WATERLOO -- It will soon be cheaper for inmates get out of jail while awaiting trial.

On Thursday, the Iowa Supreme Court lowered the uniform bond schedule that determines how much defendants must pay to be released on bail on nights, weekends and other times court isn't in session. The change takes place Aug. 15.

"Part of the reason for the revision was in response to concerns about jail overcrowding," said Rebecca Colton, assistant to the chief justice.

She said Supreme Court justices feel the new bond amounts are more realistic yet high enough to ensure defendants will show up for court dates once released.

"For some of the less serious charges, it would be nice to see those individuals get out and not have to stay for an initial appearance before a judge the next morning," said Capt. Mark Johnson with the Black Hawk County sheriff's office. "It would definitely make our workload easier."

The biggest change came for higher-level misdemeanors and lower-level felonies, some of which saw a red-tag clearance rate of more than 50 percent off.

The cost to get out of jail for an aggravated misdemeanor -- for example, carrying a concealed knife or getting caught driving drunk a second time -- was $6,500. Under the new schedule, defendants can leave jail after putting down $2,000.

Class D felonies fell from $9,750 to an even $5,000, and serious misdemeanors dropped from $1,950 to $1,000. High-level drug dealing offenses that used to carry $130,000 bond will be lowered to $100,000.

Simple misdemeanors, the lowest classification, went from $325 to $300. Those include offenses like possession of drug paraphernalia or disorderly conduct.

The uniform bond schedule doesn't prevent a judge from imposing a higher or lower bond based on a suspect's perceived danger to the community or flight risk. And the schedule doesn't apply to people arrested for violent crimes defined as forcible felonies.

The new schedule translates into a mixed bag for bond companies that post bail for people who can't afford to put up their own money.

David Lederman of AAA Lederman Bail Bonds said the changes will make it easier for his company to write bonds without having to require stronger cosigners or a greater deal of collateral from the defendant.

Lederman acknowledged the change might cut into his profit margin. Bail bond businesses make their money charging clients a percentage of the bond amount as a fee: Lower bonds mean lower fees.

But Lederman said this might be offset by an increase in volume because bail amounts are more affordable.

Officials at the Black Hawk County Jail aren't sure if the new schedule will relieve crowding, however.

"Normally those that have the financial resources to post the bond will post it no matter what it is. Those individuals that get arrested that are of low income or indigent, they not going to be able to post it anyhow," Capt. Johnson said.

The county's jail can hold 272 people in the main housing unit. Another 39 can be placed in a temporary holding area, but they must be moved within 23 hours.

On Thursday, the jail had 285 inmates, which means officials had to move 13 people to neighboring Bremer County to relieve overcrowding, Johnson said.

Michael Anthony, who operates Liberty Bail Bonds, doesn't think minor tinkering with the bond schedule will alleviate overcrowding.

He said an income-based approach to bond amounts would be fair for people with low incomes who wind up behind bars. Anthony also said spending more on preventative measures like education and substance abuse treatment would likely keep more people out of jail in the first place.

Contact Jeff Reinitz at (319) 291-1578 or jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com.