Felony bail bonds in Wichita are set by a judge of the 18th Judicial District Court, not picked from a fixed price list. Every felony in Sedgwick County is heard at the courthouse at 525 N Main, and every adult arrested on one is booked at 141 W Elm. Kansas ranks felonies on a scale of severity levels, and that level, along with the person’s record, shapes how high the bond is. Almost every felony is bailable. Kansas law also sets the minimum a bondsman can charge at 10% of the bond.
Case Bail Bonds is three blocks from the jail at 705 N Broadway. Call (316) 900-1667 at any hour.
On this page
- How Kansas ranks a felony charge
- How do felony bail bonds in Wichita work?
- What does a judge look at on a felony bond?
- What does a felony bond cost?
- Can a felony bond be lowered?
- What happens if you miss court on a felony?
- Frequently asked questions
- Call Case Bail Bonds
How Kansas ranks a felony charge
Kansas does not use Class A or Class B for felonies. It uses two grids.
- Nondrug felonies run from severity level 1, the most serious, to level 10.
- Drug felonies run from drug severity level 1 to level 5.
- Off grid crimes such as first degree murder and capital murder have their own penalties.
Each felony is also labeled person or nonperson. A person felony is one against a human being, such as robbery or aggravated battery. A nonperson felony is one against property or public order, such as theft or forgery.
The sentencing grid published by the Sedgwick County District Attorney shows the prison range for a person with no record:
| Severity level | Prison range, no prior record | Usual result for a first offense |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 147 to 165 months | Prison |
| 3 | 55 to 61 months | Prison |
| 5 | 31 to 34 months | Prison, with a border box where probation is possible |
| 7 | 11 to 13 months | Probation presumed |
| 9 | 5 to 7 months | Probation presumed |
| 10 | 5 to 7 months | Probation presumed |
Why does this matter for bond? Because a judge who sets bond is weighing the chance that the person runs. A person facing 12 years has more reason to run than one facing probation. The bond follows the exposure.
How do felony bail bonds in Wichita work?
- Booking. Wichita Police, the Sheriff and every other department in the county book adults at the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility, 141 W Elm.
- Bond is set. Some felony arrests carry a bond amount from a warrant. Others wait for a judge at the first appearance. Until then the jail record can read $0.00. See what no bond means in Sedgwick County.
- First appearance. A judge reads the charge, explains rights and sets or reviews the bond. Our guide to the first appearance in Sedgwick County covers the day.
- Posting. A bondsman posts a surety bond in person at the jail, or someone pays the full amount in cash.
- Preliminary hearing. K.S.A. 22-2902 gives every person charged with a felony the right to one, within 14 days of arrest or first appearance unless it is continued. The judge decides whether there is probable cause.
- Arraignment and trial. The case moves to a trial judge.
What does a judge look at on a felony bond?
K.S.A. 22-2802 requires a bond high enough to assure the person returns and to protect the public. The judge weighs:
- The nature of the charge and the weight of the evidence
- Criminal record
- The record of showing up for court
- Family ties, job and length of residence in the community
- The risk of a new offense or of threats to victims or witnesses
Felony bonds also come with conditions misdemeanor bonds often skip:
- No contact. On a person felony, the bond bars contact with the alleged victim for at least 72 hours unless the judge finds otherwise. Judges often extend it for the whole case.
- Drug and alcohol evaluation. The statute allows it for anyone charged with a felony.
- Supervision. A court services officer can supervise the person at a cost of up to $15 a week.
- House arrest or travel limits.
One group faces a mandatory figure. Since 2025, a person charged with certain sex crimes who has a prior conviction for a sexually violent crime must have a bond of at least $750,000.
What does a felony bond cost?
K.S.A. 22-2809b sets the minimum premium at 10% of the bond. At least half of that minimum must be paid before the bond is posted. The balance goes on a written payment agreement.
| Bond amount | Minimum premium | Minimum due before posting |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $1,000 | $500 |
| $25,000 | $2,500 | $1,250 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 | $2,500 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 | $5,000 |
On larger bonds a bondsman will usually ask for a cosigner and often for collateral, such as a vehicle title or equity in a home. Read about bail bond collateral in Kansas and payment plans before you sign.
Cash is the other route. The full amount is paid at the jail. Bonds over $10,000 in cash require photo ID and an IRS reporting form, and the money is refunded after the case, less fines, costs and restitution.
Can a felony bond be lowered?
Yes. K.S.A. 22-2802 lets a person who is still in jail apply to have the release conditions reviewed, and the court must hear it without unnecessary delay. A defense lawyer files a bond motion. It helps to show the judge:
- A stable address in Wichita or a nearby county
- A job, or a letter from an employer
- Family in the courtroom
- No missed court dates in the past
A judge can also release a person on their own recognizance. That is less common on felonies, but it happens on low level nonperson cases. See OR bond in Sedgwick County.
What happens if you miss court on a felony?
The consequences stack up fast.
- The bond is forfeited and a warrant is issued.
- The Sheriff must enter a felony warrant into the national crime index within 14 days, so it shows in every state.
- If the person does not surrender within 30 days, K.S.A. 21-5915 makes it aggravated failure to appear, a severity level 10 felony on top of the original charge.
- The cosigner becomes responsible for the full bond.
More in failure to appear in Kansas.
Frequently asked questions
Can you bail out on a felony charge in Kansas?
Almost always. The Kansas Constitution makes all persons bailable except in capital cases where the proof is evident. The question is the amount and the conditions.
How much is bail for a felony in Kansas?
There is no single figure. The judge sets it case by case using the factors in K.S.A. 22-2802. Call us with the name and we will read you the amount on the jail record.
Is a level 9 or level 10 felony serious?
They are the lowest levels, and a first offense usually means probation. They are still felonies, with a permanent record unless it is later expunged. See expungement in Wichita.
How is a felony bond different from a misdemeanor bond?
The amounts are higher, the conditions are tighter and the case stays in District Court. Compare with our misdemeanor bail bonds guide.
Does the bondsman have to come to the jail?
Yes. Kansas law requires the surety to be physically present and sign the bond at the jail.
Call Case Bail Bonds
Tyson and Rachel Case run this family owned Wichita company. We are open 24 hours at 705 N Broadway, Wichita, KS 67214. Call (316) 900-1667.
Sources
- K.S.A. 22-2802, release before trial, Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes
- K.S.A. 22-2809b, compensated sureties
- K.S.A. 21-5915, failure to appear
- Sedgwick County District Attorney, sentencing guidelines
- Sedgwick County Sheriff, how to post bond for an inmate
This article is general information checked against the sources above in October 2026. It is not legal advice.
