Bond in Grand Traverse County

If you were just arrested in or around Traverse City, the first question on your mind is simple: “Can I go home—and what strings are attached?” At True North Legal Group, we help good people when bad things happen in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. Most of our clients are first-time defendants facing the criminal justice system for the first time, and the bond decision is often their very first courtroom moment. We’re a boutique, selective-docket defense practice focused only on the 86th District Court and the 13th Circuit Court, and we prepare every case as if it may go to trial. That trial-forward mindset actually starts at bond, because what happens at the beginning shapes everything that follows.

This guide walks through where the case happens, how the local process works, and—most importantly—what cash, 10% (deposit), and surety bonds really mean in the 86th District Court. We’ll also talk about what’s at stake for first-time defendants in Grand Traverse County and Leelanau County, why preparation matters, how we build a defense, the questions to ask any lawyer here, and practical next steps you can take today.

Where the Case Happens: 86th District Court vs. 13th Circuit Court

All roads start at the 86th District Court. That’s where misdemeanor cases live from start to finish, and it’s where felony cases begin. If your case is a felony and it survives the early screening stages, it gets bound over to the 13th Circuit Court for later phases—motion practice, plea discussions, and, if needed, a jury trial. Think of the District Court as the on-ramp and the Circuit Court as the highway for felonies; misdemeanors never leave the on-ramp.

Why this matters for bond: the bond decision is typically made at arraignment in the 86th District Court. That single hearing decides whether you’re released and, if so, under what rules. Getting oriented before that moment lowers stress, prevents misunderstandings, and helps you avoid unforced errors.

Step-by-Step: The Local Process in Plain, Conversational Terms

1) Arrest or Charging Decision

Some cases begin with an on-scene arrest (common in OWI and certain alleged assaults). Other times you’ll be contacted later when charges are authorized. Either way, you’ll be directed to appear in the 86th District Court to start the case.

2) Arraignment in the 86th District Court

The judge tells you the charge, explains your rights, and usually enters a “not guilty” plea so the case can move forward. Then comes the big moment: bond and bond conditions. This is where the court decides whether you go home and what rules you’ll follow while the case is pending.

3) Bond and Bond Conditions

Bond has two parts: (1) the money question (cash, 10% deposit, or surety through a bondsman) and (2) the rules you must follow (testing, no-contact orders, travel limits, check-ins). Money doesn’t replace rules—bond conditions sit alongside whatever financial requirement the judge sets.

4) Pre-Trial Conferences (Misdemeanors in the 86th)

A pre-trial conference is a status meeting, not a mini-trial. It’s where the prosecution and defense discuss discovery, identify issues, and see whether plea talks make sense to evaluate (not assume). Many misdemeanor cases will have one or more of these in the 86th District Court.

5) Motions

Depending on the case, your lawyer might file motions about statements, stops, searches, or other legal issues. Motions are about defining what the judge or jury can consider later. They’re part of a careful process—not an emergency switch or a guarantee of dismissal.

6) Felony-Only Stages: Probable-Cause Conference, Preliminary Exam, Bind-Over

Felonies get an early probable-cause conference and, if necessary, a preliminary exam—a limited hearing to decide whether the case moves forward. If it does, the case is bound over to the 13th Circuit Court.

7) Trial

Misdemeanors try in the 86th; felonies try in the 13th. The question at trial is whether the prosecution can prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. We don’t promise that your case will go to trial; we prepare as if it might. Trial-readiness early on creates leverage and clarity throughout.

Bond Basics—Then the Money Details

Before we dig into cash, deposit, and surety, two quick terms:

Personal Recognizance (PR): You sign a promise to return, with conditions. No money posted. Conditions still matter.
Bond Conditions: The rules of release (alcohol/drug testing, no-contact orders, travel limits, check-ins, stay-away orders). Violating them can create new problems even if you posted bond perfectly.

Now, let’s unpack the money side in the 86th District Court, the way people actually experience it in Grand Traverse County and Leelanau County.

Cash, 10% (Deposit), and Surety Bonds—How Each Works Here

Cash Bond (sometimes called “full cash”)

What it means: The court sets a dollar amount—say, $5,000—and you (or someone on your behalf) deposit the full amount with the court or jail to secure release.

Who can post: You or a third party (family member, friend). The money belongs to the poster.

