In Ohio, if a defendant is found not guilty after the bond is posted, what typically happens to the bond and any collateral?

• A. The bond is exonerated and collateral released per court order.
• B. The bond remains in effect until all costs are paid.
• C. The bond is forfeited to the court.
• D. The collateral is kept by the court to cover fees.

Answer: (A)

When a defendant is released on bond, the bond serves as a guarantee of appearance and compliance with court terms. If the case ends with a not guilty verdict, there has been no breach of that obligation, so the bond is exonerated and any cash or property pledged as collateral is returned. The court issues an order to release the collateral and discharge the surety from liability, meaning the bond is no longer in effect and the collateral is returned to the depositor. The only caveat is that any unrelated costs or fines would be handled separately, but they do not keep the bond active or allow the court to keep the collateral simply because the defendant was acquitted.