When a person is arrested, it is not uncommon for the judge to set bail for the accused person. In cases where a person is accused of a serious crime, such as homicide, or they are a flight risk, bail may be denied, and they must stay in jail, but in many cases, bail is set. Bail, or a criminal bond, is a financial guarantee that the defendant will appear for all future court appearances. This means a person must pay all or part of the designated bail amount set by the judge in order to be released from jail.
There are several different types of bail a judge might order. Which type depends on the charges, criminal history, and other factors. The four most common types of bail bonds used to secure a defendant’s release from jail are their own recognizance, cash bond, property bond, and a surety bond.
Own Recognizance: This type of bond means no money is required for release, but the defendant must sign a legal form stating they promise to appear in court as required in the future. This arrangement is only allowed when the crime is nonviolent, and the suspect is not considered dangerous or a flight risk.
Cash Bail: This means paying the entire bond in cash. In some instances, the court will accept checks or credit cards, but this is not always permitted.
Property Bond: In this case, the defendant can put up financial property, such as their home or other real estate, as collateral as opposed to paying their bail in cash.
Surety Bond: Most people don’t have the funds needed to post bail and instead choose to use a bail bondsman. A Delaware County bail bonds company can post a defendant’s bond to release them from jail. For surety bonds, a bail bondsman typically charges a non-refundable fee. This fee covers their risk in the event the defendant does not appear in court.
