Can you explain what bail is and the reason behind its existence.
2007-03-23 09:49:06 · 5 answers · asked by Sam 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
When someone has been arrested but not found guilty or innocent yet, it is a way to allow them to go free, but to use money, as a chip to ensure you come back to face your court date.
If the crime you committed was really serious, or they think you might try to flee the country, they won't allow you to bail out.
2007-03-23 09:52:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
"Bail" is a short version of the term "bail bond." A bond is a promise. A "bail bond" is a bond securing the the promise to return something or someone that belongs to someone else. As commonly used today, a bail bond is money deposited to secure a promise that an arrested person will return to court for trial if he is released pending the trial. The person released can deposit cash with the court or he can pay an insurance company to "post" the bond for him by paying the insurance company a fee (usually 10% of the bond amount) to sign its own promise to pay the court if he does not return. The insurance company works thru an agent called a "bail bondsman." If the arrestee does not return, the bond is "estreated," meaning the court keeps the money. That doesn't mean they forget the charge. He's now out the $$ & there's a bench warrant issued for him. The bond co. can get back all or some of the bond if they then capture & return the fleeing arrestee.
2007-03-23 17:21:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bail is money you pay to get out of jail until you have a hearing. Bail exists to guarantee that a person won't leave town because they payed all that money to get a trial later.
2007-03-23 16:52:25 · answer #3 · answered by countrymusicfan 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Basically bail is insurance. It is insurance that says you won't leave, and will appear for court. It helps to assure that people will appear for their criminal hearings. If they don't appear, then they forfeit the bail money. Sometimes it's as low as $100, and sometimes it's as high as $2 million. (maybe higher, but I've never seen that.)
2007-03-23 16:53:39 · answer #4 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bail is when the goverment sets a price for you to be free (out of jail) untill your court date. If you flee and do not show up for court they keep your money and set a warrent out for your arrest.
2007-03-23 16:54:40 · answer #5 · answered by Ziema Diema 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