Criminology Term: Bail Bond
Bail bonds are a type of surety bond that helps accused persons gain freedom from custody in exchange for a financial guarantee that they will show up for their court hearing.
This type of bond is provided by bail bondsmen who are licensed and regulated by state authorities. When a person is arrested and charged with a crime, a judge may set a bail amount that needs to be paid to secure their release. If the accused person cannot afford the full bail amount, a bail bondsman may provide the bond in exchange for a fee, which is typically 10% of the bail amount.
The bail bond agreement is a contract between the accused person, the bail bondsman, and the court. The bail bondsman provides a financial guarantee to the court that the accused person will appear in court as required, and if they fail to do so, the bail bond may be forfeited.
As a result, bail bondsmen often require collateral to ensure that they are not at risk of losing money if the accused person fails to appear in court.
Although bail bonds can be controversial, they serve an important purpose in the criminal justice system. They help ensure that accused persons are able to maintain their freedom while awaiting trial, without compromising public safety or the integrity of the legal process.
However, some people argue that bail bonds create an unequal system of justice based on wealth, as those who can afford to pay for a bond are able to gain their freedom while those who cannot afford it may be forced to remain in custody until their trial.