Where the money sits: With the court until the case closes. At the end, the court can apply posted cash bond toward fines, costs, and other court-ordered amounts. If there’s anything left, it is typically refunded to the person who posted. That’s common practice but not a prediction for any single case.

Why choose cash: If you have the funds and want to avoid bondsman premiums, cash can be a straightforward path. Just remember the court may apply it at the end.

“10%” Bond (also called a “10% provision” or “10% deposit”)

What it means: The judge names a higher “face amount” (for example, $10,000) but allows you to post 10% of that figure in cash (here, $1,000) instead of the full amount.

Who can post: You or a third party. The deposit belongs to the person who posts it.

Where the money sits: With the court as a cash deposit until the case ends. As with full cash, the court can apply deposited funds to fines and costs, and any remainder typically returns to the poster.

Why judges use it: It’s a middle ground—some skin in the game without tying up the full amount. For a first-time defendant with family support, a 10% deposit is often manageable.

Surety Bond (through a licensed bondsman)

What it means: Instead of putting money on deposit with the court, you hire a bondsman to guarantee the bond amount to the court.

What you pay: A premium (a percentage of the bond) to the bondsman. That premium is generally nonrefundable—it’s the cost of transferring risk from you to the surety company.

Collateral and paperwork: Depending on the size of the bond and your circumstances, you may need collateral or a co-signer.

Why choose surety: If the court sets a high number and posting cash or a 10% deposit would strain your family finances, surety can be the faster, more practical way home—even though you won’t get the premium back.

How Bonds Are Actually Satisfied (Paid) in These Counties

Paying Directly (Cash or 10% Deposit)

In person: Right after arrest, bond is often posted at the jail or court. Bring valid ID and the funds (check with the jail/court for acceptable forms—cash, cashier’s check, etc.). The receipt should list who posted and for whom.
The court maintains bond-specific payment options for the 86th District Court. Use the court’s bond page for Traverse City (Grand Traverse County) or Leelanau—and be careful to select the bond option, not the traffic/criminal payment page. The correct page can be found here.
Refunds and application to costs: When the case closes, the court may apply posted cash or deposit toward fines and costs. Any remaining balance usually goes back to the person who posted. Keep all receipts.

Using a Bondsman (Surety)

Arrange directly: You (or a family member) contact a licensed bondsman. They’ll explain the premium, any collateral, and paperwork.
Filing with the court/jail: The bondsman files the surety bond to secure your release.
Premium is an expense: Unlike cash or a 10% deposit, the premium is typically not returned at the end of the case.

Common Pitfalls We Help Clients Avoid

Posting on the wrong portal: Bond is different from paying a ticket or a fine. Use the bond-specific option. If you’re unsure, ask before you pay.
Assuming cash automatically comes back: Plan for the court to apply cash or a deposit to case costs first.
Forgetting conditions: Money posts the bond; it doesn’t erase the rules. Testing, no-contact, and travel limits remain in full effect.

The Two Tracks of Bond: Money + Conditions

No matter which money option you use, bond conditions are real and enforceable. In domestic cases, expect a court-issued no-contact order that applies to you—not just mutual agreement. In alcohol-related or drug-related cases, expect testing (sometimes random). Travel can be restricted, and check-ins may be required. If a condition doesn’t make sense in your daily life, the answer isn’t to ignore it—it’s to ask your lawyer when and how to request a change through the court.

What’s at Stake for First-Time Defendants in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties

When you’re a first-time defendant, the legal piece is only half of it. The other half is your life:

Employment and background checks: Even pending charges can trigger questions at work. Some employers and licensing boards require disclosure. We can’t give fact-specific advice on a web page, but we can help you think about timing and documentation.
Professional licenses: Teachers, nurses, CDL holders, real estate agents, and others may face reporting or review. The details differ by license.
Driver’s license impact: If your case involves driving—especially OWI—license issues can arise. The specifics depend on the charge and the stage of the case.
Family routines: No-contact orders, testing schedules, and check-ins can complicate daily life. We focus on compliance while exploring lawful ways to reduce unnecessary friction.
Community reputation: In smaller communities like Traverse City and throughout Leelanau County, visibility can feel intense. We keep your decisions steady and private, and we avoid public drama.

We don’t predict outcomes. We manage what you can control today so you’re in a better position tomorrow.

