No, you do not have to use a bondsman to post bail. If you have the full amount of the bail in cash, you can pay the bail directly to the court or jail to secure the release of yourself or the person in jail. This is called posting cash bail, and it is the most straightforward way to pay for bail.

However, bail amounts can be quite high, and it may not be practical or affordable for everyone to pay the full bail amount in cash. Most people use a bondsman who can post a surety bond on their behalf. A surety bond is a type of bond that guarantees the full amount of the bail will be paid if the defendant fails to appear in court. In exchange for posting the bond, the bondsman charges a fee, usually around 10% of the bail amount. That fee is non-refundable

Using a bondsman can be a convenient option, but it is important to understand that the fee paid to the bondsman is non-refundable, even if the defendant appears in court and the case is resolved. Additionally, if the defendant fails to appear in court, the bondsman may require the full amount of the bail to be paid, or they may hire a bounty hunter to locate and apprehend the defendant.