Columbia & Montour Cnty. L.R. No. 520

As amended through January 1, 2020

Rule 520 - Bail

A. Real Estate. Real Estate shall not be accepted as surety for bail unless accompanied by:

1. A certification by an attorney licensed to practice in this Commonwealth stating the ownership of the real estate so offered and all liens against the same; and

2. An appraisal or opinion letter (at the discretion of the Court or issuing authority) of the real estate made within thirty (30) days of the bail motion by a licensed real estate broker or appraiser; and

3. All record owners of the real estate must execute the appropriate surety documents.

B. Administrative Fee. In all court cases where an amount of bail is set for release, a non-refundable administrative fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be paid to the Clerk of Courts of the respective county where trial will be held. The administrative fee shall be considered as earned at the time of bail undertaking is executed.

C. Discharge. When the conditions of a bail bond have been performed and the defendant has made all required appearances in the case, the Clerk of Court shall return to the person posting bail, unless the bail deposited, less any administrative costs. In the event a Judgement has been entered on any bail bond, upon receiving and Order that the defendant has been discharged from all obligations, the Clerk of Court shall, upon payment of the appropriate administrative, filing and satisfaction fees, mark the Judgment satisfied on the record.

D. Accepting Bail. Between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, and on weekends and County Legal Holidays, the Warden of the County Prison, or his designee, shall be authorized to accept bail pursuant to and subject to the limitations, of the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure. The Warden's authority is limited to accepting the bail deposit, delivering the bail and bond to the proper Issuing Authority (Magisterial District Judge) or the County Clerk of Courts, whichever has jurisdiction, and, under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure 525, releasing the defendant upon execution of the bail bond.

Columbia & Montour Cnty. L.R. No. 520