In the U.S., each state has its own system for a bail bonds. This allows a person who is still waiting for the trial to stay out of jail temporarily until the court date. Different states come with different types of bail systems, yet the basics remain the same.
Understanding Bail and Bail Bond
Bail is money or property deposited with a promise to persuade the judge and release the defendant from jail. It will have an understanding and agreement that the defendant will return to the court for the trial. The purpose of this is to ensure that the defendant will show up to the trial without keeping them in custody.
The amount should be basically high enough, so they don’t just skip out easily. In fact, the courts have pre-set bail amounts. However, the judge can deviate the amounts.
So it’s different from the bail bond, as the bail bond is the promise made by the defendant to have a surety. The court may forfeit the money if ever the defendant will not return. Also, if the defendant does not return to court, there will be a forfeiture hearing to be scheduled, and an arrest warrant will be issued.
On behalf of the defendant, the bail bondsman also act as surety and post bail. A bail bondsman can make a profit by charging an interest that is usually 10% of the bail amount.
.