The difference in one sentence: a secured bond requires money (or a bondsman) before release; an unsecured bond releases the defendant on a signed promise to pay only if they fail to appear. If the magistrate said "secured," that's when you call us.
The four release types a Virginia magistrate can order
- Release on recognizance (ROR / PR bond): a written promise to appear — no money involved. Common for first offenses and minor charges.
- Unsecured bond: a dollar amount is set (say, $2,500) but nothing is paid up front. The amount only becomes owed if the defendant skips court.
- Secured bond: the amount must be posted before release — in cash, with property, or through a licensed bondsman for a premium quoted up front. This is the one that keeps people in jail when families can't pay.
- Held without bond: no release — typically for serious charges or repeat offenders — until a judge reviews it at a bond hearing.
How magistrates decide
The magistrate weighs the charge severity, criminal history, community ties, employment, and any past failures to appear. First-time defendants with local roots often get ROR or unsecured terms; repeat offenses, violence, or flight-risk factors push toward secured bonds and higher amounts. Full background: understanding bail amounts.
"The magistrate said $5,000 secured" — what now?
You have three ways to satisfy a secured bond:
- Cash: post the full $5,000 with the court; returned after the case if all dates are met
- Property: pledge real estate with sufficient equity (slower, more paperwork)
- Bail bondsman: pay the bondsman's premium — a fraction of the bail, quoted up front — and we post the full amount; the fastest route for most families, with payment plans available
Can a secured bond be changed to unsecured?
Yes — a defense attorney can ask a judge to reconsider the bond type or amount at a bond hearing. Judges regularly convert secured bonds to unsecured (or lower the amount) for defendants with strong ties and clean records.
Confused about what the magistrate ordered? Call (757) 751-0964 and read us the paperwork — we'll explain exactly what it means and what it will cost, free.