If the amount of bail is set at $2500, you can either pay it yourself upfront and get a refund after you appear in court, or you can pay a bail bondsman 10% of the total to put the money up for you, so you would pay $250 to the bondsman.  If you use a bondsman, the money you pay is non-refundable. If you pay it yourself, you usually get close to the full amount back after appearing for your court date.