Under what condition is a surety released from liability on a bail bond?

• A. When all conditions of the bond are satisfied (discharge/exoneration)
• B. Upon the defendant's conviction
• C. After a fixed 12-month period
• D. If the court issues a new bond

Answer: (A)

The liability of a bail bond surety ends only when the bond is exonerated, which happens after all conditions are satisfied. In practical terms, that means the defendant has appeared as required at all court appearances and any obligations under the bond—such as fines, restitution, or fees—have been fulfilled. Once the court formally exonerates the bond and discharges the surety, the liability ends. A conviction does not automatically release the surety; the bond remains in effect until the court issues exoneration. There isn’t a fixed time limit like a 12-month period, and obtaining a new bond does not automatically release the old one—the old bond stays in effect until exonerated.