Before you can understand what a bond is, you need to have a general understanding of the entire system. When a person is arrested and charged with a crime, they are treated as innocent until proven guilty by the court. The court has a duty to protect the public from possible harm and ensure that the defendant doesn’t leave town and skip out on court dates.
How it Works
This is where bail comes in. When a person is booked in jail after an arrest, a specific dollar amount is set that must be paid in order for them to be released. This money will be returned to them at the completion of their case if they return for all court dates. It acts as an incentive to return for their case.
Bail is determined on a variety of factors, including the laws regarding that offense in each state, the severity of the offense, whether or not the defendant or the severity of the crime is a danger to the public, the defendant’s criminal record, and whether or not they are considered a flight risk. The entire amount must be paid in full, and it must be in cash.