Rule 27. PRE–TRIAL RELEASE PROGRAM · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceRule 27.3 lets a judicial officer, after reviewing the pre-trial release program’s report, release an eligible accused conditionally or under supervision instead of requiring a full money bond, or require a 10% cash deposit with the sheriff, of which at least $10 or 10% goes to the county’s administrative costs.
Full Text of Rule 27.3
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(A) After reviewing available reports provided pursuant to Rule 27.2(B), upon determination of eligibility, a judicial officer having bail jurisdiction may order an accused person released conditionally and/or released under supervision in lieu of requiring the accused to post a money bond or equivalent security; alternatively the judicial officer may require the accused, prior to release, to deposit with the sheriff a sum of money or equivalent security equal to 10% of the principal amount of the bond which otherwise would be required, referred to hereinafter as "10% bail."
(B) No person may receive compensation for acting as surety in respect of posting 10% bail under Rule 27.
(C) Of the amount deposited as 10% bail under Rule 27, $10.00 or 10%, whichever is greater, will be transferred immediately to the general fund of the county to defray administrative costs; the amount remaining will be held by the sheriff in an escrow account pending final disposition as provided in Rule 27.2(D) and (E).
Plain-English Summary
Rule 27.3 spells out what release under the pre-trial release program looks like in practice. After reviewing the report the program compiled under Rule 27.2, a judicial officer with bail jurisdiction can decide the accused is eligible and order release on conditions or under supervision, without requiring a money bond or equivalent security at all. Short of that, the officer can require the accused to deposit with the sheriff an amount equal to 10% of what a full bond would have been — the rule’s “10% bail.”
Two guardrails apply to that 10% deposit. Nobody may collect payment for acting as a surety on it, which keeps professional bail bondsmen out of the 10% bail process. And of whatever the accused deposits, $10 or 10% — whichever is larger — goes straight to the county’s general fund to cover administrative costs, with the remainder held in escrow by the sheriff until the case resolves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must happen before a judicial officer can order someone released under this program?
The officer must review the available reports provided under Rule 27.2(B) and determine that the accused is eligible for release under the program.
What is “10% bail” under Rule 27.3?
A sum of money or equivalent security equal to 10% of the principal amount of the bond that otherwise would have been required, deposited with the sheriff.
Can someone be paid to act as a surety for a 10% bail deposit?
No. No person may receive compensation for acting as surety in respect of posting 10% bail under Rule 27.
How much of a 10% bail deposit goes toward administrative costs rather than being held in escrow?
$10.00 or 10% of the amount deposited, whichever is greater, is transferred immediately to the county general fund to defray administrative costs.
What happens to the remainder of the 10% bail deposit after the administrative fee is taken out?
It is held by the sheriff in an escrow account pending final disposition of the case.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Uniform Superior Court Rules, published by the
Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia. Last verified July 17, 2026.
· Official source
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