Why Trial-Readiness Matters Here

We’re trial-forward, not plea-driven. That doesn’t mean your case will go to trial; it means our file is organized from day one as if a jury might see it. In our experience, local prosecutors often overcharge, and when cases move toward trial, the evidence can look very different than it did in a police report. Being trial-ready builds leverage for thoughtful plea discussions and creates clarity if trial is the right call. We are not a high-volume plea mill. Our approach is steady, thorough, and sized to our selective docket.

How True North Legal Group Builds a Defense (From the Very Start)

Early orientation around bond. We explain your arraignment, the possible bond types, and the conditions you might hear. We also help family members understand the difference between posting cash, making a 10% deposit, and hiring a bondsman—so you don’t scramble under pressure.

Evidence review that tests the story. We request reports and discovery and, when available, we review body-cam, dash-cam, and other video with a critical eye. Written narratives can sound decisive; recordings sometimes reveal something different.

Constitutional screening. We examine stops, searches, seizures, and statements. We don’t promise suppression; we check whether your rights were respected and whether the evidence was properly obtained.

Investigation and witnesses. Where it matters, we identify and interview witnesses, gather documents, and preserve materials (texts, photos, location data) that can quietly make the difference later.

Expert consultation when appropriate. If the issues call for it—accident reconstruction, forensic toxicology, medical interpretation—we consult the right experts. Not every case needs an expert; some do.

Trial organization from day one. Exhibits tracked, timelines built, issues flagged. That level of preparation reduces last-minute surprises and helps you make thoughtful decisions at each stage.

Questions to Ask Any Lawyer in the 86th District Court or 13th Circuit Court

How many first-time cases have you handled in the 86th District Court, and what should I expect at arraignment and bond?
If my case is a felony, can you walk me through the probable-cause conference and preliminary exam—what they are and what they are not?
What’s your approach to reviewing body-cam, dash-cam, and other video early, so we’re not reacting at the last minute?
How do you prepare cases as if they may go to trial without promising trial for everyone?
What kind of communication should I expect after court dates, and who on your team updates me?
How do you evaluate plea discussions without assuming I have to plead?
If a family member posts a 10% deposit, what should they know about refunds and court costs at the end of the case?
If the judge issues a no-contact order, how do we address necessary logistics—housing, kids’ schedules—without violating the order?
When do you recommend considering an expert, and how do you weigh that cost-benefit for a first-time defendant?
What are the most common bond-condition pitfalls you see locally, and how do clients avoid them?

Good answers will sound calm, specific to these courts, and grounded in process rather than promises.

Immediate Next Steps (General, Non-Advice)

Get your dates in one place. Keep a single calendar (digital or paper) for court dates, testing windows, and check-ins. Missing anything—even a test—can snowball.

Treat conditions as live right now. If you heard “no contact,” “testing,” or “check-ins,” assume they apply immediately. If you don’t understand something, ask promptly through counsel.

Be mindful about conversations. Many first-time defendants want to explain themselves to friends, family, or on social media. Keep details private. Let the courtroom, not the internet, be where the case is decided.

Organize documents. Save every receipt (especially bond receipts), court notice, and any paperwork related to employment or licensing. The person who posted bond should also save their proof.

Plan for end-of-case accounting. If someone posts cash or a 10% deposit, make sure they understand the court can apply it to fines and costs. No surprises later.

Bringing It All Together

Bond in Grand Traverse County—especially in the 86th District Court—comes down to two tracks: money and rules. The money can be cash, a 10% deposit, or surety through a bondsman. The rules can include testing, no-contact, travel limits, and check-ins. Whether your case stays in the 86th (misdemeanor) or moves to the 13th Circuit Court (felony), the way you handle bond sets the tone for the rest of the case. For first-time defendants in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties, a steady, organized start does more than lower stress—it protects your options.

At True North Legal Group, we help good people who made a bad decision regain their footing. We’re hyper-local to these two courts, selective in what we take on, and trial-forward in how we prepare. In our experience, prosecutors often overcharge, and when cases are forced toward trial, the evidence can look very different. We are not a high-volume plea mill. Preparation creates leverage, and leverage creates choices.

If you’re facing charges in the 86th District Court or 13th Circuit Court in Grand Traverse or Leelanau County, you can schedule a confidential strategy session using our online calendar at https://calendly.com/tnlg/30min or call (231) 800-8654. After scheduling, you will receive a calendar confirmation with details for the meeting.