Whether you get bail money back depends on how the bail was posted. There's an important distinction between cash bail and bail bonds.
If you posted cash bail (the full bail amount), you will receive a refund after the case is resolved, regardless of the outcome, as long as the defendant appeared at all court dates.
If you used a bail bond, the premium you paid (typically 10% of the bail amount) is non-refundable. This is the fee for the bail bondsman's service.
When a case is resolved and the defendant has met all court obligations, the bail bond is 'exonerated.' Any collateral used to secure the bond is then returned.
Understanding these distinctions can help you make informed decisions about how to post bail.