In criminal law, a bail bond is a financial guarantee that is provided to the court in order to secure the release of a defendant from custody before their trial.
The bail bond is typically paid by a bail bondsman on behalf of the defendant, who then pays a fee (usually a percentage of the total bail amount) to the bail bondsman. In states that do not recognize bail bondsmen, the bail is often posted by a friend or family member.
The bail bond serves as a promise that the defendant will appear in court for all scheduled hearings and follow any conditions set by the court while out on bail.
If the defendant fails to appear in court, the bail bond may be forfeited and the defendant could be arrested and returned to custody. The defendant may also risk having the posted bail forfeited. Bail is mostly in cash form but is sometimes secured through property and other assets.
