Bail is a legal term meaning “money or other security given to assure that a defendant will return for trial.” A bail bond is the security that someone who has been arrested gives in order to be released from jail, pending court proceedings. What are bail bonds and how can they help?

What Is A Bail Bond?

A bail bond is the security that someone who has been arrested provides in order to be released from jail, pending court proceedings. In exchange for the bail, the person might provide a house or car title, post financial collateral with a bank or credit union (such as their savings account), or promise to wear an ankle monitor. A bail bond is the legal action used to secure the release of a person who has been arrested and is awaiting trial. Usually, individuals who are able to post bail will do so, using a bail bondsman as one of the methods of paying for their bail and getting out of jail. The use of bail bondsmen has recently become subject to criticism due to myths about them that have been propagated by TV shows such as CSI, but they are still in common use and many prefer them over other methods of securing release from jail.

Bail Bondsmen

A bail bondsman is what most people think when they hear the term “bail bonds. A local bail bondsman is an individual who pays for the release of a person being held in jail. Bail bondsmen are usually used by people who do not have enough money to post bail, and therefore cannot get out of jail on their own. The use of a bail bondsman is sometimes called “bail bondswoman.” Most bail bondsmen highly prefer to work with family members or close friends when they are attempting to help someone get out of jail, especially if the person arrested is someone who doesn’t have a lot of experience with the criminal justice system. For this reason, bail bondsmen work much better when they can speak directly to family members or other close acquaintances when they first meet them.

Non-Monetary Bail

Monetary bail is sometimes known as “cash bail” or “money bail”. It is a cash payment to the court used to ensure that the defendant will appear in court when they’re supposed to. The money is placed into an account run by the court and it serves as collateral for the defendant’s appearance. If they don’t show up, then the money is forfeited and goes back to the court.