Bail and bail bonds

Bail refers to "cash bail" or a "bail bond". Cash bail means a sum of money, set by the court, posted by the defendant or any other person, upon the condition that the money will be forfeited to the state if the defendant does not comply with the directions of the court requiring his or her attendance at the criminal proceeding.

Bail bond is a form of bail and when this term is used in the Criminal Court it almost always refers to a bail bond issued by a recognized insurance company. It is a guarantee to the court by the insurance company that while the defendant is at liberty as a result of the posting of the bail bond, he or she will appear in court in the criminal action whenever his or her attendance is required. If the defendant fails to appear as required, the insurance company will pay to the Court the specified sum of money designated by the court which set the bail.

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