Final answer:
An accommodation bondsman posts bonds by accepting a percentage of the bail amount from a defendant, then paying the court the full amount. They earn from the non-refundable payment made by the defendant, provided the defendant appears in court as scheduled.
Step-by-step explanation:
An accommodation bondsman can post bonds in various ways to facilitate a defendant's release from jail pending trial. When an individual is unable to pay the full bail amount set by the court, an accommodation bondsman can provide a bail bond. This process involves the defendant paying a fraction of the bail amount — typically 10 percent — to the bondsman, who in turn pays the full bail to the court. If the defendant appears at their trial as required, the bondsman's money is refunded by the court. The bondsman makes a profit because the percentage paid by the defendant is non-refundable. However, it's important to note that bail may be denied entirely for individuals deemed likely to flee or who pose a significant risk to public safety.