In the concept of criminal law, bail refers to the release of a defendant from custody while awaiting trial.
Bail can be in the form of money, property, or a bond that the defendant must provide to the court as a guarantee that they will appear for all court proceedings.
If the defendant fails to appear in court, they may forfeit the bail amount and could be subject to additional legal consequences such as an arrest warrant being issued.
The amount of bail is typically set by a judge based on factors such as the severity of the crime, the defendant’s criminal history, and the likelihood of the defendant fleeing or failing to return to court.
Bail is intended to ensure the defendant’s presence in court and to protect the community from potential harm. The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution protects the accused against excessive bail or fines.
