Bail

Bail occurs when a judicial system releases someone they arrested from custody until their trial. The presumption of innocence makes bail necessary in this country. The history of bail started in Europe. Sheriffs with too much power were able to arrest people, for real reasons or false ones, and then demand a bail that was usually exorbitant. Sheriffs were notorious for lining their own pockets with bail money.

Authorities eventually decreed that bail could not be exorbitant, and that the amount had to be in line with the crime, but interpretation of the rules were subjective and easy to manipulate. In this country, we have laws in place because of these shady beginnings that govern minimum and maximum bail for most particular crimes. After authorities arrest a suspect, the judge holds an arraignment in which he can set bail.

If the crime is not too severe, the judge can release the suspect with nothing but the suspect's word that the suspect will return for all court appearances. The judge will set an amount of money that the suspect will owe to the court if the suspect does not show up for court dates. This type of bail is recognizance. The judge may also set a monetary amount for bail. If the suspect pays this amount of money, the suspect is free to go until he or she appears in court. It is illegal for the suspect to skip his or her court date. This type of bail is a cash bail. If the suspect cannot pay bail, a bail bonds person may be a surety to the court for the suspect. The bail bonds person assures the court that the suspect will show up for the suspect's court dates and then the suspect pays the bail bonds person a premium. If you need the help of a bail bonds agency, you should contact them. For residents of southern California, a good place is 1stClassBailBonds.com.

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