Criminal Justice Terms

Money bail is a system where a person accused of a crime can be released from jail while awaiting trial by paying a set amount of money. The purpose of bail is to ensure that the accused will return to court for their trial. If they attend all required court dates, the bail money is returned, regardless of the trial outcome. If they fail to show up, the court keeps the money, and a warrant may be issued for their arrest.

If the accused cannot afford to pay the full bail amount, they can seek help from a bail bond company. These companies typically charge a non-refundable fee, usually around 10% of the total bail, to post the full amount on behalf of the accused. If the person fails to show up for court, the bail bond company is responsible for paying the full bail to the court and may use bounty hunters or other means to locate the individual.