What Is Bail & Its Purpose?
Bail is money or other security, such as a bail bond, provided to the court to obtain an adult defendant’s release from jail and ensure his/her appearances in court. Bail is not a fine or court fee. The purpose of bail is to ensure that a defendant attends all required court dates. If the defendant keeps all scheduled court dates, the court releases/returns bail at the conclusion of the case to the person who posted/paid it. Q: How Is Bail Set? A: A judge sets a bail after obtaining information about the charge and background of a defendant. The judge makes a decision as to what amount and type of bail is necessary to guarantee that a defendant will attend court. The judge bases the decision upon factors such as: – the nature and seriousness of the charge; – the apparent likelihood of conviction; – the likely sentence if convicted; – the defendant’s criminal record, if any; – the defendant’s ties to the community; – the defendant’s dangerousness; – any prior history of missing court da
