This is where bail bonds agencies come in. The bail for simple drug possession in CA (where I'm from) can be upwards of 15-20k. Obviously most people don't have $20,000 in liquid assets to put up for their bail, so a bail bonds place will put the money up for you, but you pay a small amount of it (usually 10%, but they'll work with you.) This money you do not get back. The bail bonds agency gets the money they put up back when you go to court, and they keep your 10%, this is how they turn a profit. This is also why bounty hunters exist, because if you skip court you are basically now worth $20,000 to someone.