal bond.  We do not accept personal checks or credit cards for bond.  All criminal bail bonds will be receipted by the cashier in the name and address of the person identified as the owner of the cash at the time bond is posted.  Bond of $5,000 or more will earn interest while on deposit with the court.  When bond is ordered to be returned, you may be required to provide the Clerk's Office with IRS form W9, for IRS interest reporting.

Property Bonds

Real Estate may be posted in lieu of cash bond as ordered by the court.  Please refer to the Procedures for Posting Real Estate page.

Surety Bonds

All sureties used must be authorized on the Department of the Treasury's Listing of Approved Sureties.

 

Return of Bond - Federal Court

Cash Bonds

At the conclusion of a criminal case in Federal Court, a written request for the refund of cash bail must be submitted to the Court.  The presiding judge will issue an order for the return of bond.  Cash bond will be refunded to the person who originally posted, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.  You may be required to provide the Clerk's Office with IRS form W9, for IRS interest reporting.

The Clerk of Court will initiate a refund within 10 business days of the court order. 

Property Bonds

At the conclusion of the case, defense counsel should submit a written request to the Court for the release of property bond, along with a prepared Satisfaction of Mortgage (unless Satisfaction was submitted at the time property was posted).  The presiding judge will issue an order for the release of lien.  The signed Satisfaction of Mortgage, and related documents will be returned within 10 business days.  After you receive the Satisfaction of Mortgage, you must  file the document with the register of deeds of the county where the property is located, to remove the lien.  Please refer to the Procedures for Posting Real Estate page.