Insights & Information

Fees incurred by innocent defendants through the purchase of bail bonds are being absorbed back into Cook County as a processing fee, according to a recent story published by Chicago Public Media. This processing fee is typically 10 percent of the total bond payment, which can add up to hundreds of dollars per individual. According to Dorothy Brown, Cook County Clerk of Court, "the problem is that they [the defendants] had to be processed and someone, the same costs are involved whether the person is found innocent or guilty. It's an unfortunate circumstance, it's the system we have right now, but someone has to pay that cost and I wouldn't want to raise taxes on the taxpayers to pay that cost for individuals that are found innocent." The Office of the Cook County Clerk reports that approximately six to seven million dollars are brought in annually through these fees. To read the full story by Rob Wildeboer, click here.